Trying to lose weight but not sure what is the right supplement to support your efforts?
In this article, we'll first go through the common fat burning ingredients and then show you the superstars…natural compounds found in the most effective fat burners.
At BELDT Labs, we've spent countless hours doing our own research and gathering information from the studies of others to support your weight loss goals.
You'll learn why each ingredient is used in dietary supplements and how it affects your body, which will help you make the right choice.
What is the Main Ingredient in Fat Burners?
Caffeine is one of the most well-known natural fat burners. You can see it on the label of 99% of the supplements that promote weight loss due to the various studies proving that it boosts metabolism and helps you burn more calories.
Caffeine intake amplifies the fat burning process, especially in people with lower body weight. However, caffeine alone isn't enough to make a good fat burner supplement because:
» Too much of it can lead to side effects
» Your body will get used to it over time
What Ingredients Make a Good Fat Burner?
Various studies have discussed these compounds for their ability to support weight loss. In fact, we've used some of those in BELDT Labs products in combination with other ingredients you'll learn about as you read.
Let's take a closer look and understand how they work to help you lose fat potentially.
Green Tea
The next most popular ingredient used in most fat burners is green tea extract. It contains catechins, particularly epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), which increases fat oxidation. Green tea also provides a small amount of caffeine, which works synergistically with EGCG to stimulate thermogenesis.
Green tea extract supplements can help reduce body fat and are generally safe.
Despite its health benefits, long-term use of high doses may harm your liver. It can also reduce the free testosterone in your bloodstream. Testosterone is one of the six fat burning hormones, so lowering its levels due to high consumption of green tea may have the opposite effect.
To stay on the safe side, we recommended using only fat burner supplements containing a moderate dosage, such as SKALD.
Capsaicin
Found in chili peppers, capsaicin is known for its thermogenic properties.
When included in thermogenic supplements, it can contribute to a modest increase in energy expenditure. Similar to spicy foods, it can slightly raise your body temperature, causing you to burn more calories.
According to MedicineNet, capsaicin can speed up your metabolism by up to 8% and promote weight loss even without reducing calorie intake.
On the contrary, our research indicates that capsicum's potential benefits are largely seen in individuals who are already in excellent health, where losing weight isn't a primary concern.
Garcinia Cambogia
The tropical fruit became quite popular recently for its potential to block the production of fat cells and suppress appetite by turning off hunger signals.
The key role in fat burning is played by its active compound, hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA inhibits an enzyme that your body uses to make fat from carbs.
We must note that quality varies dramatically. Many of the garcinia camodia pills we've seen on the dietary supplement market contain a tiny amount of HCA.
Raspberry Ketones
It is a chemical extracted from raspberries and is very popular among people with obesity, which is why it has made its way to fat burners.
Some sources suggest raspberry ketones help your body to break down fat more effectively. Others say it increases adiponectin levels (a hormone regulating metabolism).
Based on our research, studies are still limited in confirming raspberry ketones' effectiveness. Thus, we haven't used it in any of our Ultimate Weight Loss Stack products.
Forskolin
Extracted from the root of the Coleus forskohlii plant, forskolin has long been used to treat various medical conditions and support overall health.
More recent claims are that it helps create lipase and adenylate cyclase enzymes, which can potentially free fatty acids from your body's cells.
This process should theoretically allow your body to burn fat for energy more efficiently. In fact, we are currently doing extensive research on the effects of Forskolin as we plan to use it in some of our new supplements.
Soluble Fiber
While not typically considered a “fat burner,” soluble fiber is important in weight management.
The average American eats 10-15 grams of fiber daily, which is less than half of the USDA recommended amount. And because our bodies can't produce enough of it, it's often added to supplements.
Soluble fiber absorbs water and forms a gel-like substance in your digestive tract. This gel slows down the emptying of your stomach and increases feelings of fullness. The result is reduced calorie intake, absorption of calories from food, and ultimately fat loss.
So, these were the most common ingredients used in dietary supplements. Now, let us show you what components make fat burners work as hard as it gets.
Ingredients in Most Effective Fat Burner Supplements
It's time to dive into the superstars that make the most effective fat burner supplements stand out.
And don't worry…we're not talking about some hard-core stimulants banned by the Food and Drug Administration. We refer to fat burners that'll give you the most edge when combined with exercising and dieting.
L-Carnitine
L-carnitine is an amino acid with a major role in fat metabolism. It helps transport fatty acids into your cells' mitochondria, and then they are used for fuel.
By increasing fat oxidation, L-Carnitine increases fat burn during workouts. It is found in high-quality fat burning supplements because it also improves exercise performance and recovery, which further supports your weight loss efforts.
It's worth noting that its effects on performance and recovery vary significantly between individuals, with some finding little to no added benefit.
Yohimbine
Derived from the bark of an African tree, Yohimbine (not to be confused with Yohimbe) is a powerful fat-burning ingredient. It blocks alpha-2 adrenergic receptors to boost adrenaline levels, leading to the destruction of fat cells.
For some individuals, yohimbine may be particularly effective for targeting stubborn fat areas like the lower abdomen and love handles. However, results vary widely, making it less reliable than other more stable ingredients.
It's also useful for maintaining healthy insulin levels during fasting, but its aggressive approach to fat burning can lead to unwanted side effects. Thus, only short-term usage is considered safe.
Juniper Berry
Despite being used to treat various infections and conditions, the juniper berry extract (Juniperus Communis) is a natural appetite suppressant that Native American tribes relied on to curb hunger.
Supplements containing juniper berry extract reduce cravings and the temptation to overeat. Athletes and bodybuilders value juniper even more because it reduces water retention and bloating for a leaner appearance.
And that's not all…we'll tell you more in a moment.
White Willow Bark
The extract from white willow bark is another gem well known for its benefits…from traditional and alternative medicine to sports performance.
When combined with the above mentioned juniper berry and caffeine, it enhances their effects and duration, maintaining high levels of energy for more intense workouts.
White willow bark's ability to support prolonged physical activity without the crash often associated with stimulants makes it an essential component in top-quality fat burners.
And here comes the best part:
We found that the right amount of caffeine and extracts from white willow bark and juniper berries become a magnificent yet unharmful fat burner trio.
The combination has an effect similar to one of the world's most powerful substances used in fat burner supplements (DMHA), which was later claimed unsafe.
We combined the trio with five other natural ingredients in a unique formula applied in our best-selling fat burner, SKALD.
Curious about the other ingredients and their multiple weight loss benefits…Read the article.