4 Best Fat Burners for Women

Any product on a list of the best female fat burners should address the unique physiology of a woman's body. Women typically find more difficulty in losing body fat because they have very different hormonal profiles as compared to men, and they naturally carry a higher body fat percentage. There are some exciting products on the market that address these points and are formulated specifically for women. Add one of the best female fat burners to your fitness program to achieve your goals faster than with diet and exercise alone.

Lipo 6 Hers

Nutrex's Lipo 6 Hers is an extended release version of their Lipo 6 product and it is specifically formulated for women. It contains two forms of synephrine, which boosts metabolism and increases the breakdown of fatty acids without elevating heart rate, according to "Supplements 101."
Lipo 6 Hers also contains B-PEA or beta-phenylethylamine, a form of the amino acid phenylalanine that increases the production of neurotransmitters to decrease hunger, boost euphoric feelings and reduce the sensation of pain during workouts.

Lipo 6 Black Hers

Lipo 6 Black Hers is a product for women who want a more intense fat burner with more stimulants for energy. This product contains three different forms of the alkaloid yohimbine, which acts to increase fat burning by coaxing fat cells to release their stored energy into the bloodstream, according to "Supplements 101."
In addition, Lipo 6 Black Hers contains two forms of diiodo-L-thyronine, which act as precursors to the thyroid hormones that govern fat burning in the body. This product also contains a potent dose of caffeine, a natural fat burner that is not well tolerated by all individuals.

Hydroxycut Max Advanced

Made specifically for women, this Hydroxycut product contains novel compounds including amino acids, vitamins, antioxidants, minerals and 300 mg caffeine. The lipotropic or fat burning amino acids in this product include L-alanine, L-serine, L-cysteine, L-threonine and L-isoleucine, which act to release stored fatty acids for use as energy, according to "Aminos A-Z" by Jordana Brown.
In addition, the calcium and vitamin D act as natural inhibitors of fat storage, according to "The Fat Burning Bible."

DREN

MHP's DREN fat burner contains four simple ingredients that can have a strong effect. DREN is so potent that you can only take one capsule per day. This product contains caffeine, a natural thermogenic that can boost strength, enhance mental concentration and boost fat burning, according to "Homemade Supplement Secrets."
5-HTP or 5-hydroxytryptophan acts as a precursor to serotonin, a feel good neurotransmitter that partially controls hunger impulses. Beta methoxyphenylethlyamine is a form of L-phenylalanine that has a longer half-life in the body, boosting fat burning and further suppressing appetite, according to "Supplements 101."

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4 Most Safe Fat Burners

Many associate fat burning supplements and products with unhealthy levels of stimulants, such as caffeine. However, natural fat burning substances exist that work well without contain any central nervous system stimulants. Contrary to the flashy marketing of numerous supplement companies, fat burners do not induce weight loss without proper diet and exercise. You can, however, lose weight faster with these safe fat burners than with diet and exercise alone.
FUCOXANTHIN
A brown seaweed extract, fucoxanthin is a natural carotenoid related to beta carotene, the Vitamin A precursor found in carrots and other yellow and orange vegetables. Fucoxanthin can raise your resting energy expenditure to speed up metabolism without harmful stimulants. Moreover, fucoxanthin switches on fat burning and can cause 10 to 12 lbs. more weight loss over a 16-week period of time, according to Life Extension Magazine. For boosting metabolism, you can take 200 mg of fucoxanthin three times per day with meals.
GREEN TEA EXTRACT
Another impressive natural fat burner, green tea extract contains the potent antioxidant known as EGCG or epigallocatechin gallate. According to "Home Supplement Secrets" by Jeff Anderson, this substance also speeds up metabolic rate. Green tea naturally contains a small amount of caffeine; however, you can get green tea extracts that are decaffeinated. What is most important is finding a green tea product that contains 270 to 300 mg of EGCG per serving. You can take 300 mg of this supplement two or three times per day. However, Anderson notes that doubling or tripling the 300 mg dose of EGCG does not lead to an impressive increase in metabolic rate.
FAT BURNING FATS
Many natural fats have a thermogenic or fat burning effect on the body, according to "Homemade Supplement Secrets". DHA or docosahexaenoic acid, from fish oil, targets body fat in a couple different ways, according to "Supplements 101" by Jim Stoppani. It may increase the body's use of fats as energy, it stabilizes insulin levels to decrease fat storage and it inhibits enzyme critical to metabolizing ingested fats. CLA or conjugated linoleic acid comes from safflower and sunflower oils (also found in dairy from grazing animals) and it has fat burning properties similar to DHA. MCT fats or medium-chain triglycerides are shorter chain saturated fats from palm and coconut oils that may also help to build muscle and burn fat, says Stoppani. You can take 1 to 2g of fish oil three times a day, 3 to 6g CLA per day and 1 or 2 tbsp of MCT oil one to four times per day.
AMINO ACIDS
Several amino acids, known as the building blocks of protein, help to burn fat. L-carnitine, for example, physically acts as the shuttle that transports fatty acids released from body fat stores into the mitochondria in muscle cells to be burned for energy. L-tyrosine acts as a precursor to norepinephrine, dopamine and thyroid hormones to encourage fat burning and help control appetite, according to "Supplements 101." L-arginine converts into the gas nitric oxide, or NO, that increases the delivery of nutrients to working muscles and amps up fat burning, according to "Natural Anabolics". Several forms of arginine are available, including arginine alpha-ketoglutarate, arginine HCL and others. You can take 3g arginine before a workout, 500 to 1000 mg tyrosine twice per day and 1 to 3g carnitine split into three separate doses.

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Best Fat Burning Activities for Men

Men who want to shed a few pounds and build a six-pack stomach might be put off by potential exercising, but there are plenty of simple exercises that can be beneficial to them. The exercises you do merely depend on adapting to your specific needs.

Cardio Activity

Men who are unfamiliar with cardio activity should begin with an easy routine, starting with a slow 15-minute jog either on a treadmill or through the park. If you feel this is too slow or too fast for your physical capacity, alter the practice fit your needs. You do not have to just use running as a single means of cardio. Alternatively, you can walk, cycle, swim or even ski. These repetitive rhythmic actions continuously use large muscle groups, which helps burn fat efficiently.

Sit-ups

Sit-ups are common exercise that, if used properly, can be extremely effective in a weight-loss regime. Lie on your back, place your hands on either side of your head while bending the knees. Then, slowly raise your shoulders till your knees touch your elbows. Retract your body back to its original position in a controlled manner. Contract your abs for optimum performance. Do three sets of 20 reps.

Repetitions

One key aspect to help men lose weight is repetitions. The more repetitions a man does the more chance he has of reducing his excess weight. This is relevant to any weight exercise, whether its working the upper or lower body or even an isotonic action, such as a sit-up. Find a weight that is easy for you to perform so it is possible to allow for three sets of 20 to 30 reps per exercise.

Medicine Ball

Lie on the ball and adjust it so its at your lower back. When you feel comfortable, spread your arms across your chest to assume the starting position. Contract your abs, lift the torso and pull the bottom of your ribcage down to your hips. The ball should not move during the exercise, so perfect the technique before performing three sets of 15 to 20 reps.

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Best Fat Burning Herbs

There are many supplements that can help you burn fat and lose weight, but many of them contain synthetic ingredients or harsh stimulants. While these supplements can be effective, they can also be expensive. Luckily, there are many natural herbs that have fat burning benefits and are scientifically supported.

Ginseng

Ginseng is an herbal supplement that is found in many energy drinks and weight loss pills. The journal Phytotherapy Research found that rats treated with ginseng for four weeks lost weight and had lower blood glucose levels.

Cayenne

Cayenne is a type of pepper in the genus known as capsicum. In addition to adding spice to food, this supplement can be effective for weight loss, particularly busting belly fat. A study from the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition found that capsicum increased fat oxidation and caused a significant decrease in abdominal fat.

Dandelion Root

Dandelion root is not one of the most common weight loss supplements, but it can be effective. According to the University of Maryland Medical Center, dandelion root has diuretic effects, meaning it can reduce water weight, and also has a mild laxative effect.

Green Tea

Green tea isn't just a tasty beverage, it can be a fat loss aid as well. According to a study from the Journal of Nutrition, green tea use can be effective in inducing abdominal fat loss.

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4 Best Bodybuilding Fat Burners

Although dieting causes weight loss, it eventually leads to a slower metabolism that halts fat loss. Adding the right supplements at this time can help raise the metabolism and boost calorie burning. In order to get ripped to the bone, bodybuilders use the most effective and well researched fat burning products on the market.

BCAAs

Branched chain amino acids, which refer to the amino acids leucine, isoleucine, and valine, are effective at promoting fat loss. In a study published in the "Journal of the International Society for Sports Nutrition," subjects consuming branched chain amino acids during resistance training exercise lost a greater amount of body fat than groups receiving either whey protein or carbohydrates.

Xanthigen

Xanthigen, which is composed of brown marine algae fucoxanthin and pomegranate seed oil, has positive effects on fat burning. According to "Diabetes, Obesity and Metabolism," researchers investigated the impact of Xanthigen on body fat and resting energy expenditure. Obese subjects ingested either Xanthigen or a placebo for 16 weeks. Scientists found that consuming Xanthigen resulted in greater body fat loss compared to the placebo group. In addition, Xanthigen also increased resting energy expenditure.

Yohimbine

This supplement shows promise as a potent fat burner. Researchers studied the effects of yohimbine supplementation on body composition. In a study published in "Research in Sports Medicine," subjects performing exercise were given either 20 milligrams of yohimbine or a placebo for 21 days. Scientists cited that the yohimbine group significantly decreased their body fat percentage compared to the placebo group. However, yohimbine did not alter muscle mass or exercise performance in subjects.

Guarana and EGCG Combination

Researchers documented the effects of combining Guarana with EGCG on fat oxidation and energy expenditure. Guarana is a compound with similar properties to caffeine whereas epigallocatechin-3-gallate, or EGCG is the main catechin found in green tea. According to the "British Journal of Nutrition," mixing Guarana with EGCG significantly increases calorie burning, but has no effect on fat oxidation.

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Top Rated Fat Burning Supplements

When combined with an exercise program and a healthy diet, supplements can aid in increasing metabolism and burning fat. However, not all supplements are safe, and many fat-burning supplements contain stimulants which can be harmful if consumed over a long period of time. There are safer alternatives from natural sources that can assist in burning stubborn body fat.

CONJUGATED LINOLEIC ACID

Conjugated linoleic acid, or CLA, is a fatty acid found in beef and dairy fats. CLA is not produced by the human body, so it has to be obtained through foods or supplements. The "Journal of Nutrition and Biochemistry" reported in 2010 that "conjugated linoleic acid modulates body composition, especially by reducing adipose tissue." The word "adipose" is a medical term for "fat." Taking CLA may also improve visible cellulite, according to a 2006 "International Journal of Cosmetic Science" article. CLA must be consumed in large quantities--3.4 g per day--to achieve positive effects. However, it is important to remember that different herbal supplement brands have differing amounts of active CLA. Therefore, if you purchase a product with a combination of CLA and other vitamins, be cautious and do not take more than the recommended daily dose. CLA can also cause nausea and gastrointestinal upset, but these side effects generally occur when taking the supplement with protein or dairy products.

L-CARNITINE

L-carnitine, or acetyl-l-carnitine, is an amino acid that helps turn fat into energy and reduces oxidative stress. L-carnitine is produced by the kidneys and liver. Certain foods also contain L-carnitine, including lamb, chicken, fish, avocados and asparagus. The primary action of L-carnitine is fat oxidation, meaning it burns fat for energy. It works by transporting fats into the energy centers of cells, called mitochondria, according to a 2004 article in the journal "Metabolism." L-carnitine also aids in the metabolism of carbohydrates. The dosage of L-carnitive ranges from 500 to 4,000 mg per day. As with CLA, many manufacturers combine L-carnitine with other products, and it is particularly important to avoid taking supplements called D-carnitine while taking L-carnitine as they may produce side effects. Some of the side effects associated with use of L-carnitine include headache, restlessness, nausea and gastrointestinal upset. L-carnitine can also increase energy, so it should not be taken at bedtime as it can interfere with sleep.

GREEN TEA

Green tea is made from the leaves of the plant Camellia sinesis, and it contains polyphenols, which are powerful antioxidants. Green tea aids in weight loss by boosting metabolism and burning fat. Particularly, the polyphenol catechin found in green tea is responsible for its numerous positive health effects. The April 2010 "Physiology and Behavior" journal notes that "positive effects on body-weight management have been shown using green tea mixtures." In addition, the journal "Molecular Nutrition and Food Research" reported in 2006 that "green tea and green tea catechins have been demonstrated to reduce adipocyte differentiation and proliferation, lipogenesis, fat mass, body weight and fat absorption. Adipose tissue (fat), liver, intestine, and skeletal muscle are target organs of green tea, mediating its anti-obesity effects." Green tea and green tea extracts often contain caffeine and can cause insomnia, anxiety, irritability, insomnia, gastrointestinal upset, nausea, diarrhea or frequent urination in some people. Green tea also contains vitamin K, which alters blood viscosity and can interfere with certain medications. It is important to talk with your physician or pharmacist before taking any supplement.

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Adding Fiber for Fat Burning

If you want to shed fat, fiber is an important element in your diet. But many dieters stick with just counting calories and underestimate the importance of how those calories are packaged. Fiber makes you feel full longer, regulates blood sugar and keeps your digestive system running smoothly. In sum, fiber not only helps fight the battle of the bulge, it will help keep you healthy inside and out.

Types of Fiber

Fiber is basically the part of any plant that cannot be digested. There are two different types of fiber--soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber turns to a gel when digested. It slows digestion and gives you a feeling of fullness. It is found in oatmeal, nuts, seeds, fruit, beans and lentils, and some vegetables. Soluble fiber helps lower cholesterol, according to the National Institutes of Health, which is why it's an important part of a heart-healthy diet. Insoluble fiber, found in wheat bran, vegetables and whole grains, passes through your system in its original form. It helps keep your digestive system working efficiently and reduces the risk of some intestinal cancers.

Weight Loss and Fiber

Clearly, fiber helps keep you healthy. It can help carry cholesterol out of the bloodstream, reducing the risk of heart disease, and it reduces the rate of certain types of cancer. But fiber is also a key component in weight loss. Because it moves through the system slowly, soluble fiber helps keep your blood sugar levels from spiking, which keeps your energy steady and prevents cravings. Most foods that are high in fiber are also low-calorie, such as a cup of green beans or a serving of beans, so they aid in weight loss. A Tufts University study in 2001 showed that eating at least 14g of fiber per day equated to a 10 percent decrease in calorie intake in study participants. Because you are more satiated by fiber-rich foods, you'll eat less, according to the study's findings.

Does Fiber Flush Fat?

Although there are plenty of diet books out there promising a high-fiber diet that will "flush" fat out of your system or "absorb" fat that you would otherwise digest, fiber doesn't flush fat from your body. Fiber does prevent a "small amount of fat from being absorbed," according to NutritionData, but it is not enough to be calorically significant. Instead, it is the healthy, naturally fiber-rich foods that make for successful weight loss.

Getting Enough

Dr. Sharon Griffin, writing for My Food Diary, suggests you worry less about what type of fiber you're getting and just make sure you're eating plenty of natural whole grains and vegetables. If you need a ballpark figure to think about, try eating about 20 to 35g of fiber per day. Most Americans get less than half that amount.

Adding Fiber

Griffin suggests you eat whole, natural fruits and vegetables, with the peel if possible, as much as you can. Eat fewer processed foods, and remember that meat and dairy do not contain fiber. Replace white rice with brown rice, choose whole-grain breads and try to switch in beans and legumes for meat in one or two dinners each week. Add more fiber to your diet slowly. The increase in your diet can be hard on your digestive system, causing gas or other digestive problems. Also drink plenty of water if you have increased your fiber intake, to prevent discomfort from constipation or bloating.tL

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