However, the vastness of the supplement industry may result in some products entering the market before full evaluation, so consumers should exercise caution and seek professional advice when considering supplements.

Even if a substance has not been banned by the FDA, it may still cause unwanted side effects. These are some of the main precautions for thermogenic ingredients:. Many supplements used for fat burning contain herbs or other ingredients found in plants. For example, the natural herb ephedra is banned by the FDA because it was linked to serious side effects such as heart attack, seizure, stroke and sudden death DMAA is also not generally recognized as being safe Thermogenic supplements that contain stimulants e.

caffeine can cause flushing, increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, headaches and heart palpitations. They can also stimulate the cardiovascular system in a manner that could raise blood pressure. Thus, those with pre-existing cardiovascular risks such as hypertensive individuals should not consume these supplements.

Pregnant women, women who are breastfeeding, underaged consumers, persons with certain medical issues e. Talk to your surgeon far in advance of the operation and inform them of every dietary supplement that you're taking.

And finally, thermogenic supplements without modifying the diet or engaging in routine exercise have very limited effects. Hence, these supplements should be viewed as an accessory, rather than the key, to a successful and sustainable weight loss goal.

In general, you should always consult your healthcare provider before taking nutritional supplements, and this holds true for supplements used while trying to burn fat.

Thermogenic fat burner supplements are not for everyone. Proceed with caution and patience when choosing the best thermogenic supplement for your weight loss goals.

Finding the optimal balance of safety and effectiveness can take time, as there are dozens of options to choose from. You can simplify your decision by looking at the active ingredients, dosage, form and cost. An active ingredient list is the most important factor to consider when choosing the best fat burner supplement for you.

For the best results, start with a small dose to check your tolerance and gradually increase the dosage until you reach the recommendation for daily use. Never exceed the recommended daily dosage, and always check with your physician or a registered dietitian nutritionist first.

Thermogenic supplements typically come in pill or powder form. Pills are typically swallowed and taken with a glass of water. Powdered supplements in general are mixed into water or a sports drink and taken with a meal or snack.

Some may be suitable to consume on an empty stomach. Stick to your budget, and remember to optimize your diet, physical activity and sleep—a supplement is just the cherry on top of your weight management efforts. Among them are:. Learn more about our product review process and supplements rating methodology.

Taking fat burners and other types of diet pills can be safe as long as you do it responsibly. The first requirement is that you check with your healthcare provider before taking them, as you would with any type of supplement. Fat burners could pose a risk to your health depending on your medical history, your current health status and whether you're taking medications that might cause an interaction.

Also, people with a history of eating disorders should not take weight loss pills. The second step of responsible use is to follow the manufacturer's recommendations for how and how often to use the supplement.

Even for healthy individuals, fat burners and other types of over-the-counter weight loss pills could cause health issues if consumed in excess of the recommended dosage.

Fat burners typically work by stimulating a thermogenic response in your body, thereby increasing your resting metabolic rate RMR. Some contain stimulants like caffeine to provide an energy boost during your workout, which may help you burn more calories.

They may also decrease your appetite, though the study results do not always show promise. Related Post: Do Weight Loss Pills Work? Maybe, but it depends largely on the fat burner's formula, the recommended dosage and your health status.

Some fat burners contain only water-soluble ingredients that are generally safe to consume every day. On the other hand, some formulas have ingredients linked to adverse health effects in high or repeated dosages, such as bitter orange and hoodia Also, keep in mind that interventional and toxicity studies on fat burners often have a study window of around 12 weeks.

There remains a need for high-quality research on the effects of long-term fat burner pill usage, as many studies show inconsistent results, are poorly done or are not well controlled The makers of the best weight loss pills are transparent about their ingredients and upfront about the potential risks while emphasizing the recommended dosages.

As always, check with your physician before starting any dietary supplement. Research has shown that certain ingredients in fat burner supplements can promote thermogenesis and boost metabolism, possibly leading to increased fat burning.

Supplements sold over the counter typically highlight testimonials from users that show dramatic results. While this information can be useful in helping you decide whether to try fat-burning pills and other weight-loss supplements, remember two key points: scientific studies take place under specifically controlled conditions, and results can vary greatly from person to person.

Also, keep in mind that using fat-loss supplements without incorporating exercise and a healthy diet is unlikely to produce lasting results. Many, many experts agree that even the best fat burner supplement can't do the job alone. So do any weight loss supplements really work, fat burners included?

The more useful question might be, "Can fat burners play one part in my weight management plan? Nutrition and exercise are the headliners, but safe weight loss pills that can further help your body burn fat and maintain a more robust metabolism have the potential to play a supporting role.

Chris Mohr , RD and Ph. Chris Mohr is a registered dietitian who holds a Ph. in exercise physiology. He has worked with athletes ranging from NFL players to WWE wrestlers, along with celebrities and executives worldwide.

He has been a featured speaker at many conferences around the world. Sort by Featured Best selling Alphabetically, A-Z Alphabetically, Z-A Price, low to high Price, high to low Date, old to new Date, new to old. In stock 1 Out of stock 7. Product type. Stimulant Free Fat Burners 8. More filters.

Cira Nutrition 1 EVLUTION NUTRITION 2 Gaspari Nutrition 1 Kaged Muscle 1 MuscleTech 1 Rule One Proteins 1 The Genius Brand 1. Blue Razz Lemonade 1 Fruit Punch 1 Mixed Fruit 1 Orange Mango 1 Strawberry Kiwi 1 Unflavored 4. Package Size. Clear Apply. For the most part, fat burners are safe but they may not be appropriate for every person.

That said, fat is an energy source that your body stores to use. Having your macros dialed in and training consistently should always come first, but certain ingredients in fat burners have been shown to coax your body into using or oxidizing stored fat.

Specifically, green tea extract — well, the compound EGCG, found in green tea — and L-carnitine. Your body burns calories necessary for fat loss simply by regulating normal functions, like breathing, temperature regulation, and organ function.

Most fat burners include capsaicin or capsimax extracted from chili peppers and caffeine to increase your internal temperature. In doing so, your body works with higher intensity to cool down and burn more calories.

At that point, an extra 50 to calories a day may help. And eating a calorie deficit can be tough, especially when you need to train at a high intensity, too. This is why many fat burners contain ingredients like 5-HTP, fiber, and psyllium husk to help you feel full.

Do fat burners work? Well, fat burners work mainly by triggering a thermogenic response in your body and bumping up your resting metabolic rate RMR , the rate at which your body burns calories while at rest. Some also contain stimulants like caffeine for increased energy during fat-burning exercise, as well as ingredients that may suppress your appetite.

Interested in learning more about how and if fat burners really work? This video explains more. While the FDA takes measures to ban dangerous substances from fat burners, they may still cause some unwelcome side effects. Fat burners with stimulants like caffeine or beta-alanine can cause increased heart rate, nausea, dizziness, and irregular heartbeats.

People with pre-existing medical conditions or those who are taking other medications should consult a physician before trying a fat burner.

While fat burners can speed up fat loss, remember that they are designed as a supplement to not a replacement for a healthy, low-calorie diet and regular exercise. The cost of a fat burner goes up when you add extra ingredients to the fat-burning blend.

While most fat burners will include a blend of common ingredients, like cayenne pepper extract, caffeine, and green tea extract, the more expensive products will include ingredients like DMAE, which can improve mood.

But be sure to read the packaging of the specific product you buy, as it may have different recommendations. You can also take your fat burner about 30 minutes before your workout. Since fat burners contain a lot of ingredients that can help supply energy like caffeine , it may be beneficial to take them pre-workout for an added jolt of energy.

However, be cautious when you take them as a pre-workout supplement. If you do decide to take it, follow the instructions on the label, unless otherwise directed by your physician. The best way to use a fat burner is to start with half or a quarter of the recommended dosage and gradually increase your intake to test your sensitivity.

If you start to feel unwanted side effects, drop the dosage or stop taking the product. As we discussed, fat burners use ingredients that may help with fat oxidation, thermogenesis, and appetite suppression. While many fat burners include ingredients that do all three of these things, oftentimes a product will lean more heavily toward one of the three in particular.

Before you decide which fat burner you want to buy, you should consider which of these processes you want to prioritize. We recommend sticking to products that disclose the dosage of every ingredient in their fat burner.

Though you can take your fat burner when you wake up in the morning to jumpstart your metabolism, many people choose to take their fat burners before they workout. If you take a fat burner with caffeine too late in the day, it could potentially mess with your sleep.

While a healthy diet, caloric deficit, and consistent exercise regimen are the best tools you can have for your weight-loss goals, fat burners can be helpful supplements.

If your nutrition, wellness, and workout routine are on point, fat burners may help you suppress your appetite, increase your metabolism, and burn a little extra fat. That said, most fat burners include common ingredients in reasonable doses. There are tons of different fat burner options, each with its own ingredients intended to help with burning fat.

They take different approaches to reach this goal, but our current favorite is Jacked Factory Burn-XT. Its transparent label, simple yet effective formula, and multifaceted approach make it the best available right now, in our opinion.

Following your macros, training hard, and even upping your daily step count should come first. You cannot — we repeat, cannot — take only a pill or powder and expect results. If you eat well and train a few times a week, however, a fat burner may help expedite the process a little bit.

But if you find yourself consistently craving calorie-dense, processed foods, you may want to reevaluate your daily diet and potentially add some nutritious calories to your meals.

It depends on both your health and the fat burners. Some fat burners generally stim-free ones only contain natural ingredients that are usually safe for daily consumption.

On the other hand, others contain ingredients that can be harmful if taken in high doses or over a long period of time. Keep in mind, many fat burners are meant to be taken in week cycles, not over the course of months or years. View All Articles.

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BarBend is the Official Media Partner of USA Weightlifting. Skip to primary navigation Skip to main content Skip to primary sidebar Roundups. We receive free products and receive commissions through our links.

See disclosures page. Top Fat Burners Potential Side Effects How We Picked Fat Burner Prices FAQs. About Our Expert This article has been reviewed by Jillian Kubala, RDN , registered dietitian and founder of JiIllian Kubala Nutrition. Jacked Factory BURN-XT.

Shop Amazon. Pros A main ingredient, l-carnitine may help you cut weight and reduce body fat more on this below. This filler- and dye-free pick has a transparent label with all ingredients clearly listed. Ingredient Breakdown L-Carnitine: Naturally available in plenty of foods, carnitine helps you produce adenosine triphosphate ATP , which your body uses for energy, per the National Institutes of Health NIH.

Green Tea Leaf Extract: Green tea extract is often used to help increase mental focus and aid weight loss. Plus, it has caffeine content to enhance energy levels, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health NCCIH.

Cayenne Pepper Extract: Cayenne pepper may help improve your digestion by boosting the good bacteria in your gut, according to the Cleveland Clinic. This ingredient may even promote thermogenesis, potentially helping you burn more calories. PhenQ Fat Burner. Shop PhenQ.

Pros One of the best fat burners for men , this product may help you retain muscle mass and energy thanks to the caffeine in a calorie deficit. You only take two pills daily. It only comes in capsule form. You have to take two servings at different points in the day.