Who Should Not Take Fat Burners?
Whether you’ve seen someone in your life transform their health and appearance through fat-burning supplements or you’ve heard the hype online, you’re wondering if they’re right for you. Fat-burning gummies like the one we’ve developed at Elm and Rye are a powerful supplement along your weight loss journey. And when taken as directed, they are safe.
Who should not take fat burners, though? What are the primary contraindications for fat-burning supplements?
Today, we’ll examine pre-existing conditions and risk factors you need to examine before you incorporate weight loss supplements into your regimen. First - let’s address one of the most common questions we get here at Elm and Rye. Can fat burners be harmful?
Can Fat Burners Be Harmful?
Fat burners are dietary supplements that are designed to help you lose weight by increasing your metabolism, reducing your appetite, or helping your body burn more fat.
While some fat burners may be effective for helping you lose weight, others may not be as effective or may even be harmful. That’s why it’s so important to make sure you’re carefully vetting any supplement you add to your arsenal.
With that said, there are two instances in which fat burners carry more risk - when used not as directed or by the wrong person.
When Used Incorrectly
The main risks of fat burners can all be avoided by simply following the directions carefully. Side effects typically arise only when you take too much of the supplement. Or, by interacting with other medications you’re taking.
Some fat burners contain stimulants like caffeine, which can cause jitters, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia in some people. Other fat burners contain ingredients like herbal extracts, which may have unknown or unproven effects and can cause side effects like stomach pain, nausea, and diarrhea.
In addition to causing side effects, using fat burners not as directed can also be harmful to your health in other ways. Some fat burners may interact with other medications you are taking, which can cause serious complications. For example, some fat burners may interact with blood thinners, antidepressants, or blood pressure medications, which can increase the risk of bleeding or other serious side effects
When Taken By the Wrong Person
Another danger of using fat burners not as directed is that they may not be suitable for everyone. While most people can safely use fat burners as part of their weight loss journey, there are a few contraindications you need to be aware of. And that’s the main reason you came here today - to learn who should not take fat burners.
Who Should Not Take Fat Burners?
So - who should avoid fat-burning supplements? There are two considerations you need to keep in mind here: pre-existing medical conditions and interactions with other medications you’re taking. Both of these can elevate your risk of side effects when taking fat burners. Here is a complete list of people who should avoid this type of supplement:
People who are pregnant or nursing
In general, women who are expecting or who are nursing should avoid most supplements - and fat burners are no exception. That’s because fat burners may contain ingredients that are not safe for pregnant or nursing women. These ingredients include caffeine, herbal extracts (bitter orange, ephedra, and guarana), synephrine, and yohimbine. These aren’t just dangerous for you - they can affect the development of your little one.
It's best to avoid taking any dietary supplement while pregnant or nursing. We know this is a time in your life when you may be struggling with body image more than ever - but right now, your role as a mother precedes any sort of weight loss efforts you want to undertake. You can still work towards fat loss naturally - but save the supplements for down the road.
People with certain medical conditions
Some fat burners may not be safe for people with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, or thyroid problems.
The stimulants & herbal extracts in these supplements can affect your blood sugar level, making them a bit more dangerous for diabetics. Similarly, these ingredients can be detrimental to those who need to regulate their heart rate and blood pressure. They will raise your heart rate & blood pressure, increasing your risk of stroke or heart attack. And, certain fat-burning ingredients can disrupt normal thyroid function. For people with thyroid problems, this can worsen the condition and cause symptoms like fatigue, weight gain, or hair loss.
It's important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplement if you have a medical condition. They know your condition best and can help you weigh your options while identifying any risks with the medication you’re taking. This leads to the next group of people who shouldn’t take fat burners…
People who are taking certain medications
Some fat burners may interact with other medications you are taking, which can cause serious complications. For example, some fat burners may interact with blood thinners, antidepressants, or blood pressure medications, which can increase the risk of bleeding or other serious side effects. If you are taking any medications, it's important to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplement.
People who are sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants
Most fat burners contain caffeine or other stimulants, which is part of the magic behind them. Here’s why: when you’re dieting and working towards weight loss, your energy levels are going to be lower. This is the result of being in a caloric deficit for an extended time. For many of us, the inclusion of stimulants in a fat burner is a good thing - it helps us get up and go!
However, these ingredients can cause side effects like jitters, rapid heartbeat, and insomnia in some people. So if you are sensitive to caffeine or other stimulants, you may want to avoid fat burners that contain these ingredients. That doesn’t mean all fat burners are ruled out. You’ll just want to look for one free of any sort of stimulant.
Children and teenagers
Fat burners are not recommended for children and teenagers, as they may not be safe for this age group. The main reason is that these supplements haven’t been tested on these age groups - so it’s hard to say how younger people are affected. And, children and teens are more sensitive to some of the ingredients in these supplements.
Most children have a very active metabolism and can achieve their weight loss goals through a strict diet and exercise alone. However, you can consult your doctor if you’re interested in adding weight loss supplements to your regimen anyway.
Additional Tips for Safely Choosing & Taking a Fat-Burning Supplement
Hopefully, you have a better understanding now of who should not take fat burners - and why these types of groups are more at risk for adverse effects. We say all this not to deter you from taking a chance on fat burners - as it’s not the product itself that’s dangerous - just the specific situations that could arise in these sensitive groups.
Chances are, you actually don’t fall under one of these categories - and would be considered a good candidate for supplementing with a fat loss aid. But how should you get started - which fat burner is right for you? We’ll provide a few key tips to help you jumpstart your weight loss journey and pick the right product below:
Choose a Reputable Brand With a Lab-Tested Product
If you’re wondering - do slimming gummies work? - let us be the first to tell you that they do. However, this only holds true if you have the right product in your arsenal. So what should you look for when seeking out your supplements? Are slimming gummies FDA-approved or even regulated? Nope - so you’ll have to get a bit more creative with how you assess any brand or product you purchase.
It’s best to choose a fat-burning supplement from a reputable brand that has a good track record. Avoid supplements that make unrealistic or exaggerated claims, or that seem too good to be true. Better yet, look for a product that’s backed by a scientifically proven formulation - like the one we offer at Elm and Rye.
Our supplements are regularly sent to independent labs for third-party testing. This ensures potency and purity - allowing you to enjoy peace of mind knowing you’re getting the best bang for your buck. And most importantly, you’re getting a safe product.
Follow Directions Closely
As we mentioned earlier, fat burners are safe when used by suitable candidates - as directed. Thus, it’s imperative that you follow the directions closely on any supplement you purchase from Elm and Rye - or any brand for that matter.
We recently wrote a complete guide on how to take slimming gummies to help you feel more confident adding this supplement to your arsenal. But really, it’s simple - take a few gummies a day at the same time each day. Don’t increase your dosage because you want faster results. And, don’t expect much to happen if you aren’t willing to put in the work…
Pair Your Supplement With Diet & Exercise
We have a detailed article explaining what happens if you take fat burners without working out. But, here are the cliff notes: not a whole lot! While the supplement may help you shed a few pounds at first, you really need to exercise and diet to reap the full benefits this supplement has to offer.
To lose weight, you need to burn more calories than you consume. A fat-burning supplement may help increase your metabolism and burn more calories, but it's not a magic solution. You still need to create a calorie deficit by eating a healthy diet and getting regular exercise. Eat less than your body burns every day and it will start turning to fat as a fuel source. That’s where the real weight loss occurs.
Diet alone is a great step - but you can make your life a lot more easier and enjoyable by exercising as well. This not only helps burn calories but also helps boost metabolism and improve overall health. The end result is you can eat a bit more while burning more fat. And the benefits of exercise extend far beyond your physical health - this is a good lifestyle change for your mental health as well.
Stay Patient
Wondering how long fat burners take to work? You’ll feel the effects immediately - but you may not see results on the scale or in the mirror for a few months. During this period, it’s important to stay patient and remain consistent in your efforts. Taking frequent progress pictures is the best way to see meaningful results over the course of time and keep yourself motivated.
Final Thoughts on Who Should Not Take Fat Burners
So, who should not take fat burners? Here is a quick summary of what we discussed today:
- Those who are pregnant or nursing
- Those who are taking certain types of medication
- Those who are afflicted by certain medical conditions
- Those who are sensitive to stimulants
- Those who are underage
It's important to be cautious when taking any dietary supplement, including fat burners. It's a good idea to talk to your healthcare provider before taking any new supplement, to make sure it is safe for you and won't interact with any medications you are taking.
At this point, you should know whether or not you’re a good candidate for our slimming gummies. If so, awesome - your journey to weight loss is going to be a whole lot easier!
But we also offer a range of other supplements to help you live a healthier, happier lifestyle. That includes our sex gummies, creatine gummies, testosterone support, sea moss capsules, and a whole lot more. Explore our full catalog today!