SPECIAL REPORT:
Fat Burning Supplements Making you Fatter and Unhealthier?
Reliable diet and exercise information is more accessible than ever before yet every year, Americans continue getting fatter. According to David Kessler, author of The End of Overeating: Taking Control of the Insatiable Appetite, food manufactures purposely make their foods irresistible by combining sugar, salt, fat and a pixie dust of chemicals to create an addictive response in the consumer. Therefore the more of their food you eat, the more you desire it and excess fat is the consequence. Unfortunately, highly processed foods do nothing positive for the brain and body, merely displacing the nutrition required to thrive. Without a wholesome, nutrition‐based, source of energy to get through the day, many people–mistakenly–self‐medicate with caffeine and other stimulants. Relying on artificial, external sources of stimulation is a poor choice which can lead to insulin resistance which can perpetuate weight gain and otherwise discourage good health. Increasing the ante with supplemental fat‐burners and thermogenics only worsens the situation. In the long run, fat‐burners can potentially make you fatter by screwing up your physiology. Overusing such supplements can create (or aggravate already existing) adrenaline resistance, which in turn causes fat retention, muscle loss, and inflammation.
Most fat burning supplements on the market are stimulant‐based, thus they work by increasing the neurotransmitter/hormones epinephrine and norepinephrine. Norepinephrine and epinephrine are catecholamines, secreted by the adrenals, which trigger the “fight or flight” response (also known as an adrenaline rush) providing an energy and strength boost by way of the central nervous system for 2‐15 minutes. When facing a legitimate stressor, i.e. an emergency, we rely on these hormones to overcome and persevere. Epinephrine, also referred to as adrenaline, is what gets you out of the bed in the morning; it further gives you an edge every time you take on a challenge. Adrenaline gives us energy for intense workouts and, in the form of norepinephrine, for the mental demands of problem solving.
The problem, as usual, comes from too much of a good thing. Most people in modern society have chronically increased adrenaline levels from day‐to‐day living, and taking stimulant‐based fat burners only increases the load on their already overworked adrenal glands. What if you’re on vacation? With no stress in sight? Still, if you take a fat‐burning supplement the recommended two to three times a day, you’ll still be increasing your brain’s perception of stress. So every time you take a stimulant based fat burning supplement the message to the brain is a consciousness of stress.
Chronically elevated adrenaline always results in adrenaline resistance, a condition wherein the various adrenaline receptors become desensitized. In an adrenaline‐sensitive system, adrenaline causes blood sugar to rise (to be burned for energy) while simultaneously releasing lipids into the blood stream (the fat‐burning part) thus adrenaline can aid us in breaking down fat deposits for energy. Unfortunately, in an adrenaline‐resistant system, since the receptors are dulled, the message is either delayed or worse, never gets through. Thus, the system stores–instead of burning–the available energy sources and, worse yet, tends to store the released lipids into already‐existing stubborn fat depots, like hips and thighs in women and love handles and upper back fat in men. In addition to increasing depot fat stores, adrenaline resistance–allowed to run its course–ends with severe energy lows and general fatigue Receptors worn out by chronic stimulation eventually shut down, leaving you lagging all day.
Building–and retaining–muscle mass is critical to body leanness. If your goals include fat loss, you’ll want to add muscle to improve your ratio of lean body mass to fat–and building muscle is virtually impossible in the face of adrenaline resistance.
We need sufficient testosterone and growth hormone to feel our best and thrive, but the excess cortisol (from the excess adrenaline) pulls the plug on muscle gains on one front by flat‐lining production of the anabolic sex hormones. When your central nervous system is in continual survival mode, available energy is no longer delegated to anabolism (i.e. tissue growth and repair) but instead to survival mode (i.e. suppressing inflammation by suppressing the immune system.) Decreased sex hormone production is the kiss of death for muscle gains, fat loss, powerful immunity and a healthy zeal for life. You want to optimize your sex hormone levels and feel great? Here’s the hitch: you must address adrenaline resistance.
When it comes to fat loss, instead of relying on ever‐increasing adrenal stimulation (with ever‐decreasing returns) focus on what realistically needs to happen to burn the fat off–keep it off. One often overlooked key to fat loss is liver health. The stronger and healthier the liver, the less stubborn fat deposits on the body, since the liver assists in clearing out excess fat‐retaining estrogens.
Since toxins are stored in fat cells, the body will stubbornly retain fat in order not to release those stored toxins into the blood stream, since it could overwhelm the system–especially when organs are already stressed. Though you may think it hates you, your body may actually be holding on to that undesired fat to protect your organs.
Knowing this, it makes sense to eat a diet both clean and free of toxins. Consuming ample organic fruits and vegetables provides the liver antioxidants to counter the effects of toxins released from the fat cells. While the nutrition benefit per se of organic food over non‐organic food is negligible at best, organic food has less surface toxins from sprays which ideally translates into a lower toxic load on the system, therefore less burden on the liver and finally, decreased stubborn body fat.
Don’t forget the minerals: magnesium and zinc support hormone production–especially testosterone. With every adrenaline release comes a corresponding need for magnesium and other minerals and electrolytes. Magnesium controls muscular contraction, including striated, smooth and cardiac muscle. Magnesium, with its muscle relaxing properties, is best taken as a sleep aid before bedtime.
Finally, take a page from The Younger (Thinner) You Diet: How Understanding Your Brain Chemistry Can Help You Lose Weight, Reverse Aging and Fight Disease (Eric Braverman, MD) and add three spices to every meal. Spices, such as turmeric, basil, oregano, cumin and rosemary are all anti‐inflammatory and good for liver health. Cinnamon is helpful for regulating blood sugar and tastes great in protein shakes and homemade protein bars.
Proper sleep, and other restorative practices, are important–frequently neglected–aspects of fat loss and physical wellness. Without adequate quality sleep (7‐9 hours for most) human growth hormone levels will be insufficient. Growth hormone has an anabolic function and is a potent player in body leanness. GH Levels naturally decline after age 25 so you don’t want to further short change yourself by missing sleep.
You can never go wrong taking charge of your life and circumstances. The more self‐reliant you feel in your endeavors, the healthier you will be.
Looking to optimize your health and win the war against body fat? Address your propensity for adrenaline resistance. In short, if you are one of the stimulant addicted, overcome it. Unlike caffeine and other fat‐burners, eating a clean diet supplies real energy to the body and keeps the liver clear of toxins. The healthier your liver, the more efficiently you will shed fat and improve hormonal profiles. If indicated, you may need supplements for liver health and hormonal support, but remember: diet, exercise and supplements aren’t enough in themselves. If you have a stressful attitude toward your life, you can count yourself among the adrenaline resistant. Don’t go there! Why not take responsibility for your life and, instead of managing symptoms of stress, rout them and liberate yourself. Also, never guess on what supplements to take. You should always have proper testing and guidance from a professional. I highly recommend getting the proper blood work done to find out what you need.
Also, be wary if you have a personal trainer that pushes pre-workout drinks and stimulants.
Dr. John Heary, DC, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC, CUSC, CCFT
Certified Fitness Trainer
Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Figure Trainer Specialist
Certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
Certified Underground Strength Coach
Certified Fitranx Instructor
Dedicated To Your Success,
Dr. John Heary, DC, CFT, SFN, PFTS, MMACC, CUSC, CCFT
Certified Fitness Trainer
Certified Specialist in Fitness Nutrition
Certified Physique and Figure Trainer Specialist
Certified Mixed Martial Arts Conditioning Coach
Certified Underground Strength Coach
Certified Fitranx Instructor
Certified TRX Instructor
Certified Corporate Fitness Trainer
Certified Spartan SGX Coach
Certified Weightlifting Performance Coach
(716) 545-4090
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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