Fat burners, also known as thermogenics are a combination of sometimes very potent ingredients aimed at increasing the body’s metabolism to burn more fat. 

These ingredients in these products usually include caffeine, bitter orange and the controversial ephedra. We have all been bombarded with claims that thermogenics can shred the fat off of our bellies and give us shredded results. But are they really necessary?

Probably not, but various studies show they do in fact help burn more calories. It has been found that the main ingredient in most thermogenics- caffeine, works by stimulating a process called futile cycling, or thermogenesis. This process is a weight-watcher’s ally.

It works by actually dissipating stored food energy as heat, rather than storing it as fat. It was found that caffeine may raise metabolic rate by up to 13% and fat release by roughly 24%.

It is clearly suggested that thermogenics taken in addition to training may help speed fat loss. It should be understood that the manufacturers of these concoctions don’t really care if you train or not, after all the supplement industry is enjoying record profits as of late. The term to watch out for on SOME of these products is "proprietary" ingredients- we just don't know what or how much is in some of these products. Do your research before you take anything.

 Exercise should be the primary source of increased metabolic activity. Even if it is something as simple as getting up in the morning and taking a brisk walk on am empty stomach, make exercise your front-line defense against weight gain. They are called supplements for a reason: additional tools to apply to smarter eating habits and regular exercise already in practice.  

The take home message: Do they work? Yes. Just realize they are there to assist in your fat-fighting efforts. We have to do the work.