The fat loss and energy categories are arguably the most popular in the supplement industry, and it stands to reason. After all, who among us doesn’t want to have more energy, or get a bit leaner? Of course, supplements work best in conjunction with a sound nutritional plan and exercise regimen. But the addition of quality supplements to your daily routine can result in faster progress and better results. It’s a crowded marketplace, though, so to determine what kinds of fat-burning supps are right for you, answer these questions.
2013 Supplement Guide: Fat Burners
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Do you want to mix proteins yourself, or would you rather have one source that covers all your needs for the sake of convenience?
If the latter, then your best bet is to buy a mixed protein that includes at least two diferent forms of protein, such as whey and casein. Research shows that combining fast-digesting whey and slow-digesting casein leads to a longer anabolic response and greater muscle growth. Even better, consider a mixed protein that in addition to whey and casein also includes egg and/or soy protein.
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Do you want a fat burner or energy supplement that provides a milder but longer-lasting energy boost?
While a powerful jolt is nice to wake you up in the morning, some guys feel a powerful crash after the effects wear off. Plus, they get used to the dosage pretty fast, meaning that the boost isn’t as noticeable after a while, but the crash still is. More companies today are combining milder stimulants that give you a bit of boost that lasts longer, minus the crash. If this approach appeals to you more, look for products that use guarana, theobromine, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), kola nut, and tyrosine.
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Do you want a fat burner that is completely stimulant free?
Whether you’re just too sensitive to stimulants and want to avoid them all day, or you want a fat burner that you can take later in the day to maximize fat loss all night long without interfering with your sleep, there are numerous options that are stimulant free. If this is for you, then the obvious thing to do is look for fat burners that don’t list any of the ingredients covered in Questions 1 and 2, but include ingredients from Questions 4 to 10.
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Do you want a fat burner that can also help reduce hunger?
The most critical aspect of fat loss is burning more calories than you consume. A fat burner that has added appetite suppressants can go a long way. Look for products that include ingredients such as glucomannan, simmondsin ( jojoba seed extract), 5-HTP (5-hydroxytrptophan), capsaicin (the active ingredient in hot red peppers), and Hoodia gordonii.
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Do you want a fat burner that revs up your metabolic rate?
Speeding up your metabolism means you burn more calories while inactive. Take a look at the stimulants covered in Questions 1 and 2, as these also increase metabolic rate. Other nonstimulants that will help you burn calories include green tea extract, synephrine (Citrus aurantium), capsaicin, raspberry ketones, and 7-keto DHEA.
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Do you want a fat burner that works on a cellular level?
To make sure that you’re burning off more of your body fat, you need to encourage the fat in your fat cells to leave (the process is called lipolysis) so that it can be burned for fuel. Apart from caffeine, nonstimulant ingredients that free up fat include yohimbe, raspberry ketones, and forskolin (Coleus forskohlii).
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Do you want a fat burner that helps alleviate the drudgery of dieting?
When calories drop while dieting, so can your mental acuity and your mood. If you find that when you diet you can’t remember where you left your gym bag, and you feel a bit “down,” then a fat burner that has the following ingredients can boost your mental sharpness and improve your mood: dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), huperzine A, beta-phenylethylamine, vinpocetine, and mucuna pruriens.
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Do you need a fat burner that can help you with your carb addiction?
While carbs aren’t necessarily the enemy, eating too many when dieting can work against you. If you need a supplement to help you minimize the damage when you eat too many carbs, look for one that includes white kidney bean extract (Phaseolus vulgaris), which is a carb blocker that decreases the amount of carbs your body will absorb. Or if you want a fat burner that can help make sure the carbs you eat go to your muscles rather than get stored as fat, look for ones that include ingredients like cinnamon extract (such as Cinnulin PF), alpha lipoic acid, and chromium. Chromium has also been shown to help reduce carb cravings.
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Do you want a fat burner that can help reduce stress and the negative effects it has on your body?
If you have a stressful life, whether it’s due to work, school, or family, you might want to consider a fat burner that also helps you manage stress, lowering cortisol levels while keeping your fat burning on track. If you’re stressed out, consider fat burners that include ingredients such as magnolia bark extract, Rhodiola rosea, and phosphatidylserine.
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Do you want a fat burner that can also help you drop water weight?
If you are trying to look your most shredded, consider using a fat burner for about a week before the day you want to peak. Make sure it includes the following ingredients that can help to shed more water weight: dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), uva ursi, celery seed, and buchu leaf.
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Do you prefer to create your own fat burner stack?
If you prefer to know exactly how much of each ingredient you are getting to maximize fat loss efforts, then consider buying the ingredients separately and stacking them. Ingredients you can buy solo include CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), green tea extract, green coffee bean extract, and carnitine. If you want to add ingredients that provide an energy kick as well as enhance fat loss, then consider caffeine, as well as some of the milder stimulants covered in Question 2.
Do you want to mix proteins yourself, or would you rather have one source that covers all your needs for the sake of convenience?
If the latter, then your best bet is to buy a mixed protein that includes at least two diferent forms of protein, such as whey and casein. Research shows that combining fast-digesting whey and slow-digesting casein leads to a longer anabolic response and greater muscle growth. Even better, consider a mixed protein that in addition to whey and casein also includes egg and/or soy protein.
Do you want a fat burner or energy supplement that provides a milder but longer-lasting energy boost?
While a powerful jolt is nice to wake you up in the morning, some guys feel a powerful crash after the effects wear off. Plus, they get used to the dosage pretty fast, meaning that the boost isn’t as noticeable after a while, but the crash still is. More companies today are combining milder stimulants that give you a bit of boost that lasts longer, minus the crash. If this approach appeals to you more, look for products that use guarana, theobromine, yerba mate (Ilex paraguariensis), kola nut, and tyrosine.
Do you want a fat burner that is completely stimulant free?
Whether you’re just too sensitive to stimulants and want to avoid them all day, or you want a fat burner that you can take later in the day to maximize fat loss all night long without interfering with your sleep, there are numerous options that are stimulant free. If this is for you, then the obvious thing to do is look for fat burners that don’t list any of the ingredients covered in Questions 1 and 2, but include ingredients from Questions 4 to 10.
Do you want a fat burner that can also help reduce hunger?
The most critical aspect of fat loss is burning more calories than you consume. A fat burner that has added appetite suppressants can go a long way. Look for products that include ingredients such as glucomannan, simmondsin ( jojoba seed extract), 5-HTP (5-hydroxytrptophan), capsaicin (the active ingredient in hot red peppers), and Hoodia gordonii.
Do you want a fat burner that revs up your metabolic rate?
Speeding up your metabolism means you burn more calories while inactive. Take a look at the stimulants covered in Questions 1 and 2, as these also increase metabolic rate. Other nonstimulants that will help you burn calories include green tea extract, synephrine (Citrus aurantium), capsaicin, raspberry ketones, and 7-keto DHEA.
Do you want a fat burner that works on a cellular level?
To make sure that you’re burning off more of your body fat, you need to encourage the fat in your fat cells to leave (the process is called lipolysis) so that it can be burned for fuel. Apart from caffeine, nonstimulant ingredients that free up fat include yohimbe, raspberry ketones, and forskolin (Coleus forskohlii).
Do you want a fat burner that helps alleviate the drudgery of dieting?
When calories drop while dieting, so can your mental acuity and your mood. If you find that when you diet you can’t remember where you left your gym bag, and you feel a bit “down,” then a fat burner that has the following ingredients can boost your mental sharpness and improve your mood: dimethylaminoethanol (DMAE), huperzine A, beta-phenylethylamine, vinpocetine, and mucuna pruriens.
Do you need a fat burner that can help you with your carb addiction?
While carbs aren’t necessarily the enemy, eating too many when dieting can work against you. If you need a supplement to help you minimize the damage when you eat too many carbs, look for one that includes white kidney bean extract (Phaseolus vulgaris), which is a carb blocker that decreases the amount of carbs your body will absorb. Or if you want a fat burner that can help make sure the carbs you eat go to your muscles rather than get stored as fat, look for ones that include ingredients like cinnamon extract (such as Cinnulin PF), alpha lipoic acid, and chromium. Chromium has also been shown to help reduce carb cravings.
Do you want a fat burner that can help reduce stress and the negative effects it has on your body?
If you have a stressful life, whether it’s due to work, school, or family, you might want to consider a fat burner that also helps you manage stress, lowering cortisol levels while keeping your fat burning on track. If you’re stressed out, consider fat burners that include ingredients such as magnolia bark extract, Rhodiola rosea, and phosphatidylserine.
Do you want a fat burner that can also help you drop water weight?
If you are trying to look your most shredded, consider using a fat burner for about a week before the day you want to peak. Make sure it includes the following ingredients that can help to shed more water weight: dandelion root (Taraxacum officinale), uva ursi, celery seed, and buchu leaf.
Do you prefer to create your own fat burner stack?
If you prefer to know exactly how much of each ingredient you are getting to maximize fat loss efforts, then consider buying the ingredients separately and stacking them. Ingredients you can buy solo include CLA (conjugated linoleic acid), green tea extract, green coffee bean extract, and carnitine. If you want to add ingredients that provide an energy kick as well as enhance fat loss, then consider caffeine, as well as some of the milder stimulants covered in Question 2.
