The low-down on fat burners?

[Safeway]

I'm sure that quite a few people are knowledge on such 'fat burning' products. There seems to be a lot of people asking questions about them. (Please note: This is just a thread for information. I don't want to take any of these pills.)

Example products:
Hydroxycut
Zantrex-3
Stacker 2
Stacker 3
Dymetadrine Xtreme

Do these products work?
Do they help at all?
What are the side effects?
Short-term/long-term?

 

[crt1530]

Methamphetamine

Does it work?
Yes.

Does it help at all?
That depends on your definition of "help."

What are the side effects?

Short term:
Euphoria
Increased energy and attentiveness
Diarrhea, nausea
Excessive sweating
Loss of appetite, insomnia, tremor, jaw-clenching (Bruxism)
Agitation, compulsive fascination with repetitive tasks (Punding)
Talkativeness, irritability, panic attacks
Increased libido

Long term:
Drug craving
Weight loss
Withdrawal-related depression and anhedonia
Rapid tooth decay ("meth mouth")
Amphetamine psychosis

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I'm inclined to agree with crt due to the high amounts of caffeine in most of these fat-burners. Obviously, caffeine is a stimulant, much like methamphetamine. I was actually reading about a study where students drank caffeine for a week (I believe it was the equivalent of 2 cups of coffee). The participants heart rate increased an average of something like 5 bpm, while their BP increased by 10 in both systolic and diastolic fields. These values continued to stay elevated after consumption and even days later. Caffeine, when used like it is in diet pills, is clearly a drug. I'd pretty much stay away from them based solely on that.

 

[EGGO]

Using Lipo 6x. It has caffeine in it, and I usually avoid the stuff (I don't even drink coffee). Take it on an empty stomach twice a day, results in maybe over 10 weeks.

So it's hard to notice a change since it's slow, but I've gotten comments I've been looking a little leaner. How many weeks, I don't know, but my "rest week" begins at March 15, so we'll see. So far, I'm not addicted to it, which I thought caffeine would do, but I am noticing I have to take naps during the middle of the day or I get extremely tired when I've not done much at all. Thing is, I don't get that "energy" most people get when they take caffeine (another reason why I never take it).

After I'm done with this bottle, I'm just going to stick to my Green Tea Extract before every workout. I'll see if there's a difference.

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: EGGO
Using Lipo 6x. It has caffeine in it, and I usually avoid the stuff (I don't even drink coffee). Take it on an empty stomach twice a day, results in maybe over 10 weeks.

So it's hard to notice a change since it's slow, but I've gotten comments I've been looking a little leaner. How many weeks, I don't know, but my "rest week" begins at March 15, so we'll see. So far, I'm not addicted to it, which I thought caffeine would do, but I am noticing I have to take naps during the middle of the day or I get extremely tired when I've not done much at all. Thing is, I don't get that "energy" most people get when they take caffeine (another reason why I never take it).

After I'm done with this bottle, I'm just going to stick to my Green Tea Extract before every workout. I'll see if there's a difference.

See, that's the kind of first-hand experience I wanted to hear about.

Appetite decrease?
Jitters?
Actual fat lost?

 

[JC86]

I've tried Xenadrine before for a couple of weeks and I really didn't notice any effects. This is purely anecdotal evidence. My asked my trainer about them before and he told me it's mostly caffeine and other drugs that are supposed to increase your metabolism and as a result, burn fat. I've stopped since Ephedrine killed that Vikings football player a few years back, I don't want any untested drug in my system that could lead to collapse/heart failure.

 

[EGGO]

Originally posted by: Safeway
See, that's the kind of first-hand experience I wanted to hear about.

Appetite decrease?
Jitters?
Actual fat lost?

Appetetite seems normal. I always have eaten 6 times a day; but my portions are smaller now. I suggest eating meals that make you fuller though.

Jitters, none whatsoever. But that may have to do with how caffeine doesn't make me feel that "jump" that makes people want to take it. So far, I've heard of nobody getting the jitters.

Actual fat lost is actually enough to where I can finally see my abdominal muscles. I'm trying to find my before picture, as all I could find is my after for now.

Another thing I noticed that it is true of what they say, you do feel it right after you swallow it. I get a slight warm feeling right at my tummy. Not that this does anything, but it's something I thought I could mention, so it really is rapid-release.

I missed a dose one day and felt no withdrawl or headaches, unlike my mom who got headaches when she cut back on Coca-Cola after my 3rd week. It has 200mg of Caffeine Anhydrous every 2 pills, you take 4 a day. But they suggest for you to start out very slowly, taking 2 a day for a couple of days and increase it by one every other day, or something. I went straight to 2 per dose after feeling nothing from 1 pill.

For the most part, the only real physical side-effect I ever noticed that my urine smelled different when I used it for one or two days, that's really it other than the need for a nap. It's not a stimulant to me in the least bit, but it seems to be doing something. I'm trying to follow a proper diet, which seems to be doing well. I'll see what happens by March 15 (I began sometime near the beginning of January).

[edit] I think I should also mention that I have a healthy body, taking no medications other than vitamin supplements and fish oil capsules.

 

[wheresmybacon]

Originally posted by: Safeway
I'm sure that quite a few people are knowledge on such 'fat burning' products. There seems to be a lot of people asking questions about them. (Please note: This is just a thread for information. I don't want to take any of these pills.)

Example products:
Hydroxycut
Zantrex-3
Stacker 2
Stacker 3
Dymetadrine Xtreme

Do these products work?
Do they help at all?
What are the side effects?
Short-term/long-term?

Caffeine, ECA stacks, and some of these other products can be valuable additions to a cutting program if everything else - most importantly diet - is in order.

I personally have not used any of the products the OP listed, but I did use an ECA stack in a cutting program several years ago with great success. At the time I was training 6 days a week, eating clean, and adding the Ephedra Caffeine Aspirin pills to my supplement routine took me from 10% BF to 8%. These were the old school Yellow Jackets that are now no longer legal.

I really don't know about these other products, so I can't speak to them. As for my past experience with Yellow Jackets, though, they work.

Side effects for me were noticeable. I definitely had higher blood pressure, higher resting pulse, and decreased appetite. On occassion I had stomach cramps and "the jitters".

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: EGGO
Using Lipo 6x. It has caffeine in it, and I usually avoid the stuff (I don't even drink coffee). Take it on an empty stomach twice a day, results in maybe over 10 weeks.

So it's hard to notice a change since it's slow, but I've gotten comments I've been looking a little leaner. How many weeks, I don't know, but my "rest week" begins at March 15, so we'll see. So far, I'm not addicted to it, which I thought caffeine would do, but I am noticing I have to take naps during the middle of the day or I get extremely tired when I've not done much at all. Thing is, I don't get that "energy" most people get when they take caffeine (another reason why I never take it).

After I'm done with this bottle, I'm just going to stick to my Green Tea Extract before every workout. I'll see if there's a difference.

I took Lipo 6. It gave me jitters and anxiety attacks, and general anxiety. I do not recommend it. It doesn't do anything except curb your hunger (in my experience)

 

[EGGO]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: EGGO
Using Lipo 6x. It has caffeine in it, and I usually avoid the stuff (I don't even drink coffee). Take it on an empty stomach twice a day, results in maybe over 10 weeks.

So it's hard to notice a change since it's slow, but I've gotten comments I've been looking a little leaner. How many weeks, I don't know, but my "rest week" begins at March 15, so we'll see. So far, I'm not addicted to it, which I thought caffeine would do, but I am noticing I have to take naps during the middle of the day or I get extremely tired when I've not done much at all. Thing is, I don't get that "energy" most people get when they take caffeine (another reason why I never take it).

After I'm done with this bottle, I'm just going to stick to my Green Tea Extract before every workout. I'll see if there's a difference.

I took Lipo 6. It gave me jitters and anxiety attacks, and general anxiety. I do not recommend it. It doesn't do anything except curb your hunger (in my experience)

Lipo 6 or Lipo 6x?

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: EGGO

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: EGGO
Using Lipo 6x. It has caffeine in it, and I usually avoid the stuff (I don't even drink coffee). Take it on an empty stomach twice a day, results in maybe over 10 weeks.

So it's hard to notice a change since it's slow, but I've gotten comments I've been looking a little leaner. How many weeks, I don't know, but my "rest week" begins at March 15, so we'll see. So far, I'm not addicted to it, which I thought caffeine would do, but I am noticing I have to take naps during the middle of the day or I get extremely tired when I've not done much at all. Thing is, I don't get that "energy" most people get when they take caffeine (another reason why I never take it).

After I'm done with this bottle, I'm just going to stick to my Green Tea Extract before every workout. I'll see if there's a difference.

I took Lipo 6. It gave me jitters and anxiety attacks, and general anxiety. I do not recommend it. It doesn't do anything except curb your hunger (in my experience)

Lipo 6 or Lipo 6x?

Just Lipo 6 if I recall correctly, don't remember there being an X in the name. Still, probably very similar (main ingredients are bitter orange extract and caffeine).

 

[EGGO]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: EGGO

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: EGGO
Using Lipo 6x. It has caffeine in it, and I usually avoid the stuff (I don't even drink coffee). Take it on an empty stomach twice a day, results in maybe over 10 weeks.

So it's hard to notice a change since it's slow, but I've gotten comments I've been looking a little leaner. How many weeks, I don't know, but my "rest week" begins at March 15, so we'll see. So far, I'm not addicted to it, which I thought caffeine would do, but I am noticing I have to take naps during the middle of the day or I get extremely tired when I've not done much at all. Thing is, I don't get that "energy" most people get when they take caffeine (another reason why I never take it).

After I'm done with this bottle, I'm just going to stick to my Green Tea Extract before every workout. I'll see if there's a difference.

I took Lipo 6. It gave me jitters and anxiety attacks, and general anxiety. I do not recommend it. It doesn't do anything except curb your hunger (in my experience)

Lipo 6 or Lipo 6x?

Just Lipo 6 if I recall correctly, don't remember there being an X in the name. Still, probably very similar (main ingredients are bitter orange extract and caffeine).

There's a few different ingredients in the "x" and it's time released. What the ingredients do, I'm assuming, is making it more time released.

 

[IGBT]

Originally posted by: crt1530
Methamphetamine

Does it work?
Yes.

Does it help at all?
That depends on your definition of "help."

What are the side effects?

Short term:
Euphoria
Increased energy and attentiveness
Diarrhea, nausea
Excessive sweating
Loss of appetite, insomnia, tremor, jaw-clenching (Bruxism)
Agitation, compulsive fascination with repetitive tasks (Punding)
Talkativeness, irritability, panic attacks
Increased libido

Long term:
Drug craving
Weight loss
Withdrawal-related depression and anhedonia
Rapid tooth decay ("meth mouth")
Amphetamine psychosis

..Agitation, compulsive fascination with repetitive tasks (Punding) :Q might come in handy for splitting wood.

 

[thespeakerbox]

Stay away from stims unless youre really stuck. You really should only use them to break plateaus or if your contest prepping. The average guy, 95% of the time, just needs to up their cardio and lifting intensity. Diet is 90% of looking good.

Instead of a fat burner, try Green Tea Extract (with some light caffeine) and Fish Oil.

 

[Safeway]

Green Tea Extract has been proven to do nothing. EC(A) has been proven to burn fat.

 

[KoolDrew]

I'm cutting right now and taking 75g of ephedrine a day and 600mg of caffeine (along with 10g fish oil, vitamins and minerals, etc.). The stuff is so cheap and does wonders for increasing SNS output, blunting hunger, increasing fat loss, and decreasing muscle loss on a diet.

 

[spamsk8r]

Originally posted by: Safeway
Green Tea Extract has been proven to do nothing. EC(A) has been proven to burn fat.

To be fair, the reason ephedra was taken off the market was because it was implicated in causing heart attacks (I haven't seen the research myself so I don't know if that's a valid point, but it would make me wary).

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: Safeway
Green Tea Extract has been proven to do nothing. EC(A) has been proven to burn fat.

To be fair, the reason ephedra was taken off the market was because it was implicated in causing heart attacks (I haven't seen the research myself so I don't know if that's a valid point, but it would make me wary).

Ephedrine is the new E.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: spamsk8r

Originally posted by: Safeway
Green Tea Extract has been proven to do nothing. EC(A) has been proven to burn fat.

To be fair, the reason ephedra was taken off the market was because it was implicated in causing heart attacks (I haven't seen the research myself so I don't know if that's a valid point, but it would make me wary).

To be fair, ephedrine has been shown to be perfectly safe and effective in clinical studies. In the real-world some people have encountered problems. The difference? Using the drug intelligently versus being a complete dumbshit about it.

Ephedrine is a stimulant. If you have pre-existing health problems, don't take it. Don't take more than the recommended dose and fall into the "more is better" trap, and don't mix it with alcohol and other drugs. The ban on ephedra has more to do with politics than anything else and the fact that people abuse it or are too dumb to pay attention to warnings.

Even if you have no history of high blood pressure, cardiac abnormalities or whatever else, you shouldn't start off with a high dose of EC. Start with a lower dose and see how your body responds.

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I'm cutting right now and taking 75g of ephedrine a day and 600mg of caffeine (along with 10g fish oil, vitamins and minerals, etc.). The stuff is so cheap and does wonders for increasing SNS output, blunting hunger, increasing fat loss, and decreasing muscle loss on a diet.

I assume this is a typo, and was meant to be 75mg.

 

[KoolDrew]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I'm cutting right now and taking 75g of ephedrine a day and 600mg of caffeine (along with 10g fish oil, vitamins and minerals, etc.). The stuff is so cheap and does wonders for increasing SNS output, blunting hunger, increasing fat loss, and decreasing muscle loss on a diet.

I assume this is a typo, and was meant to be 75mg.

Yes, definitely a typo. I'd probably wouldn't be posting right now if I was taking 75g a day. :laugh:

 

[Safeway]

Originally posted by: KoolDrew

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: KoolDrew
I'm cutting right now and taking 75g of ephedrine a day and 600mg of caffeine (along with 10g fish oil, vitamins and minerals, etc.). The stuff is so cheap and does wonders for increasing SNS output, blunting hunger, increasing fat loss, and decreasing muscle loss on a diet.

I assume this is a typo, and was meant to be 75mg.

Yes, definitely a typo. I'd probably wouldn't be posting right now if I was taking 75g a day. :laugh:

If the more-is-better rule applied, you'd be at 0% bf.