Raspberry ketone not a magic bullet

June 06, 2012 in Weight Management, Vitamins, Minerals, Antioxidants and Supplements, Nutrition Topics in the News

Ever since Dr. Oz sang the praises of a supplement called raspberry ketone, I've had many clients as me about the product.   On his show, Dr. Oz called the supplement, "miracle in a bottle to burn fat". As you can imagine, product promptly flew off store shelves.

Unfortunately, raspberry ketone is not a magic bullet.  While one study hints that it might help mice trim fat, it has never been tested in humans.  And keep in mind the mice were fed 2 percent of their body weight as raspberry ketone, an amount that would translate into far more than a person would consume on a daily basis.

Raspberry ketone is a natural compound found in raspberries that give them their distinct smell.  Most raspberry ketone supplements, however, are made synthetically.

Plus, there are some emerging safety concerns. Raspberry ketone's structure is similar to the stimulant synephrine. In the U.S. there have been reports of heart palpitations and reduced warfarin (a blood thinner) effects in people taking raspberry ketone.

Bottom line: It takes more than popping a supplement to lose weight.  I'm afraid the old adage, "calories in, calories out" still holds.

All research on this web site is the property of Leslie Beck and is protected by copyright. Keep in mind that research on these matters continues daily and is subject to change. The information presented is not intended as a substitute for medical treatment. It is intended to provide ongoing support of your healthy lifestyle practices.

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