There has been some preliminary research into the relative efficacy of foods that have been identified as being responsible for the physiological process of thermogenesis (which is itself is the process whereby the body will generate heat by reliance upon the calories consumed).
Thermogenesis itself relies heavily and almost exclusively upon the biochemical process of lipolysis for the provision of the requisite amounts of energy to fuel the process. Given the fact that lipolysis effectively involves the breakdown and decomposition of varying different types of fat molecules; not only dietary fat that has been consumed but furthermore, residual adipose tissue so situated around the body; makes thermogenesis a potential ally in weight control.
Unfortunately, although there happens to a number of different food items that have been proven to have a contributing effect to the process of thermogenesis, the downside is that the actual degree of contribution provided is extremely small indeed; even trace.
Foods that aid in fat burning
Green tea
Green tea is often cited by various sources as being useful in the fat burning process; and this is something of a half-truth. Although green tea does indeed contain a compound which has the potential of being useful and pertinent to fat burning known as epigallo-catechin gallate (EGCG); the problem lies in the fact that copious volumes of green tea would have to be drunk to aid in the acceleration of the metabolism.
In essence then the dieter who is seeking to bolster their fat burning efforts would be required to consume a minimum of 1 cubic litre of green tea in order to gain access to the 270-300 mg of EGCG which happens to the minimum amount of the EGCG necessary to aid in the boosting of the fat burning procedure.
Ultimately however, the actual degree of benefit provided by green tea/the EGCG that is residual within is exceptionally limited indeed and clinical studies into the relative efficacy of green tea has identified that the dieter who drink the requisite 1 litre of green tea would experience a boost of 79 calories within their base metabolic rate for a maximum duration of 24 hours.
After such time, the base metabolism rate of the dieter would then return to ordinary levels.
Chilli peppers
Chilli peppers have also been proposed as a potential candidate for the war against fat, and again, just like green tea, the reason that they have been so nominated is due to the fact that they happen to contain a useful chemical element within them: capsaicin. Again, the actual extent that the capsaicin has on the base metabolic rate leaves a great deal to be desired, burning a total of 21 calories.
Caffeine also aids in the thermongenesis process, although unlike chilli peppers and green tea it has a secondary effect that maybe of significance for the fat burning process.
Caffeine
If caffeine is ingested by oral administration (as opposed to rectal administration), it will be ultimately metabolized inside the liver. There it will be decomposed into a total of three different types of dimethylxanthines. Of these three different dimethylxanthines the most significant of these for the topic of fat burning is paraxanthine.
Paraxanthine is a significant impact upon the effect of lipolysis; enabling the speedy decomposition of the volume of triglyceride within the body as well as adipose tissue. Although not sufficient in and of itself to completely remove excessive weightage of a dieter, when caffeine is used in conjunction with other, more proactive methods; the harmonization between these methods can complement together very effectively.
Medication for fat burning
Liothyronine sodium/Cytomel
Liothyronine sodium or to use its commonly used brand name, Cytomel is an artificially synthesized thyroid hormone and it is of particular interest and significance within the realm of fat burning by virtue of the fact that it also happens to accelerate the base metabolic rate; i.e. the rate at which dietary calories are converted into usable energy sources such as glucose. In essence, the higher the rate at which the metabolism works at then the more calories that will be consumed at any given time which in turn, means that there is a lower amount of calorific surplus.
A lower calorific surplus is significant by virtue of the fact that it means that there are less calories to be earmarked and set aside for conversion into adipose tissue.
In addition, Liothyronine sodium specifically interacts with the beta-2 adrenergic receptors that are present within all cells located around the body; ensuring that the intake of additional dietary calories is inhibited.
beta-2 adrenergic receptors are directly responsible for the regulation, efficacy, speed and intensity of which two enzymes, epinephrine and nonepinephrine work at and these are both play a very integral role in the lipolysis process.
Another beneficial effect that has been recorded with regards to the usage of the Cytomel drug is that it has a significantly inhibiting effect upon the pancreatic gland and in particular, the production of the hormone insulin.
Insulin is directly responsible for the appetite cravings; meaning that Cytomel has an appetite-suppressant effect associated with it as well.
Potential risks associated with the usage of Cytomel
Despite such seemingly potential benefits in the treatment of obesity as well as in aiding the fat burning process of the base metabolism rate, there has been a wealth of medical research to support the widely held hypothesis that the usage of thyroid replacement hormone therapy in the management of obesity is inappropriate, ineffectual and even hazardous to health.
People who are currently on sympathomimetic drug medication, a class of drugs commonly used in the treatment and management of cardiovascular dysfunction and pathologies must never use these two types of medication together. The reason for this is due to the possibility of a toxic drug interaction between the two drugs.
Exercise
Exercise in and itself has been proven to be fairly redundant, providing only limited amounts of fat burning at a time. For example, an hour of continuous running will only consume 387 calories for an exerciser whose total body weight is 180 lbs.
One of the problems with exercise is that there are so many different potential variables that impact upon its ultimate efficacy and these include:
- The current level of activity being engaged in
- The current body weight of the exerciser
- The nature of the exercise (whether anaerobic or aerobic)
A common fallacy that is prevalent about exercise is that if an exercise is capable or has the potential to burn more fat then this means that it is more effective at providing weight loss. This is erroneous, as the only way in which adipose tissue will ever be removed from the body is by virtue of the calorie deficit arising.
In order for the calorific deficit to arise, the calorific requirement of the basal metabolic rate must exceed the number of calories being consumed and so the easiest way of achieving this is to limit the intake of calories on a daily basis in addition to increasing the amount and intensity of exercise.
Fat burning is a complex and challenging issue; it is essential that people who wish to achieve it consider their overall health as well as their motivations for engaging in such activity.