Fat burners: the opinions of consumers and nutrition professionals

[Article updated on 19/09/2023]

Fat-burning products have enjoyed increasing success in recent years. There are many praises for these miracle solutions in advertisements. However, what really are the opinions of consumers and professionals regarding these products?

It is with the aim of answering this question that I will present to you in this article a review of the feedback from people who have used these fat-burning products, as well as the opinions of specialists in the field of nutrition and dietetics.

Consumer reviews

Divergent opinions

Since fat burners have become trendy products, there are millions of consumer opinions on forums on the different products offered on the market. Of course, reviews vary greatly for the same product. Some find results that are exactly what the ads promise, while others see mixed results.

For exemple, Anastasia, a customer on Amazon purchased Natural L-Carnitine 1500 and is totally satisfied with it. According to his words, “Very good product, take at least 3000 mg per day in 3 times, to combine with coenzyme Q10 for better results, I was FINALLY able to get rid of old fats stored for years, I I didn’t believe it anymore…

Still regarding L-Carnitine, another consumer, Morgan, is completely satisfied with its use, after having had a bad experience with other similar products, particularly in terms of price. Morgane combines taking her fat burner with physical activities to optimize results.

On the other hand, for the same product, there are customer testimonials which speak of a lack of results. For example, Lacret, an Amazon customer, says he is dissatisfied with his purchase of L-Carnitine, although he followed the instructions for use to the letter. According to him, after 15 days of taking the product, he noticed no change, despite the sport and lifestyle change he made.

Chris, another customer of the online store, seems to be of the same opinion as Lacret. In fact, he found no noticeable change in his physique after 3 weeks of use.

There are also customers who really like the product, but who still experience some inconveniences associated with its use. However, these do not seem to bother them too much and they are generally satisfied with the effects of the product.

As an illustration, Voldowins, a person who purchased Thermo Caps from Body Shaper, highlights the effectiveness of this product in burning fat and providing a feeling of satiety throughout the day. This prevents him from snacking between meals and reducing his ration during the 3 main meals. However, he notices a strong odor of gas in his urine.

There are also customers who were satisfied with the effects of a product, but who were no longer satisfied when they decided to use it again to lose weight again. I don’t know if the yo-yo effect his body experienced made the fat burner less effective or if the ingredients actually changed since his last treatment. This case coincides with that of Justice, a customer on Amazon who purchased Calori Light designed and distributed by the Forté Pharma laboratory.

Summary of customer reviews

Whether we like it or not, customer opinions will always differ, even for the same product and the same instructions. Not everyone’s body reacts in the same way to each component and it is possible that customer A is more sensitive to the ingredients of a product than B.

Likewise, it is possible that if A has a very small excess of pizza and soda today, he will gain weight more easily than B. As a result, the product will have less effect on one than on the other. ‘other.

If these are the opinions of consumers, it is time to look at the opinions of nutrition and dietetics professionals regarding these fat-burning products.

Opinions of nutrition professionals

Opinion of Dr Gérard Apfelderfer

According to Dr. Gérard Apfelderfer, fat burning products come in two categories. The first is that of dangerous but effective products, and the second includes ineffective and non-dangerous products.

Among the dangerous, but effective products are products based on substances derived from testosterone and testosterone extracts. The second category includes all products considered natural and “harmless”.

According to this professional, these products that are loudly claimed to have no side effects are not the subject of any serious scientific study.

Still according to him, the only real “non-aggressive” way to effectively lose weight would consist of combining a healthy eating habit and regular sporting activities. Likewise, fruits and vegetables supposed to accelerate weight loss are just foods like many others and which only serve to boost motivation.

Opinion from Géraldine Martin, pharmacist

According to Géraldine Martin, appetite suppressant and fat burner products are by no means miracle recipes that make you lose weight overnight. Indeed, their composition is mainly made of plant extracts and vitamins, notably caffeine or green tea and the active ingredients contained in these plants will optimize the metabolism by burning more calories at rest.

However, combining these products with a change in lifestyle, in particular a healthier diet and more frequent sporting activities, will provide real results. Despite this, you should not expect to lose 10 kilos in 10 days, but at most 3 kilos per month.

Opinion of Corinne Chicheportiche-Ayache, doctor-nutritionist

According to the opinion of Corinne Chicheportiche-Ayache, all these natural fat burner products have not been the subject of any proven clinical and scientific study. As a result, sellers rely solely on almost free claims which risk giving false results and virtually defrauding consumers.

According to him, it would surely take an excessive dosage of these products before obtaining real results. But how much can the body tolerate without experiencing overdose-related effects?

Opinion from Sofia Abdelkafi, dietitian-nutritionist in Quebec

According to nutritionist and dietician Sofia Abdelkafi, the principle of losing weight by only taking pills must be put aside once and for all from everyone’s minds. No harmless miracle cure exists to date.

Fat burning foods don’t exist either. Indeed, it is possible to optimize protein digestion or increase the feeling of satiety thanks to the properties of certain foods, but they do not burn fat per se. We should therefore stop mentioning this term which is a little too commercial.

You should also be wary of all so-called natural or medicated fat burner products on sale. In fact, most of them can be dangerous for your health. These products do not have any license number authorizing their sale and their compliance with health and hygiene rules in Canada.

For example, some fat burners combine caffeine and ephedrine, which is potentially deadly.

Opinion of Professor Luc Cynober, professor of nutrition at Paris Descartes University and head of the Biochemistry department at Cochin hospital

According to the opinion of Professor Luc Cynober, there is no fat burning product. Despite the endless number of new natural products appearing on the market, none are able to directly burn fat. It is therefore false to claim miracle solutions supposed to melt body fat.

Real weight loss consists of paying attention to your diet and lifestyle habits, in particular practicing sport on a regular basis. Other methods are illusory and can even be dangerous for your health.

PhenQ, a quality fat burner

With the incessant diversification of fat burning products on the market, one name seems to stand out from everyone: PhenQ. Its secret lies in its triple fat-burning, appetite suppressant and energizing effect.

Thus, this flagship product of slimming cures allows you to:

• Increase the body’s caloric expenditure;
• Optimize the burning of fat mass through metabolism;
• Limit fat absorption during digestion;
• Regulate blood sugar levels;
• Reduce the level of bad cholesterol in the blood;
• Provide a feeling of satiety;
• Help the nervous system and body relax and rest.

PhenQ is also considered to be part of of the best fat burners, particularly thanks to its natural ingredients and no notable side effects for those who consume it.