11 Best Fat Burners for Women That Actually Help With Weight Loss – SI Showcase

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Fat burners are a lightning rod in the health and fitness world—they attract strong opinions, usually very positive or negative. Chances are, you’re interested in trying one out, but you probably know at least one person who would roll their eyes at the mention of women using weight loss pills. Besides, do they even work? And if so, are they healthy?

As a certified sports nutrition coach and clinical weight loss practitioner, my answer to those questions is this: When utilized properly, fat burners can help you achieve your fat loss goals much more efficiently than with just diet and exercise alone. But they aren’t magic pills, nor are they a band aid that will help remedy a poor diet, lack of exercise and lousy sleep schedule. And before even considering the use of a diet pill or fat burner supplement, optimize your lifestyle and talk with your doctor. If you still want to use a fat burner supplement, these are my 11 picks for the best fat burning supplements for women, including the most common ingredients found in fat burners, how to use these supplements both effectively and safely and which of these fat burners will provide you with the most value.

This content is meant to be informative, but should not be taken as medical advice. It is not intended for use as diagnosis, prevention or treatment of health problems. Always speak with your doctor before starting any new supplement or exercise regimen.

Our Picks for the Best Fat Burners for Women:

Key features

• Targets stubborn fat while preventing lean muscle loss
• Clinically effective doses
• 100 percent formula transparency with no artificial sweeteners, colors or preservatives

How does it work?

Transparent Labs LEAN is a well-rounded pre-workout formula that has evidence-backed dosages of the active ingredients. The note-worthy ingredients included in the formulation for weight loss are caffeine, chromium picolinate and acetyl L-carnitine. The caffeine gives you an energy boosting effect that may help you burn more calories at the gym. Chromium is a mineral that plays a key role in fat metabolism, and it’s included as chromium picolinate, which is a readily absorbable source of chromium for the body. Lastly, L-carnitine has evidence-based studies supporting its potential use as a fat burner, although the 630 milligrams of L-carnitine per scoop is under the recommended two gram daily dosage.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: L-Carnitine, Caffeine Chromium Picolinate
• Cost per serving: $1.66 ($1.42 for subscribers)
• Servings per container: 30
• Subscription plan offered? Save 15 percent and get free shipping with a subscription
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: Fruit Punch, Blue Raspberry, Green Apple, Orange, Cherry Limeade, Sour Grape, Strawberry Lemonade, Tropical Punch, Watermelon, Sour Peach

Best for

• Women looking for a well-rounded pre-workout supplement with clinically effective doses
• Women who want to avoid artificial sweeteners, flavors and colors

What customers have to say

With 4.5/5 stars and over 1,600 reviews, it’s safe to say that customers love this product. The stand out comments reference the large variety of delicious flavors, the increased energy in their workouts and no “crash” after the ingredients wear off.

Purchase Transparent Labs LEAN

Key features

• Contains clinically proven ingredients in effective doses that boost energy and metabolic rate and aid in fat loss
• Capsule form that’s easy to pack in a gym bag
• 135 milligrams of caffeine per capsule provides an energy boost

How does it work?

This five ingredient fat burner supplement keeps it simple. The caffeine dosage in the supplement is appropriate—at 135 milligrams per capsule, it should give you some energy and appetite suppression without jittery feelings or anxiety. The combination of L-carnitine, green tea extract and cayenne pepper extract (Capsimax) should elicit some potentially fat burning effects like thermogenesis.

The word thermogenesis means heat production, and this an important tool for weight loss because, in order to produce heat, you need an energy source. In the case of diet-induced thermogenesis, ingredients such as cayenne pepper extract help mobilize the body’s fat stores to be this energy source. Jacked Factory uses the trademarked ingredient Capsimax in their formula, which is a concentrated extract from red chili peppers. This cayenne pepper extract is notable because it targets several key areas of weight loss, including appetite control, increased thermogenesis and the breakdown of fat stores in the body.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: L-Carnitine, Green Tea Extract, Caffeine Anhydrous, BioPerine, Capsimax Cayenne Pepper Extract
• Cost per serving: $0.50 (60 count) or $0.42 (120 count)
• Servings per container: 60 or 120
• Subscription plan offered? No
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women looking for a well-dosed thermogenic fat burner supplement
• Women who want to avoid filler ingredients

What customers have to say

This product ranks 4.7/5 stars with 422 reviews on the Jacked Factory website. Favorable characteristics of the product that consumers have noted include the increased perspiration during a workout, as well as some extra energy and appetite suppression due to the caffeine. While sweating more throughout your workout might not always seem like a positive, sweat is the body’s natural response to an elevated body temperature. Therefore, sweating is a great indication that your body is undergoing thermogenesis and you are burning calories—hopefully calories from fat.

Purchase Jacked Factory Burn XT

Key features

• Stimulant-free fat-burner that contains decaffeinated green tea leaf extract
• Contains dandelion root extract, which is recognized as a natural diuretic that may help with bloating
• Active ingredients may help convert fat into energy

How does it work?

Cira Shine Stim-Free Shape Support uses a combination of cayenne pepper extract (BioPerine), L-carnitine, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and forskolin to help free and mobilize fatty acids stored in the body and convert them into energy. EGCG is a polyphenol component of the green tea extract that has both anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. It’s also the compound that’s given credit for green tea’s potential as a herbal weight loss aid.

BioPerine, while not proven to be effective as a weight loss ingredient for humans (though there is promising research with rats), is a mainstay found in most fat burner and pre-workout supplements. This is because BioPerine allows you to get more out of the other nutrients you consume.

Cira’s fat burner also contains forskolin. Studies show that forskolin may be effective at reducing body fat in overweight and obese men, but not in overweight women, though it may help prevent weight gain. Note that this supplement doesn’t contain caffeine, so it’s great for women looking for a stimulant-free product that can be taken in the morning and evening.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: L-carnitine, EGCG, Cayenne pepper (Capsimax), Black pepper extract (BioPerine)
• Cost per serving: $1.00
• Servings per container: 30
• Subscription plan offered? No
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women looking for a stimulant-free fat burner
• Those looking for a fat burner that reduces bloating
• Vegans and vegetarians

What customers have to say

Customers seem to really enjoy Cira’s Shine Stim-Free Shape Support. Many note that, despite being caffeine free, the capsules give them some extra energy. They also enjoy the reduced bloating effect that can be attributed to the dandelion root extract included in the supplement.

Purchase Cira Shine Stim-Free Shape Support

Key features

• High dose of L-carnitine (1,000 milligrams)
• Stimulant-free
• Speeds up metabolism

How does it work?

The 1,000 milligrams of L-carnitine per serving makes Kaged Muscle Clean Burn the best dosed supplement on this list. L-carnitine is best known for helping the body break down fat cells and convert it into energy. In addition, the combination of capsicum extract and green tea extract are included to boost thermogenesis in the body and increase your metabolism. At $0.33 per serving, Clean Burn is also one of the more affordable fat burners on this list.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: L-carnitine, green tea extract, chromium
• Cost per serving: $0.33 ($0.30 for subscribers)
• Servings per container: 90
• Subscription plan offered? Save 10 percent and get free shipping with a subscription
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women looking for a well-dosed, stimulant-free fat burner supplement that boosts metabolism
• Athletes who need supplements that are third-party certified free of banned substances
• Budget-conscious shoppers

What customers have to say

Customers love the fact that this supplement is caffeine-free, which eliminates the jitters experienced using other fat burners on the market. They also really noticed the appetite suppressing effect this supplement has. More than one user described Kaged’s product as a real game changer, crediting the supplement with helping them break through their weight loss plateaus.

Purchase Kaged Muscle Clean Burn

Key features

• Quickly fuels the brain and body
• Can relieve flu-like symptoms as you transition to a low-carb diet
• Contains micronutrient electrolytes that help with hydration

How does it work?

Key Nutrients explains that exogenous ketones are nearly identical to the ketones your body makes on the keto diet. These ketones fuel your body with alternate energy when on a ketogenic diet and carbohydrates are scarce. Your main energy ketone—beta-hydroxybutyrate (BHB)—is the active ingredient in Key Keto. 

While not being inherently fat burning, this product will help you maintain a ketogenic diet, which can help support your long-term weight loss goals. This product is more expensive than many of the others on this list, so it’s not the best for women on a tight budget, especially those who want ingredients that directly support fat burning.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: BHB, electrolytes (calcium, magnesium, sodium)
• Cost per serving: $1.99
• Servings per container: 15
• Subscription plan offered? None
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: Lemon Lime Sherbet, Strawberry Lemonade, Cherry Lime

Best for

• Women looking for a product to help ease keto-adaptation in the body
• Women who want energy without consuming stimulants

What customers have to say

Most customers agree that this product helps jump start ketosis in the body, as well as maintain ketosis for a longer period of time. They also state that exogenous ketones are generally not tasty and are not meant to taste like a sugary fruit smoothie. However, Key Nutrients has spent a significant amount of time ensuring the best tasting product possible, and many customers agree with Key Nutrients, saying that the product tastes great, and the flavor options available are top notch. Others find it to be bitter or have a less than pleasant aftertaste. Since there’s no consensus on taste, you’ll need to decide for yourself!

Purchase Key Nutrients Key Keto Exogenous Ketones

Key features

How does it work?

Cellucor’s Super HD formula combines a significant caffeine dosage (160 milligrams per serving) with green tea phytosome and a proprietary thermogenic and sensory blend. I usually don’t approve of proprietary blends, but in this case, the dosages appear to be appropriate, and you can see the exact dosages of the caffeine and green tea extract on the supplements label. The caffeine dosage is definitely enough to suppress your appetite and increase your focus, and the green tea extract, combined with the proprietary blend, may help with the conversion of fat into energy for the body. Note: with such a large amount of caffeine per pill, you should not exceed three capsules per day.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, Green Tea Extract, SuperHD Thermogenic and Sensory Blend
• Cost per serving: $0.50 ($0.40 for subscribers)
• Servings per container: 60
• Subscription plan offered? Save 20 percent and get free shipping with a subscription
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women looking for a caffeinated fat burner supplement
• Women who want a fat burner that doubles as a pre-workout supplement

What customers have to say

Customers like the fact that this supplement has enough caffeine to be used in place of their morning coffee or even as a pre-workout before the gym. Many reviewers speak highly about the appetite suppressing effects, as well the energy boost this product provides, even after an intense workout at the gym.

Purchase Cellucor SuperHD Fat Burner

Key features

• Formulated to support healthy metabolic activity and control “hunger hormone” pathways
• Contains 50 milligrams of caffeine per serving

How does it work?

This fat burning pill is intended to provide nutritive support for proper metabolism when used with a healthy diet and exercise program. It contains 50 milligrams of caffeine per serving for a mild energy boost. This dose shouldn’t cause women to feel jittery if they haven’t had caffeine earlier in the day.

The ingredient with the highest concentration is bitter orange extract, which contains the chemical synephrine. Synephrine is utilized by the body to increase calorie consumption and fat oxidation. However, when ingested in dosages greater than one milligram per kilogram of body weight, this product can also shrink blood vessels and therefore increase blood pressure, which can have potentially harmful side effects. Don’t take this supplement if you have a heart condition or high blood pressure, and always consult your doctor before taking a fat burning supplement. Also note that synephrine is now a banned substance for both the NCAA and USADA.

The other active ingredients in this product—L-carnitine, glucomannan and green tea—are all dosed around 30 milligrams per serving, which is significantly lower than the dosages found to be clinically effective. In other words, take this fat burner for effects from the caffeine and synephrine.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: Bitter Orange Extract (Synephrine), Caffeine, Green Tea Extract, L-Carnitine, Glucomannan
• Cost per serving: $0.64
• Servings per container: 60 servings
• Subscription plan offered? None
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women who want support for a healthy metabolism
• Those who want a mild energy boost

What customers have to say

I had a really difficult time finding reviews for this product, but I included it on this list because synephrine is a potent chemical with effective results.

Purchase NutraBiogenesis UltraLean Thermo Max

Key features

• Designed to help athletes shed unwanted fat
• Caffeine and glucomannan added to help with appetite suppression
• 300 milligrams of caffeine per serving (four capsules)

How does it work?

Each capsule of Instant Knockout Cut contains 75 milligrams of caffeine for energy and appetite suppression. A serving size is four capsules, and each pill is almost equivalent to a cup of coffee, so space out the time between taking each pill. I also suggest taking your last pill around 4–5 p.m. to prevent any trouble falling asleep due to the caffeine.

In addition to caffeine, a full serving also includes 1.8 grams of glucomannan. This complex carbohydrate is a natural fiber that may help increase your feeling of fullness, and has the potential to reduce snacking and the consumption of excess calories. Gel forming fiber has been shown to increase feelings of fullness, but more studies are needed about glucomannan specifically.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: Glucomannan, Green Tea Extract, Caffeine, Cayenne Pepper
• Cost per serving: $2.16
• Servings per container: 30
• Subscription plan offered? None
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women who have trouble with cravings and controlling their appetite
• Those who want an energy boost from their fat burning supplement

What customers have to say

Amazon customers give Instant Knockout Cut average reviews (3.4/5 stars). Some women are happy with their results, while others sound dissatisfied with their results compared to the claims made on the company’s website. In my opinion, if taken correctly, this product may help control your appetite. However, the four pills a day protocol, the high price point and the amount of caffeine per serving are all factors to consider before purchasing this product.

Purchase Instant Knockout Cut

Key features

How does it work?

LeanBean is formulated to optimize fat metabolism and reduce cravings and overeating. One of the major benefits of this supplement is that it contains 1,000 milligrams of the soluble fiber glucomannan in every serving. The satiating effect of fiber can reduce cravings and help women keep their calorie intake down. The other key metabolism boosters include green coffee extract, cayenne pepper extract and garcinia cambogia. Garcinia cambogia is a herbal ingredient that has an inhibitory effect on fat storage in the body, so it may prevent some excess caloric intake being converted into body fat.

LeanBean advises taking two capsules with at least eight ounces of water three times per day, 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: Glucomannan, Green Tea Extract, Garcinia Cambogia Extract
• Cost per serving: $0.66 or $2.00 when taken three times a day
• Servings per container: 90
• Subscription plan offered? None
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women who would benefit from the appetite suppression and blood glucose stabilizing effects of glucomannan
• Women who want a fat burner with no added caffeine

What customers have to say

The customer reviews for this product on the Leanbean official website are generally very positive. Many comment on the fact that most fat burners they tried gave them feelings of anxiety and caused their hearts to race. This is different with LeanBean since it doesn’t have added stimulants. (Note: While it doesn’t contain added caffeine, it might contain a small amount of caffeine from the green coffee bean.) 

Consumers also really love the satiating effect of the product, noting that they feel more full when eating smaller portion sizes, and have noticed a reduction in their cravings for snacks. A few reviewers noted some slight gastrointestinal discomfort due to the added fiber; however, they say it subsided within a few days of taking the product. This is a common side effect that is often experienced when increasing the fiber intake in one’s diet.

Purchase LeanBean

Key features

• Specifically designed for women
• Formulated with 1,000 milligrams of glucomannan to help reduce cravings
• Modest caffeine content (33.33 milligrams) can help reduce tiredness and fatigue

How does it work?

The ingredients in Powher Cut—specifically the glucomannan—are formulated to reduce caloric intake and cravings in between meals. The caffeine is modestly dosed, and should provide some energy without the anxiety and jitters experienced from other high-stimulant fat burner products. Other ingredients include vitamins and minerals (chromium picolinate, magnesium and selenium) that Powher says are linked to promoting a healthy metabolism and fatty acid oxidation. Powher recommends taking two capsules with eight ounces of water three times a day before meals.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: Glucomannan, Choline, Caffeine, Chromium Picolinate
• Cost per serving: $0.72 or $2.17 when taken three times a day
• Servings per container: 90
• Subscription plan offered? Free shipping when you buy two or more items
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women who want to reduce overall hunger levels and cravings
• Women who want a low-stimulant fat burner

What customers have to say

Although tough to find, reviews for this product are positive. Similar to LeanBean, if taken three times per day, this product delivers three grams of glucomannan to help curb appetite and reduce cravings. However, Powher Cut does contain caffeine, and although it will total only 100 milligrams per day, reviewers note that it helped increase their energy levels and reduce feelings of tiredness.

Purchase Powher Cut

Key features

How does it work?

Trimtone is designed exclusively for women, and, unlike some other products on this list, is engineered to be taken just once a day. Rather than relying on the appetite suppressing effects of glucomannan (it contains only 100 milligrams per serving), Trimtone contains a blend of caffeine, green coffee extract and green tea extract, which help increase thermogenesis and boost metabolism. For reference, thermogenesis is the body’s ability to utilize energy, such as fat stores, in order to produce heat—thus burning more fat.

Active ingredients and doses per serving

• Key ingredients: Caffeine, Green Coffee Extract, Green Tea Extract, Glucomannan
• Cost per serving: $1.66
• Servings per container: 30
• Subscription plan offered? No, but they do offer free shipping and a buy two, get one free option
• Artificial sweeteners, colors, preservatives? None
• Flavors: N/A

Best for

• Women looking for a one capsule per day supplement
• Women who want to boost their energy and metabolism

What customers have to say

Customers love the fact that this is a once a day pill they can take in the morning before breakfast. The caffeine dosage is enough to provide some energy without the jitters or anxiety. Other women noted how they felt the product helped with fat loss, and could see real results within a month of using the product. Others disagreed, and did not see the weight loss results they were expecting. Despite being prescribed as a once a day pill, taking two pills per day would not be harmful and would likely produce better results. Still, consult your doctor before taking Trimtone and especially before doubling the recommended dose.

Purchase Trimtone

Best Way to Use a Fat Burner

The best way to use a fat burner supplement is in conjunction with a nutritious diet, daily physical activity and a high-quality sleep schedule—the minimum being seven hours of sleep per night.

The way most fat burner supplements work is the mobilization of stored fat in the body to be used as energy. However, if you’re not in a caloric deficit through diet and/or exercise, then fat burners won’t have much of an effect because your body will use excess calories—rather than fat stores—for energy. An effective way to ensure that you’re in a caloric deficit is through the use of a nutrition tracking app or weight loss app. These apps can be a fantastic tool to help manage your weight and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Ingredients to Look For In a Women’s Fat Burner

Glucomannan

Konjac Glucomannan (KGM) is a dietary fiber isolated from the root vegetable known as the voodoo lily or elephant yam. This ingredient is often included in fat burner supplements for its purported weight loss benefits, including anti-diabetic, anti-inflammatory, anti-obesity and anti-inflammatory properties. It works by reducing blood glucose levels, triglycerides and cholesterol; however, despite a handful of studies seeing these reduced levels, they haven’t been able to correlate them with a reduction in body weight.

We do know that a high fiber diet is beneficial to overall health, reducing the risk of heart disease, obesity and diabetes. This is because a diet high in fiber not only keeps your digestive system healthy and bowel movements regular, but it also promotes satiety (the feeling of being full), as well as being a prebiotic that promotes a healthy gut microbiota. The recommended daily intake of fiber for women is 21 to 25 grams a day.

Since glucomannan is a dietary fiber, it has the potential to help individuals hit these daily intake goals. One thing to note when taking a product with glucomannan is that you might experience some gastrointestinal discomfort that occurs when shifting from a low fiber to high fiber diet. However, this side effect usually subsides within a few days.

Related: The Best Prebiotics for Women in 2022

Green Tea Extract

Green tea has traditionally been used in Asia as a medicinal beverage for thousands of years. It contains a number of different beneficial compounds including caffeine, catechins (such as EGCG) and antioxidant flavonoids and polyphenols. Green tea extract (GTE) is a concentrated version of these beneficial compounds. 

Touted for the potential health benefits—including weight loss, cancer prevention and lowering cholesterol levels—GTE has become one of the most common ingredients found in fat burner supplements. A meta-analysis from the International Journal of Obesity concluded that green tea extract, specifically the combination of the catechins and caffeine mixture, has a positive effect on weight loss and weight management.

If possible, find fat burners that include the EGCG content on the label because this particular catchein appears to be a main contributor to these weight loss effects. However, note that a single dose of 340 milligrams of EGCG per day is advised to prevent hepatotoxicity (damage to the liver). Remember, when taking supplements, ensure they are ingested as intended via the nutrition label to prevent any harmful side effects.

Cayenne Pepper Extract

The main active ingredient in cayenne pepper extract is the compound capsaicin. Derived from chili peppers, this extract has been shown to help reduce body weight through its anti-obesity effects. Research shows that capsaicin can be helpful at suppressing caloric intake through appetite and satiety regulation. This means that it can assist people in eating less throughout the day and feeling full longer. 

It has also been shown to reduce body fat through a biological mechanism called thermogenesis. Thermogenesis is defined as the dissipation of energy through the production of heat. What this means is that capsaicin leads to the consumption of calories in the form of body fat (brown adipose tissue) in order to increase body temperature.

Studies suggest that a minimum dose of two milligrams of capsaicin is needed to elicit these potential benefits. In most cases, no adverse effects of capsaicin supplementation were observed. However, as with any supplement, if you have a pre-existing health condition or don’t take the supplement as intended, then there is a possibility of potentially harmful side effects. Please consult with your primary care physician before starting a fat-burner supplement routine.

Black Pepper Extract

Black pepper extract is also known as piperine or BioPerine. In the context of weight loss, one study notes that the anti-obesity effects of piperine are not inherent and are instead related to the enhancement of the intestinal barrier function and the inhibition of intestinal fatty acid absorption. Put more simply, the body is able to absorb only a fraction of the nutrients we ingest through food and supplements on a daily basis, but BioPerine increases this absorption and allows the body to get more out of the nutrients we consume.

Chromium Picolinate

Chromium is an essential mineral nutrient that’s involved in biochemical processes, such as the regulation of carbohydrate and fat metabolism. The current recommended dietary intake of chromium for women is 25 micrograms per day. Yet, the standard American diet usually contains suboptimal levels of this nutrient. This is where a dietary supplement with chromium picolinate might be beneficial. However, when reviewing studies using this ingredient in the context of weight loss, they report that supplementation with chromium picolinate had no demonstrated beneficial effects on weight loss.

Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit that grows in both Southeast Asia and Africa. One of the main active ingredients found in the rind of this fruit is hydroxycitric acid. This ingredient has been found to be an inhibitor of an enzyme involved in both fatty acid synthesis and glycogen storage in the body. This means that garcinia cambogia may be effective at preventing the storage of excess calories as body fat.

It has also been found to suppress appetite and help regulate cholesterol levels. As with all herbal weight loss supplements, it’s best practice to consult with your primary care physician before starting a fat burner supplement routine. There are reported cases of garcinia cambogia induced hepatotoxicity (liver toxicity) in patients taking dietary fat burner supplements containing this compound.

Green Coffee Bean Extract

Coffee beans are green in color when they’re removed from the fruit of the Coffea Arabica tree. The roasting process converts the beans from green to the dark brown color you’re probably familiar with. The active compounds in green coffee beans are known as chlorogenic acids, and they’re much more present in green beans than roasted brown beans.

One study that looked at whether green coffee bean extract reduced body mass in humans found that significant reductions were observed in body weight, body mass index and body fat percentage when taken over a 22 week timeframe. The results from this study suggest that green coffee bean extract may be an effective fat burner that helps prevent obesity in overweight adults.

Caffeine Anhydrous

Caffeine is one of the most commonly used substances in the world. Typically found in beverages such as coffee, tea and pre-workout energy drinks, caffeine has also made its way into the top fat burner supplements due to its role as an appetite suppressant and thermogenic. A recent 2018 meta-analysis of caffeine supplementation indicates that caffeine intake may promote weight loss and body fat reduction. Another positive correlation with weight loss is caffeine’s ability to reduce feelings of fatigue, not only helping people to get to the gym, but also increasing workout length and boosting performance.

Remember, when choosing to use a fat burner supplement containing caffeine, it’s important to monitor your total caffeine consumption throughout the day to prevent any unwelcome side effects like anxiety and insomnia. The recommended daily allowance for caffeine ingestion for adults is 400 milligrams a day.

L-Carnitine

L-carnitine is another ingredient commonly found in fat burner supplements. It has been linked to weight loss by transporting fat to our cells to be utilized as energy. Although the clinical evidence on weight loss has led to inconsistent results, a 2020 meta-analysis did look at thirty-seven different randomized controlled clinical trials and concluded that L-carnitine provided a modest reduction in body weight, despite having no clear effect on overall waist circumference or body fat percentage.

Combining L-carnitine with a diet high in protein would likely lead to better reduction in body fat through the preservation of lean muscle mass. This is because when you are in a caloric deficit to lose weight, your body is burning more energy than you are consuming. In order for the body to get the energy it needs, it must utilize the body’s saved energy stores, which are body fat and muscle. A diet high in protein will provide the body with the amino acids it needs, which subsequently prevents the breakdown of lean muscle in favor of the utilization of excess fat stores for energy.

Safety Considerations

There are potential adverse health effects associated with some fat burning ingredients. This is primarily because the chemical compounds found in supplements are often much higher in concentration than what is commonly found in nature. Be sure to follow the supplement use directions, and do not overuse fat burner supplements with the hopes of expediting your weight loss progress. 

Also, consult a healthcare professional before starting a fat burner supplement. Because the ingredients vary significantly from product to product, I would suggest showing your physician the exact fat burner supplement you plan on taking so they can review it.

What to Consider Before Buying a Fat Burner

Ingredients

Look for fat burner supplements that include some of the ingredients listed above. Additionally, avoid supplements with proprietary blends of ingredients. It’s best to know exactly how much of each ingredient is in your fat burner.

Dosage

Always follow the supplement use directions. Misuse of supplements like fat burners can lead to negative health effects.

Medical Conditions

Consult your primary care doctor before starting any fat burner supplement routine. There are potential side effects you may encounter when starting any new supplement.

Price

Fat burner supplements are not a necessity for weight loss. Although they may help, you should definitely not break the bank to purchase these products. The fat burners on this list range from $0.30 to $2.16 per serving.

Fat Burner FAQs

Is it harder for women than men to lose weight?

Although the process of weight loss is similar for both men and women, there are a number of different components to consider, and unfortunately, women have more variables to deal with than men. Due to their anatomy, women naturally have a higher body fat percentage than their male counterparts. They also deal with monthly hormonal changes, need a certain amount of weight for healthy pregnancy and eventually must face the symptoms of menopause. For these reasons, along with higher levels of estrogen, a hormone that contributes to increased fat storage, it is more difficult for women to lose weight than men. The literature also supports this claim. A meta-analysis of 49 studies comparing effective weight loss strategies for both men and women found that men, on average, lost more weight than women. However, they do note that women in the studies also lost a significant amount of weight.

What is the best way for women to lose weight?

The best way for women to lose weight is to optimize the major lifestyle factors involved in maintaining a healthy body weight. These include getting enough sleep, consuming a balanced diet and keeping up your physical activity levels. Another factor to consider is maintaining a healthy hormonal balance. Get blood-work done at least once a year during your physical to ensure that your hormones are at appropriate levels. Once all these components are dialed in, you’ll likely have more success achieving your goals for taking a fat burner supplement.

Remember, that you only need to be in a slight calorie deficit (250-500 calories) in order to start seeing some real sustainable weight loss. If you’re interested in learning more about how many calories you should be eating each day, I suggest consulting a registered dietician, certified nutrition coach or checking out a weight loss program.

Can fat burners for women be bought over the counter?

Yes, all of the fat burner supplements we review in this article can be purchased over the counter or online. There are some prescription weight loss drugs that are available, but you must consult your primary care physician for more information about these drugs since they’re usually only prescribed in severe cases of obesity, diabetes and/or high blood pressure.

Final Thoughts

Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, and health is holistic—not solely dependent on body fat percentage alone. In fact, having a certain amount of body fat is both beneficial and important for optimal health. However, if you are overweight, a competition bodybuilder or would simply like to lower your total body fat, fat burners may help when used alongside a healthy diet and regular exercise. Remember to always consult your primary care physician before starting a fat burner supplement.

Prices are accurate and items in stock as of publish time.