Do Thermogenic Pills Help You Lose Weight?
Content Written/Updated on May 9, 2007
Hello,
What do you think about thermogenics? Do you think they are healthy? I've tried everything else and it seems the bit that these pills speed up my metabolism is starting to really make some difference. I also work out 5 times a week and eat like an athlete, and that wasn't enough before these pills...
Is it possible that I have a thyroid problem?
Thank you
--Lauren
First of all, I would highly recommend going to your doctor and getting your thyroid checked. In fact, get a full physical exam and get everything checked. I've known quite a few people, including family members, who struggled with weight because of hypothyroidism. Others were anemic and just felt tired all the time, so they couldn't get their daily activity level up enough to burn the fat.
There are a few concerns with thermogenics. Yes, they can work. They can speed up your metabolism, which will help you burn more calories and ultimately lose weight. However, they can also have side effects, some of which can be dangerous. They can even be addictive and lead to more harmful drugs like meth (believe it or not). Ephedra (also listed as Ma Huang) was a common ingredient in many thermogenic pills. It seemed like a miracle, but then we learned how dangerous the side effects could be (like heart attacks), and the FDA is banning it. Pseudo-ephedra has also been used by some people for weight loss, but is better known for fighting cold and allergy symptoms. It too should be used in moderation because of possible health problems. Synephrine (also listed as zhi shi or citrus aurantium extract) is filling in for ephedra in many products, and doesn't seem to have the negative side effects, but it hasn't been studied enough to be declared safe. Some studies have shown that it causes an increase in blood pressure (which is rarely a good thing). Then there's the good ol' caffeine. Since humans have been consuming caffeine for so long, I would venture to say that it's safe in moderation, but I wouldn't consume anything with caffeine after lunch time unless you want to start having sleeping problems.
That's another interesting side effect of thermogenic chemicals, difficulty sleeping or achieving deep levels of sleep. When you sleep at deep levels, your body actually burns calories more efficiently. Many obese people don't sleep enough or don't get enough deep sleep, which actually slows their metabolism even more. (It seems ironic to try to lose weight by sleeping, but it really does make a difference.) Deep sleep is also necessary for tissue repair (especially muscle tissue), so by taking chemicals that interfere with deep sleep, you could be slowly damaging your body's tissues and develop a persistent feeling of achiness and lethargy (which will certainly slow down your exercise routine and generally ruin your day).
So get a good checkup by your doctor. Use caffeine in moderation. I highly recommend skipping the thermogenic pills; the risks may outweigh the benefits. If you just can't seem to lose anymore weight, try adding or intensifying the strength training portion of your exercise program. The more muscle you build, the more calories you burn (even during that precious sleep), so you'll slowly start seeing the numbers of the scale go down. Plus, it makes you look good in a bathing suit (and women won't look like body builders if that's a concern).
Good luck!
...by Feed