Often obesity can be traced to problems within adaptive thermogenesis changes which can be adjusted for with supplements or eating certain foods. Some foods function as stimulant thermogenic agents since they stimulate the central nervous system, while non-stimulant agents have stimulating effects on the cardiovascular system; both agents achieve pretty much the same effects, but stimulants have side effects due to how they affect the central nervous system.
A number of plant based stimulant and non-stimulant thermogenic agents were studied by Creighton University researchers to bring attention to specific botanical agents that may have the best potential to aid in weight loss.
Stimulant agents increase levels of catecholamine chemicals that play roles in alertness and metabolism, these also affect the cardiovascular system which can cause heart issues.
Derived from ma-huang, ephedrine stimulant thermogenic agents work by increasing amounts of epinephrine and norepinephrine released by the central nervous system. Ephedrine has been shown to help improve metabolism and increase weight loss, however it also has cardiovascular side effects including tachycardia, high blood pressure, and insomnia.
Caffeine can increase metabolism, promote vasodilation, reduce contraction of smooth muscles, and release neurotransmitters that stimulate the central nervous system; safe daily maximum dose is 400 milligrams, and its side effects are typically milder than ephedrine.
Green teas contains caffeine and a number of catechins, the most abundant and important is epigallocatechin; catechins affect energy expenditure and work alongside the caffeine counterpart to help raise metabolism.
Considered to be safer for regular use non-stimulant agents leverage other chemicals that don’t affect alertness or the cardiovascular system.
Coming from dried unripened citrus fruits p-Synephrine is similar to caffeine and ephedrine, but it doesn’t work in the same way and leaves the cardiovascular system alone.
Capsiate comes from sweet peppers and capsaicin comes from hot peppers, both contain capsaicinoids that increase thermogenic activity; however capsiate is less pungent and considered to be more promising.
Derived from the roots of Indian coleus, Forskolin increases lean body mass and boosts metabolic activity.
Chlorogenic acid comes from unripe coffee beans, it decreases amounts of lipids in the bloodstream and improves glucose tolerance.
Organic compounds found within various fruits and vegetables such as flavonoids, isoflavones, and carotenoids phytochemicals work together to support each other. Both stimulant and non-stimulant thermogenic agents can play off of each other to increase effectiveness, for example p-Synephrine has been shown to benefit from hesperidin and naringin flavonoids.
