There are tons of fat burning tablets and fat burning pills on the shelves these days. A trip to your local pharmacy or big box store, or even a quick browse online will prove that to be true! What do they do? Do they work?
We’re here to answer your questions about fat burning pills! This guide is a comprehensive look at:
- Whether fat burning pills really work
- Which are the most effective fat burning tablets
- Whether these supplements are really safe – and legal – to use
Before you head to the store to pick up your new supplements, read through this guide to the best fat burning tablets and pills. Let’s get started!
1. What are the best fat burning pills?
One of the most frequently asked questions about fat burning pills is which ones work the best. With so many options for fat burning tablets out there, it can absolutely be difficult to tell the good from the bad!
We’re going to try to simplify it a bit for you. There are some fat burning supplements that are effective, and that are backed by science. Others aren’t so effective and are the equivalent of weight loss snake oil. So which is which? Well, first we’d like to make one thing absolutely clear. Ready?
No fat burning pill is going to work if you don’t eat right and exercise. That’s all there is to it, folks. You’ve got to eat healthy foods and shake your tail feather if you want to lose weight and burn fat. Dieting and weight loss is defined as “a higher output than intake of calories.” Let’s look at that a few different ways.
- To gain weight, you have to consume more calories than you burn
- To maintain your weight, you must consume around the same number of calories as you burn
- To lose weight, you have to eat fewer calories than you burn
That doesn’t mean that exercising is an excuse to “cheat” and eat foods that aren’t good for you. But exercise certainly does negate some of those “extra” calories you consumed.
Now, with that in mind, the absolutely best fat burning pills are the ones that are safe for you and that you’re going to continue to take as recommended. Whether you choose green tea, caffeine, spinach or any other fat burning supplement, it’s not going to work if you don’t take it!
As we continue in this guide, we’re going to talk about the different specific types of fat burning tablets and the ingredients in each that may or may not help you lose weight.
The key takeaway from this, though, is that the pill isn’t going to work if it’s:
- Something you don’t like to take
- Something that interferes with your health
- Something you’re not going to remember to use
With that, let’s move on to fat burning pills and safety.
2. Is it dangerous to use fat burning supplements?
No. In a nutshell, it’s not necessarily dangerous to use fat burning tablets. With that said, there are definitely some factors you should keep in mind.
First, before you take any pill, go see your doctor. This is especially true if you are:
- Obese
- Breastfeeding
- Suffering from any medical condition
- Taking prescription medications currently
- Someone from a family with medical issues in its history
If you can, bring the bottle of supplements in to your doctor to discuss. If you can’t, then take a picture of the label and bring it in. Either way, be sure your doc can tell exactly what’s in those pills and whether they’re safe for you.
Remember that not all supplements are evaluated by governing agencies. That means that not all supplements are tested – in fact, very few actually are! If you’re going to take a pill, it’s important to look into each of the ingredients to ensure they’re compatible with your own health.
Remember, folks: just because it’s herbal doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Furthermore: just because it’s natural doesn’t mean it’s safe.
Trust us, there are plenty of things on this planet that are both herbal and natural but are by no means safe! Go out in your back yard and pick the wrong mushroom and you’ll see what we mean. Now, we’re not saying that supplement manufacturers are deliberately putting poison into your pills, but dangerous products have been marketed in the past – don’t let yourself become a victim.
Let’s look at one example.
Ephedra
Back in the 1990s, ephedra was all the rage. It was this appetite-suppressing, fat burning, energy-boosting supplement that hit pharmacy shelves all over the world.
Then, people started dying.
Around 155 deaths have been blamed worldwide on this potent herb, a naturally occurring substance in the ma huang plant. It’s natural, yes! But this substance:
- Constricts blood vessels
- Raises blood pressure
- Causes nausea
- Causes heart palpitations
- Causes allergic reactions such as seizures, psychosis, insomnia and strokes
- Causes sudden death
Forotunately, ephedra has now been banned in most countries, but many lives were lost due to the shady marketing and untested nature of this herb.
So, you see … just because an herb is natural and on the shelves doesn’t mean it’s safe. Always, always, always talk to your doctor before you begin taking any pill.
3. Illegal pills and tablets and forbidden substances
Depending on where you are in the world, it may still be possible to get your hands on drugs like ephedra. That said, we’d still advise you against it, even if it does happen to be legal in your nation.
There are some pills, tablets and substances, however, that are illegal in pretty much every place on the planet. These street drugs or club drugs don’t have to be just the ones you know, like speed, heroin or others. Instead, they’re street drugs that are designed specifically as fat burning tablets. Scary, huh?
So as more and more people want to lose weight, more and more street dealers and cashing in on the market. That means they’re combining all sorts of illegal substances together and selling them to ordinary people like you and the people in your neighborhood.
The biggest problem with these illegal pills and forbidden substances is that you never know what’s in them. Let’s face it – drug dealers aren’t the most honest people in the world. Let’s say you’re feeling dangerous and want to get your hands on ephedra. There’s no way you can actually verify that what’s in that tablet is actually ephedra, let alone what else might be in it.
Again, the drugs that are banned in your area will depend largely on where you live. But most places in the world have pulled the following from shelves and prescription counters:
- Sibutramine
- Ephedra
- Aminorex
- Fenfluramine
- Rimonbant
- Phenolphthalein
There are certainly more, so do be sure to do your research. Beginning to take these banned substances can not only be harmful to your health, but can also get you in trouble with the law!
4. Where can I buy fat burning pills and tablets?
As we mentioned, you’ll see fat burning tablets and pills everywhere! You can buy them at the grocery store, online, your nearest pharmacy and stores like Walmart if you’re in one of the 27 countries this superstore serves.
Heck, you can even find weight loss and fat burning tablets at the gas station when you go to fill up your tank. So, literally anywhere you shop, you can find fat burning pills. The diet and weight loss industry has become so huge and pervasive it’s not uncommon to see weight loss pills anywhere you shop. Again, that doesn’t mean they’re safe.
We can’t stress it enough – talk to your physician before you start to take a weight loss pill. Make sure the supplement is compatible with your health and your medication as well as your lifestyle and your new diet plan. Not doing so could be dangerous – even deadly.
Now, later in this guide we’ll talk about some very effective and natural “ingredients” you’ll find in fat burning tablets. These ingredients can usually be found very local to you. Check your farmer’s market, your whole foods store or your neighborhood herbalist. You can also find supplements online, but use caution! Make sure the supplier is reputable, read reviews and research the company a bit before you buy.
Of course, you always have the option of using your doc as your “supplier,” prescription drugs are common for weight loss in people who have trouble reaching goals on their own.
5. Prescription weight loss pills
Depending on where you live, your doctor may have some great suggestions for you for prescription weight loss pills. But before she prescribes you fat burning tablets, she’s going to want to make sure your lifestyle changes are suitable to weight loss.
Schedule an appointment with your doctor. In that appointment, you can talk about your current habits, your health conditions and the goals you want to reach. Then, you and your doctor can discuss the best way to get there. An appointment with a nutritionist and/or a personal trainer might be recommended.
Develop a good, medically and nutritionally sound plan, then stick with it! Keep an exercise and food diary, and schedule a follow up appointment in around 3 months, or whenever your doctor thinks is best depending on your goals.
If you’ve been strictly following your exercise and food plan, you can begin to ask your doctor about prescription fat burning pills. It’s likely that only if she doesn’t see progress toward your goals will she prescribe them for you.
And, in fact, it’s only if you don’t see progress that you should want them! After all, medications alter the way your body works. There’s no sense in taking them if a simple lifestyle change will be quite enough for you to reach your goals. So work hard, because healthy diet and exercise habits are far more sustainable than any pill will ever be.
If you and your doctor do decide fat burning pills are right for you, you may be prescribed one of the following. Again, it depends on what’s most commonly prescribed in your nation.
- Orlistat
- Lorcaserin
- Naltrexone-Bupropion
- Liraglutide
- Phentermine
- Phentermine-Topiramate
Keep in mind that these are the generic names for the drugs – the drug you’re prescribed will probably be called something different. But these are the most commonly prescribed substances for weight loss. Each is slightly different from the others, but each has been approved by most regulating agencies to be safe and effective.
Once more – it’s important that you incorporate lifestyle choices into your new routine. Your prescription fat burning supplements shouldn’t be a crutch, but an aid in reaching your weight loss goals.
6. Fat burning tablets and your BMI
Whether you want an over the counter or a prescription fat burning tablet, you’ve scheduled an appointment with your doctor, right? Right. If not, go do that. Right now.
When you visit your doctor, she will probably run some blood work to check your cholesterol, iron and other levels to be sure you’re relatively healthy. Then, she’ll find your BMI, or body mass index. BMI is a scale – the ratio between your height and your weight. It’s a simple way to tell whether you’re underweight, obese or healthy.
- If your BMI is under 18.5, you’re underweight and do not need to lose
- If it’s between 18.5 and 25, you’re in a healthy weight range. Good job!
- Between 25 and 30? You’re overweight but can probably reach a healthy weight through diet and exercise.
- Over 30? You’re considered obese. Time to get to work.
- Over 40? You’re considered “severely” or “morbidly” obese – you need to make some changes today.
You can calculate your own BMI – it’s actually really simple to do. Just take you height in meters and multiply it by itself. Then, take that number and divide it into your weight in kilograms. If you hate math as much as we do, you can simply find a BMI calculator online.
If you do use an online calculator you can play with the numbers to find a reasonable goal weight for yourself. Your height will stay the same, of course, but you can plug in different weights to find one that’s a comfortable goal for you, and within a healthy range.
Note that if you’re under 20 or are a senior, your BMI requirements may be different. Talk to a doctor to find out what your healthy weight range is.
With all that said, you certainly can use fat burning pills to reach a healthy body mass index! Combined with a healthy diet and moderate exercise, you can reach a healthy BMI with diet pills and fat burning tablets.
7. Can you lose weight quickly with pills?
Okay, so this is a tricky question, because fat burning pills and tablets won’t work the same way for everyone. Some people may find that diet pills are a huge help in weight loss. Others may find that they offer more of a placebo effect. And still others may say that they don’t work at all for them; they end up quitting the pills or trying something different.
So it goes to say that you may have to try different formulas, too. Again, we’ll go over the most commonly effective fat burning pills that help you lose weight fast later in this guide. But we think it’s important to stress that the pills aren’t magic! You’re going to have to adopt a healthy lifestyle if you want to lose weight and keep it off.
Scientists and doctors recommend that you get at least 150 minutes of moderate activity each week to stay healthy. If you want to lose weight, consider doing more, but don’t overdo it! Moderate exercise activities include:
- Walking 2 miles in a half hour
- Walking or jogging on a treadmill
- Cycling for 5 miles in a half an hour
- Water aerobics
- Jumping rope
- Dancing (But not slow dancing! That comes later!)
The good news is that you don’t have to do it all at once. You can do your exercise in 10 minute increments – so dance for ten minutes then take a short break if you must. But 10 minutes is essential for you to get the cardio benefits of the exercise.
Prefer something a little more challenging? You can do 75 minutes each week of vigorous exercise. This might include:
- Running
- Hiking up a hill
- Racewalking
- Lap swimming (fast!)
- Singles tennis
- Pretty much any sport done on a court
To put it simply, it’s any activity that’s going to raise – and keep raised – your heart rate. You can tell you’re at the right level of activity when your breath is shorter and you can only talk in short little sentences.
If your heart’s not healthy, be sure you speak with your doctor before beginning exercise. More importantly, if you’re using fat burning pills to lose weight faster, be sure your pills don’t accelerate your heart rate, as this could be very dangerous.
8. Why are fat burning tablets so popular?
Well, the answer to this is two-fold. Sometimes fat burning tablets are so popular because they work! People highly value aids that will help them reach their weight loss goals faster, and pills are a super easy way to supplement any weight loss lifestyle change. They’re so much easier and more convenient than shakes and protein powders – just take a few tabs with some water and you’re done!
The second reason is more psychological. There are weight loss and fat burning tablets that do little more than give you energy, or even do nothing at all. That said, if that money is worth spending for you to be inspired to work out, then spend it! If taking those tablets 30 minutes before a meal influences you to make good choices, then take them!
We’re not saying that no weight loss and fat burning tablets work. We’re simply stating that there is, at times, a sort of placebo affect that takes place. But there’s nothing wrong with that! If a placebo can make you lose weight more quickly, by all means – ensure it’s safe, then take it!
As we mentioned, the weight loss industry is huge – billions of dollars huge – and people are excited about getting fit and healthy. Sometimes fat burning supplements and tablets become popular for crazy reasons. For instance, there have been many times that “television doctors” have proclaimed one pill or another to be the next “super” pill.
Please ignore the television doctors. The industry is huge, and these guys are making a lot of money by supporting brands and products. Don’t rely solely on the word of these television stars who are getting paid millions of dollars to show up on television in scrubs, despite there being no one present in need of medical attention, to promote products. In short, they’re quacks. (We’re not naming names here, but we’re sure a few come to your mind.)
Instead of relying on celebrities who may or may not know a thing about actual medicine, look to your health care provider. Short of that, read reviews from real people who have tried a popular supplement. How did it make them feel? Was it effective? How much weight did they lose? Did they make other lifestyle changes?
Diet pills, fat burning tablets and weight loss supplements are popular because we make them popular. We listen to the advice of TV quacks and celebrities when we should really be relying on science – what works, what’s harmful and what’s helpful shouldn’t come down to the advice of a television personality.
9. The science behind fat burning pills
Okay, so we’ve mentioned that there are a few types of fat burning pills. There are prescription medications as well as over the counter blends, and there are straight up herbs that may help you burn fat and lose weight.
Many fat burning tablets are also thermogenics, a term that’s used to describe substances that boost your metabolism and help you burn energy. Simply put, they produce heat which may cause your body to burn fat and calories more quickly.
We’re going to talk more in depth about specific fat burning supplements in just a bit. First, though, we’d like to make the science behind these pills clear: most herbal supplements have not been tested by regulating agencies and may or may not work, or even be safe.
As far as prescription fat burners go, though, there’s hope. Every prescription fat burner available has been tested and shown to have some sort of positive impact on weight loss, no matter how minimal. Remember that testing these drugs is an ongoing process, and studies are being conducted every day. But if the drug has been approved, you can be assured that it’s proven effective in tests.
When you visit the doctor, you’ll notice that there are three main types of weight loss pills:
- Fat burners
- Fat blockers
- Appetite suppressants
You and your doctor can talk about which is right for you. In a nutshell, a fat burner is a thermogenic, and may cause your metabolism to become higher. A fat blocker keeps your body from absorbing the fats in the foods you eat. An appetite suppressant is formulated to make you feel less hungry, or to crave fewer sweets.
Keep your personal habits in mind as you choose which weight loss pill you’ll take. It may be that the fat burners aren’t the right choice for you – you may simply need an appetite suppressant.
In future sections of this guide, we’ll talk about the specific science behind each of the most effective fat burning pills. For now, simply remember that most herbal supplements aren’t tested, and all prescription medications are.
10. Types of weight loss pills and tablets
We’ve already talked about just how many different types of weight loss supplements are on pharmacy shelves these days. You’ll find them everywhere – from the discount store to the gas station – and it’s hard to tell one from the other if you’re not sure what to look for.
We’ll try to narrow down your options a little bit. To begin, there are three main types or weight loss supplements: fat burners, fat blockers and appetite suppressants. Let’s look at them each individually to determine what they can do for you.
Fat burners
Fat burners are supplements that help your body burn calories more quickly. In short, they generate heat, which may help boost your metabolism and help you burn off the foods you eat. Of course, you know this doesn’t mean you can eat more. What it means is that, if the pills really work, they can help you burn your healthy foods off more easily.
Fat burners basically work as an aid to digestion. They can come in many forms, but usually contain some sort of a stimulant. Caffeine is common, and those pesky and dangerous ephedra pills were another example of an herbal product that was a stimulant.
Some fat burners also contain appetite suppressants, which may help to curb your cravings for starches and sugars as well as decrease your appetite as a whole. It’s up to you whether you choose a fat burner that contains an appetite suppressant as well.
Appetite suppressants
There are quite a few different types of appetite suppressants, and some of them work in different ways. For instance, some are quite simple – like fiber – and they merely make you feel full so that you’re not as inclined to eat so much. Others impact the hormone levels in your brain, like serotonin, to trick you into thinking you’re not hungry. Still others may impact your insulin, helping fight cravings for sugary foods.
All have the same goal, though: to help you eat less. Whether it’s less of one specific food or just less food in general, the aim of appetite suppressants is to reduce the number of calories you consume throughout the day.
You can find appetite suppressants in the store, or have one prescribed to you by your doctor. Either way, appetite suppressants work best when you follow a healthy diet and get adequate exercise.
Fat blockers
Fat blockers are the third type of weight loss pills, and they’re a little different from the others. Fat blockers work to block your body’s absorption of far from the foods you eat. Whether you’re taking a prescription fat blocker pill or one that you can find over the counter, these pills are designed to reduce the fat your body stores.
Fat blockers can be great tools to aid in weight loss, but they may come with a few side effects. Side effects of fat blockers include:
- Diarrhea
- Flatulence
- Oily spots on your underwear
- Difficulty controlling bowels
- “Accidents”
- Rectal or stomach pain
If you’re taking a heavy duty fat blocker, be sure you’re well aware of the side effects before you begin taking them. Most people who take fat blockers say the symptoms can be reduced by sticking to low fat foods.
11. When should I use fat burning tablets?
This is a very good question, as we’ve been talking about the potential impacts to your health of these supplements. The answer, in fact, depends on your specific goals. You may be trying to chance your lifestyle. Maybe you’re trying to amp up your workout. You could be trying to train for an event. There are quite a few instances in which you should consider using fat burning supplements.
Let’s look at a few situations where you might find fat burning pills useful. Remember that these won’t apply to everyone – you should speak to your own doctor before you decide which pills to take.
Using fat burning pills while training
If you’re already pretty active and just want to get fit faster, fat burning pills may work for you. These pills are designed to increase your metabolism and help you burn moth fat and carbs. This, of course, will only be increased when you work out.
If you’re trying to build muscle or participate in a weightlifting program, fat burners can be great. Some, like BCAA or even caffeine, can allow you to work out to the max without negative side effects. You can build lean muscle mass while you work out even faster, and some supplements will boost your testosterone (yes, women too) during your workout to amplify results.
Remember that some pills will raise your heart rate, so be careful. Check with your doctor and tell her what a normal workout routine looks like for you.
When you want to boost your weight loss
We’ll say it again. Taking a fat burning supplement doesn’t mean you can double down on the peanut butter pie. These pills only work when they’re taken in concert with a healthy diet and moderate to vigorous exercise.
That said, fat burning tablets can certainly help you lose weight and reach your weight loss goals faster. As mentioned, they can help increase your metabolism, allowing the foods you eat to “burn off” more quickly and giving you the energy to participate in physical activity.
You can choose from fat burning pills, fat blocking pills or appetite suppressants. While none is guaranteed to help you increase your metabolism, all have potential to help you reach your weight loss goals more quickly. Of course, we’ll say it again – talk to your doctor to make sure your fat burning tablets aren’t going to adversely impact your health.
When you want to suppress your appetite
Many people take fat burning pills because they’re marketed as appetite suppressants. Depending on your habits and your goals, these tablets may be a good option for you. Fat burning pills can also help you feel more full. Some even interact with your kidneys and other organs to make you less likely to crave carbs, sugars and other no-nos on a weight loss plan.
Be careful when you take appetite suppressants. For instance, ephedra was one of the most popular appetite suppressants in the past few decades, and it turned out to be super dangerous. Check the label on your pills and ask your doctor or a pharmacist for the latest recommendation on the ingredients. Many times, studies aren’t done, but sometimes reports of unsafe ingredients begin to circulate within the medical community before they hit the mainstream news.
When you just want a little psychological boost
Taking fat burning pills and tablets can create a placebo effect – we talked about that a little earlier. Sometimes, for some people, just taking a tablet prior to eating or exercising can provide the psychological boost you need to stick with your routine.
Fat burners can help improve your energy levels, giving you the stamina you need to really push during your workout. They can also act as a “reminder” to eat right. For instance, if you’re going out with friends, you may be more likely to skip the dessert if you take your pill, or say “no” to that second glass of wine.
So, if you feel like this sounds like you, go ahead and find a safe fat burning tablet to take. Set a timer on your phone to remind you to take it, and enjoy the effects – no matter how placebo – of your weight loss tablet.
12. Which fat burning pills work?
We already briefly covered this question earlier in the guide, but let’s expound on it a little more. Now that you know more about fat burners, fat blockers and appetite suppressants, and are familiar with how they work, you are in a better position to determine which products will work best for you.
The first thing you’ll need to do is decide whether you want to take a prescription or a non-prescription fat blocking tablet. Prescription pills may be safer, but that’s not a guarantee. At the very least, your prescription tablets are closely monitored by your doctor, as is your weight loss progress.
Non-prescription pills can be equally safe, however. For instance, taking a fiber pill will help you lose weight with very minimal side effects. You’ll probably feel more full, and fiber has the added benefit of helping to block fat.
Once you’ve chosen between prescription and over the counter pills, it’s time to decide exactly what you’d like to see in those pills. There are tons of ingredients to choose from, and there are blends and pills that just contain one or two ingredients.
If you’re taking medications, read the labels on your fat burning pills carefully. You may find that there are ingredients in your pills that interact with your current health conditions or the meds you’re taking. If you’re a breastfeeding mother, be particularly careful! The ingredients in your pills may be transferred to your baby when you nurse – as you’d imagine that can be extremely dangerous to your little one!
Now, ladies and gentlemen, is the moment you’ve been waiting for. Let’s look at the ingredients you’ll commonly find in weight loss and fat burning pills, and talk about this tablets work the best.
13. Which are the best fat burning tablets?
Okay, before we begin, let’s just listen to the disclaimer one more time.
Do not begin to take any supplement without first clearing it with your doctor.
Get it? Got it? Good! We want you to stay safe – after all that’s what weight loss is all about, right? Improving your health? There’s no sense in putting yourself in danger just to lose a few pounds.
Now, in no particular order, here are the best fat burning tablets and fat burning pills that you can get over the counter.
Green tea
Green tea is one of the most widely known fat burning supplements. And even though it’s a natural product, it’s one of the few that’s actually been studied. Green tea contains antioxidants called catechins which have been shown to help increase your weight loss when you use it regularly.
Most green tea studies have been conducted on mice and rats, but some human studies have been done. The results of this fat burning supplement is that people who take green tea as a supplement generally burn more fat and trim body fat more easily than those who don’t take it.
The differences in the two groups isn’t huge – usually around 5 pounds or so in the same amount of time. But these preliminary studies suggest that green tea can, in fact, be a very valuable addition to your weight loss plan!
Chili and other peppers
Chili and other peppers are ingredients you have right at home that can act as effective fat blocking supplements. Cayenne pepper, chili pepper and even black pepper can help you burn fat – and the science behind it is simple.
Earlier in this guide, we talked about how thermogenics raise your body temperature, allowing you to burn calories and fat more easily. Well, that’s exactly what these peppers do! They raise your temperature, in turn acting as an effective way to boost your metabolism.
Don’t like eating spicy foods? No problem. Peppers are available in tablet form. The fat burning pills are easy to swallow, and most people say they won’t cause heartburn.
Apple cider vinegar
We’ll admit it – apple cider vinegar was one of the first fat burning supplement suggestions made by the television quack doctors. However, after research, real doctors have decided that apple cider vinegar (ACV) can be not just helpful for fat burning, but for your health on the whole.
Drinking up to two tablespoons of ACV each day has been shown to help
- lower triglycerides
- help regulate blood sugar and insulin
- promote weight loss
- reduce appetite
As with green tea, a majority of the health studies done with ACV have been on mice and rats. There’s still plenty of testing to be done before we can truly call apple cider vinegar a “great” weight loss aid. However, it does have added health benefits which may make it worth a try.
Please note: ACV should always be diluted as it can harm your teeth and cause heartburn if you take it “straight.” Fortunately, apple cider vinegar is available in fat burning tablet form, and this form carries very few risks.
Fiber
Fiber is a nutrient that you should be getting as a part of your healthy diet anyway. It’s found in foods like spinach, broccoli, beans, lentils and nuts. But if you want an extra boost to your fat burning routine, fiber is a great supplement to add to your daily routine.
The benefits of fiber to your health are enormous. This fat burning pill can:
- help your digestion and make you more regular
- lower your cholesterol
- help control your blood sugar
- help prevent cancer
- Help improve your cardiovascular health
If you do decide to add fiber to your diet, be sure it’s in fat burning tablet or pill form. Many powders and drink mixes that contain fiber also contain a phenomenal amount of sugar, which of course is detrimental to your weight loss success.
Spinach extract
If you don’t love spinach as much as Popeye does, you can always grab a spinach fat burning pill. These pills are filled with chemicals called thylakoids, which are actually found in all green plants. Thylakoids have been shown to temporarily delay your body’s absorption of fat. That means your body has more time to pass the fat through your body rather than hold onto it.
The good thing about spinach extract and thylakoids is that the fat blocking effect is only temporary. Unlike prescription fat blockers, spinach won’t cause those nasty side effects we talked about. People who take a spinach extract supplement most commonly complain of a bit of flatulence.
Studies are still premature, but they suggest that adding spinach to your daily routine can greatly help you boost your weight loss efforts. The fact that it comes in capsule form, of course, is great news for people who don’t like the veggie. But you can also find it in powder and liquid form at your nearby health foods store.
Garcinia cambogia fruit
Garcinia cambogia is a fat burning pill that comes from a fruit, and has been widely used in weight loss for quite some time. It’s actually more of an appetite suppressant, but preliminary studies have suggested it can help block your body’s absorption of fat.
In addition to these benefits, garcinia cambogia fruit is said to help control your blood sugar and your cholesterol, so it could be good for your overall health.
As far as weight loss goes, studies show that, on average, garcinia cambogia fruit can help people lose about two pounds more than a placebo can over between 2 to 12 weeks of diet and exercise. That’s not fantastic, but does go to show that there may be some merit to adding garcinia cambogia fruit to your fat burning pills arsenal.
Caffeine
Caffeine is another fat burner that, when used in moderation, can help you drop pounds more easily. Some of you may get your caffeine intake taken care of through your coffee consumption or your green tea supplement. But for those of you who don’t, there are actually fat burning tablets out there that just contain caffeine.
If you’re breastfeeding, have heart trouble or have any other health concerns, it’s critical that you talk to your doctor before you start taking caffeine. Caffeine can:
- Elevate your heart rate
- Cause insomnia
- Lead to high blood pressure
- Cause anxiety
- Increase the instance of digestive issues
If you’re sensitive to caffeine, this is obviously a supplement you shouldn’t consider taking. Check with your doctor before you take this pill if you have any other health considerations.
Other herbal blends
When you visit the supplement store, you’ll see thousands of concoctions blended to help you lose weight and burn fat. Many of the ingredients in these blends are herbal. Remember: just because it’s “herbal” or “natural” doesn’t mean it’s safe. Do your research before you put anything into your body.
With that in mind, herbs that are considered generally safe and that are included in many blends are:
- Ginseng
- Turmeric
- Rosemary
- Ginger
- Fenugreek
- Oregano
- Cinnamon
Each of these ingredients, when used responsibly, can help you lose weight and burn fat. As always, consult your doctor before you try these herbal blends.
14. Fat blocking pills and tablets for men
There are considerations for men and women alike that you should factor before you begin to take medicine or fat blocking pills. Men, arguably, have fewer considerations than women, but those factors do exist.
In most cultures, there are diseases that are considered to be “men’s diseases” and “women’s diseases.” For example, it’s largely thought by the public that arthritis and osteoporosis are women’s diseases. Breast cancer is a woman’s disease, right?
That is so very wrong. With very few exceptions, including prostate cancer, ovarian cancer and other obvious ailments like uterine fibroids, diseases belong to both men and women.
With that said, men – be careful. Taking supplements that include hormones and other substances can certainly affect you, too. Many fat burning pills will impact your testosterone and estrogen levels (yes, you have estrogen) and can impact your health overall.
Once more – all together now! – always check with your doctor before you start a weight loss pill.
15. Fat blocking pills and women
Women, the same goes for you. There’s no such thing as a man’s disease or a woman’s disease with very few exceptions. With that said, there are a few things you need to keep in mind as you begin to take a diet pill.
First, are you breastfeeding? Remember that every single thing you put in your mouth can be transferred to your little one through breastmilk. Always check with your midwife, obstetrician or pediatrician to be sure.
If you’re pregnant or may become pregnant, the same is true. Everything can potentially pass through the placenta into your baby’s system, so use caution! Never take any pill that’s not monitored by your doctor if you’re pregnant or trying to become pregnant.
Overall, just use common sense – men and women alike should be mindful of what they’re putting into their bodies.
16. Natural fat burning pills and tablets
We’ve already touched a bit on natural fat burning pills and tablets. We’d like to take just a few more minutes discussing how to choose the supplements that are right for you. You already know there are quite a few different blends on the market. You’ve probably noticed there are quite a few brands, too!
So, with that in mind, how do you know which you should choose? How do you differentiate a reputable natural herb from one that might be harmful, or deceptive? Well, there are a few ways you can do this. The first is easy – look it up.
Organic certification
No matter where you are in the world, it’s likely you’ve got some organization that certifies plant and animal products as organic. In the United States, it’s the USDA among others. In the UK, there are quite a few, including the Organic Food Federation, the Soil Association Certification program and Organic Trust Limited. In Australia, look for the Australian Certified Organic seal.
You get the idea – you’re going to have to do a little research on your own. But, barring the efficacy and safety of the actual herb itself, you can be assured that if a product is certified organic it’s free from chemicals like:
- Pesticides
- Herbicides
- Fungicides
- Growth hormones
- Insecticides
From the soil it was raised in to the plants that an animal eats, the requirements to be certified organic are usually pretty stringent. This should help instill a little more confidence in the quality of the product.
Check your federal regulations
Your country may or may not certify herbal products to be safe. In some countries, the governing body will simply deem a product or ingredient as “not safe” or “generally considered safe” for human consumption.
Keep in mind that this doesn’t apply across the board. What’s safe for a healthy 180 pound man may not be at all safe for a 12 pound infant. So if you’re breastfeeding, be on the lookout for ingredients that are not considered safe for the little ones.
No matter what country you live in, you can check out a list of things governing agencies will check for at this link.
Check for recalls
Often, recalls hit the medical and retail community before they hit consumer awareness. As you shop for your weight loss and fat burning tablets, carry your cell phone. Before you approach the register, do a quick search to ensure the bottle of pills hasn’t been recalled.
It’s rare, but sometimes stores aren’t fast enough to pull products from their shelves. They may still be available for purchase despite having harmful ingredients. A quick search only takes a few seconds and will potentially save you from some serious health complications.
Research the company
If you’re buying online, or from a manufacturer you’ve never heard of, it won’t hurt to do a bit of research before you make your purchase. You can find out a lot about a business by simply searching the company name. For instance, say there’s an oregano product from someone called Wildest Herbs Company (yes, we made that up). Just Google the name real quick and see what comes up.
Chances are, your natural herbs are sourced from small scale suppliers. But if they’re sourced overseas in a location known for contaminants and toxins, such as China, definitely think twice before you click that order button.
Read reviews
You’re going to find few more credible resources for researching a company than through reviews customers leave. Go to Amazon and search for the “verified purchase” reviews. Then read through and see what they say.
Look for reports on how well the fat burning pills worked, of course. But also pay attention to things like customer service, shipping and packaging quality and any potential side effects.
17. What about new fat burning pills?
New fat burning pills hit the shelves every single day. There are always products being developed that are designed to help you “lose weight quick” or “burn fat fast!”
Don’t just believe the claims. Take special care to research the product and its ingredients, and be certain you ask your doctor. There are definitely new blends out there that use tried and true ingredients like green tea and ACV. But if there’s an ingredient you’ve never heard of, ask your doctor.
The last thing you want is to get sick from taking a fat burning pill – you’re in this to lose weight, not jeopardize your health. New fat burning pills that haven’t been tested before could be dangerous, so use caution please!
18. Effective fat burning tablets
Keeping the above guidelines for research in mind, you’re going to obviously want to find the most effective fat burning tablets. There are far too many herbs to go into here, but let’s talk about an example of what we mean by this.
Let’s say you’re shopping for green tea fat burning pills. There are a few factors you’re going to want to look out for, like noting the measurements of polyphenols, caffeine, EGCG and fillers in each capsule. Green tea is generally sold in 500 mg capsules or tablets, so it’s easy to make a side by side comparison of products.
Do look out for fillers, though. These are called “inactive ingredients” on most supplement labels and may include anything from:
- Gelatin
- Cellulose
- Stearic acid
- Silicon dioxide
- Carrageenan
- Artificial colors and flavors
None of these ingredients is truly harmful in the doses you’ll be taking. In fact, some are necessary. For example, gelatin is a common agent used to bind and coat capsules. Others, though, are not necessary. Cellulose, for example, is a “bulking agent” used to fill your pills so they don’t look so empty.
The more unnecessary ingredients you buy, the more you’re putting into your body that you don’t need. While they may be safe, they also may compromise the efficacy of the herbal products you’re taking.
As always, read the label and be sure to ask your doctor if you have any questions.
19. Before and after using pills
Are you going to see instant results overnight when you take fat burning pills? Absolutely not. You already know that the fat didn’t come on overnight – it won’t be gone tomorrow. But there have been some pretty impressive before and after shots of people who have used fat burning pills and tablets.
If you want to search for your own photos, we have some advice. We don’t recommend that you go to the pill manufacturer’s website. Instead, search online forums or even the social media storefront of your local health club. You’ll find plenty of real people who are willing to share their success stories. Some may even be open for a conversation with you!
20. The pros and cons of using fat burning pills
As you may have gathered by now, we’re not advocating for or against the use of fat burning pills. These supplements may be useful for some people, while for other people they’re completely useless. The only way to figure it out for yourself is to go see your doctor, then try your weight loss pills.
There are, however, some pretty universal pros and cons to taking fat burning tablets. First let’s look at the pros.
Pros:
- fat burning pills and tablets actually do help for some people
- pills and tablets can provide a psychological benefit if not a physical one
- tablets and pills are super convenient – just pop a pill with some water and you’re done
- fat burning pills may give you extra energy to do physical activity like go to the gym or go swimming
- fat burning pills like fibers and others can help to make you feel less hungry and to eat less
Cons:
- fat burning pills and supplements can quickly become a “crutch” for some people, causing them to make poor choices
- weight loss supplements may elevate your heart rate or blood pressure to unsafe levels
- supplements may also impact your insulin levels – dangerous if you’re prediabetic or diabetic
- women who are pregnant or breastfeeding may pass along dangerous ingredients the the fetus or child
- weight loss supplements may interact with your existing medications
- in some cases, weight loss supplements are cost-prohibitive
So, as you can see there are plenty of reasons to consider weight loss supplements, but plenty of reasons to give them a second thought.
Once more – you know the mantra – check with your physician before you add weight loss and fat burning pills to your routine.
21. Fat burning pills that are best in test
We’re going to keep this little section short but sweet. The reason for that is because different fat burning pills effect different people in different ways! What worked for your wife may not work for your mother or your son.
With that in mind, the fat burning pills ingredients that we’ve researched and found to be “best in test” are as follows, but in no particular order:
- Caffeine
- Green tea
- Turmeric
- Apple cider vinegar
- Cranberry
- Garcinia cambogia (an appetite suppressant)
- Peppers like chili, cayenne and black
Do your own research, talk to the doc, and come up with a blend or regimen that works best with your lifestyle, your goals and your personal health.
Conclusion
There are thousands upon thousands of weight loss supplements on the market today. The weight loss industry is a multi-billion dollar one, and it can be difficult to determine which drugs are safe and which are not.
When in doubt, ask a doctor. He or she may even be able to prescribe you a fat burning drug that’s proven safe and effective. At the very least, your health care practitioner will sit down and discuss your options with you, helping you to develop a plan for your health that will help you reach your goals.