Fat Burner Research Articles

The Effect of L-Carnitine Supplementation on Sportive Performance

L-carnitine is a derivative of two essential amino acids synthesized in the liver and kidneys that our body needs for energy. In the bioenergetics of skeletal muscle, carnitine plays crucial roles. A severe reduction in muscular activity is associated with skeletal muscle carnitine insufficiency. Since L-carnitine supplement is known as a fat burner, its use among athletes has become more common in recent years. This review's objective is to assess the potential mechanistic effects of L-carnitine supplementation on athletic performance. In this context, the literature in the SportDiscus, EMBASE, PubMed and Google Scholar databases was scanned during a 15-year period to gather the data from the publications screened within the scope of SCI, SCI-Expanded, and ESCI. Consequently, it may be argued that taking carnitine supplementation improves athletic performance through a number of processes; including the maintenance of glycogen.

S3427 Severe, Protracted Cholestatic Liver Injury Due to Novel Fat Burner Albutarex V2 in an Active Duty Sailor

S3427 Severe, Protracted Cholestatic Liver Injury Due to Novel Fat Burner Albutarex V2 in an Active Duty Sailor

1102 A Rare Case of Parenchymal Liver Injury Presenting Initially as an Obstructive Jaundice

Abstract Parenchymal liver damage is secondary to a sudden insult on hepatocytes, most commonly due to hepatitis or secondary to drug injury. A 43-year-old gentleman with a pre-existing diagnosis of fatty liver disease, presented with obstructive jaundice. He had a bilirubin of 159 and ultrasound imaging showed gallstones in his gallbladder with a dilated common bile duct (CBD) of 6.7mm. An MRCP showed a dilated CBD with an intraluminal filling defect. He was discharged home when clinically well and referred for an outpatient ERCP. This did not happen for three weeks and at this point, no cause of obstruction was identified, but a plastic biliary stent was inserted. Despite this, his liver function worsened, and he was readmitted with a bilirubin of 421. Following discussion within a multidisciplinary team he underwent a further CT scan and ERCP with stent replacement, these showed no evidence of obstruction. All acute hepatic and virology screens were negative. His bilirubin continued to uptrend hitting 644 and he became coagulopathic with an elevated INR of 2.7. The patient admitted to taking weight loss supplements including a “fat burner” powder regularly for the last two months, in keeping with the duration of his worsening liver dysfunction. He underwent a liver biopsy; the results of which are pending and is currently being treated supportively. This case presented an interesting diagnostic challenge and there remains ongoing uncertainty. The current working diagnosis is that of an obstructive jaundice which has exacerbated an underlying parenchymal liver injury secondary to supplement use.

Survey of Supplement Use and Effects Felt by Amateur Boxers

Study purpose. To investigate type of supplement and amount of supplement used as well as the perceived effect and needs of boxers. Materials and methods. This research is a survey conducted from December 2022 to January 2023. The instrument used a questionnaire (google form).Boxers have 2 criteria, namely: 1) are still active as athletes and 2) have been champions at the provincial level with a total of 155 boxers, 116 male boxers and 39 female boxers. Results. 74 boxers used more than 1 type of supplement (48%), 81 boxers used only 1 type of supplement (52%). Type of supplement, Creatine 23 boxers (8.1%). Whey Protein 14 boxers (4.9%), Fat Burner 93 boxers (32.9%). BCAA 26 boxers (9.2%). Amino 12 boxers (4.2%). Multivitamins and minerals 114 boxers (40.7%). The effect felt, 22 boxers felt effect is "very low" (14.21%), 40 boxers felt effect is “low” (25.80%), 53 boxers felt effect is "enough" (34.19%), 14 boxers felt effect is “high” (9.03%), 26 boxers felt effect is “very high” (16.77%). The need to use supplements, namely 7 boxers need supplements is "very low" (4.54%), 13 boxers need supplements is “low” (8.38%). 52 boxers need supplements is “enough” (33.54%). 44 boxers need supplements is "high" (28.38%). 39 boxers need supplements is "very high" (25.16%). Conclusion. Multivitamins and minerals and fat burners are popular supplements used by boxers because of their convenience and more beneficial benefits. However, boxers are still less concerned about how to use supplements. It is evident from the results that show that many boxers feel in the categories of "enough", "low" and "very low" in the use of supplements but boxers think that the use of supplements is really needed. Further research is expected, to determine the amount and type of supplement recommended specifically for boxing athletes.

Twitter and Communicating Stigma about Medications to Treat Obesity

ABSTRACT In North America, stigma remains a significant barrier to treating obesity. Many candidates for medical weight management do not seek treatment, possibly related to anticipated and internalized stigma and weight bias. Pharmacologic treatment of obesity remains highly stigmatized, despite advances in drug development and medical weight management programs. People contemplating medical weight management are likely to see information about “diet pills” on social media sites, such as Twitter. However, Twitter has been found to contain false and stigmatizing information. This study examines a sample of 2170 Tweets to better understand the content through the lens of obesity stigma. Tweets were collected over a seven-day period containing general terms such as “diet pills,” “weight loss pills,” or “fat burner” using the Twitter advanced search option. The analysis revealed that almost 50% of Tweets containing “diet pills” contained stigmatizing language. The most common elements of stigma communication were taking personal blame for obesity and the perils associated with taking medications for weight loss. Further analysis revealed sub-themes such as profiting from social pressures to lose weight, distrust of physicians and the practice of obesity medicine, lack of efficacy of medications, and the use of social media to disseminate stigma. Most Tweets were from personal accounts followed by direct sales of weight loss supplements. The findings have potential implications for medically supervised weight management programs and may drive the need for more evidence-based social media messaging around obesity related healthcare.

2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) poisoning in young athletes: Clinical description of chronic exposure and public health perspectives – Around a case report

To present a complete description of a 2,4-dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) lethal acute poisoning in a chronic intoxication context, with lines of thought about sports medicine, emergency medicine and public health. We report the case of a 21-year-old man practicing intensive bodybuilding, consuming 2,4-DNP as well as anabolic steroids (stanozolol, nandrolone, testosterone, trenbolone) during the six months preceding death and with follow-up medical documentation over the entire period of consumption, including postmortem investigations (autopsy, toxicological and anatomopathologic explorations, police investigation). After a first hospital stay due to acute 2,4-DNP poisoning four months before death, the ignorance of the toxic hypothesis by the general practitioners, maintained by the patient's total denial of the link between his symptoms and his consumption, has led to a diagnostic wandering with a multiplicity of consultations and complementary examinations mainly in search of tumoral or endocrine etiologies. He was finally admitted to the emergency room after ingesting 2 g of 2,4-DNP: in absence of antidote, he was monitored, and died 12 hours after admission due to multi-organ failure. Autopsy revealed only a characteristic yellow coloration of the integuments and diffuse visceral congestion, anatomopathology of the heart showed left ventricular hypertrophy not meeting the criteria of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, and toxicological analyses the presence of 2,4-DNP in blood (88 mg/L, pre-mortem) and urine (83 mg/L, postmortem). From a judicial point of view, the death was considered accidental and did not lead to additional investigations into the subject's supply of 2,4-DNP; this while the molecule is knowing a resurgence of interest in the bodybuilders’ world where it is presented as a fat burner and that health alerts are increasing in Anglo-Saxon countries. These alerts are part of the context of the trivialization of these substances’ use in sports circles frequented by subjects suffering from muscle dysmorphia, a psychic pathology generating a denial of the health risks associated with such consumptions. Concerning the therapy of acute 2,4-DNP poisoning, several published cases raise the question of straight away aggressive management on arrival of these patients in order to fight against hyperthermia and axial hypertonia, which are responsible lethal cases. Although the purpose of forensic autopsy is primarily judicial, and while the treatment of this case from this point of view seems regrettable, it must also be considered from a public health perspective, by generation of vigilance signals allowing the identification of consumption phenomena, the training of health professionals and the information of the populations. And if the exploration of sudden deaths linked to the sports activity of young subjects has known real progress concerning search for cardiovascular pathologies, in particular of genetic origin, the implication of xenobiotics must not be ignored, insofar as nearly 40% of these deaths remain unexplained, and especially since certain consumer profiles, in particular suffering from muscle dysmorphia, would be in denial of the health consequences of their consumption and could then under-declare them to their entourage and health professionals.

Forskolin Induces Endocrine Disturbance in Human JEG-3 Placental Cells.

Forskolin, used in folk medicine since ancient times, is now available as a dietary supplement, with an indication as a fat burner and appetite suppressant. However, the safety of forskolin is poorly documented especially for pregnant women. The question that we raised is what about the safety of forskolin in pregnant women? As the placenta, an endocrine organ, is the key organ of pregnancy, we evaluated the in vitro placental toxicity of forskolin. We focused first on the activation of a P2X7 degenerative receptor as a key biomarker for placental toxicity, and second on steroid and peptide hormonal secretion. We observed that forskolin activated P2X7 receptors and disturbed estradiol, progesterone, hPL and hyperglycosylated hCG secretion in human placental JEG-Tox cells. To the best of our knowledge, we highlighted, for the first time, that forskolin induced endocrine disturbance in placental cells. Forskolin does not appear to be a safe product for pregnant women and restrictions should be taken.

Dietary supplements for lipedema.

Lipedema is a chronic disease that mostly manifests in females as the abnormal distribution of subcutaneous adipose connective tissue, usually coupled with bruising, pain, and edema. Lipedema molecular pathophysiology is currently not clear, but several studies suggest that genetics and hormonal imbalance participate in lipedema pathogenesis. Women with lipedema present in some cases with elevated body mass index, and the appearance of obesity in addition to lipedema, where the obesity can cause serious health issues as in lipedema-free individuals with obesity, such as diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. Unlike obesity, lipedema tissue does not respond well to diet or physical exercise alone. Therefore, in this review we discuss the effect of various dietary supplements that, along with diet and physical exercise, cause fat burning and weight loss, and which could potentially be important in the treatment of lipedema. Indeed, an effective fat burner should convert stored fats into energy, mobilize and break down triglycerides in adipocytes, boost metabolism and inhibit lipogenesis. Common ingredients of fat burning supplements are green tea, caffeine, chromium, carnitine, and conjugated linoleic acid. The use of fat burners could act synergistically with a healthy diet and physical exercise for decreasing adipose tissue deposition in patients with lipedema and resolve related health issues. The effects of fat burners in human studies are sometimes contradictory, and further studies should test their effectiveness in treating lipedema.

Consumo de suplementos nutricionais por adolescentes frequentadores de academias

ABSTRACT Objective: To describe the supplements used by adolescents in gyms in the city of São Paulo and the factors related to their use. Methods: Participants were 1,012 adolescents of both sexes, aged between 13 and 18 years old, all of them regular regulars at gyms in the city of São Paulo. For data collection, a questionnaire was used to identify the main supplements consumed by adolescents. The chi-square test was used to verify possible associations with a significance of p<0.05. Results: The use of supplements was more frequent in the age group between 16 and 18 years, in the socioeconomic level B, and the use of these supplements was higher as the time of exercise in the gym was longer (>12 months). The amount of exercise modalities practiced in the gym was inversely associated with the use of supplements. Male adolescents consumed significantly more supplements than females, and Physical Education professionals, friends and parents were the ones who most influenced adolescents to use supplements. The main supplements used by the boys were carbohydrate gel (90.9%) and hypercaloric (94.5%). In girls it was fat burner (55.0%) and vitamins and minerals (50.0%). Conclusion: The use of supplements was common among adolescents who exercise in gyms in São Paulo and the indication was made by physical education professional.

S2708 Hydroxycut-Induced Autoimmune Liver Disease

Introduction: Hydroxycut is an herbal supplement marketed as a “fat burner” that was voluntarily recalled in 2009 after a warning was issued by the FDA for potential hepatotoxicity. The product reappeared on the market in 2010 and subsequently, case reports have emerged describing Hydroxycut induced hepatotoxicity. We present a patient with a rare presentation of Hydroxycut induced liver injury. Case Description/Methods: A 64-year-old woman with a history of cholecystectomy and obesity presented with a 1-month history of worsening right upper quadrant abdominal pain, jaundice and nausea. Symptoms occurred approximately 1 month after starting Hydroxycut. Labs (summarized in Table 1) revealed elevated liver enzymes, positive ANA titer, elevated ASMA and IgG. Alcoholic liver disease, viral hepatitis, hemochromatosis, and Wilson disease were ruled out. Liver biopsy showed acute cholestatic injury and mixed inflammatory cells including plasma cells and eosinophils in the portal and lobular areas consistent with drug induced liver injury (DILI), but autoimmune hepatitis (AIH) could not be ruled out. During the hospitalization, she received NAC and prednisone, with subsequent improvement of her symptoms and liver tests. She was discharged on a prednisone taper. Outpatient labs 10 days later showed improvement of liver enzymes (Table 1). Discussion: Our patient had recently started Hydroxycut, presented with acute liver injury consistent with DILI, had positive serological markers consistent with simplified AIH score of 7 points, and responded appropriately to the prednisone taper. These findings suggest drug-induced autoimmune liver disease (DIAILD), which have been previously reported with other drugs. DIAILD remains a poorly understood entity, and several theories have been suggested to explain its pathophysiology. First, drug-induced development of autoantibodies leading to AIH that continues to progress and require lifelong immunosuppressive therapy (IST). Second, drug- induced autoantibodies that are exclusively associated with the presence of the drug, and resolves spontaneously with drug withdrawal or with IST. Third, the DILI can trigger the reactivation of a quiescent AIH or unmask a new diagnosis of AIH. It is not yet clear how our patient will respond to withdrawal of IST or if she will develop chronic AIH requiring lifelong IST. This case demonstrates the potential of dietary supplements to result in DILI with long term negative outcomes including AIH and sustained liver damage.Table 1.: Lab results compared from on admission to 10 days post discharge. ALP: Alkaline phosphatase; AST: Aspartate transaminase, ALT: Alanine aminotransferase; INR: International normalized ratio; ANA: Antinuclear antibody; ASMA: Anti-smooth muscle antibody; IgG: Immunoglobulin G; DC: Discharge.

Comparative Study of the Effect of Lipo-6-Black and Caffeine on the Fertility of Male Albino Rats

This study was conducted to find out the effect of different doses of Lipo-6-black fat burner and Caffeine onthe physiology of parts of the reproductive system of white male rats. The experiment included administeringthe Lipo-6-black fat burner to male white rats orally at concentrations (16.82, 8.41 and 4.20). Mg / kg)for 3-6weeks , and also giving Caffeine orally, which is considered one of the main components of the fat burnerat concentrations (11.42, 5.71, and 2.85 mg / kg) for a period of 3-6 weeks for each concentration. Thestudy recorded the presence of weight changes of testis in addition to physiological changes, as it includedthe results of the first experiment were a decrease in in the weights of the testis and the levels of hormones(Testosterone, LH, FSH) at the middle and end of the experiment. As for the results of the second experiment,, changes in the weight of the testis , and an increase in the hormone levels themselves were observed at Themiddle of the experiment, while at the end of the experiment, no effect on hormones was shown.

Involvement of serotonergic pathways in gastric dysmotility induced by fat burning nutritional supplements in mice

Fat burners are a category of nutritional supplements that are claimed to increase the metabolism and promote greater energy expenditure, leading to weight loss. However, little is known about the side effects on gastrointestinal motility. In this study, we evaluated the effect of ingestion with a fat burner named Thermbuterol® (THERM) on the gastric motility and food behavior of mice. THERM compounds were identified using nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR). Mice received variable doses of THERM (10, 50, 100 or 300 ​mg/kg, p.o.) or NaCl 0.15 ​M (control). Gastric emptying (GE) was assessed using the phenol red technique. Another set of mice was pretreated with intraperitoneal administration of hexamethonium (HEXA, 10 ​mg/kg), prazosin (PRAZ, 0.25 ​mg/kg), propranolol (PROP, 2 ​mg/kg), parachlorophenylalanine (PCPA, 300 ​mg/kg) or ondansetron (ONDA, 50 ​μg/kg) 30 ​min before THERM treatment for evaluation of GE. We assessed the gastrointestinal responsiveness in vitro as well as THERM's effects on food behavior. Caffeine was the major compound of THERM, identified by NMR. THERM 100 and 300 ​mg/kg decreased GE compared to the respective controls. Pretreatment with PRAZ or PROP did not prevent gastric dysmotility induced by THERM 100 ​mg/kg. However, the pretreatment with HEXA, ONDA or PCPA prevented GE delay induced by THERM. In vitro, THERM relaxed contractions in strips of longitudinal gastric fundus and duodenum. THERM also increased food intake, which was prevented by PCPA and ONDA treatments. THERM decreased GE of a liquid and increased food intake in mice, a phenomenon mediated by the autonomic nicotinic receptors and serotoninergic receptor.

Acute Liver Failure Caused by Use of Fat Burner: A Case Report

Acute liver failure is a rare condition consisting of abrupt and extensive hepatocyte injury, leading to significant liver dysfunction associated with a high mortality. Liver transplantation is the most effective treatment in severe cases. The most common cause of acute liver failure in Western countries is drug-induced liver injury caused by prescription drugs and herbal and dietary supplements. Thermogenics, or fat burners, are a category of dietary supplements that claim to increase the resting metabolic rate, leading to weight loss. There are previous reports of acute liver failure associated with specific thermogenic formulations. We report the case of a 36-year-old male patient who developed jaundice 7 days after he started taking a thermogenic dietary supplement (Thermo Gun), with progressive deterioration of hepatic function and development of hepatic encephalopathy 19 days after the beginning of the symptoms. He had a Model for End-Stage Liver Disease score of 38 and fulfilled 4 of the King’s College Criteria for poor prognosis in patients with acute liver failure. He underwent liver transplantation, receiving a graft from a cadaveric donor, and is alive with good liver graft function 2 years after the transplant. No possible causes for acute liver injury were identified other than the use of the supplement, which contained N-acetyl-L-tyrosine; 1,3,7-trimenthylxanthine; white willow; and 1-hydroxypholedrine. We found no previous reports in the literature of acute liver failure associated with those particular substances. This manuscript is compliant with the Helsinki Congress and the Istanbul Declaration.

Determination of microbial load, total Phenolic and flavonoids contents in polyherbal formulation “yograj guggulu vati”

Yograj guggulu vati (YGV), a polyherbal formulation is recommended for the management of diseases like arthritic, anodyne or analgesic, spasm, muscle relaxant, flatulence, digestive problem, cough, hyperglycaemia, fat burner and obesity. Though Yograj guggulu vati is widely used for the treatment of diseases in Ayurvedic System of Indian Medicine, but till date, it’s Phenolic and flavonoids contents and contamination studies have not been carried. In the present article, we evaluated the total phenolic and flavonoids contents and contamination of YGV. Total phenolic contents were evaluated by Folin Ciocalteu reagent. Aluminum chloride colorimetric method was used for the determination of total flavonoid contents. Contamination study such as microbial load was also performed. Microbial load study revealed that total bacterial counts and total fungal counts were under limits. The total phenolic content and total flavonoid content were 190.16 mg/g and 20.87 mg/ g dry extract respectively. Microbial load studies showed that the formulation has a good quality and purity. Presence of abundance phenolic and flavonoids compound indicated that YGV can be used for different biological activities.
 Keywords: Microbial load, Yograj Guggulu Vati, total phenolic contents

Physical exercises and fat burners – the easy road to severe consequences?

The aim of the study is to identify the features of the regular aerobic exercise effect, dietary diet with the intake of dietary supplements with plant components, intended for weight loss, on the reduction of body weight, fat mass, and glycemic profile of overweight women. The article presents the results of two groups of women (22 people in each) in a three-month physical fitness program to reduce excess weight, including regular exercise and adherence to dietary nutrition. Women of the first group additionally took an active substance for weight loss, containing a mixture of carnitine, chromium, arginine and guarana, green tea, citrus fruits and willow extract, women of the second group without placebo. It was found that participation in the program led to approximately the same reduction in body weight, BMI, total body fat, visceral fat and waist circumference in women of both groups. The use of a dietary supplement (fat burner) had a negative effect on glucose metabolism and insulin resistance. We attribute this result to the presence of caffeine and an especially inappropriate combination of substances in the mixture. The negative influence of a fat burner on carbohydrate metabolism revealed by us in the process of physical culture and health-improving fitness must be taken into account when organizing sports nutrition with the use of biologically active additives.

Determining Caffeine in Fat-Burning Supplements Using Thin Layer Chromatography-Densitometry and UV-Vis Spectrophotometer

There are so many ways to lose weight, such as consuming fat burner supplements to burn fat faster. A fat burner supplement consists of various ingredients, such as caffeine. Fat burner supplements are usually not registered in BPOM RI. This study aims to evaluate caffeine in fat burner supplements qualitatively and quantitatively. These supplements were analyzed in the pharmaceutical laboratory in Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta using Thin Layer Chromatography (TLC)–Densitometry and UV–Vis Spectrophotometer. Sample preparation was conducted by separating caffeine from supplements by a separatory funnel with chloroform as an organic solvent. Qualitative analysis was carried out by TLC and analyzing standard spectrum, and sampling technique was carried out with UV–Vis Spectrophotometer. The first quantitative analysis used densitometry by measuring the spot on the TLC plate. Meanwhile, the second quantitative analysis used UV–Vis Spectrophotometer by observing absorbency value on samples with λ 273.5 nm. The result of the qualitative test using TLC was analyzed by comparing the Rf value of the standard and the sample. The Rf value of caffeine standard was 0.63, and every sample showed similar value with caffeine standard, indicating that all samples contain caffeine. The result of quantitative test with TLC - Densitometry method revealed 1 st sample 5.68 mg/ml, 2 nd sample 5.74 mg/ml, 3 rd sample 3.43 mg/ml, 4 th sample 8.90 mg/ml, and 5 th sample 1.88 mg/ml. The qualitative test result was analyzed using the UV–Vis Spectrophotometer method, and all of the caffeine standard spectra can be read at wavelength 273.5 nm, which means all samples contain caffeine. The second quantitative test result analyzed by using UV–Vis Spectrophotometer method showed 1 st sample 3.22 mg/g, 2 nd sample 4.56 mg/g, 3 rd sample 2.23 mg/g, 4 th sample 11.22 mg/g, and 5 th sample 0.26 mg/g. It can be concluded that all samples (fat burners) contained caffeine.

Use of the "Cool Fat Burner" in conjunction with drinking of cold water is associated with acute and minor increases in energy expenditure and fat metabolism in overweight men and women.

Exposure to cold is associated with increased energy expenditure to maintain thermal equilibrium. The Cool Fat Burner vest and Gut Buster are chilling devices used to induce shivering and increase calorie use. Drinking chilled water has a similar effect. Indirect calorimetry was performed on volunteers at rest with induced shivering. Eight men and 6 women with a mean age of 32.14+7.26 years were evaluated while wearing the Cool Fat Burner Vest and Gut Buster and drinking chilled water. Use of the chilling devices was associated with a significant increase in VO2, VT, VE, R, and EE. An over 20% increase in fat use as a fuel source was observed along with a 67% increase in EE. The energy expenditure during the final 30 minutes of shiver chilling was 74.6% above that of the RMR. Chilling induced significant increases in energy expenditure associated with a shift in energy source towards more fat tissue use. Indirect calorimetry evaluation of overweight subjects wearing a Cool Fat Burner vest and Gut Buster and drinking chilled water demonstrated significant increases in oxygen uptake and energy expenditure, and a shift in fuel utilization towards fat as the substrate of choice.

Knowledge and awareness of dietary supplements among athletes in Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris

The purpose of this study is to investigate the knowledge and awareness of dietary supplements among athletes in Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI). Athletes (n=95, age: 22.5±2.4) completed a questionnaire on Google Docs regarding their habits and perceptions of dietary supplement intake. Among all respondents, 37 out of 95 (39%) took dietary supplements with the primary reason to improve energy (66%), strength (60%) or performance (59%). Athletes who did not take any supplement (58 out of 95; 61%) reported high supplement’s cost as their main reason (28%). The most chosen supplements are protein (43%), mass and strength gainer (19%), vitamin C (11%), energy booster, omega 3, and multivitamin (8% each), creatine, fat burner, vitamin B complex and BCAA (5%, each). The athletes believed that supplements are associated with health risk (75%), supplements can enhance performance (86%) and exercise increase the need for supplements (74%). They also believed that supplements can lead to positive doping results (61%), supplements are needed with a balanced diet (58%) and require more information provided on supplements (96%). The athletes reported that they stop consuming supplements when they are not in training season (71%). Majority of the athletes claimed that they have knowledge of the active ingredients contained in the supplements taken by them (41%), and they also reported that their coaches were their main source of information (59%). Although 66% of them agreed to obtain medical advice before consuming any supplement, there is still a need to develop a system whereby people involved in sports (especially coaches) should have deep knowledge about the different supplements and their effects. The source of knowledge is a critical step to avoid any misleading information, given that doping is a serious offence in competitive sports. Keywords: Dietary supplements; Athlete; Nutrition.

Acute Hepatitis Associated with “Thermogenic Fat Burner” Weight Loss Supplementation: A Case Report

Thermogenic fat burner treatments are used to increase an individual’s basal metabolic rate, thus mimicking exercise and inducing weight loss. In rare circumstances, these supplements are associated with hepatotoxicity. We describe the case of a 21-year-old male who presented with painless jaundice and a weight loss of 25% of body weight following 8 weeks of thermogenic fat burner supplementation. Laboratory investigations revealed a severe transaminase and bilirubin elevation (AST/ALT>2000 IU/L, total bilirubin=148 μmol/L). An otherwise extensive workup, including a liver biopsy, did not identify a precise cause. Two weeks after discharge, his condition stabilized with a significant improvement in his laboratory abnormalities. In this report, we discuss the likely ingredients that contributed to the patient’s condition, including Garcinia cambogia and green tea leaf extract, and review similar cases documented in the literature.

Would You Use It With a Seal of Approval? Important Attributes of 2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) as a Hypothetical Pharmaceutical Product.

2,4-Dinitrophenol (2,4-DNP) is an effective but highly dangerous fat burner, not licensed for human consumption. Death cases reported for 2,4-DNP overdose, particularly among young adults, have raised concerns about the ineffective regulatory control, lack of education and risks associated with impurity, and the unknown concentration of 2,4-DNP purchased on the Internet. Using a sequential mixed method design and based on a hypothetical scenario as if 2,4-DNP was a licensed pharmaceutical drug, first we conducted a qualitative study to explore what product attributes people consider when buying a weight-loss aid. Focus group interviews with six females and three males (mean age = 21.6 ± 1.8 years) were audiorecorded, transcribed verbatim, and subjected to thematic analysis. Sixteen attributes were identified for the Best-Worst Scale (BWS) in the quantitative survey with 106 participants (64% female, mean age = 27.1 ± 11.9 years), focusing on 2,4-DNP. Demographics, weight satisfaction, and risk for eating disorder data were collected. In contrast to experienced users such as bodybuilders, our study participants approached 2,4-DNP cautiously. Attributes of 2,4-DNP as a hypothetical weight-loss drug comprised a range of desirable and avoidable features. Of the 16 selected attributes, BWS suggested that long-term side effects were the most and branding was the least important attribute. Effectiveness and short-term side effects were also essential. Those in the >25 year group showed least concerns for legality. Neutral BWS scores for cost, treatment, degree of lifestyle changes required, and specificity required for the hypothetical weight-loss drug to be effective were likely caused by disagreement about their importance among the participants, not indifference. With advances in research, 2,4-DNP as a pharmaceutical drug in the future for treating neurodegenerative diseases and potentially for weight loss is not inconceivable. Caution is warranted for interpreting the BWS scores. Owing to the difference in what data represent at individual vs. population levels, with pooled data, the method correctly identifies attributes by which most people are satisfied but misrepresents attributes that are individually very important but not universally agreed. Whilst this may be an advantage in marketing applications, it limits the utility of BWS as a research tool.