Admin Raspberry ketones? It sounds like a dessert or some sort of sweet treat, doesn’t it? They’re actually a type of supplement people take to help them lose weight, as well as help with hair loss-related issues, plus some other conditions.
What are Raspberry Ketones?
Raspberry ketone is a naturally occurring substance that gives red raspberries their distinctive odor. It is the same chemical that is also present in:
- Other fruit – such as kiwis, peaches, grapes and other types of berries (i.e. blackberries) other than raspberries
- Vegetables – including rhubarb
- The bark – yew, maple and pine bark
So while raspberry ketones may be something you haven’t heard of before, or may sound a bit scientific to you, it’s actually found in a lot more everyday things, especially food sources, than you might initially think.
Natural raspberry ketones
Red raspberries are native to Europe, North Africa and Central Asia. They contain essential nutrients such as beta-carotene and vitamins A, E and C. Only very small amounts of raspberry ketones are actually found in the fruit (more on this below), which is why berry-flavored foods often contain synthetic forms of the ketones.
Around 2010, scientists noticed that raspberry ketones have a similar molecular structure to capsaicin, the chemical responsible for giving hot peppers their fiery sensation. Initial studies also showed that capsaicin prevented weight gain. In light of these findings, scientists conducted studies on mice and human tissue to see if the ketones also had the ability to affect weight gain.
Synthetic raspberry ketones
Raspberry ketone supplements that do not contain raspberries (although it’s easy to automatically assume they do due to the fact that they have ‘raspberry’ in their name).
In fact, the raspberry ketones used in supplements are synthetic, not natural. If you wanted to make natural ketone supplements, you would need about 41 kg to make a dose, which would require a) a lot of raspberries b) time consuming and c) the expense of making the ketones on a large scale.
Do Raspberry Ketones Help You Lose Weight?
That’s the million dollar question. Raspberry ketones reportedly work by helping break down the fat in cells, helping the body to burn fat faster overall.
It’s also believed that they can increase levels of the hormone, adiponectin, which helps regulate metabolism and balances out blood sugar levels.
People who are of a normal weight tend to have much more adiponectin in their bodies than people who are overweight. And the levels get higher the more weight people lose.
Studies have also found that people who have low adiponectin levels are at a higher risk of obesity, Type 2 diabetes, fatty liver disease, and even heart disease.
However, taking raspberry ketones is not the only way to increase your adiponectin levels; exercise can increase them by 260% in just a week. Coffee consumption has also been linked to higher hormone levels.
Do Raspberry Ketones Put You in Ketosis?
Ahh, yes, it’s understandable why people may think this. The name sounds very similar to ketosis and raspberry ketones are linked to losing weight.
But they have no connection to ketosis or low carb diets, which work by forcing your body to burn fat and increase your blood levels of ketones. Neither do raspberry ketones have the same effect as low carb dieting on your body either.
Raspberry ketones and ketosis are two totally separate things.
What are the Side Effects of Raspberry Ketone?
Very limited research involving the effects of raspberry ketones on humans currently exists. This means that it’s unclear how safe they are to take.
Some studies have found that ketones can possibly cause insomnia, heart palpitations, high blood pressure and anxiety.
It’s therefore highly advisable, if you are planning on taking these supplements, that you speak to your GP before doing so. This is particularly important if you are already taking medication, prescription drugs or herbal supplements.
Pregnant and lactating women should not take ketones, neither should children. They should also be avoided if you have diabetes. Raspberry ketones may also impact blood sugar levels, e.g. it may make it more difficult to control blood sugar levels in people taking medicines for diabetes.
Ketones and Other Medication
There are also no clinical data on the reaction of raspberry ketones with other drugs. Some studies have been conducted, but there are currently only limited results showing that they may interact with other medications. Therefore, it is not safe to recommend taking ketones with other medications.
If you would like to take them, it’s essential you seek medical advice first because there are no approved dosage guidelines in place at present.
You can always try lower doses of raspberry ketones by eating raspberries rather than taking supplements. This is considered a safer way to try ketones because they are natural and at the lowest levels. However, as with eating large amounts of fruit, eating too many raspberries can lead to diarrhea.
Feeling a bit more clear on the ketones now? They’re something that’s seen an upsurge in popularity of late, but it’s best you do your research before taking them because scientific studies on how what they do to the human body are few and far between at present.
