If you’ve spent any time in the fitness space, you’ve heard more weight loss pitches than a TV-loving insomniac.
You know, stuff like…
“This powder is the ‘secret’ to losing 10, 20, even 30 pounds in just a month!”
“This pill blocks the absorption of carbs and suppresses your appetite!”
“A few of these per day and you can eat anything and still lose weight!”
And if you’re like most people, you’ve probably gone in for a few.
“Who knows?” you’ve thought. “Maybe it actually works?”
Well, it’s okay. We’ve all been there. And now we’re skeptical of anything that claims to help us lose weight faster.
That’s good. We should be.
(We should be equally skeptical of any supplement that claims to help with muscle building, too.)
That brings us to this episode and to the supplement synephrine.
It’s commonly found in pre-workout supplements because it’s a light stimulant and in fat burner supplements because it purportedly accelerates weight loss.
How beneficial is it really, though, and what kind of results can you really expect? And what about dosages and side effects?
Let’s tackle all those questions and more and find out if synephrine is worth your money and attention.
Oh and if you like this episode want to be be notified when new episodes go live, then head on over to iTunes, Stitcher, YouTube, Soundcloud, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or Google Play and subscribe.
Lastly, if you want to support the show, please drop a quick review of it over on iTunes. It really helps!
Would you rather read about synephrine supplementation? Then check out this article!
TIME STAMPS
4:00 – What is synephrine?
5:36 – What are the benefits of synephrine?
10:10 – What is the clinically effective dosage of synephrine?
10:57 – What results can I expect with synephrine supplementation?
13:20 – What are the side effects of synephrine?
14:21- What are the best synephrine supplements?
What did you think of this episode? Have anything else to share? Let me know in the comments below!
+ Scientific References
- Wurtman, R. J., & Wurtman, J. J. (1995). Brain serotonin, carbohydrate-craving, obesity and depression. In Obesity research: Vol. 3 Suppl 4. Obes Res. https://doi.org/10.1002/j.1550-8528.1995.tb00215.x
- Ceci, F., Cangiano, C., Cairella, M., Cascino, A., Del Ben, M., Muscaritoli, M., Sibilia, L., & Rossi Fanelli, F. (1989). The effects of oral 5-hydroxytryptophan administration on feeding behavior in obese adult female subjects. Journal of Neural Transmission, 76(2), 109–117. https://doi.org/10.1007/BF01578751
- Finberg, J. P. M., & Gillman, K. (2011). Selective inhibitors of monoamine oxidase type B and the “cheese effect.” In International Review of Neurobiology (Vol. 100, pp. 169–190). Academic Press Inc. https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-386467-3.00009-1
- Dulloo, A. G., & Miller, D. S. (1987). Aspirin as a promoter of ephedrine-induced thermogenesis: Potential use in the treatment of obesity. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 45(3), 564–569. https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/45.3.564
- Astrup, A., Toubro, S., Christensen, N. J., & Quaade, F. (1992). Pharmacology of thermogenic drugs. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 55(1 SUPPL.). https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcn/55.1.246s
- Schmid, B., Kötter, I., & Heide, L. (2001). Pharmacokinetics of salicin after oral administration of a standardised willow bark extract. European Journal of Clinical Pharmacology, 57(5), 387–391. https://doi.org/10.1007/s002280100325
- Jagtap, M., Ravishankar, B., & Chandola, H. (2011). Clinical efficacy of Coleus forskohlii (Willd.) Briq. (Makandi) in hypertension of geriatric population. AYU (An International Quarterly Journal of Research in Ayurveda), 32(1), 59. https://doi.org/10.4103/0974-8520.85729
- Godard, M. P., Johnson, B. A., & Richmond, S. R. (2005). Body composition and hormonal adaptations associated with forskolin consumption in overweight and obese men. Obesity Research, 13(8), 1335–1343. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2005.162
- Walsh, D. A., & Van Patten, S. M. (1994). Multiple pathway signal tran sduction by the cAMP‐dependent protein kinase. The FASEB Journal, 8(15), 1227–1236. https://doi.org/10.1096/fasebj.8.15.8001734
- Maki, K. C., Reeves, M. S., Farmer, M., Yasunaga, K., Matsuo, N., Katsuragi, Y., Komikado, M., Tokimitsu, I., Wilder, D., Jones, F., Blumberg, J. B., & Cartwright, Y. (2009). Green tea catechin consumption enhances exercise-induced abdominal fat loss in overweight and obese adults. Journal of Nutrition, 139(2), 264–270. https://doi.org/10.3945/jn.108.098293
- Hursel, R., Viechtbauer, W., & Westerterp-Plantenga, M. S. (2009). The effects of green tea on weight loss and weight maintenance: A meta-analysis. In International Journal of Obesity (Vol. 33, Issue 9, pp. 956–961). Int J Obes (Lond). https://doi.org/10.1038/ijo.2009.135
- Zhu, B. T., Shim, J. Y., Nagai, M., & Bai, H. W. (2008). Molecular modelling study of the mechanism of high-potency inhibition of human catechol-O-methyltransferase by (-)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate. Xenobiotica, 38(2), 130–146. https://doi.org/10.1080/00498250701744641
- Stohs, S. J., Preuss, H. G., & Shara, M. (2011). The safety of Citrus aurantium (bitter orange) and its primary protoalkaloid p-synephrine. In Phytotherapy Research (Vol. 25, Issue 10, pp. 1421–1428). Phytother Res. https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.3490
- Gougeon, R., Harrigan, K., Tremblay, J. F., Hedrei, P., Lamarche, M., & Morais, J. A. (2005). Increase in the thermic effect of food in women by adrenergic amines extracted from citrus aurantium. Obesity Research, 13(7), 1187–1194. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2005.141
- Sale, C., Harris, R. C., Delves, S., & Corbett, J. (2006). Metabolic and physiological effects of ingesting extracts of bitter orange, green tea and guarana at rest and during treadmill walking in overweight males. International Journal of Obesity, 30(5), 764–773. https://doi.org/10.1038/sj.ijo.0803209
- Haller, C. A., Benowitz, N. L., & Jacob, P. (2005). Hemodynamic effects of ephedra-free weight-loss supplements in humans. American Journal of Medicine, 118(9), 998–1003. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.amjmed.2005.02.034
- Verpeut, J. L., Walters, A. L., & Bello, N. T. (2013). Citrus aurantium and Rhodiola rosea in combination reduce visceral white adipose tissue and increase hypothalamic norepinephrine in a rat model of diet-induced obesity. Nutrition Research, 33(6), 503–512. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.nutres.2013.04.001
- Brown, C. M., McGrath, J. C., Midgley, J. M., Muir, A. G. B., O’Brien, J. W., Thonoor, C. M., Williams, C. M., & Wilson, V. G. (1988). Activities of octopamine and synephrine stereoisomers on α‐adrenoceptors. British Journal of Pharmacology, 93(2), 417–429. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1476-5381.1988.tb11449.x
- Strosberg, A. D. (1993). Structure, function, and regulation of adrenergic receptors. In Protein Science (Vol. 2, Issue 8, pp. 1198–1209). Protein Sci. https://doi.org/10.1002/pro.5560020802
- Lefkowitz, R. J. (1979). Direct binding studies of adrenergic receptors: Biochemical, physiologic, and clinical implications. In Annals of Internal Medicine (Vol. 91, Issue 3, pp. 450–458). Ann Intern Med. https://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-91-3-450
- Nelson, B. C., Putzbach, K., Sharpless, K. E., & Sander, L. C. (2007). Mass spectrometric determination of the predominant adrenergic protoalkaloids in bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 55(24), 9769–9775. https://doi.org/10.1021/jf072030s
- Frank, K., Patel, K., Lopez, G., & Willis, B. (2020). Ephedrine Research Analysis. https://examine.com/supplements/ephedrine/
- Sargis MD, P. R. M. (n.d.). An Overview of the Adrenal Glands - Beyond Fight or Flight. Retrieved October 13, 2020, from https://www.endocrineweb.com/endocrinology/overview-adrenal-glands
- Haaz, S., Fontaine, K. R., Cutter, G., Limdi, N., Perumean-Chaney, S., & Allison, D. B. (2006). Citrus aurantium and synephrine alkaloids in the treatment of overweight and obesity: An update. In Obesity Reviews (Vol. 7, Issue 1, pp. 79–88). Obes Rev. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-789X.2006.00195.x
- Stohs, S. J., Preuss, H. G., Keith, S. C., Keith, P. L., Miller, H., & Kaats, G. R. (2011). Effects of p-synephrine alone and in combination with selected bioflavo-noids on resting metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and self-reported mood changes. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 8(4), 295–301. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.8.295
- Seifert, J. G., Nelson, A., Devonish, J., Burke, E. R., & Stohs, S. J. (2011). Effect of acute administration of an herbal preparation on blood pressure and heart rate in humans. International Journal of Medical Sciences, 8(3), 192–197. https://doi.org/10.7150/ijms.8.192
- Gougeon, R., Harrigan, K., Tremblay, J. F., Hedrei, P., Lamarche, M., & Morais, J. A. (2005). Increase in the thermic effect of food in women by adrenergic amines extracted from citrus aurantium. Obesity Research, 13(7), 1187–1194. https://doi.org/10.1038/oby.2005.141