As a practicing physician, I deal with a lot of patients who have different kinds of underlying health conditions. And before I recommend a certain fat burner to help them achieve their ideal weight a bit faster, it’s always important to consider blood pressure issues.
And to fully understand what types of fat burner ingredients could cause higher blood pressure, I teamed up with my dietitian and a physician to take a closer look at what science says about this.
Here’s what my research revealed.
Quick Summary
- Certain fat burners can increase blood pressure, especially those containing high levels of caffeine, making them risky for individuals with hypertension.
- There are effective non-stimulant fat burner options available that are safer for people with high blood pressure.
- A study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) indicates that excessive doses of caffeine in fat burners can lead to sustained elevated blood pressure.
- Based on my experience and research, carefully choosing fat burners and consulting with a healthcare provider is crucial for those with high blood pressure.
Do Fat Burners Affect Blood Pressure?
Yes, certain fat burners can have a negative effect on blood pressure.
Many fat burners are formulated to boost metabolic rates, and one common side effect is a slight increase in blood pressure [1].
Most individuals will only experience a minor elevation, but individuals with a history of cardiovascular disease should exercise caution when considering their use.
Caffeine is one of the key causes that can contribute to these issues. Caffeine levels in certain fat burners are comparable to drinking many cups of coffee at once. According to a study by the National Institutes of Health (NIH), excessive doses of caffeine can lead to sustained elevated blood pressure [2].
Continuing to read will provide information on caffeine-free alternatives that are more suitable for individuals with high blood pressure.
You need a holistic approach to lose weight and manage your body weight. Weight loss supplements can be tempting, but a healthy and balanced lifestyle is key.
“Fat burners work by elevating your blood pressure and increasing your overall energy expenditure, which may eventually lead to weight loss over time. You should take precautions if you already have high blood pressure, though, because taking these supplements could lead to hypertension.”
- Jabeen Begum, MD, WebMD.com
Are There Options to Avoid Problems With Hypertension?
Yes, there are supplement options to help avoid blood pressure problems.
First of all, if you have been diagnosed with hypertension, then you have to talk to your doctor before you consider taking any kind of supplements that could impact your metabolic rate and blood pressure.
According to an August 24, 2010, article published in the Journal of Biomedical Science, even ingredients like taurine that have been linked to a reduction in blood pressure could cause problems [3].
An interaction with medication could bring your blood pressure down too much, which could make you feel fatigued and even faint.
I've personally tried various non-stimulant fat burners that limit or exclude ingredients like caffeine. Based on my experience, I can vouch for their effectiveness. This personal trial has given me the confidence to recommend these safer alternatives to my patients with hypertension.
Tips For Avoiding Side Effects
So, the first thing you should do if you have problems with your blood pressure is to avoid any fat burners with caffeine.
But other thermogenic fat burners could also indirectly trigger higher blood pressure through thermogenic effects.
What I would recommend is to take a gradual approach to the dosage and timing.
Let’s say your chosen fat burner requires that you take four capsules before breakfast. What you could do is take one capsule in the morning and one after lunch to see how your body reacts.
You can then gradually increase the dosage and move towards taking them as recommended on the bottle if your measured blood pressure remains stable.
This might take a week or two, but it’s the safest way to figure out if you’ll have issues with a particular product.
Related Article: Side Effects Of Fat Burners
FAQs
Can You Take A Thermogenic With High Blood Pressure?
Yes, you can take a thermogenic with high blood pressure. But you will need to carefully monitor the impact on a daily basis, as some thermogenics have been shown to, directly and indirectly, impact your blood pressure.
How Long Should You Take A Fat Burner If You Have High Blood Pressure?
You can take a fat burner indefinitely if you have high blood pressure, as long as the supplement doesn’t have negative effects. Carefully monitor your BP and stop taking a supplement if you notice that it causes changes.
Can Losing Weight Lower Blood Pressure?
Yes, losing weight can lower blood pressure. Weight loss positively lowers blood pressure levels and helps avoid other chronic conditions.
References:
- https://www.webmd.com/vitamins-and-supplements/what-are-fat-burner-supplements
- https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/21880846/
- https://jbiomedsci.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1423-0127-17-S1-S6
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