When breaking down types of supplements, there are really three boxes that every product needs to check: safe; legal; effective. Fat burners are no different. We’ve reviewed dozens of fat burners (here’s our top list) and we’ve come across a few terms that some of you may want clarification on.
One term that comes up a lot in fat burners is “thermogenic.” As its name implies, thermogenics are supplements that rely on the ‘heating’ of our metabolic rate.
Nearly everything about energy relates to heat. Whether it’s cosmic energy or the energy we burn in a good workout. In fact, even the word calorie comes from the Latin for heat. Scientists determine the calorie of a given food, in part, but literally burning the food in a lab and measuring how much added heat is given off.
In our bodies, this same process takes place on a cellular level. Sugars, proteins, and fats are combusted through various processes in our bodies. The most basic way is when sugar is converted into ATP (adenosine triphosphate), which is the “action potential” of our muscle movement.
Thermogenics work by stimulating our body to run “hotter.” In this process, ingredients like Cayenne, Vitamin in the B family, caffeine, and even guarana are all used to stimulate our metabolism to burn more energy.
The great thing about many thermogenics is that with exercise, they can even help us increase our Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). This means that thermogenics, combined with exercise, can help you burn more energy even when you’re at rest.
There are a number of great thermogenics on the market, and some of them work in slightly different ways. For a full breakdown on some of the most effective fat burners out there, read our review of the best thermogenics. The reviews also help explain how some of the unique thermogenic ingredients work.
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