Thermogenics

= Warning: = These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

= Definition: = Thermogenic’s are normally derived from natural sources to stimulate thermogenesis and promote lipolysis, or burn fat. Thermogenesis refers to producing heat, and the term thermogenic's is commonly applied to drugs which produce heat through metabolic stimulation. Thermogenic's are commonly referred to as fat burners, but what most people do not know is that there is a distinct difference between thermogenic's and fat burners (Thermogenics,2016). The difference between thermogenic’s and fat burners is that thermogenic’s raise the body’s temperature to increase metabolism, while fat burners trigger hormones to increase metabolism and promote lipolysis. While the end goal of the two supplements is the same, the physiology is the different (Fat Burners and Thermogenics).

= Sources: = A few natural food sources include that have been known to have a thermogenic effect are listed below. Eggs- contain a high amount of protein which requires a higher amount of energy to metabolize, thus speeding up metabolism and allowing the body to burn more fat than most other foods.

Fiber- the digestion process of fiber is very difficult, causing the body to expel more calories through the digestion process.Also acts as an appetite suppressant.Good food sources are beans and cereal.

Coconut Oil-attacks long chain fatty acids which are generally stored in the body.The body is then able to break down carbohydrates and other fats at a faster rate (Fat Burners and Thermogenics).

Thermogenic supplements typically vary in what natural sources they use to achieve a thermogenic effect. Typical natural sources include, but are not limited too, caffeine, kola nut, guarana tea, green tea, bitter orange, ephedrine, and synephrine (Effects of Thermogenic Pills, 2015). The "norm" prior to 2004 in terms of best thermogenic effects was the combination of caffeine and ephedrine, however the side effects from ephedrine became more well known and the FDA then banned the use of ephedrine.

I am going to focus on one specific thermogenic supplement. I chose to analyze hydroxycut hardcore by muscletech.

Below is the supplement facts for hydroxycut hardcore by muscletech. The 3 major ingredients are caffeine anhydrous, green coffee bean extract, and coleus extract. Below are additional sources of the ingredient and there role in stimulating thermogenesis.

Caffeine Anhydrous: found in various coffee beans and plants, tea leaves, and kola nuts. Will increase alertness, focus, and stimulate metabolism.

Green Coffee Bean Extract: Extracted from coffea canephora robusta and is from a coffee plant found in central and western sub-Saharan Africa. Helps cut down on glucose production in the liver.

Coleus Extract: an ancient subtropical herb supplying forskolin that stimulates lipolysis. Numerous studies have shown positive effects when combined with caffeine (Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen Review,2015).

= Recommendations: = It is recommended that only people over the age of 18 should use thermogenic's. Thermogenics would be appropriate for wrestlers, body builders, or people looking to lose weight, including the obese population (Fat-Burners: Miracle Pill or Cheap Dud!, 2016). People should not take thermogenic’s for longer than 8 weeks. The reason for doing this is because thermogenic’s cause the body’s system to go into over drive and continued use could cause internal organ damage. It is recommended that after the first 8 weeks, an individual takes 4-8 weeks off before continuing to take the supplement again (Fat Burners and Thermogenics).

= Usage: = Dosage and tolerances vary from person to person and from supplement to supplement. Generally, supplements will gradually introduce you to their product by not taking the optimal dose on the first day, and instead breaking it into stages. It is important to make sure each user is comfortable with their current dose before increasing. Below is recommended stages for Hydroxycut Hardcore:

Individual tolerances vary from person to person. Ensure you achieve your comfort with each stage before increasing your dosage. Take each serving 30 to 60 minutes before your two largest meals of the day (eg. breakfast and lunch). Do not exceed 4 capsules in a 24-hour period. Avoid snacking and drink 10 glasses of water each day. Avoid usage within 5 hours of bedtime. For best results, use for 60 days in combination with diet and training. Do not use for more than 8 weeks.

Day 1 & Day 2 - 1 capsule, 1x daily

Day 3 & Day 4 - 2 capsules, 1x daily

Day 5 & Day 6 - 2 capsules with meal 1, 1 capsule with meal 2

Day 7 & Beyond - 2 capsules, 2x daily (Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen Review, 2015)

= Warnings and side effects: = Highly addictive Fatigue Headache Dizziness Flue-like symptoms Irritability Depression Anxiety Gastrointestinal distress (Fat Burners and Thermogenics)(Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen Review, 2015)

Products containing ephedrine have been known to lead to severe panic attacks, high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack, restlessness, euphoria, and reduced appetite (Side Effects of Thermogenic Pills, 2015).

= Rankings: = Effectiveness- 4.5/5 The numerous combinations of thermogenic stimulating natural sources have proven to be effective and help individuals lose weight and cut fat. In a recent 60 day study using hydroxycut and a low calorie diet, individuals lost on average 10.95 lbs (Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen Review). Safety- 3/5 While effect, the side effects of thermogenic's make it a risky supplement to try. With the possibility of being highly addictive, other symptoms can have big impacts on an individuals activities of daily living. Ease of Use- 3.5/5 While most thermogenic's come in pill form, making them easy to use, they often times come with strict instructions that must be followed carefully. These pills could easily be misused by anyone if special attention is not paid to the instructions. Instructions include how to properly start using the product, when to use the product, and the duration in which you should take the supplement for before cycling off. Cost- 4/5 Hydroxycut Hardcore can be purchased on amazon for $19.01, and contain 30 servings. This is equivalent to thirty two cents per pill. Total Score- 15/20 Overall, Hydroxycut Hardcore seems to be a very effective product, but comes with many potential risk factors and special attention must be paid to the instructions. For someone looking to shed some extra fat or lose weight I would recommend giving this product a try, but know that the side effects may be too overpowering and one should not continue to use this product if the symptoms are too much. = =

= Works Cited: = // Fat Burners and Thermogenics //. (n.d.). Retrieved January 9, 2017, from HealthDesigns: http://www.healthdesigns.com/fat-burners-and-thermogenics/fat-burners-and-thermogenics-side-effects

// Fat-Burners: Miracle Pill or Cheap Dud! // (2016, March 8). Retrieved January 9, 2017, from Bodybuilding: http://www.bodybuilding.com/fun/benblack2.htm

// Hydroxycut Hardcore Next Gen Review //. (2015, June 12). Retrieved January 9, 2017, from Supplement tester : http://www.supplementtester.com/hydroxycut-hardcore-next-gen-review/

// Side Effects of Thermogenic Pills //. (2015, April 15). Retrieved January 9, 2017, from Livestrong: http://www.livestrong.com/article/104909-side-effects-thermogenics/

// Thermogenics //. (2016, July 7). Retrieved January 9, 2017, from Wikipedia.org: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermogenics