How Do Fat Burners Work? The Science Behind Weight Loss Supplements

You’ve probably already heard of fat burners and their popularity amongst fitness, athletic and bodybuilding circles. These dietary supplements are designed to help boost your metabolism and increase fat oxidation, resulting in fat reduction and weight loss. 

However, it’s easy to be sceptical when it comes to their effectiveness. After all, we’ve always been told there’s no miracle cure for losing weight, right? 

If this sounds like you, not to worry. In this blog post, we aim to answer all your questions about how fat burner supplements work and how to choose the right type for you. 

Let’s dive right in! 

What Do Fat Burner Supplements Do? 

First things first, fat burner supplements typically come in pill, tablet or capsule form, but may also be a powder that you can mix into a shake. They contain a variety of ingredients which are believed to have thermogenic properties. In other words, they can help the body burn more calories. 

Do fat burner supplements actually work? Full disclosure: while fat burners can assist you in achieving your body goals, they shouldn’t be used on their own. They’re not a meal replacement or part of a “lose weight fast!” scheme. Rather, it’s best to take these supplements in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise routine. 

How Fat Burner Supplements Work 

Fat burners primarily work in three ways. 

1. Increasing Metabolism 

Firstly, fat-burning supplements increase the body’s metabolic rate, which is the rate at which the body burns calories to produce energy. By doing so, the body can burn more calories even when it’s at rest. 

2. Reducing Appetite

Another way fat burners work is by suppressing your appetite through ingredients such as glucomannan and chromium. Reducing these feelings of hunger means you’re less likely to overeat and more likely to consume fewer calories, which can then lead to weight loss. 

3. Promoting Fat Oxidation

Some fat burners also contain ingredients that promote fat oxidation, such as green tea extract and L-carnitine. Fat oxidation is when the body breaks down stored fat to use it as fuel during exercise. 

Ingredients List: Are Fat Burner Supplements Effective? 

Fat burners are made up of a variety of vitamins, minerals, caffeine, fibre, herbs and other plants. There are a few core ingredients that supposedly maximise the effects of the supplement. 

Let’s explore them one by one now. 

Caffeine 

Caffeine is a common ingredient in fat burners for stimulating your nervous system so you can burn more calories. These types of supplements tend to contain more caffeine than the average cup of tea or coffee, or chocolate bar. 

Green Tea Extract 

Green tea extract is usually included in fat-burning supplements. Why? Green tea is known to potentially help burn calories and reduce the fat you absorb from food. 

L-Carnitine 

L-Carnitine (or ALCAR) is an amino acid essential in the fat-burning process. It’s naturally produced in the body by your liver and kidneys but can also be found in meat and dairy products.

Essentially, ALCAR works by transporting mobilised body fat from the bloodstream into the mitochondria of cells, where it can be burnt as energy.

Yohimbe 

Yohimbe is a plant compound that derives from the bark of an evergreen tree. It’s often found in fat burner supplements but there are some reported side effects, from headaches to anxiety, and increased blood pressure to heart problems. 

Soluble Fibre 

Admittedly, this isn’t always an ingredient found in fat burners, but many supplements have high amounts of fibre. Fibre can help control your appetite, whereas soluble fibre may prevent your body from absorbing fat from food. 

Choosing the Right Fat Burner for You 

Liking the sound of a fat burner? In this case, it’s important to choose a reputable brand that uses safe ingredients. Most of these supplements have a range of different ingredients; some of which are unknown and can negatively react with your body. 

Before taking any new supplement, consult with your doctor to ensure that it won’t interfere with other medications you’re taking. Fat burners can cause serious issues if they’re not consumed safely. 

Below you’ll find some of our top recommendations for fat-burning supplements. 

• Oxyshred Fat Burner by EHP Labs, which has been our best-selling fat burner for 8+ years. It tastes unbelievable with the results to match. 
• Silencer Fat Burner by Redcon1 is a leading, stimulant-free pre-workout supplement with a powerful fat-blasting blend. 
• 3 Step Fat Burner Stack by PC Laboratories contains 3 products that work together to transform your body into a fat-burning machine. ProBurn burns calories, ProALCAR+ Plus GBB targets body fat and ProCLA hits the hard areas for a phenomenal outcome. 

Check out more of our available fat burners here. 

When to Take Fat Burner Supplements 

Check the container to see the recommended dosage guidelines for a specific fat burner. The best time to take yours may depend on the ingredients listed. 

Does your fat burner contain ingredients that boost your energy and kick-start fat burning, such as caffeine or yohimbe? Generally speaking, the recommended time to take these types of supplements is first thing in the morning when you wake up. This could be 30 minutes before your breakfast or morning workout when your body’s metabolism is getting going for the day. 

Other times you could take fat-burning supplements are as follows: 

• Before a meal if it has appetite-suppressing properties so that you feel fuller after eating 

• Before exercise as a pre-workout supplement to provide energy on an empty stomach 

We’ve covered when to take fat burner supplements — but what about when not to take them? If your supplement contains caffeine, avoid taking it before bed as the caffeine keeps you up and affects your quality of sleep. If you do want to take a fat burner before an evening workout, choose a caffeine-free option. 

Final Thoughts: Do Fat Burner Supplements Actually Work? 

Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast or simply curious about the science of weight loss, we hope we’ve answered all your questions in terms of what do fat burner supplements do and are fat burner supplements effective. 

Essentially, when combined with a balanced, nutrient-dense diet and frequent exercise, a fat burner could be the nudge you need to accelerate both fat and weight loss. The safest approach is to try a couple of different supplements to find the best one for you. We wish you success on your fitness journey!