If you're a Dr. Oz fan, you've likely heard him discussing the health benefits of raspberry ketone. This supplement trend has spread quickly -- much like fascination with acai a few years ago. Raspberry ketone, however, isn't just a flash-in-the-pan movement. It seems to have enough science behind it to give it the official stamp of awesome.
Razzle-Dazzle
You like raspberries. And ketone sounds scientific and healthy. What more is there to know about raspberry ketone? A lot, as it turns out!
As the name suggests, raspberry ketone comes from the fruit and is, in fact, the primary compound responsible for a raspberry's sweet smell. In addition, raspberry ketone contains a substance that is very similar to synephrine. Synephrine is often marketed as a powerful weight loss support supplement; it brings the sword and shield to the battle of the bulge.
Synephrine has stimulatory effects that may help: promote increased metabolic rate, support a normal, healthy appetite, and support energy enhacement. With all three of these benefits working, you may eat less and burn more calories with regular exercise and a healthy, low-calorie diet.
Because raspberry ketone resembles synephrine, it has been suggested that it may help support a similar weight-loss effect. It's also natural, and may help your weight-loss progression without the harsh side effects of synthetic diet compounds.
Where Are You?
Raspberry Ketone, also known in scientific circles as 4-(4-hydroxylphenyl) butan-2-one, has already made its way onto the market.
As this ingredient becomes more popular, you can expect to see it in a number of fat-burning formulas.
How Does It Help?
In a recent study using mice, scientists suggested that raspberry ketone increased noradrenaline-induced fat-loss.
The researchers concluded that this weight-loss support substance works through the enzyme lipase, which is responsible for freeing fatty acids from the fat cell during the process of fat utilization. When raspberry ketone is present in your system, it has been surmised that levels of this enzyme increase and therefore ups the rate of fatty acid release.
For those who are already following a solid nutrition and training program, adding a raspberry ketone supplement may help because it can help your cells release fatty acid.
Another study noted that raspberry ketone is similar in structure to capsaicin. Capsaicin, which can help boost metabolism, is found in chilli peppers and cayenne peppers. Some people find that capsaicin doesn't react well in their systems, so raspberry ketone might be a good alternative.
Putting It All Together
No supplement will take the place of a proper diet and workout program. You need to have both before you can utilize raspberry ketone. If and when you have a healthy diet and exercise regimen, consider adding a raspberry ketone supplement to your fat-loss supplement stack.
References
- Life Sci. (2005). May 27; 77(2): 194-204.
- Yurie, S. (2003). The application of raspberry ketone to successful body care. Fragr. J. Vol. 31, No. 9.