Do raspberry ketones work for weight loss? What is the evidence? Healthista looks at the science…
Dr Mehmet Oz has done it again. Love or hate the guy, he can sell a quick fix better than a butcher at an Atkins convention.
Oprah’s favourite medic recently featured the apparent fat-melting power of raspberry ketones with Lisa Lynn, a personal trainer.
Promoting the supplement on The Dr Oz Show Lynn said she has seen positive results in clients in as few as five days and that raspberry ketones were ‘very healthy’ and have ‘no side effects’.
Researchers observed that, compared to controls, raspberry ketone decreased the amount of fat in the liver and visceral adipose (abdominal fat) tissues of mice.
It also significantly increased norepinephrine-induced lipolysis (the decomposition of fat) in some rat fat cells.
Researchers also tested in vitro (in test tubes or petri dishes in a lab) fat cells with raspberry ketone and found that they showed greater evidence of breakdown when compared to controls.
Adiponectin, they say is a protein used by the body to regulate metabolism. Higher levels are associated with fewer fat stores. Scientists studied the effects of raspberry ketones on in vitro fat cells and observed a higher secretion of adiponectin when compared to controls.
Healthista verdict: Most of the fuss is based on animal studies like this one in which 40 rats were fed different amounts of raspberry ketones and showed the above effects.
It’s yet to be tested in any significant clinical and measurable way on humans so it’s still impossible to know if it works (or if it’s 100 per cent safe).
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