Fat loss is basically a three-step process: You have to release
it from a fat cell, you have to transport it to a muscle cell, then it has to be burned
in the muscle cell. That said, anything you consider when thinking about fat loss has to support these three
things.
What you eat and what you do will determine if you are placing the body in a state where it will release
fat. It is possible to eat foods that lock in fat stores, or through Caloric Deprivation to cause the body to shift
it's chemical environment to one that hoards and stores whatever you eat as fat. Conversely, it is possible to
eat in a manner that permits fat to be released round the clock...even when you are relaxed!
The heart, lungs and other systems of the body are responsible for transporting nutrients throughout the
body. A moderate amount of cardiovascular exercise helps to optimize the transport systems in the body, including those
responsible for transporting fat. Additionally, it stimulates a stress relieving effect in the body.
Muscle is the place in the body where fat is burned.
In simple terms, you must have some concern for muscle by challenging it in new ways if you wish to protect it and optimize
fat burning in the body! Also, challenging muscle has a stress relieving effect in the body AND will help your hormonal
levels to support a healthier, leaner you!
Now let's look at what Thermogain is. It contains unspecified amounts of various ingredients, instead
listing them in "Blends."
However, looking at the blend amounts such as the amusingly named "Alpha-Gain Blend" we see that it contains 1.63
grams total. The first ingredient in this section, Tri-creatine Malate, is generally recommended to be taken in 5 gram
doses. Already we see that the amount of one training enhancing ingredient is not sufficient.
Looking at the other ingredients, there appear to be large amounts of caffeine, aspirin like anti-inflammatories
and pain reducers..basically this appears to be aspirin and caffeine with a questionably small dose of creatine...
This contains a diuretic, meaning that when you take this, you may see an initial loss of water weight.
It would be very important to consume sufficient water if taking this supplement. Loss of water will inhibit fat loss,
muscle gain and performance.
Additionally, if you are relying on a stimulant to increase your "energy" or "activity," you should
know that this is an artificial stimulation of the adrenal and nervous system (similar to an adrenalin rush or to taking
speed) and not an improvement in the cardiorespiratory systems. In fact, one of the side effects of this is that the
body, detecting that these systems are not really needed during times of artificial stimulation, will reduce adrenal
function. This can cause a feeling of low energy when the stimulants are discontinued, often leading to a "dependence"
on the stimulants for energy!
Anything that acts as a stimulant will likely increase activity and caloric expenditure. However,
without supportive nutrition and a focus on preserving muscle, the calories can and are likely to come from muscle and some
fat stores. Loss of muscle will hinder the body's ability to burn fat, as muscle is the site in the body where fat is
burned. This can have a crippling effect on the metabolism, leading to short-term weight loss followed by fat and weight
gain.
These stimulants have another effect: they reduce the appetite.
Reducing calories while increasing calorie expenditure will likely cause accelerated loss of muscle and
undesirable adaptations in the metabolism for most people, and will not be a long-term solution for those desiring fat loss
and muscle gain.
If you are not using Synergy to to insure continuous fat loss and muscle gain, no supplement used to enhance these
effects will work. There is the possibility that this supplement, when added to a program of Synergy, could provide a slight, and I must emphasize a slight advantage for fat loss and enhanced recuperation, if
a person is not already accustomed to using caffeine, insures that they did not overtrain, and insures that they eat sufficiently to insure adequate nutrients to allow muscle hypertrophy (growth.)
It should also be noted that there may be some blood thinning effects from this supplement and these effects
should be discussed with a physician.
What is in it?
Thermogain
Cost $35.00+ for 150 a capsule container
Serving Size: 3 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 50
Amount Per Serving:
Alpha-Gain Blend: 1.63g
Tri-creatine malate
– Creatine
Alpha lipoic acid
Naturally produced in the body, assisting in the conversion of glucose
to energy. It also acts as an anti-oxidant.
Cinnamomum verum
Also called Chinese Cinnamon, has a long history of use in traditional
Chinese medicine. Cinnamon is a warming herb and has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to disperse cold and warm the
energy channels in the body. Interestingly though, cinnamon is also fever reducer. Cinnamon is an excellent
food preservative and has a strong inhibitory effect on many pathogenic bacteria and fungi. The German Health Commission
approved its internal use for stomach upset. This health benefit of cinnamon may be due to its cinnamaldehyde content, which
has been shown to have a tranquilizing effect on the central nervous system. It also helps fat metabolism.
Cinnamomum is a mild pain killer.
Cinnamon may play a role in blood sugar regulation. A recent study investigating cinnamon's
effects on patients with type 2 diabetes, found a significant reduction (18-29%) of mean fasting serum glucose after 40 days
of administration of either 1, 3 or 6 grams of cinnamon per day. The study also showed significant reductions
in triglycerides, LDL cholesterol and total cholesterol, with no significant change in HDL cholesterol. Cessation
of therapy resulted in a return to previous levels. No reductions were reported in the placebo group.
While this study of the benefits of cinnamon is preliminary, the results are impressive. Researchers at
USDA labs theorize that the flavonoids or polyphenols in cinnamon may make fat cells in the body more responsive to
insulin, thus causing a faster storage of glucose in fat cells and lowering of blood sugar.
Evodia extract
Evodia is known to have various pharmacological activities, for example,
activities as a painkiller, a chilly constitution improving agent, a brain function improving agent, and
a vasorelaxant (e.g. anti-inflammatory blood thinner), as well as causing diuretic
activity and sweating activity.
White willow extract - Aspirin like
Contains the constituents from which aspirin is
made. Reduces Pain and swelling (e.g. anti-inflammatory blood thinner.)
Huperzine –
Huperzine A is a chemical purified from leaves of the Chinese toothed
club moss (Huperzia serrata (Thunb. ex Murray) Trevis) or synthetically manufactured. Believed to reduce Swelling
and Fever and use can decrease heart rate and must be used with caution
in patients with heart problems.
Incinerate Blend: 726mg
Green tea extract = Caffeine and anti-oxidant
Caffeine
= Caffeine and anti-oxidant
Oolong tea extract = Caffeine and anti-oxidant
Theobromine
extract = Caffeine and anti-oxidant
Guarana extract = Caffeine and anti-oxidant
Yerba
mate = Caffeine and anti-oxidant
