High Dose Raspberry Ketones Enhance Fat Loss

High Dose Raspberry Ketones Enhance Fat Loss

by: Robbie Durand

Raspberry (Rubus rosaceae L.) fruits contain various vitamins, amino acids, minerals, sugars, organic acids, and other nutrients as well as bioactive compounds such as flavonoids, ellagic acid, and anthocyanins, which could inhibit cancer cells and resist cardiovascular disease and may enhance weight loss. Raspberry ketones structurally are , capsaicin (found in chili pepper) and synephrine (a stimulant). Raspberry ketones may provide a safe alternative to stimulant based drugs and could have potential benefits in the treatment of obesity. Several studies have shown that these two molecules can boost metabolism, so it was speculated that raspberry ketones could have the same effect.

Most of the studies to date in rats have shown successful weight loss and anti-obesity actions with raspberry ketones with high dosages. Morimoto et al. reported that a dose of 1% Raspberry ketones was sufficient to prevent high-fat diet-induced increases in body and tissue weights; it was also shown that 1% Raspberry ketones remedially affected the increases in body weight, visceral adipose tissues weights, and hepatic triacylglycerol content in mice fed with a high-fat diet.

A new study in humans shows that high dose raspberry ketones can have potent anti-obesity effects. In a new dissertation, that has yet to be published, found that high dose raspberry ketones enhances weight loss. Twelve healthy athletic men, were instructed to take their pill (placebo or treatment) each morning, upon waking, with an 8 oz glass of water. Diet, exercise, and lifestyle habits were considered and participants were asked to standardize these factors throughout the duration of the three week study. The subjects were randomized into the following groups:

• Placebo – the placebo group was given capsules containing powdered sugar
• Low treatment group – the low treatment group took 125 mg capsules w/ raspberry ketones
• High treatment group – the high treatment group took 250 mg capsules w/ raspberry ketones

At the end of the study, there was significant decrease in overall body fat percentage in the high treatment group (250 mg capsule).

Additionally, no significant difference was found in the low treatment group (125 mg), nor the control, or placebo group. The principle finding is that a larger dosage of raspberry ketones (250 mg) induces a significant decrease in body fat percentage over a three-week regimen compared to a lower dose group and placebo group. More studies need to be conducted, but it’s interesting to see that high doses of raspberry ketones had a beneficial impact on fat loss.

Stohs SJ, Preuss HG, Keith SC, Keith PL, Miller H, Kaats GR. Effects of p-synephrine alone and in combination with selected bioflavonoids on resting metabolism, blood pressure, heart rate and self-reported mood changes. Int J Med Sci. 2011 Apr 28;8(4):295-301.

Morimoto C, Satoh Y, Hara M, Inoue S, Tsujita T, Okuda H. Anti-obese action of raspberry ketone. Life Sci. 2005 May 27;77(2):194-204. Epub 2005 Feb 25.

Pagani, Angelo, and John Thistlethwaite. The Effects of Raspberry Ketone Supplementation on Body Composition. Diss. Ohio Dominican University, 2015.