New Extreme 'Skinny' Pill Sparks Controversy

New Extreme 'Skinny' Pill Sparks Controversy

Touted by Experts as a Powerful Weight-Management Aid — But Should It Be Available Over the Counter? A new dietary supplement containing an extract from red raspberries is currently the hottest diet product in the U.S. — but not without controversy. Critics say the compound — called raspberry ketone — causes such a significant amount of weight loss that it runs the risk of being abused by non-dieters. Proponents argue that research shows the nutrient to be both safe and effective and that banning the natural compound would be akin to banning vitamins.  One thing people on both sides can agree on is the controversial new supplement works. Several recent studies from Japan show that raspberry ketones — which are chemically similar tocapsaicin, the heat compound from chile peppers — significantly increases fat oxidation (burning), especially the fat that builds up in the liver. In 2010, Korean researchers reported that raspberry ketone increased fat cells' secretion of a hormone called adiponectin that regulates the processing of sugars and fats in the blood. The reported benefits are impressive: Increased total weight loss, including a significant reduction of abdominal fat — with zero side effects. In fact, not only were there not any side effects, but a 2012 study from China found that raspberry ketones had several health benefits — including improved cholesterol levels, insulin sensitivity, and reduced fat in the liver.  And if all that weren't reason enough to have desperate slimmers stocking up, one of America's leading medical doctors is a fan, recently calling raspberry ketones a "miracle weight loss supplement" on his Emmy-winning daytime TV show. Click here to watch the episode. Results in Five Days? Raspberry ketones are the compounds within raspberries that give the fruit its characteristic aroma. More important to dieters, however, is the recent research showing these compounds can also melt away the pounds. According to Lisa Lynn, a leading weight-loss expert and television health contributor, many of her clients have been supplementing with raspberry ketones and experiencing stunning fat-loss results in as few as five days. Lynn described the compounds as "very healthy" with "no side effects" and says the pills enable the body to "burn fat easier" by stimulating the production of adiponectin, a hormone found in fatty tissue that improves our ability to metabolize fat. Studies show that thin people have higher levels of adiponectin than overweight individuals. What's more, researchers agree that the hormone improves insulin sensitivity and helps regulate weight. 'Too Much' Weight Loss? Word-of-mouth marketing has led to raspberry ketones rivaling Alli as the most popular diet productin America today. However, some argueraspberry ketones may, in fact, cause too much of a weight reduction to be offered over-the-counter and therefore should be regulated like Xenical and other prescription diet aids. According to a study entitled Anti-Obese Actions of Raspberry Ketone published in the journal Life Sciences, researchers from Japan found raspberry ketones seem to have a very strong effect at increasing lypolisis (the burning of fat) within fat cells. Indeed, Lynn notes that some of her clients have seen results in as little as five days — an effect greater than most prescription diet pills. This has some weight-managment experts fearing the new super slimmer may, in fact, cause too much weight loss and may be abused by people who have no business taking it. Indeed, according to a new study from reserachers at Norway's Department of Public Health, nearly one-quarter (23%) of normal-weight individuals considers themselves overweight — and were therefore four times more likely to misuse diet aids in an unwarranted attempt to lose weight. Experts like Lynn say the slimming aid should only be used by overweight individuals, not vanity seekers, in conjunction with healthy eating and regular physical activity.  Smart, Safe Online Shopping Tips No doubt about it, raspberry ketone is probably the number one bestselling diet product in the U.S. And for good reason — both the research and real-life success stories suggest it really does seem to live up to the hype. Not surpisingly, given its popularity, raspberry ketone products are being advertised all over the Internet. But before you buy, be cautious because a high percentage of raspberry ketone supplements advertised online contain a host of fillers and added ingredients like caffeine, which you absolutely don't want.  Just as important, a lot of companies selling raspberry ketone online sneakily enroll consumers into those controversial (not to mention annoying) automatic-reship programs, which can be a real hassle to get out of. While there are a lot of products to choose from, and you should choose whichever product you like best, we like the raspberry ketone supplement offered at KetoneFormula.com (see Gold Box Deal below). The product is manufactured in the United States, contains no fillers or other unnecessary ingredients, and it's tested daily for quality control and potency. What's more, the company offers a zero-risk 60-day money-back guarantee, with each serving providing the same dosage used in the clinical research.