Recommendations: Thermogenic (Stimulant-Based) Fat Burners

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Typical thermogenic fat burners contain stimulants (in the form of caffeine, synephrine, dimethylamylamine, etc) that are advertised to suppress your appetite and elevate the metabolism by ramping up the central nervous system.

What about Ephedra/Ephedrine?
In many countries, including the U.S., ephedra/ephedrine is illegal. The products you see advertised as containing ephedra either do not contain any ephedra alkaloids (the chemical constituents which give ephedra its weight loss and metabolism boosting characteristics) or they are illegal. If you are a fan of ephedra, there is a way to get it without breaking the law. Click here to read my review of Todd Massey's Black Market Report on Ephedrine."

And while some stimulants actually do this (caffeine, for example has demonstrated "fat burning" properties, see clinical evidence here and here!) their effects are generally much less dramatic than the manufacturer`s advertising would suggest. While it may be an appealing thought, there is no product in the world that will effortlessly "melt fat".

Nonetheless, stimulant-based fat burners are incredibly popular sellers. In the over 10 years we've been online we've heard from thousands of people who love them. This is certainly not because they have delivered results on par with their expectations, or help them lose weight without dieting or exercising.

No, many people don't get enough sleep or consume a proper diet and the boost of energy these products provide many with the extra "oomph" necessary to make it to the gym and have a productive workout, or alternatively, make it through the day.

For many, that on its own justifies the cost of a thermogenic fat burner, which—when factored out on a day-by-day basis —will cost you much less than your daily Starbucks latte.

And of course, thermogenic fat burners don't contain stimulants alone.

The better ones also contain ingredients that may balance your blood sugar levels, lower cholesterol levels, stimulate the activity of the thyroid gland, inhibit the conversion of simple carbohydrates into blood sugar, and so on.

If there's a problem it's the fact that most thermogenic fat burners claim to be able to do ALL these things. In reality however, capsule size severely limits the amount of ingredient that can be effectively included in any product, and most fat burners are under-dosed in their supporting ingredients.

For the products that do contain effective amounts of all included ingredients, it's often more cost effective the individual ingredients in isolation.

We don't recommend a ton of stimulant-based fat burners, simply because there is no need to; most are built upon the same foundational ingredients. For the most part, we're fan of Isatori's products for the simple reason that they guarantee your satisfaction or will happily refund your money, less shipping and handling (the products must be ordered direct from Isatori in order to obtain this benefit).

We like a manufacturer who removes the risk from a purchase, and places the onus firmly on their own shoulders to deliver measurable benefits. In addition to Isatori's products, we're also happy to recommend and reasonable-priced, intelligently formulated products that come our way.

Here's the list—select your choice for the full review...

Products Worth Investigating Study Status
Isatori's LS7 or Lean System 7: A genuine peer-reviewed, published study has validated the effectiveness of this stimulant-based fat burner. Product feedback (i.e."anecdotal evidence") is largely positive. A 100% money back guarantee (if purchased direct) eliminates the risk from a purchase.    
Isatori's MX-LS7 or Maximum Strength Lean System 7: MX-LS7 contains some ingredients which have been validated in human studies. Not all are included in the proper dosage. Product feedback (i.e."anecdotal evidence") is largely positive. This product is fairly strong, and not ideal for you if you are new to stimulant-based products. A 100% money back guarantee (if purchased direct) eliminates the risk from a purchase.    
Isatori's Curvelle for Women: Curvelle contains ingredients which have been validated in either human or animal studies. Not all are included in the proper dosage. Product feedback (i.e."anecdotal evidence") is largely positive. A 100% money back guarantee (if purchased direct) eliminates the risk from a purchase. It is a much gentler product—it should not make you jittery—with a focus on balancing blood sugar levels.
Double T Sports KetoCuts: KetoCuts contains some ingredients which have been validated in human studies.
Gaspari's Mitotropin: Designed more for bodybuilders and fitness pros, this product—at the full dose—is much too strong for those of you who are new to stimulant-based products. Mitotropin boasts an interesting but largely speculative formula, although several ingredients do have some clinical evidence behind them. Nonetheless, Gaspari has a reputation for manufacturing quality, class-leading products.
VPX Meltdown: VPX has a reputation for making products so potent they nearly take the top of your head off. The advertising claims for this product are grossly exaggerated, but there is a published, peer-reviewed clinical study validating its effects. For that reason, it is worth a closer look.
Legend (rollover icon for explanation)
HS (Human studies): Some human-based studies have been performed on this ingredient/product, or some of the ingredients in this product. This should not be considered absolute "proof" that it works as described.

Studies "vary" in credibility; while some are credible, others may be only preliminary, small, or their methodologies may be flawed (not properly randomized, double blind or placebo controlled) or they may be published in obscure or non-accredited journals.

Other studies may be conducted by people with a vested interest in a positive outcome (i.e., they are managed by the same people retailing the product), and therefore the conclusions must be viewed with skepticism.

And of course, many studies demonstrate only mild or moderate effects, which—with the help of a retailer's creative marketing department—can be made to appear much more dramatic than they are.
AS (Animal studies): Some animal based studies have been performed on this ingredient/product. Positive animal based study results do not always translate over to the same results in humans. However, these are a good first step, and may help to add some credence to pure anecdotal reports.
"In vitro" studies: Literally, these are studies performed "in glass"—basically in a culture dish, not in any animal or human model. While "in vitro" studies are usually the easiest, fastest and most cost-effective to conduct, they are also the "bottom of the ladder" when it comes to clinical evidence. Results obtained when a compound is applied directly to isolated cells or tissues may be different than those obtained when it's swallowed by a human or animal, as it must "survive" the harsh environment of the stomach and first pass through the liver. "In vitro" studies rank above anecdotal evidence, since in-vitro work can at least establish—in a controlled manner—that a supplement compound is biologically active.
AE (Anecdotal evidence): It all starts with anecdotal evidence. In general, anecdotes mean very little, as most individuals are not necessarily aware of the large number of variables that can contribute to a positive outcome for any product/ingredient. Still, when enough people consistently notice a positive effect, it cannot be completely dismissed. On the "scale" of proof that a product works, anecdotal evidence is the least reliable.
 
 

 

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