One can not miss the multimedia advertisements of weight loss supplements. You see them on the streets while driving, in the drug stores or pharmacies, health food stores, and in other establishments that provide services for the enhancement of one's physical appearance. Open a magazine or newspaper and most likely, you come across very credibly presented ads promising weight loss just by taking the product. In addition to the very convincing copy, the ads sometimes show sexy bodies that one can only sometimes dream about. And here's a product that promises you that your dream of a sexy body can be a reality. Isn't that almost a miracle to have all those unwanted fats melting away without exercise and diet restrictions?

One of the most widely advertised weight loss products these days are the fat burners. What are fat burners? Are they really as effective as they claim? Reading from their ads, brochures and other literature, fat burners are supposed to burn stored fat, break down and mobilize fat cells, and increase body metabolism. to burn stored fat. Take note that these fat burners are sold as food supplements and as such are not subject to regulations by government agencies unlike the over the counter and prescription drugs. This means that they can claim benefits or positive effects that need not be supported by scientific data or clinical studies.

Going back to the question of what these fat burners are, each capsule or tablet contains one or a combination of the following, as listed on the labels. Since the product is unrestricted, there is no control on the variations available in the market. Here is a partial listing of the more common ingredients:

* Ephedrine

Probably the most well-known component in fat burners. Ephedrine is claimed to suppress hunger, metabolism, and increase body heat. Having been used earlier than the other ingredients, there were some studies showing weight loss but not as much as claimed in their ads. However, negative side effects, even deaths, have been reported from its use as well as other adverse effects such as irregular heart beat, palpitation, and increased blood pressure. The serious side effects has made some fat burner manufactures to stop using ephedrine,

* Green Tea

This is a popular component these days and its effectiveness is supposed to be supported by the thousands of years that it has been used in most Asian countries. However, its effectiveness as a fat burner is yet to be proven in the western world.

* Carnitine

Carnitine aids in more fat to be burned by helping to transport fat to the muscles where it will be burned as the muscles are used. However, the actual burning of the fat still depends on whether muscles are used as in exercising or doing physical chores

* Chitosan

Chitosan is reported as derived from the external skeletons of crabs or other marine mammals and is supposed to prevent fat absorption. One negative effect is that the body can not absorb the fat-soluble vitamins A, D, and E.

The above list shows just some of the common ingredients. As stated, since fat burners are unregulated, it's not only the number of ingredients that they have the liberty to vary, but also the quantity of each ingredients, It is this nature of fat burners that they do not work as effectively as claimed in the advertisements.

Due to the absence of documented proof, the perceived effectiveness of fat burners continues to be highlighted more that the side effects. But, disregarding the negative side effects, are fat burners really effective as a weight loss supplement? Again, there is no proof. How does one know that the listed ingredients are actually present, or are maintained after the initial product release has been considered effective? As long as the manufacture of fat burners remain unregulated, there is no assurance that they are as effective and safe as they claim to be.

Instead of relying on fat burners, people who need to lose weight should find other healthful means. It is for you safety to consult a physician for the appropriate and effective weight loss method.

Buying fat burners is like buying a money burner.