Raspberry Ketones: Hype or Helpful

Latetly, I have been getting numberous questions from clients about raspberry ketones.  I was even at a wedding this past weekend and it was the number one party question I got asked at the event.   Are raspeberry ketones the new miracle weight loss supplement?  Will raspeberry ketones help me lose weight?  Do raspberry ketones really help shrink my fat?

What is raspberry ketone?

Raspberry ketone is a chemical found in raspberries, cranberries and blackberries.  It produces the sweet aroma of these fruits and is used in weight loss supplements.  Raspberry ketone has the ability to increase a hormone known as adiponectin.  The hormone is secreted from adipose (fat) tissue and is involved with glucose and lipid (fat) metabolism.  Higher levels of adiponectin is assocatied with a decreased risk of obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and cardiovascular disease.

What does the research show?

To date there have only been a few studies published in scientific jourals.  These studies were ether in vitro (cells) or in vivo (animals).  Not one of them were a clinical trial (humans).  In one study, male mice that were fed a high fat diets with varying amounts of raspberry ketones showed a prevention in weight gain, improved hepatic triacyglycerol, and stimulated lipolysis (fat breakdown). In an in vitro study, adipoctyes (fat cells) exposed to raspberry ketones showed an increase in the amount of adiponectin secreted and lipolysis (fat breakdown). These studies were ether in vitro (cells) or in vivo (animals).  Not one of them was a clinical trial (humans).  The problem is more research needs to be done.  Even if there are positive results in vitro and in vivo studies it doesn’t mean that the same outcomes will be seen in humans.

What you need to know about these supplements:

All dietary supplements do not need approval from the FDA before they are marketed and sold to the public.  Raspberry ketones are often combined with other additives before being sold like:  green tea, hoodia (appetite suppressant), bitter orange, capsaicin (chemical in peppers), and caffeine.  These added stimulants may cause problems for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or glaucoma.  Always consult with your doctor and registered dietitian before taking any new supplements!

Bottom Line:

If you really want to lose weight eat less and move more! Buying this supplement is not going to lead to instant weight loss.  Try spending the ten to fifty dollars this product would have cost you on a new gym membership, workout top, yoga mat, or free weights instead.   Remember, there are no magic pills currently in existence that will help you lose weight without putting in any effort!

References:

Díez JJ, Iglesias P.   The role of the novel adipocyte-derived hormone adiponectin in human  disease.  Eur J Endocrinol. 2003;148(3):293-300.

Meier U, Gressner AM. Endocrine regulation of energy  metabolism: review of pathobiochemical and clinical chemical aspects of leptin,  ghrelin, adiponectin, and resistin. Clin Chem. 2004;50(9):1511-1525.

Morimoto C, Satoh Y, Hara M, Inoue S, Tsujita T, Okuda H.  Anti-obese action of raspberry ketone. Life Sci. 2005;77(2):194-204.

Park KS. Raspberry ketone increases both lipolysis and  fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1 adipocytes. Planta Med. 2010;76(15):1654-1658.

Raspberry ketone: fat-burner in a bottle. The Dr. Oz Show  website. http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/rasberry-ketone-what-science-says. Accessed January 13, 2013.

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