Successful weight loss includes an understanding of thermogenesis

In 1992, French researcher M. Laville, et al., recruited 32 women for what is now regarded as a landmark experiment.

Following a 12-hour fast, each woman was fed a quantity of pure glucose. The researchers then measured how much of the glucose was utilized for basal metabolic needs, how much was stored as glycogen, or fat, and how much was utilized in thermogenesis (generation of heat, which is critical in calorie/fat burning).

Lean women, whose weight profile fell within clinical norms, showed increased thermogenesis. Overweight women did not exhibit thermogenesis at any appreciable level. A third group of women was included, which was made up of women who had just recently self-reported the very beginnings (or onset) of obesity.

All of the women in the third group exhibited a defect in thermogenic activity, leading the researchers to conclude that "the occurrence of this defect in the dynamic phase of obesity (onset) suggests that it is already present in subjects who do not yet have other metabolic features of long-term obesity".

The type of thermogenesis we are concerned with, in this context, involves our metabolism's heat production, which takes place in brown adipose tissue, or BAT.

BAT-generated heat is good. It helps humans deal with the cold when they enter cold climates. The process, all by itself, prevents hypothermia in infants, for example.

Specifically, the fuel that BAT burns to generate heat comes from fat in the food we eat and from that which is stored in the body. Nevertheless, by the time we reach adulthood, not very much active, excess-calorie burning, BAT is left.

Yes! Dr. Daniel B. Mowrey suggests that "malfunctioning thermogenesis, under genetic and environmental control, can be corrected, and simultaneously imbued with an enhanced capacity for burning excess dietary calories and calories derived from fat stores."

Diet-induced thermogenesis is one main type of thermogenesis. In fact, in 1983, the scientist, E. Jequier, stated that the consumption of the right foods can significantly impact this kind of thermogenesis.

Vitamins, minerals, herbs, and amino-acids are critical to the thermogenic process we are aiming for, that goal which involves holding on to lean muscle while slowly getting rid of excess adipose (fat) tissue.

There is one thermogenic formula available, which is not a meal replacement, that is geared to stimulate the metabolism of healthy adults who do not suffer from diabetes, profound obesity or hypertension. It includes (but is not limited to) such components as: guarana (standardized to 22% caffeine), Garcinia cambogia extract, chromium, L-carnitine, potassium, magnesium, phosphorous, green tea powder, citrus bioflavonoids, ginger root powder, cayenne powder and ma huang (standardized to a percentage of 6 percent ephedrine, a level which is generally recognized as safe).

It comes in capsuled form, one to three capsules of which are usually taken before the three main meals (preferable not too close to bedtime).

There is also a powdered non-thermogenic formula (which comes in three flavors) available for those who are interested in reducing weight (separate from or in combination with the thermogenic formula) and who wish to complement a high-fiber, low-fat diet that also stresses responsible (health-professional-supervised) exercise.

This meal-replacement drink has zero percent fat and cholesterol, and includes (but is not limited to): potassium, a protein complex, calcium, vitamins A and C, thiamine, riboflavin, niacin, B6, folic acid, B12, biotin, pantothenic acid, iron, phosphorous, magnesium, zinc, copper, chromium picolinate, branched-chain amino acids, and additional nutrients.

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