Supplement companies would like you to consider that meal replacement products (MRP’s), powdered mixes and shakes have several sort of “magical” fat-reducing or muscle-building properties. The fact is that they’re nothing more than “powdered food” (or “liquid food”). The main advantage of these loose weight fast products is convenience. It’s a challenge to eat frequently and to get enough high class protein from whole foods, so quality MRP’s are great when you’re in a hurry and you don’t have time to eat food, but they’re not better than food, despite what any supplement “guru” says. Owners of supplement companies will say that MRP’s are the greatest thing since electricity. That shouldn’t come as any surprise; sales of these products run in the tens of millions of dollars every year.
With the one possible exclusion of post-workout nutrition during mass-building programs, eating real food is better than drinking shakes. The human gastrointestinal system has evolved to efficiently absorb whole food, not powders or pills. The process of digesting solid food every three hours actually increases your metabolic speed. This is known as the “thermic effect of food.” Powders fail to take advantage of this metabolic boost. Xenadrine, Hydroxycut, Metabolife, Thermadrol, Diet Fuel, Stacker and Ripped Fuel. Ever heard of a few of these? If not, you must have been living in a cave someplace for the past ten years because “thermogenic” fat burning pills made with the herbal stimulant ephedra have become the most recent weight loss trend in the history of the industry.
Billions of dollars are washed-out on these losing weight products every year and there’s no end in sight to this fat burning pill feeding-frenzy. Although Ephedra is banned for over the counter sale because of FDA stress, it’s likely that ephedra-free stimulant products will take their place in short order, even if they’re weaker versions of the unique products. The strength of the brand names seems to be carrying them forward. But are these thermogenic products all they’re made out to be? Let me set the record straight forever. Open up any bodybuilding or fitness magazine these days and you’ll see multi-page advertisements audacity of “amazing”, “clinically verified,” “university-tested” results, with dramatic photos of physiques allegedly transformed overnight by using these products.
One headline states “Proven to increase fat loss 1700%.” Another says “Burn up to 613% more fat!” Still another states, “34 times more fat lost than control group.” Frankly, the publicity surrounding these products borders on being ridiculous. Where did these numbers come from?
1700% or 613% or 34 times greater THAN WHAT? Obviously, some “apples” are being compared to “oranges.”
It’s trouble-free for supplement companies to cleverly take statistics out of context – just one of lots of sneaky tricks they have up their advertising sleeves. (Did you recognize there’s an infamous book cal ed “How to Lie With Statistics,” written on this very topic? If you don’t trust me, go to Amazon.com and see for yourself.) If any supplement actually did burn 1700% more body fat, there wouldn’t be any overweight people left! But there are: There are more overweight people today than ever prior to in history! Don’t believe the hype! It’s not that these products don’t work at all – the dilemma is more in the deceptive marketing and advertising than the products themselves. The claims are just outrageous.
Thermogenic fat burners do work, but they don’t work phenomenons and they’re not a alternate for proper nutrition and training. Because the main ingredients ephedrine and caffeine are strong central nervous system stimulants, they also have lots of potential side causes and contraindications. Use caution if you use thermogenic products at all and never use them if you are receptive to stimulants and/or have a history of heart disease, high blood pressure, thyroid disorders or numerous other medical troubles. If you’re not sure if ephedra products are safe for you, check with your doctor first.
General tips about your health and how to take care of it on the immune system boosters blog.
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