Better Living

Maybe I need to look for a book about all this.

It would be nice if I didn’t have to reinvent the wheel… like if someone has pursued the facts already and sorted them out from the hype.

I did some more research on fat burners and found a few alarming facts.  Most fat burners contain herbs and other naturally occurring substances that manufacturers claim will eliminate fat.  I looked at the ingredients of some of the most popular brands of fat burners being sold today and checked what kinds of long term effects it may have on the body.

I’ve noticed these recurring ingredients in most fat burners in the market today:

•    Chitosan – this substance is found in exoskeletons of marine animals like shrimps and crabs. According to manufacturers, chitosan helps attract fat and remove it from the body through digestion.  Since chitosan works during digestion, the fat will not be absorbed by the body and will pass as waste product.  Well, I haven’t read an expert opinion that backs up those claims.  In fact, some are concerned that chitosan acts as a deterrent in the body’s absorption of carotenoids which is turned into Vitamin A.

•    Ehpedra – another popular ingredient in fat burners.  I’ve heard that ehpedra is actually a potent herb grown in China and has been used as a medicine since 3,000 BC by the Chinese.  Ancient China used ehpedra as a cure for asthma and the common cold.  One of the effects of this herb that caused me some degree of alarm was that it constricts blood vessels which increase the blood pressure.  I also found out that in 1994, the FDA received reports of ehpedra’s side effects which included irregular heart rate, seizures, stroke, heart attacks and even death. I want to lose weight but I don’t want my overall health to suffer in the process.

There are other ingredients in fat burners but these two are the most common.