Sam, I recently started taking a supplement called “Hot Rox” to get leaner. It’s said to be 5x faster than any diet or exercise. Let me know if you think this is a good supplement to take. —Melissa, Glendale, Calif.

Hundreds of supplements flood the fitness market every year. The problem is that none of the claims made on natural supplements are evaluated by the Food & Drug Administration.  Also, very few of the products undergo double-blind placebo testing or clinical trials.  That doesn’t mean, however, that supplements don’t work. Just proceed with a little caution when trying something new.  You’re smart to investigate and ask questions first.

Since ephedrine was banned by the FDA a few years ago, dozens of “fat burning” supplements have come on to the market.  Hot Rox falls into this category. Hot Rox claims to work by stimulating your thyroid to burn more calories.  (Think of your thyroid as your body’s thermostat—if you raise the thermostat, you use more energy).  

The supplement also claims to:

• Mobilize stored body fat & increase fat burning

• Suppress appetite

• Increase thyroid hormone secretion and raises metabolism

• Enhance T4 to T3 thyroid conversion

• Increase testosterone levels in males

Because this product claims to stimulate your thyroid, you may have a lot of additional energy. This could disrupt other aspects of your life, such as sleep.  If you have trouble sleeping, the manufacturer recommends that you not take the supplement within six hours of bedtime.

I doubt the company’s claim that it works “five times better than diet or exercise.”  The company’s website also stresses the importance of combining supplementation with exercise and nutrition for optimal results.   While a fat burning pill may help you lose weight, it’s not the long term solution.  Learning to combine exercise, nutrition, and supplementation in an active lifestyle is the complete approach.

Finally, a warning: You should not use this supplement if you’re pregnant or breast feeding, elderly or under the age of 18, chronically ill, or taking any prescription medication (antidepressants, stimulants, allergy meds, high blood pressure meds or meds for other heart conditions). If you experience dizziness, headache, nausea, or heart palpitations, stop using it immediately.