The Nutrition Guide

The 5 Best Ingredients to Look for When Trying to Lose Fat!

The reality is that not all ingredients used for fat burning supplements are equal. That’s why we created a comprehensive list of proven ingredients to help you find the best ones for you.

I think we’ve all been there.  A new year comes around, we make a resolution to get in shape, put in a good bit of work but just fall short of reaching our goal.  And whether it’s 50 pounds or 5, a thermogenic supplement can help support you in your quest for shedding those last few pounds and achieving that lean look that you’ve been craving.

But first, let’s take a look at what thermogenics are, and what the best ingredients for fat loss consist of.

Define Thermogenic Supplement?

A thermogenic supplement is a single ingredient or a blend of ingredients that result in fat burning effects.

Often referred to as thermogenics, these supplements can have a direct impact on your metabolic rate, helping you to burn excess calories and body fat.

Best Ingredients for Fat Burning

Not all thermogenic supplements are created equal and sadly, most use ingredients that have no scientific backing. So we’re here to help you educate yourself on the most proven and trusted ingredients for fat loss based on scientific studies.

1. L-Carnitine 

L-Carnitine is a highly bioavailable derivative of amino acids. You’ll find it in most thermogenic supplements because of its proven ability to increase metabolic rate, promote the use of fatty acids as fuel, and support weight loss. [1]

2. Chromium Polynicotinate

Chromium polynicotinate is the mineral chromium mixed with a B-vitamin. This thermogenic compound is popular among the diabetic crowd looking to naturally alleviate their symptoms. It has been shown to increase insulin sensitivity while reducing body fat. [2]

3. Caffeine Anhydrous

A classic energy booster, caffeine is also considered a staple fat burning ingredient. It has been shown to promote excess calorie burning while promoting the use of body fat as fuel. [3]

4. Cheyenne Pepper Extract

Sounds strange right, but that same compound that puts the kick in your favorite peppers is also responsible for promoting a higher metabolic response in the body.

Marketed as Capsicum, this unique ingredient has been shown in several studies to promote fat burning and overall weight management. [4]

5. Ginseng

A root popular in China and Korea, ginseng has been used for thousands of years as an overall health aid. Only recently have studies confirmed its ability to promote weight loss. [5]

References

  1. Brandsch C, Eder K. Effect of L-carnitine on weight loss and body composition of rats fed a hypocaloric diet. Ann Nutr Metab. 2002;46(5):205-10. doi: 10.1159/000065408. PMID: 12378044.
  2. Martin J, Wang ZQ, Zhang XH, Wachtel D, Volaufova J, Matthews DE, Cefalu WT. Chromium picolinate supplementation attenuates body weight gain and increases insulin sensitivity in subjects with type 2 diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2006 Aug;29(8):1826-32. doi: 10.2337/dc06-0254. PMID: 16873787.
  3. Acheson KJ, Zahorska-Markiewicz B, Pittet P, Anantharaman K, Jéquier E. Caffeine and coffee: their influence on metabolic rate and substrate utilization in normal weight and obese individuals. Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97. doi: 10.1093/ajcn/33.5.989. PMID: 7369170.
  4. Janssens PL, Hursel R, Martens EA, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Acute effects of capsaicin on energy expenditure and fat oxidation in negative energy balance. PLoS One. 2013;8(7):e67786. Published 2013 Jul 2. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0067786.
  5. Song MY, Kim BS, Kim H. Influence of Panax ginseng on obesity and gut microbiota in obese middle-aged Korean women. J Ginseng Res. 2014;38(2):106-115. doi:10.1016/j.jgr.2013.12.004.