Key Takeaways

Thermogenic Fat Burners Explained:

• Function: Enhances the body's natural metabolic processes to increase heat generation and calorie burn.
• Key Ingredients: Commonly includes caffeine, green tea, capsaicin, and other natural substances that stimulate metabolism.
• Benefits: Accelerates fat loss, increases energy levels for workouts, and may boost resting metabolic rate.
• Usage: Often used in combination with a healthy diet and exercise to maximize fat burning and energy production.

Fat burners have been a part of the panoply of workout supplements for quite a long time. There are so many fat-burning supplements available and they fall into different categories. Fat burners that cause your body to accelerate the natural process of burning fat are the most effective since these work with natural physiological processes. These thermogenic fat burners are supplements designed to increase the metabolic processes that naturally burn fat in your body.

The main distinction here is thermogenesis. This is really just the scientific term for generating heat. While some fat burner supplements claim to specifically burn fat through chemical reactions, thermogenic fat burners work to accelerate the body’s natural processes of generating internal heat.

Many of the ingredients in thermogenic fat burners are completely natural. Athletes routinely use things like caffeine and green tea as natural fat burners. These things naturally contain chemicals that enhance our physiological processes that burn fat. Like all workout and fitness supplements, there is some science that underpins thermogenic fat burners. Ultimately, what matters is that they do work. 

What is a Thermogenic Fat Burner?

As we pointed out, thermogenic just means to generate heat. When our bodies burn calories, our metabolism generates heat from within and this requires calories as fuel. Thermogenic processes consist of the metabolic processes that cause these reactions to occur. Thermogenic fat burners work with your metabolism and cause it to speed up and become more efficient. The result is that you burn more fat and calories from a workout.

It has been well documented that some chemicals found in food and some drinks contain properties that accelerate the process of thermogenesis. Research on how to combat obesity has led to insights into the benefits of thermogenic fat burners as supplements to exercise and a healthy diet.

This research has led to findings that these foods and the specific chemical components in them can be used as supplements to diet and exercise. There are a number of foods that produce thermogenesis. These include eggs, coconut oil, and whey protein. Since whey protein is already one of the most widely accepted exercise supplements, it is an obvious choice as a thermogenic fat burner. From whey protein, you get the dual benefit of burning fat and increased protein for building lean muscle.

Thermogenic fat burning supplements cause our bodies to accelerate these natural processes either by boosting the metabolism directly or by enhancing your ability to exercise and thereby stimulate metabolism. Usually, thermogenic fat burners will contain a combination of ingredients that will help on both ends of this equation.

Thermogenic fat burners are often simple and natural products, some of which can be found in your own home. Caffeine is a natural thermogenic fat burner, and most of us get a good dose of that every morning in our coffee. The buzz from caffeine stimulates your metabolism.

Thermogenic fat burner supplements most often contain a number of fat-burning chemicals along with other supplements to help balance nutrition and to enhance workout performance. For example, some fat burners contain a mix of chemicals that specifically burn fat by enhancing metabolism, but they also contain things like extra caffeine to give you an energy boost for an intense workout. 

What Do Thermogenic Fat Burners Do?

Thermogenic fat burners work by enhancing two complementary processes. First, they accelerate metabolism. Second, they help you work out at a more intense level so that you also do the work of burning calories and fat.

These supplements are designed to cause your body to elevate your resting thermogenic state. This means that even the metabolic process of eating burns calories. We all have what is called our resting metabolic rate. This is the basic metabolism needed to sustain basic life functions. Thermogenic fat burners increase the resting metabolic rate. When you add the dynamic rate of metabolism from exercise to an increased resting metabolic rate, you have a substantial edge on burning fat.

It is important to note that while thermogenic fat burners give you an edge, they do not completely work as a substitute for exercise. The real benefit of thermogenic fat burners comes with the combination of increased resting metabolism and the substantial metabolic work of exercise. Some also claim to suppress appetite. Others actually inhibit the body’s ability to store fat and calories. Caffeine, for example, reduces the process of lipogenesis, or the formation of fat. Green tea contains a chemical that reduces our body’s ability to absorb glucose, which can become fat, and it suppresses the appetite.

So, the answer to the question, what a thermogenic fat burner does really depends on the fat burner. Some just enhance metabolism. Others provide multiple benefits.

How Does a Thermogenic Fat Burner Work?

The ways thermogenic fat burners work depends on the type of fat burner you use. Fat burners are not the same as appetite suppressants. However, some thermogenic fat burners contain appetite suppressants in order to enhance the effectiveness of the fat burner. But we should take care to point out that thermogenic fat burners are not "diet pills."

They do not replace exercise and a healthy diet as the primary factors for burning fat. As stated above, thermogenic fat burners work in a variety of ways, but we can break down some of the main effects, and we will see that many of these things complement each other. 

Thermogenesis and Metabolism

The best example in the category is, again, caffeine. Caffeine has been shown in clinical studies to increase the expenditure of energy in the body. Caffeine also enhances the metabolic processes that oxidize, or burn fats. In short, caffeine accelerates thermogenesis.

Capsaicin is a natural chemical that accelerates metabolic systems. Capsaicin is the chemical in chili peppers that causes the burn in your mouth and on your tongue. The more capsaicin in the pepper, the hotter the pepper. Capsaicin has also been shown to accelerate metabolism and burn fat. That burn on the tongue has the same effect on fats and calories in the body.

Thermogenic fat burners may contain extracts from bitter orange which contains a chemical called synephrine. This also speeds up metabolism. Synephrine is widely accepted as safe and can significantly increase your metabolic rate and burn fat.

Yohimbine is another naturally occurring plant-based fat burner that can burn fat by increasing hormones. Yohimbine is derived from the bark of the African yohimbe tree. It can increase levels of adrenaline, noradrenaline, and dopamine. Increased levels of these hormones are known to burn fat. One study showed that athletes who took measured doses of yohimbine burned significant fat percentages. 

Thermogenic Fat Burners and Fat Storage

Some thermogenic fat burners contain extracts that block the formation of fats in the body. Ingredients of this type are generally used in addition to those chemicals which directly enhance metabolism. One such example is Garcinia Cambogia. This is found in some tropical fruits and contains a specific chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which has been shown to block the formation of fats in the body. Ingredients such as these create a doubled effect by reducing the amount of fat available to the body while others physically burn fats that are already present. 

Thermogenic fat burners available on the market generally contain a mix of ingredients such as those described. Together they provide a powerful exercise supplement that can burn fat and even reduce the amount of fat your body can absorb. NF Sports offers Natural Burn, an herbal fat burner, to help fuel your thermogenesis.

Since caffeine and green tea also tend to work as appetite suppressants, they provide the added benefit of reducing the amount of fats you consume in the first place. 

Are Thermogenic Fat Burners Safe?

The answer to this question is complicated because there are some side effects associated with thermogenic fat burners that we will address below. But by and large, thermogenic fat burners can be used safely. There are some precautions you should take. If you are using fat burners for weight loss, do not stay on them for long term maintenance. Thermogenic fat burners can be ideal supplements to a healthy combination of diet and exercise programs. But, like anything else, use these programs as a method to reduce weight, not as a way of maintaining a specific weight level. The only thing that really maintains a fit and healthy body is a sensible healthy diet combined with regular exercise. 

Do not cut out carbs while using thermogenic fat burners. You will need some kind of energy source even as you burn up calories and fat. There is a temptation to eliminate all potential sources of extra calories, but a good source of carbs helps while taking thermogenic fat burning supplements. 

Since many of the thermogenic fat burners contain some kind of stimulant, usually caffeine, be careful as you begin using them. One of the main complaints about thermogenic fat burners is that they give people a serious and overly intense caffeine buzz. Take small amounts at first until you get a sense of how they are going to affect you. Always take them before exercise. Obviously, do not take them before bed. 

Thermogenic Fat Burner Side Effects

Since there are so many varieties of thermogenic supplements on the market, it can be difficult to determine which ones are the safest. Thermogenic supplements are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and are therefore unregulated. One of the best strategies is to read reviews of products before you take them. Read them with a skeptical eye as sometimes people provide bad reviews simply because they did not take them as recommended. 

Some of the most common side effects are associated with the stimulants contained in thermogenic fat burners. These side effects include:

Again, many of these side effects can be avoided by taking the supplements as directed and always taking them as part of a healthy exercise program. Thermogenic fat burners are not diet pills. Ideally, the increased energy from caffeine contributes to motivation for exercise. If you are seriously working your body and your muscles, you reduce the likelihood of anxiety from caffeine. Nausea and upset stomach can be avoided by eating a healthy diet while taking thermogenic fat burner supplements.

In rare cases, people have experienced serious liver problems while taking thermogenic fat burners. There have also been rare instances of inflamed intestines associated with fat burners. 

Wrapping Things Up

Athletes, fitness buffs, and people who need to lose weight often reach for workout supplements in order to get the most out of their exercise programs. Among the most effective are thermogenic fat burners. These often enhance the body’s natural metabolic processes in order to accelerate the process of burning calories and fat.

It is worth noting that most, if not all, of the active ingredients in thermogenic fat burners are natural. It turns out that nature provides us with some of the most effective chemicals for burning fat. Common caffeine is one of the principal ingredients in most thermogenic fat burners, and caffeine has the added benefit of giving you some added inspiration for a workout.

Thermogenic fat burners usually provide a combination of ingredients that work together to provide maximum benefit. Along with chemical components that specifically burn calories and fat, many thermogenic fat burners also contain natural ingredients that prevent the absorption of fats in your body.

Like any exercise supplement, it is important to take care when using thermogenic fat burners. Stimulants and other ingredients can cause uncomfortable side effects. Use caution and common sense when taking thermogenic fat burners or any other exercise supplements. Take small amounts at first to see how they will affect you.

But the good news is that thermogenic fat burners are generally safe. They are effective in helping you burn fat and prevent fat from accumulating in the first place. When combined with a healthy program of diet and exercise, thermogenic fat burners will help you reduce fat as you build muscle and get in shape.

Health and Safety Notice for Our Readers

At NF Sports, we're dedicated to supporting your fitness journey with high-quality, natural supplements made in an FDA-registered facility. Our content and product recommendations are for informational purposes only and are not intended as medical advice.

Consult Your Doctor: Before starting any new supplement regimen, especially if you have health concerns or conditions, consult with a healthcare professional to ensure it's safe and right for you.

FDA Disclaimer: Our products are designed to support your wellness journey but have not been evaluated by the FDA to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

FAQ

What exactly are thermogenic fat burners?

Thermogenic fat burners are supplements designed to increase the body's heat production through metabolic stimulation, which helps to burn more calories and fat during physical activities.

How do thermogenic fat burners work?

These supplements increase metabolism and body temperature, which leads to greater calorie expenditure. They often contain ingredients like caffeine, which enhances fat oxidation and energy levels, aiding in weight loss efforts.

Are thermogenic fat burners safe?

Generally, when used as directed, thermogenic fat burners are safe. However, they can cause side effects like increased heart rate and anxiety, particularly in those sensitive to stimulants. It's essential to consult with a healthcare provider before starting any new supplement regimen.

Can anyone use thermogenic fat burners?

While many people can safely use thermogenic fat burners, they are not suitable for everyone. People with certain health conditions or those sensitive to stimulants should avoid them. Always consult a healthcare professional before beginning any supplement.

What should I consider when choosing a thermogenic fat burner?

Look for products with clear ingredient labels and clinical backing. Consider your tolerance to stimulants and any health conditions you may have. It's also beneficial to choose products from reputable manufacturers that follow FDA guidelines.