Ephedra Free Thermogenics

What Are Ephedra Free Thermogenics?

When it comes to fat loss, the thermogenic category is by far the largest in the fat loss class.

The concept originated back in the late 80’s – early 90’s. It was the result of research that was done on the effects of caffeine, ephedrine and aspirin on fat loss. The results were successful enough to spawn the natural version of the above mentioned compounds to be released as a fat loss product. This was the beginning of the thermogenic concept as a supplement and yes, it did include ephedra. This product stimulated fat loss and energy. The abuse of these types of products led to FDA intervention and ultimate banning of all ephedra- based products. In the wake of this development, companies were forced to replace ephedra. They came up with various other compounds without losing the fat loss and energy benefits.

What Is Are Ephedra Free Thermogenics?

Now, having said all that, let’s define what a thermogenic is. A common definition is the following: Generation or production of heat, especially by physiological processes. Now, there are different types of thermongenesis. The one we are most interested in is the following:

Diet induced thermogenesis — A portion of dietary calories not needed for immediate energy requirements is converted to heat and not stored as fat. Some types of obesity may be related to a defect in this mechanism.

What Do Ephedra Free Thermogenics Do?

So, a thermogenic supplement takes advantage of this process by raising the body temperature and metabolic rate. Therefore, calories burn faster than normal. While these are ephedra free, they do have a lot of various caffeine sources as well as numerous fat loss ingredients. If you have any problems with caffeine, you will want to pass on this type of product. Now, these products differ from simply drinking coffee. This is because they include ingredients that give you the most fat burning potential possible. While each product can be different, many of them will add a appetite suppressant. They will also include standard fat burning ingredients such as l-carnitine. Some may include ingredients that promote a healthy thyroid because the thyroid controls the metabolism. There will be diuretic ingredients as well.

Common Ingredients Found in Typical Ephedra Free Thermogenics:

Caffeine sources:

Guarana

Also known as Paullinia cupana, Brazilian cocoa. Guarana is a creeping shrub native to Venezuela and northern Brazil in the Amazon rain forest. The fruit is small, bright-red, and contains black seeds which are rich in caffeine, containing up to 4-8% caffeine. This is very common in diet and energy formulas. It is a stand alone alertness product. Also, as natural caffeine, it is one of the earliest herbs in supplements.

Green Tea

Green tea comes from a tea plant native to Asia called Camellia sinensis. Black tea also comes from this same plant. Green teas are the least processed of commercial teas and the method used helps to preserve more of the nutrients.. The healthful properties of green tea are largely attributed to polyphenols, chemicals with potent antioxidant properties. Polyphenols contained in teas are classified as catechins. Green tea contains six primary catechin compounds: catechin, gallaogatechin, epicatechin, epigallocatechin, epicatechin gallate, and apigallocatechin gallate (also known as EGCG). EGCG is the most well known polyphenol in green tea. It’s used for it’s antioxidant properties.

Green tea also contains alkaloids including caffeine, theobromine, and theophylline, which provide green tea’s stimulant effects.

Kola Nut

Caffeine-containing nut of two evergreen trees (Cola acuminata and C. nitida) of the cocoa family (Sterculiaceae), native to tropical Africa and cultivated extensively in the New World tropics. The trees grow to 60 ft (18.3 m) in height and have oblong leathery leaves, yellow flowers, and star-shaped fruit. The nut has been used in medicines and in soft drinks, though American “colas” today instead use synthetic flavorings that mimic its taste.

Yerba Mate

A stimulant beverage similar to tea, very popular in South America, brewed from the dried leaves and stems of a member of the holly family. Yerba mate contains caffeine. However, the amount is low. Coffee and tea will contain more.

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine anhydrous is regular caffeine with the water removed.

So we see that there are quite a few caffeine sources used, in many cases manufacturers will combine any or all of the above for a potent caffeine “complex”.

Other Common Ingredients In Ephedra Free Thermogenics

Capsicum Annuum

Or, cayenne pepper. This herb is well know for increasing body temperature and thereby increasing metabolism. Once unheard of in thermogenic supplements, it’s now a mainstay. The thermogenic properties of cayenne first came to light in the early 90’s.

Synephrine HCL

The search for an effective Ephedra replacement has been ongoing since the ban of ephedra a few years back. Many researchers feel that Synephrine, or Citrus Aurantium, may be a good ephedra alternative. Synephrine is a stimulant that has similar effects as caffeine and ephedrine. It increases your metabolic rate. This makes your body burn calories at a faster rate. It also suppresses your appetite and provides energy. Synephrine is one of the best ephreda free thermogenics.

Hoodia

A common appetite suppressant popular in many fat loss formulas or as a stand alone product.

Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia is a fruit from India. It’s the original natural appetite suppressant. Also known as hydroxycitric acid or HCA.

Guggul Extract

In its extracted form, guggul is a type of resin or oil that comes from the Commiphora mukul tree. Guggulsterones affect how the thyroid works. The thyroid is the gland located beneath the larynx (voice box). This gland secretes the hormones that regulate metabolism and growth. An abnormal thyroid which produces less of this hormone may cause a person to suffer from low metabolism. This condition is hypothyroidism. It is partially responsible for weight gain. The extract of guggul is a stimulant to the thyroid. This allows it to increase production and speed up the metabolism.

L-Carnitine

Carnitine helps burn stored fat for energy.

This list is by no means all inclusive as each product will offer different ingredients and target different aspects of fat loss, including diuretics or water retention control, more effective thyroid stimulation, more effective appetite control, stress control and mood control, to name the primary aspects that can be targeted in many of today’s better thermogenic products. These products have gone from glorified energy pills to complex formulas. They have become very specialized in their application.

Benefits:

  • to increase the metabolism thereby increasing calories burned resulting in fat loss

Formula specific benefits:

  • Reduce water retention
  • Suppress the appetite
  • Control stress related eating
  • Promote a healthy thyroid
  • Enhance mood while on restricted calories

Notice that not once have I used the terms “diet” or “weight loss”, I always use “fat loss”. This is because I do not believe in “dieting” in the mainstream sense because to do so always means some dramatic change in eating habits that have no basis in fact or sound nutrition and also because once mainstream dieters go off the diet, they almost always fall back into old habits. The term “weight loss” does not mean fat loss it actually refers to total body mass, meaning the weight you lose is water, muscle and fat. Not good for a bodybuilder, athlete or fitness enthusiast!

Note also that many benefits are product dependent, so as you research your choices you have to buy to your goals.

Thermogenic Supplements, Timing and Dosage

Thermogenics almost always come in tablet, soft-gel or capsule form, with many new advances in delivery, such as liquid capsules. Not a soft-gel but an actual liquid-filled capsule. This is a huge category and, as stated above, you have many choices, all with a similar foundation of caffeine based ingredients but from there, branching out to fulfill many different fat loss related objectives. Again, your goals will largely dictate your choice but my suggestion would be a complete product that covers several ares of fat loss. Hey, the more you have working for you the better!

Timing And Dosage

It’s critical to follow label directions. Start with 1/2 serving and gradually work up. Do not just jump right into the full serving suggestion! Timing is typically 1-3 times per day but I suggest only two servings, once in the morning and once in the early afternoon. The reason for this is, with the amount of caffeine in these products, taking a third dose late in the day will just keep you awake. As always, completely read all label directions before using.

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