Make sure you’re incorporating some of these 15 ingredients in your diet and with proper supplementation to maximize your body’s natural fat burning power. While these are all great options, not every single one is necessary for every body type. If you want to look and feel your best, take our short questionnaire to learn your Optibody type so you will know which of the 15 best fat burning ingredients you should focus on in order to naturally burn the most fat.
Here are the 15 Best Fat Burning Ingredients:
Green Tea
Green TeaPretty much everyone has heard that Green Tea is good for you. It has been a commonly consumed beverage known for its significant health benefits since 2700 BC, when Chinese emperor Shen Nung discovered its detoxifying effects. It improves blood flow, maintains stable blood sugar levels in diabetics, lowers cholesterol and blood pressure, and helps protect against damage incurred by a high-fat diet.
Green tea’s impact on weight loss is partially attributed to the thermogenic capabilities of green tea, a physiologic process that helps burn calories. Its thermogenic capacity is likely related to a synergism of caffeine and catechins which enhance sympathetic stimulation of thermogenesis, ultimately increasing energy expenditure. Caffeine stimulates thermogenesis and fat breakdown. Green tea’s ability to stimulate thermogenesis is not solely based on caffeine, given that the effect is greater than that which is associated with caffeine alone. Further, catechin polyphenols increased the respiration rate of brown fat thereby activating thermogenesis. Learn more here.
Bacopa Monnieri
Bacopa monnieri is a small herb with oblong leaves containing light purple or white flowers. It is commonly known as Brahmi, which is a creeping plant found in marshy areas in India. It belongs to the family Scrophulariaceae. This plant has been used for over 3000 years as an Indian Ayurvedic medicine to enhance cognitive function by improving memory, increasing brain function, or promoting longevity.
This unique compound is considered a powerful adaptogen, as it enhances the body’s resilience against a background of physiologic stressors. In doing so, it also increases the body’s ability to fight against the harmful effects of infection and oxidative damage. Scientific research has found that adaptogens can increase tolerance to mental exhaustion and endurance in situations that are associated with decreased performance. This explains how Bacopa can be helpful in reducing stress related cravings and hunger, by reducing the body’s overall response to stress.
Bacopa Monnieri has also been associated with having a positive impact on hypothyroidism. It helps by stimulating thyroid function and helping to regulate the production of important thyroid hormones. This is helpful for improving metabolism, especially in those who have low functioning thyroids. Learn more here.
Bitter Orange
Bitter orange fruit is a citrus source used historically in traditional Asian medicine and today used in dietary supplement formulas. It is a stimulatory compound, like ephedra, but unlike ephedra it is completely safe as long as it is administered in the correct doses.
Bitter orange increases the metabolic rate (Thermogenisis), and has been shown in studies to not significantly affect the heart rate or blood pressure. Clinical efficacy studies have found that bitter orange and multi-ingredient supplements containing bitter orange produce an increase in resting metabolic rate and are effective in inducing weight loss and reducing body fat more than diet and exercise alone – without causing adverse effects. Beyond that, it contains a family of indirect-acting adrenergic amines (B-sympathicomimetics) that facilitate the utilization of energy substrates, stimulate metabolic processes, favor uptake of amino acids into muscle, increase lipolysis (breakdown of fat) and can exert mild hunger-suppressant effects.
Raspberry Ketones
Raspberry ketone is a natural compound derived from, you guessed it, the red raspberry. The ketone provides raspberries with their unique scent and flavor. This major aromatic compound of red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) has a structure similar to that of capsaicin (a key component of hot peppers) and synephrine (a stimulant) – both of which are known to modify lipid metabolism while additionally taking anti-obese action.
Raspberry ketone can exercise fat burning effects on several areas of the fat cell. Dietary intake of raspberry ketone in mice studies has exhibited the ability to prevent high-fat diet-induced elevation in body weight and to increase the removal of fats from fat stores in white adipocytes (the unfavorable type of fat cells). Raspberry ketone increases adiponectin, enhances lipolysis and fat oxidation, inhibits fat accumulation, and activates the brown adipose tissue thermogenesis. Learn more here.
Evodiamine
Evodiamine is the predominant component of Evodia rutaecarpa Benth, a traditional Chinese medicinal plant. The fruit of evodia rutaecarpa is regarded as a ‘hot nature’ herb in Chinese literature. It has become popular for its use as a weight loss supplement, as it can be used to break down fat, reduce kidney and liver fat deposits and it can decrease levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol.
Evodiamine has gained prominence for its weight loss and anti-inflammatory effects, as well as its treatment of generalized abdominal complaints. In mice studies, evodiamine was able to stimulate the fat breakdown, increase heat dissipation, and encourage energy consumption. Evodiamine can also reduce kidney and liver fat depositions, which results in decreased levels of free fatty acids, triglycerides, and cholesterol in the human body. Taken together, these effects help prevent fat deposition around important organs and regulate weight gain.
Some studies have reported that evodiamine possesses anti-obesity effects, similar to those found from capsaicin chili peppers. Since evodiamine has no taste, it is a great option for those who cannot tolerate spicy foods, but are looking see the benefit in speeding up their metabolisms through this effect. Learn more here.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a naturally occurring crystalline xanthine alkaloid that is regularly consumed worldwide, and it is one of the most commonly used ingredients in weight loss supplements. Not only does it provide an obvious short-term energy boost, it also provides many potential health benefits. Caffeine has many valuable effects on exercise performance and energy, it stimulates the Central Nervous System and it activates the metabolism.
Caffeine increases metabolic rate, which causes you to burn more calories and potentially lose weight. It is believed to increase metabolic rate of muscles via the release of catecholamines, chemicals that function as messages between brain cells and tissues, such as adrenaline. Even a small increase in metabolic rate can cause the body to release energy as heat via thermogenesis, rather than the unfortunate alternative – converting it into body fat. Research has even shown caffeine’s ability to increase metabolic rate for up to a day following ingestion. Learn more here.
Higenamine
Higenamine is an herb found in plants, such as aconitum napellus that have been used in Chinese and Japanese cooking. It became well regarded in China for its homeopathic use in respiratory complications, coughing, and the promotion of cardiovascular health. As for its application in the world of nutritional supplements, higenamine’s power as a stimulant gained it prominence as a novel stimulant with a high degree of safety.
As a pre-workout supplement Higenamine helps increase energy, improve focus, and enhance mental clarity. Recently, this natural supplement has proven beneficial to cardiovascular and respiratory disease due to its ability as a β-adrenergic receptor agonist. By activating these receptors, higenamine has the ability to enhance lipolysis and thermogenesis, fat breakdown and calorie burn, respectively. Higenamine stimulates specific enzymes that enhance the fat-burning effects of hormones involved in the metabolic processes of underlying adipose (fat) tissue destruction. Given higenamine’s ability to enhance fat oxidation, the combination of exercise and supplementation with this natural compound should synergistically allow people to maximize their fat burning. Learn more here.
Green Coffee Bean
Coffee – arguably the most commonly used caffeinated beverage – is integral to the productivity of everyone from college students to C.E.Os. Though it is known for its stimulating effect on the brain, its benefits expand far and wide beyond that.
After eating, our blood sugar levels tend to rise. This is especially true after eating a meal high in carbohydrates. Elevated blood sugar levels can trigger our bodies to store food as fat, and they can lead to a “crash” later. Studies show that taking a green coffee bean extract supplement you eat can significantly reduce blood sugar levels after your meal. This means there’s less chance that you will experience induced loss of energy and mood swings. When combined correctly with caffeine anhydrous, green coffee also help keep you from getting a post caffeine crash that no one likes.
You’re more likely to have consistent energy levels, as well as experience better overall health by keeping your blood sugar levels in check. Taking green coffee bean extract is shown to help keep blood sugar levels lower between meals too.
Learn more here.
Rhodiola
Rhodiola is a plant that grows in high altitudes in regions of Asia and Europe. This plant has been used in Russian and Chinese folk medicine and has been classified as an adaptogen – a medicinal plant that can strengthen resistance to stress, as well as improve concentration, performance, and endurance during fatigue. In 1969, the plant was approved for medicinal use by the Soviet Ministry of Health and has been described as an anti-fatigue agent in the Textbook of Phytomedicine for Pharmacists. It has been used in Europe for medical conditions ranging from anxiety to headache.
As a stimulant it has been used to enhance physical endurance, manage stress, and improve attention and memory. Unlike conventional stimulants such as sympathomimetics (a class of chemicals that includes ephedrine and phentermine), adaptogens are not addictive, do not result in tolerance, and will not impair mental function or cause psychosis with extended use.
Learn more here.
N-Acetyl-L-Carnitine
Taken as a supplement, acetyl-L-carnitine can help increase energy production in the mitochondria (a cell’s “power plants”) through carnitine’s involvement in cellular metabolism, ultimately providing those who take it with a noticeable increase in energy.
As complicated as the scientific details of acetyl-l-carnitine may be, it is clear that it plays a pivotal role in the molecular metabolic pathways underlying the body’s ability to turn fat into energy as well as in the regulation of muscle fuel metabolism. Supplemental carnitine was found to increase weight loss in animals and increase the oxidation of long-chain fatty acids in adults, increase insulin sensitivity, and stave off fatigue with physical exertion.
Learn more here.
Ashwagandha
Ashwagandha (Withania somnifera, fam. Solanaceae) is also known as “Indian Winter cherry,” or “Indian Ginseng,” and is one of the most important herbs in the traditional Indian medicine system, Ayurveda. It is the most prominent among these traditional herbs, and is considered to be a Rasayana – an herbal or metallic preparation that supports a rejuvenated state of physical and mental wellness. Most of the Rasayana herbs are adaptogens that can be used as anti-stress agents.
Ashwagandha is also believed to enhance the function of the brain and nervous system as well as improve memory. It is a strong adaptogen that enhances the body’s stability in the background of physiologic stressors. Studies show that adaptogens possess neuroprotective, anti-fatigue, anti-depressive, ant-anxiety, and CNS stimulating and tonic effects.
Learn more here.
Ursolic Acid
Ursolic acid is found in apple peels, and is most known for its ability to allow you to retain more muscle mass, while losing fat. One of the secrets that not many people know about this ingredient, is that it also is an effective appetite suppressant. In studies, mice fed a high-fat diet supplemented with ursolic acid showed a significant increase in levels of leptin, which is the hormone that tells your body that you are full, with a decrease in ghrelin, an appetite-increasing hormone that works through brain regulated pathways. It is not easy to find products that utilize this ingredient, but it should definitely be considered in your regimen for its many benefits. Learn more here.
African Mango
African mango (Irvingia gabonensis) is a deciduous tree that is native to the humid lowland forests in Africa, and its consumption is common in traditional Nigerian and Cameroonian cuisine. The mango-like fruits of Irvingia gabonensis are sought after for their fiber, fat, and protein-rich seeds.
Recently, African Mango has become a popular herbal weight loss option in the United States because it has been shown to reduce appetite, and that it may inhibit adipogenisis (fat formation). It helps reduce your appetite with high fiber content and by stimulating the hormone leptin, which is what tells your body that you are full.
African mango packs a powerful punch, so it can provide you a safe, natural, and effective way to achieve your dietary goals. Learn more here.
Black Pepper Fruit Extract
Black pepper is a dried fruit obtained from the plant Piper nigrum belonging, and is one of the most common spices used worldwide to impart flavor and aroma to food. It has also been used traditionally in medicine for ages due to its many health benefits as an excellent carminative, diaphoretic, diuretic, antioxidant and anti bacterial agent, and is believed to cure constipation, diarrhea, gangrene, indigestion, insomnia, liver problems and ear aches.
Black pepper aids in weight loss by preventing body fat accumulation and new fat cell formation. Black pepper fruit extract also has thermogenic properties, which cause it to boost metabolism and increase calorie expenditure. Studies have also shown that black pepper can significantly reduce high fat diet induced oxidative stress to cells. Having a high fat diet is one of the major factors for inducing oxidative stress, which leads to serious chronic disorders.
Water
Water may technically be a liquid, but it is still the single best fat burning “ingredient” ever. It keeps your organs functioning properly, clears toxins and hydrates your muscles.
