Questions about thermalgenics

Ok let me start by saying if you are going to post here that supplements are a waste, or that they do not work please don't bother.  I know that some can have a huge impact, and some do little. I'm just curious if anyone on here actually has used, and tested different themalgenic supplements.  There is a severe lack of information that I'm able to find about these products unless its from a site that sells them.  I'm looking for objective studies on the stuff.  For example I read in a magazine or saw a tv commercial a while back( i can't remember what pill it was) that stated this pill changed how your body released the fat to be used as energy, and prevented your body from canabilizing your muscle cells when there was fat left.  In other words I could severely reduce my caloric intake and these pills would make it so your body used the fat cells for energy first instead of storing fat and burning eating muscle.  I don't know that this is possible, however that was what the add claimed.  I don't want to go to a supplement store to inquire because I'm sure they will tell me whatever I want to hear in order to get a sale.

From what I understand they may be responsible for you burning as many as 50 extra calories a day. That's if you take enough of them to set your teeth on edge and your hands trembling.

Not worth the health risk, for 6 lbs in a year.

It's not what you want to hear, but too bad. Sadly, there really are no shortcuts.

I'm not looking for a short cut.  What I am looking for is a supplement that will help prevent muscle break down instead of fat break down with a severe caloric intake reduction.  I'm going to the doctor tuesday and among other things will be asking her about such things. However I'm sure she won't have extensive knowledge on different supplements.  I plan on reducing my caloric intake which is currently around 4500-5000 a day(guessing)  to around 2100-2500 a day.  From what I've been reading that much of a reduction may be an issue with muscle deterioration.  People can say that supplements do not work all they want, however if that was a 100% true statement it would not be a multi-billion $ industry, and people that don't need to lose weight wouldn't use them.  i.e. every body builder I have ever met uses supplements including fat burners, so to make a blanket statement that they do not work, and basing it on zero actual research is just like me saying drinking too much water can drown you.

Hello!  I am by no means an expert on any of this ... but I take a cayenne fruit supplement.  I have been told that eating spicy peppers and actually eating cayenne pepper on my food will work much better but I am having some digestive issues that are preventing me from eating spicy foods at the moment ... so my doctor told me to take the cayenne supplement until I can return spicy foods to my diet.  They are fairly inexpensive,  non-intrusive and NOT a diet pill but a dietary supplement to increase your thermalgenics.  If you can stand the spicy peppers and cayenne pepper ... I may give that a try first.  However, I fully understand that some digestive issues and personal tolerances will not make it possible for everyone to eat the lovely natural spices in nature ... and a supplement may be just what your doctor will order as well.  I don't about the muscle break down and all that ... but my doctor told me that the spicy stuff will help increase my metabolism.  I would have the conversation with your doctor if you can't stand the spicy foods or just plain don't like them.  The other thing you may want to ask your doctor is a referral to see a nutritionist ... the nutritionist will probably be much better suited to discuss supplements and how to incorporate what you need to avoid muscle breakdown through introduction of healthy natural foods.  My insurance covers meeting with a nutritionist ... as long as I have the referral from my doctor.  It is at least worth the discussion!   If not a nutritionist ... maybe a naturopath?  They may have extensive knowledge about alternative medicines/supplements that can prevent what you are worrying about ... and most insurances will cover a visit to a naturopath as well!

That is my two cents ... good luck to you!

Gwen

Original Post by dtomko:

I'm not looking for a short cut.  What I am looking for is a supplement that will help prevent muscle break down instead of fat break down with a severe caloric intake reduction.  

 The best way to do that is to use the muscle on a regular basis - ideally by strength training.  That will force your body to consider the muscle necessary and to take the calories by burning fat instead.  There's lots of info. on this site about good intro. strength training programs.  I suspect melkor (moderator of the fitness forum) can point you to some good ones.

Original Post by dtomko:

I plan on reducing my caloric intake which is currently around 4500-5000 a day(guessing)  to around 2100-2500 a day.  From what I've been reading that much of a reduction may be an issue with muscle deterioration. 

If this is a concern - and I'm sure this is something your doctor CAN answer - why don't you step down your calories over time, adding exercise/weight training as already suggested, rather than cut by 50% right away? I would think taking pills would be only one of several methods to mitigate the risk of muscle loss.

Always an interesting thread....always an education on cc....

I have never tried thermalgenics, and hadn't heard about them until today.  So I googled the words "thermalgenics" and "hype" to find a critical evaluation.  After taking a look at the articles on philkaplan.com I summarize as follows:

The term is really "thermogenics".  It refers to taking a mixture of caffeine and ephedrine.  It works...but.  There is some increased fat burn, but the major weight loss is from appetite suppression and water loss.  The mixture is addictive and Kaplan doesn't strongly advise trying it unless you know what you're doing.  It's used by bodybuilders, who have to force themselves to eat more on account of appetite loss.