Did you know that, according to the CDC, over 33% of American adults are obese? The medical costs associated with obesity are correspondingly high, with the country collectively spending over $150 billion every year in medical care alone.
Several recent reports have popped up naming raspberry ketone supplement as an aid in weight loss and dieting. Of course, with any supplement comes a healthy does of skepticism. Does it really work? How can you maintain an effective raspberry ketone diet? Here are three tips for losing weight while taking raspberry ketone supplements.
1. What is Raspberry Ketone?
The fruity aroma given off by raspberries is the result of a chemical compound called raspberry ketones. For many years, it has been used as a flavoring agent for foods. Its use was fairly limited, though, since it takes many berries to yield a little ketone. For that reason, researchers searched for a synthetic option.
Raspberry ketones are supposed to help the body break down fat. There have been several studies of the effect of raspberry ketone on mice. One 2010 study by the Food and Drug Administration of South Korea found that ketones caused adiponectin secretion to increase in male mice. Adiponectin is a hormone that helps the body break down fat. As a result, the mice themselves had less fat.
2. How to Take Raspberry Ketone
Most raspberry ketone supplements are sold in pill form, so all you need is a glass of water to get it down. Dr. Oz, who has featured raspberry ketones on his show, recommends taking 100-200mg per day. Taking pills twice daily during mealtimes can help reduce the risk of an upset stomach. Potential side effects are mild. According to Catherine Ulbricht, a senior pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital, ketones could potentially lower blood sugar levels, so individuals with diabetes who take the supplement should make sure they are regularly monitored by their healthcare provider.
3. There’s More to it Than Taking Pills
For true and longer lasting weight loss results, supplements such as raspberry ketone should always be paired with healthy eating habits and weekly exercise. To many people, this is “the catch” of a supplement; you have to work out anyway! However, good diet and exercise are important for your overall health, not just weight loss. According to one study, people who walked four hours a week gained an average of nine pounds less than those who did not, and were less likely to experience symptoms of depression.
What has your experience been with raspberry ketones? Let us know in the comments. Research more here.