OK, we all know there's no such thing as a miracle diet pill. But we didn't know 20-30 years ago. Advertisements at the back of celebrity trash magazines had a little more credibility than they are now. Good storytelling techniques and a couple of fake photos could sell any products to millions of us. Ordinary folks had no means of verifying those stories, nor knowing how a supplement exactly works unless they had a medical encyclopedia handy.
I too, have fallen into a trap once.
Did You Know?
- Fat Burning Pills Market Growth: The global dietary supplements market, which includes fat burning pills, was expected to grow annually by 8.2% from 2020 to 2027.
- Consumer Interest: Surveys suggest that approximately 15% of U.S. adults have used a weight-loss dietary supplement at some point in their lives.
- Regulation Challenges: The FDA has identified over 70 weight loss supplements containing hidden, potentially harmful ingredients since 2010.
- Efficacy Doubts: Studies indicate that many fat burning supplements have minimal evidence supporting their effectiveness for significant weight loss.
- Adverse Effects: Emergency department visits attributed to dietary supplements, including fat burners, number approximately 23,000 annually in the United States.
I think I remember the name of the chemical used in these pills, but am not 100% sure so will leave it unmentioned here.
I was sharing an apartment with 2 friends - one female, one male. The girl obtained these expensive diet pills and transformed herself. The remaining two of us followed the steps and we all lost so much weight over the course of a few months, if not weeks.
But the pills gave awful side effects including continuous nausea, dizziness, and irritable bowel problems.
She was under 6 stone (38kg) - skeleton beauty. And I was as crazy, lost 1.5 stone (9.5kg) but was on a ridiculous diet to maintain muscles at the same time. Some days (as a vegetarian) all I had for a day was two egg whites and a scoop of peanut butter, nothing else. I was still running and weight training daily. (a) How did I have so much energy to work in the office all day and (b) How stupid was I?
Indigestion!
We religiously spent Friday evenings together - our Home Cinema Night. But because all three of us were suffering from digestive system malfunctions, the constant trip to the bathroom in turn meant it would take us forever to finish watching one movie. Stop, start, stop and start.
To cut the story short, I had to move out to start a new life. Not just the heartburn and irritable bowel, but the access to the shared bathroom... I finally realized how absurd it was to get up at 4 am so that I had plenty of time to use the toilet, lie down again to get my stomach settled, have another cup of tea while someone else was in the toilet, and go use the toilet again before leaving the house for work at 8 am.
I found my own apartment, stopped taking the pills, and all the side effects were gone almost immediately (what a surprise lol). I still kept myself underweight by continuing the crazy anorexic lifestyle and, eventually took me a year to put some weight back on afterwards.
Did You Know?
- Popular Ingredients: Ingredients like caffeine, green tea extract, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) are commonly found in these pills, claiming to boost metabolism.
- Caffeine Content: Some fat burning pills contain as much caffeine as three cups of coffee, leading to potential side effects like anxiety and insomnia.
- Consumer Spending: Americans spend over $2 billion a year on weight loss supplements, including fat burners.
- Misleading Claims: The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has taken action against several companies for misleading claims about the effectiveness of fat burning supplements.
- Online Purchases: Over 80% of purchases for weight loss supplements are made online, where regulation and oversight are more challenging.
Fat Burning Pills Men Can Tolerate With
This product HOW Nutrition W8 Burn is specifically made for men. And there's a version for women too... Oh wait! They both contain exactly the same ingredients and dosage! Women's version is in silver & pink package. Men's version is as per the image here, black & red...
I get it. Diet Coke and Coke Zero effects, basically.
Diet pills, never again. I managed to stay away from any kinds until I got this "W8 Burn". I decided to give it a try because;
- I got it for free from someone
- It claimed no side effects and 100% tolerable
- It had good reviews on Amazon and
- I wanted to be in a better shape.
I started to put on weight as I started to work from home 6 months ago. I continued to jog in the morning and do my weights in the evening as I always ever had. But sitting at home all day is even worse than sitting in the office all day. By munching away while working on the screen, my body was slowly building a bad fat deposit. I needed to stop snacking to start with.
"HOW Nutrition W8 Burn" tablets helped me stop unnecessary cravings.
I liked this product and bought more packets to continue - I've been taking a capsule twice daily for the past 2 months, and lost 6 pounds so far. It feels natural. I'm not looking to lose any more weight. I eat healthy, continue the same exercises and try to maintain some muscles.
1. Cinnamon
According to WebMD, a particular type of cinnamon - Cassia Cinnamon may lower blood sugar level. Some studies show cinnamon may also lower cholesterol and reduce inflammation, but some studies dispute.
2. Fucoxanthin
Examine.com explains that - in short, fucoxanthin burns fat, reduces blood pressure and provides benefits to diabetics. But you don't see any acute results.
The site says "may take up to 5-16 weeks of 5mg or more in order for fat burning effects to occur". Daily dose of W8 Burn contains 15mg of it. So it's well-covered.
3. African Mango Extract
Drugs.com says African mango has numerous benefits including for diabetics and obesity. It says you need 300mg of extract a day (150mg twice a day) so there's not quite enough in W8 Burn dosage.
Did You Know?
- Youth Exposure: Approximately 6% of teens report using fat burning or muscle building supplements, raising concerns about early exposure and health risks.
- Gender Differences: Women are more likely than men to use dietary supplements, including those marketed for weight loss.
- Ingredient Bans: Substances like ephedra have been banned due to serious health risks, yet some supplements on the market have been found to illegally contain them.
- Weight Loss Expectations: Consumers often expect rapid results from fat burning pills, despite evidence suggesting that sustainable weight loss requires long-term lifestyle changes.
- Natural vs. Synthetic: There's a growing demand for "natural" fat burners, though the term isn't strictly regulated and doesn't guarantee safety or effectiveness.
Why Do I Think These Pills Are Working On Me?
Fucoxanthin takes 5-16 weeks to take effect. I've lost 3kg in two months (8-9 weeks). Maybe a little too early to tell for definite? What happened to me initially is that I stopped snacking between the meals completely. I believe the reasons are mainly;
- One or more of the ingredients reduces your appetite AND
- Motivation factor "I'm officially on a diet!", i.e. placebo.
The main thing is that I can tolerate with these tablets - no side effects, no ups & downs or experiencing sudden dramatic changes. I can take them just as I take multivitamin tablets. And I feel naturally lighter.
Fat Burning Supplement Alternatives
Weight loss should ideally be achieved through a healthy diet and regular physical activity. Pills and supplements should be considered only as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, these healthier habits.
Now, let's talk about a few types of weight loss or fat-burning supplements men can potentially tolerate, along with the science behind them. I'll try to keep things simple and bullet-pointed.
1. Caffeine:
- How it works: Caffeine is a stimulant that can increase fat burning and help you lose weight. It's thought to do this by increasing your metabolism, or the rate at which your body burns calories.
- Scientific evidence: Some studies show that caffeine can temporarily boost your metabolic rate by up to 16% over one to two hours. However, its effects can vary between individuals and may decrease in long-term caffeine users.
2. Green Tea Extract:
- How it works: Green tea extract is a concentrated form of green tea. It is rich in antioxidants known as catechins, which combined with caffeine, can increase fat burning.
- Scientific evidence: Some studies have found that these antioxidants can help your body burn fat more effectively. However, results have been mixed, with some studies showing little to no effects.
Did You Know?
- Quality Control Issues: Independent testing has revealed that a significant percentage of supplements, including fat burners, don't contain the amounts of ingredients listed on their labels.
- Global Reach: The demand for fat burning supplements is growing not just in the United States but globally, with significant markets in Asia and Europe.
- Return Policies: Many fat burning supplements are sold with money-back guarantees, though consumers report varying degrees of difficulty in obtaining refunds.
- Social Media Influence: Influencer endorsements of fat burning pills on social media platforms have significantly influenced consumer purchasing behavior.
- Healthcare Consultations: Despite widespread use, a small percentage of users report consulting with a healthcare professional before starting a fat burning supplement regimen.
3. Protein Powder:
- How it works: Protein is incredibly important for burning fat. A high protein intake can help you burn fat by boosting your metabolism and reducing your appetite.
- Scientific evidence: Studies consistently show that high protein diets lead to more weight loss than low protein diets.
4. Soluble Fiber:
- How it works: Soluble fibers absorb water and form a gel that helps slow down food as it passes through your digestive system. This can help you feel full and eat fewer calories overall.
- Scientific evidence: Studies show that soluble fibers can contribute to weight loss by reducing your appetite.
5. Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA):
- How it works: CLA is a type of fat that is believed to work by reducing appetite, boosting metabolism, and stimulating the breakdown of body fat.
- Scientific evidence: Some studies suggest that CLA can cause significant fat loss in humans, but other studies show no effect.
Remember
- Before taking any supplement, it's always best to consult with a healthcare professional, as these can sometimes have side effects or interact with other medications you're taking.
- There is no "magic pill" for weight loss. It's important to combine these supplements with a balanced diet and regular exercise.
I hope this helps and is easy enough to understand! If you have any more questions, feel free to ask.
Ray, thanks for the good info on W8 Burn. It does seem like something I could use, as I definitely have that sitting all-day job that builds up those fat deposits you describe. Your story living with your roommates back in the day is crazy but I’m sure many are still trying this. Glad you found your way out of there and on to something healthy!
Thanks for the great info – Randy
Hi Randy, thanks for your comment. Choosing weight loss products is risky, as some chemicals can be so dangerous but legally available. Some say that herbal tablets are as bad too. Very popular big business, as you say many try all sorts. At least I can say I’ve tried this one (W8 Burn) and this is fine in my experience. Of course it’s best if you can avoid any supplements – eat healthy and get some exercise. Thanks again, I appreciate your comment!
Hi Ray, I agree with you. I only trust natural stuff and never fat burning pills. But W8 sounds like “almost all” natural, I’d better give it a try. Thanks for the great job xx
Thanks Jono for your comment, I appreciate it! Yes I prefer to put less chemical in my body too 🙂