Fat burners are just as important a topic in the fitness scene, especially in bodybuilding, as muscle-building supplements. Perhaps even more so, because while muscle-building supplements primarily appeal to men, fat burners are equally interesting for both men and women. But how exactly do these diet pills or powders work—and what's the difference between "extreme fat burners" and "regular fat burners"? And do fat burners have side effects? Read on below to learn what fat burners contain and what you should pay attention to if you want to buy fat burners and get the most out of them!
Fat burners: capsules, pills and powder for weight loss
What are fat burners?
Fat burners are dietary supplements that facilitate weight loss—more specifically, the melting away of body fat. They are often referred to as "diet pills," but this is misleading. Firstly, fat burners are not always in pill form (they are also available as capsules and powder), and secondly, they do not replace a diet. ("Dieting" and "using fat burners" are two different things.) Their use is merely a supplementary measure that can accelerate fat loss as part of a weight-loss program. What do you need to know about fat burners? First and foremost, there are two categories: "extreme fat burners" and "regular fat burners." These differ significantly from each other, both in terms of their composition and their effectiveness.
Extreme fat burners vs. normal fat burners
Extreme Fat Burner
Products in this category are also called "hardcore fat burners." Their main characteristic is that they contain very powerful synthetic or herbal stimulants (see below: What ingredients are contained in fat burners?) that act on the central nervous system and are sometimes even psychoactive. Some also contain substances that specifically target certain intracellular receptors, thus manipulating glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity. In any case, they influence hormonal levels—with the result that the body uses more fatty acids for energy production. Extreme fat burners therefore very effectively accelerate fat loss, but they can also have significant side effects. Therefore, they should only be used by experienced athletes who know their bodies very well. Anyone who isn't preparing for a bodybuilding competition or needs to "shred" themselves in a short period of time for other reasons should avoid extreme fat burners. For people who simply want to boost their fat burning, regular fat burners are a better choice.
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Normal fat burners
These products also contain stimulants, but only relatively "mild" ones, such as caffeine, guarana, or theobromine. They also contain substances that boost fat metabolism and stimulate thermogenesis (heat production), thus increasing the basal metabolic rate. In a direct fat burner comparison, regular fat burners are weaker than extreme fat burners, but they are also much more tolerable. Their main advantage is that they can be taken safely over extended periods. (Extreme fat burners should not be taken for months due to their wide range of side effects.) When it comes to fat burner side effects, regular fat burners can safely be described as harmless.
Click>hereto go to our selection of “other fat burners”.
How do fat burners work?
How fat burners work depends largely on which category they belong to (see above) and which active ingredients they contain. Most products have very comprehensive formulations; no fat burner consists of just a single ingredient. Fat burners generally work in several different ways:
- Release of stress hormones
Extreme fat burners cause an increased release of stress hormones such as adrenaline and noradrenaline. This has two consequences: First, the body stops storing fat in fat cells and instead releases increased amounts of triglycerides (fatty acids) from fat deposits. Second, it activates the "fight-or-flight" response, meaning it increases the heart rate and dilates the blood vessels in the lungs. This improves the body's oxygen supply, making fat-burning endurance training easier. - Increased thermogenesis
Almost all fat-burning products cause a slight increase in core body temperature. This effect can be achieved either through amphetamine-like stimulants, such as those found in extreme fat burners, or through botanicals such as green tea extract and chili pepper extract. As a result, the metabolic rate increases, and more energy is burned. - Appetite suppression
Most products also contain substances that curb appetite. This is practically inherent in extreme fat burners, as almost all psychoactive stimulants reduce hunger as a side effect. - Depot fat mobilization
Some fat burner products can actually cause the body to release stored fat preferentially from the so-called depot fat regions – that is, from the abdominal region in men and from the hip/thigh region in women. This effect is achieved through the active ingredient yohimbine, which, however, is only found in extreme fat burners orHardcore training boostersand in someSex boostersis included.
What ingredients are contained in fat burners?
The list of ingredients that can be found in weight loss supplements is immensely long – so long that we can only list the most popular ones here.
In extreme fat burners:
- Cardarine (GW-501516):Cardarine is often theSARMs(= androgen receptor modulators), but is actually a PPARA,
i.e., an activator of the intracellular PPA receptor. According to animal studies, Cardarine increases fatty acid metabolism in skeletal muscle, resulting in both increased fat loss and improved performance in endurance sports. - DMAA (1,3-dimethylamylamine) and DMHA (dimethylhexylamine):Both substances have a stimulating and euphoric effect; they activate
certain neurotransmitters and stimulate the central nervous system. This changes energy management. - Ephedrine and pseudoephedrine:These substances are sympathomimetics, meaning they stimulate the sympathetic nervous system (a part of the autonomic nervous system). Their effect is essentially similar to that of DMAA and DMHA.
- Yohimbine:Yohimbine is an indole alkaloid found primarily in the roots of the yohimbe tree. It increases blood flow, dilates blood vessels, and facilitates the release of stored fat reserves (as mentioned above).
In normal fat burners:
- Cayenne pepper (capsaicin):Both pepper and chili pepper extract contain capsaicin, a spicy substance that stimulates thermogenesis (heat production).
- Green tea extract:Green tea contains catechins, which stimulate fat metabolism.
- Caffeine:The well-known active ingredient in coffee makes you awake, improves concentration and also stimulates thermogenesis.
- L-carnitine:Supports the transport of fatty acids into the mitochondria, where they are oxidized to produce energy.
- Synephrine:Synephrine is a phenylethylamine found in bitter oranges, among other fruits. It activates beta-3 adrenoreceptors and causes increased fat burning during moderate-intensity exercise.
What side effects do fat burners have?
When it comes to the question of fat burner side effects, it again depends on the classification: As we have already explained above, the
The side effect profile of extreme fat burners is completely different from the side effect profile of normal fat burners.
Unfortunately, extreme fat burners can also have extreme side effects. Depending on the composition, these range from hypernervousness to rapid heartbeat, dry mouth, tremors, insomnia, and even cardiac arrhythmia. With preparations containing DMAA or DMHA, there may also be side effects after the effects wear off, just like with DMAA-containing products.Hardcore training boostersA mood crash can occur. Depending on how much physical exertion you exert yourself while taking a stimulating fat burner, extreme exhaustion can also result.
Regular fat burners do have side effects, but they are considerably less severe. They essentially include the typical caffeine side effects, such as fidgeting, dizziness, and difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep. If hordenine, synephrine, and theobromine are included in the formula, an exaggerated feeling of warmth may occur. Furthermore, most regular fat burners can cause nausea and heartburn if taken on an empty stomach. This is due to the spicy ingredients they contain (or ingredients like chili pepper extract and cayenne pepper extract). It is therefore recommended to take fat burner supplements close to a meal—preferably a low-carbohydrate one.
What can you expect from fat burners?
There's no doubt that fat burners work. However, the precise nature of this effect—that is, how much the supplements actually accelerate fat loss—is controversial. Some users say they lose fat twice as fast with fat burners as they would without them; others report only a 30 to 50 percent increase in fat loss. Since the rate of fat loss is always determined by a variety of factors, including dietary habits, personal activity levels, fluid management, and sleep volume, it's virtually impossible to determine the exact contribution fat burners make to weight loss success.
Which is the best fat burner?
"Best Fat Burner": Which product can rightfully bear this label? Honestly, it's not easy to say which fat burner is truly the best – because depending on the evaluation criteria (effectiveness, tolerability, price, etc.) you use, a different product will always come out on top. Likewise, it's impossible to determine which fat burner can be declared the best fat burner for women or the best fat burner for men. Quite popular among fans of hardcore fat burners isMiami Lean by Revange NutritionThis “hardcore hammer” also emerges as the winner in many fat burner tests (see e.g.Hardcore fat burners tested: The best hardcore fat burners 2024). However, it is not a suitable product for sensitive skin, as its abundance of highly potent active ingredients makes it difficult to tolerate.
Buy fat burners: What you need to know
There are countless online shops selling fat burners, but not all offer good transparency and decent delivery service. Most often, this starts with the fact that the product portfolio doesn't differentiate between extreme fat burners and regular fat burners (which is almost grossly negligent; at the very least, it's lacking transparency).
Here at GETBOOST3D.com, you'll find a wide selection of fat burner supplements – clearly categorized and described in detail. You'll hardly find a wider fat burner product portfolio in any other shop. We also offer a convenient ordering process and incredibly fast delivery.