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What Is A Thermogenic Fat Burner? – What You Should Know

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By Leslie Waterson

Reviewed by Juliana Tamayo, MS, RDN - Last Updated

What Is A Thermogenic Fat Burner

Thermogenic is used to explain the elevation in body temperature in relation to the burning of calories. Meaning the more heat the body generates, the more calories are burnt. This term has become increasingly more popular over the last decade as people have become more aware of their health and their body’s makeup. 

Thermogenics are said to be effective in increasing the body’s capacity to burn fats and boosting metabolism. This is possible with the use of certain ingredients that has the potential to increase body temperature.

Let’s dive in and find out more about what exactly a thermogenic fat burner is and how they can be of benefit when you’re trying to lose weight.

Thermogenic Fat Burner For Weight Loss

What Is A Thermogenic Fat Burner?

Thermogenic fat burners or commonly called just fat burners contain ingredients in the formula that can increase the body’s temperature. This may trigger a metabolic reaction which can cause an increase in sweat production and result in a decrease in water weight leading to possible weight loss.

Fat burners can also cause appetite suppression to prevent cravings and overeating in the course of a calorie deficit diet. In combination with other ingredients, fat burners can stimulate the central nervous system to plunge the feeling of overall hunger by suppressing the appetite so that excess snacking can be avoided.

In addition, fat burners can help increase the basal metabolic rate (BMR) to help the body burn more calories faster. For this reason, thermogenic fat burners started to gain popularity especially to those who are trying to lose weight. Fat burner supplements have been shown to be safe and effective when combined with exercise and proper diet.

Key Ingredients In A Thermogenic Fat Burner

Fat burners that encourage thermogenesis usually contain specific compound ingredients that correspond with others to achieve thermogenic properties. The most common thermogenic ingredients are:

Caffeine

Caffeine functions as a central nervous system stimulant. It is the world’s most widely taken psychoactive drug as it occurs naturally in the seeds in leaves of many plants such as coffee, tea, cocoa, guarana, yerba mate, kola nut, and more.

The term “caffeine” comes from its German origin, the word kaffee and the French word café, which both means coffee. Its scientific name is 1,3,7-trimethylxanthine which may assist in heightening the levels of adrenaline. Adrenaline is a hormone that triggers the fat cells to produce fatty acids into the bloodstream, where they can be used as energy by the cells. This stimulant may also aid in lessening hunger and strengthening the metabolism. This mechanism brought by this stimulant results in more calories burned while eating less.

Capsaicin

Capsaicin is an active element of chili peppers with pain-killing properties. It is the ingredient found in many types of hot peppers, such as cayenne peppers, bell peppers, haba̱ero peppers, and more. Capsaicin is what makes the peppers spicy hot Рthe spicier the pepper, the more capsaicin it contains.

Its chemical name is 8-methyl-N-vanillyl-6-nonenamide which belongs to the genus Capsicum. This compound may also activate the production of adrenaline in the body, which in turn speeds up metabolism and causes the body to burn more calories and fat.

It also suppresses the appetite that makes capsaicin a substantial thermogenic substance. Taking up about 6 mg of Capsaicin daily from supplements has been linked to slimming down the belly fat in a span of three months.

Green Tea

Green tea contains bioactive substances like caffeine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), and l-theanine, which can have powerful thermogenic effects.

As mentioned, caffeine triggers the production of adrenaline, which may help in boosting the metabolism and increasing fat-burning properties. On the other hand, EGCG intensifies these effects by reducing the breakdown of adrenaline so that its impact increases. While l-theanine, an amino acid found in green tea that can aid in regulating fat digestion and absorption, and lowering free fatty acids levels. This what makes green tea a solid thermogenic fat burner.

In addition, the concentrated supplemental forms and beverage green tea and other Camellia sinensis alike are widely used for mental clarity and overall health as well.

Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia Cambogia is a tropical fruit that holds a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been studied for its effect on the appetite and formation of body fats by blocking the activity of enzyme ATP citrate lyase.

Garcinia Cambogia is said to speed up weight loss by reducing the appetite and boosting endurance during exercise. The HCA compound found in Garcinia Cambogia inhibits the storage of fats in the body by burning them as calories. It also increases the levels of serotonin, a neurotransmitter that sends a feel-good message in the body, which may help in improving the mood and limiting stress-related eating. 

This multilobed pumpkin-like fruit can be found in India, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, and some parts of Africa with names like Malabar tamarind, red mango, brindle berry, pot tamarind, kokum butter oil tree, and garcinia gummi-gutta.  

Bitter Orange (P-syneprhine)

Bitter orange is a type of citrus fruit that contains a natural stimulant compound called synephrine. In ancient Chinese medicine and South American folk medicine, this fruit was used for diverse health use including indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, insomnia, and anxiety.

Bitter orange has the scientific name of Citrus aurantium L. Its extract has been derived from an immature Seville orange fruit and has been shown to safely increase thermogenesis and basal metabolic rate (BMR). By increasing BMR and thermogenesis, bitter orange encourages healthy weight management in a safe manner. It can also be beneficial in supporting healthy blood glucose and fat metabolism.

Take note that bitter orange supplements should primarily contain p-synephrine protoalkaloids compound with insignificant amounts of m-synephrine. In contrast with p-synephrine, m-synephrine may result in an increase in heart rate and blood pressure along with other adverse effects of stimulants.

Yohimbine HCl

Yohimbe is an evergreen tree called Pausinystalia Yohimbe and can be found in some parts of central and western Africa. It is often utilized to treat erectile dysfunction but it is also becoming popular among bodybuilders because of its help with fat loss. Yohimbine is commonly taken as a thermogenic supplement because of its ability to block the alpha-2 adrenergic receptors located in fat cells that can lead to increased fat loss and weight loss. 

In addition, it also increases the activity of some hormones in the body including adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine, which all have a relationship on boosting fat metabolism

Are Thermogenic Fat Burners Effective?

Most of the common ingredients used in thermogenic fat burners are created to trigger hormonal reactions in the body and break down fats to use them as a fuel source.  It can also help in providing energy for exercise and other calorie-burning activities. 

A thermogenic fat burner may seem to be effective, however, it should go along with proper diet and exercise. Reducing the caloric intake will help greatly improve the results as fat burners will help in controlling the appetite, boosting energy, helping fat to be utilized as energy, and increasing the metabolism, but if you think all of these things will happen while you lavish on sweets and fast-food daily, the results will be frustrating. Exercise will also be of great help in order to start seeing positive results faster.

The Best Thermogenic Fat Burners

There are a lot of thermogenic fat burning products circulating on the market today. So, below we’ve gathered up our top choices for the best thermogenic fat burners that you can use.

Skald Fat Burner

Skald Fat Burner

Although this supplement is on the pricier side, it delivers on its promises. According to Skald, “Most top fat-loss supplements only cover two major aspects: lipolysis and thermogenesis. While both are absolutely critical when it comes to achieving that remarkably lean physique everyone envies, Skald goes one step further, utilizing novel key components to help trigger improved respiration, resulting in the highest calorie-burning yield for your efforts.”

GET THE BEST PRICE ON SKALD FAT BURNER

Instant Knockout

Instant Knockout

Instant Knockout is a fat burning supplement that includes 10 different ingredients created specifically for fat burning purposes. More moderately priced than other options on the market, this is a high-quality fat burner. Instant Knockout promises to help you lose weight quickly. 

GET THE BEST PRICE ON INSTANT KNOCKOUT

Hunter Burn

Hunter Burn Premium Fat Burner

This supplement is moderately priced and one of the top sellers on the market right now. This supplement, Hunter Burn, promises to help you beat hunger, burn fat, and build muscle, all at the same time. Using six key fat-burning ingredients, this supplement promises to help you reach that fat burning peak that you are in need of.

GET THE BEST PRICE ON HUNTER BURN

Final Thoughts: Thermogenic Fat Burners

Throughout this guide, we’ve taken a thorough look at thermogenic fat burners. We’ve discussed what thermogenic fat burners are, how they work, and even our top picks for the best supplement choices. If you’re considering adding a thermogenic fat burner to your fitness routine, you now know the top options, their ingredients, and how they work. All that’s left to do is pick the right choice for you!

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Leslie Waterson

Leslie has been passionately involved in the health and fitness industries for over a decade. She is constantly reviewing the latest scientific research and studies in order to take a research-backed approach to lifestyle optimization. Her main areas of interest include nutrition and supplementation. Leslie shares her findings on Fitness Clone to help other health enthusiasts choose the products and routines that will help them achieve their goals.