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science nutrition blog

science nutrition <strong>blog</strong>

By Steve Blechman

 

I consider coffee the healthiest beverage on the planet. It is loaded with phenolic antioxidants, which have been shown to be beneficial in the prevention of heart disease, cancer, diabetes and living a longer life. In fact— the darker the roast, the better! There are over 200 studies that find drinking two to three cups of coffee per day is associated with a lower risk of death and heart disease compared to drinking no coffee. Also, coffee drinking is associated with a lower risk of many cancers, liver disease, diabetes and dementia. A recent study (Food Func., 2018, Jan. 23) found that coffee consumption promotes muscle hypertrophy. The study showed that by inhibiting myostatin expression and increasing IGF-1, coffee increases grip strength. Another study (Nutrition Journal, 2012) found that coffee drinking not only increases longevity, but also elevates testosterone levels! There are so many potential “miracle powers of coffee!

This week on Monday, June 24, 2019 in the prestigious journal Nature Scientific Reports a breakthrough weight loss/fat loss study was published entitled: “Coffee Exposure Induces Browning Features in Adipose Tissue In Vitro and In Vivo.” The researchers said, “It is the first study in humans to show that something like a cup of coffee can have a direct effect on brown fat functions.” British researchers from the University of Nottingham found that one cup of coffee containing only 65mg of caffeine can activate brown fat. Brown fat is an organ that is extremely metabolically active. It’s like a generator that produces heat, which helps burn more calories. We only have 50 to 100 grams of brown fat, mainly located behind the neck and scapula. Brown fat produces 300 times more heat than our muscles or any organ in the body! It is loaded with mitochondria, the powerhouse of the cell. The body has two types of fat: white fat and brown fat. The more brown fat you have and activated, the more calories you burn! If we can increase the amount of brown fat or activate more brown fat cells, the more calories you will burn over a 24-hour period. 

Researchers at the University of Nottingham first tested stem cells in the laboratory of mice and humans, which activated brown fat activity. They then tested humans by ingesting one cup of coffee containing 65mg of caffeine. The ingestion of just one cup of coffee activated brown fat in the neck and scapula, which was measured by using advanced thermal imaging technology. “The potential implications of our results are pretty big, as obesity is a major health concern for society,” said study co-director and University of Nottingham professor Michael Simmonds, Ph.D. “We also have a growing diabetes epidemic and brown fat could potentially be a part of the solution in tackling them.” (Inverse.com June 25, 2019)

The researchers found that drinking coffee activates brown fat thermogenesis, and energy expenditure. I was the first over 30 years ago as Head of Product Development for 26 years at Twinlab and launched Ripped Fuel: the first ephedra caffeine thermogenic fat burner! I was also first to launch ephedra-free Ripped Fuel containing a combination of p-synephrine from citrus aurantium combined with caffeine. I was also awarded a United States patent for this weight loss product. 

Over the last few years, I launched AML® THERMO HEAT, the most scientifically advanced brown fat and thermogenic supplement line ever developed! One of those products, AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN, contains nutrients that have been shown to increase brown fat activation and thermogenesis. Nitric oxide has been shown to activate BAT and thermogenesis. Nitric oxide and nitric oxide precursors such as citrulline have been shown to increase BAT and thermogenesis. Grapeskin extract has been shown to increase nitric oxide production. Polyphenols are being studied for their role in fat metabolism and obesity management. Folic acid also boosts nitric oxide availability, by increasing BH4 and decreasing homocysteine levels. Research has shown that folic acid can lower homocysteine levels, increase insulin sensitivity and lower fasting insulin levels in type 2 diabetes. Medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), grains of paradise (40mg - standardized for 12% paradol, a clinically effective dose) and BioPerine® black pepper fruit extract are all included for further activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) and thermogenesis. Grains of paradise, a spice containing 6-paradol, like chili peppers containing capsaicin, activate BAT, increase whole-body energy expenditure and decrease visceral fat (deep abdominal fat) in humans. Allulose is added as a natural, low-calorie, fat-burning, thermogenic sweetener. It is approved for low-sugar/low-carb or ketogenic diets. Allulose does not impact blood sugar or insulin levels.

Don’t think you can lose weight and enhance fat loss by taking just one fat=burning pill a day, or by ingesting just one cup of coffee daily! That’s why I developed the AML®THERMO HEAT ADVANCED DIET, NUTRITION, SUPPLEMENTATION AND EXERCISE PROGRAM for maximizing brown fat, brown fat activity and 24-hour energy expenditure! Check out the AML ®THERMO HEAT LOW-CARB MEDITERANEAN DIET and why I feel it’s the best overall diet for weight loss, fat loss and optimal health! It’s rich in healthy fats and not bad fats that activate thermogenesis (see my other article on good fats and bad fats.) The capability of harnessing one’s own brown fat for fat burning is revolutionary! The ability to get lean by producing extra brown fat and enhancing and activating existing brown fat represents a promising way to burn fat. Several landmark discoveries and approaches to this are being explored at major research centers and universities worldwide, with great excitement! Brown fat research is a hot topic today! In fact, cold temperatures and certain nutrients have been shown to trigger brown fat activity! Of course, cold temperature exposure is not a practical way to activate brown fat because of discomfort.

The book entitled The Thermo Heat® Weight Loss Revolution by Michael Rudolph, Ph.D. provides in chapter 2, The Thermo Heat HIIT Workout, plus The Thermo Heat Total-Body Fat-Incinerating Exercise Plan, a comprehensive program along with a calorie-controlled, low-carb Mediterranean diet, and 30-day meal plan. It says that you should limit yourself to 100 grams of carbohydrates per day, or less. If you want to follow the ketogenic diet, carbohydrates should be kept to less than 50 grams per day. Processed food and sugar is off the table! The Thermo Heat® Weight Loss Revolution stresses foods high in monounsaturated and omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids. The book does not recommend saturated fats or coconut oil. Studies have shown that coconut oil taken with meals does not increase thermogenesis (Nutr Metab 2017). It also recommends thermogenic brown fat-activating herbs and spices instead of salt to flavor food— such as garlic, onion, mustard and chili pepper (capsaicin) to name a few. Monounsaturated fats are more thermogenic than saturated fats found in high-fat dairy and red meat. Because of ease of compliance, The Thermo Heat® Weight Loss Revolution Mediterranean diet makes it easy to follow even when dining out. One or two glasses of polyphenol-rich red wine (not white wine, or any other alcoholic beverages) per day can have positive health benefits on the Mediterranean diet. Studies show that olive oil and certain spices can enhance brown fat and increase thermogenesis. A number of studies have shown that healthy fats from nuts, olive oil and fish, found predominantly in Italian, Greek and Turkish cuisine, have health benefits in the prevention of heart disease, type 2 diabetes and obesity. Fish oil and omega-3 fats can decrease bodyweight gain and fat accumulation by increasing thermogenesis and energy expenditure. (Clinical Nutrition, 2009; Metabolism: Clinical and Experimental, 2008; International Journal of Obesity, 2002)

For more authoritative information, see The Thermo Heat® Weight Loss Revolution by Michael J. Rudolph, Ph.D., including the foreword by Daniel L. Friedman, MD and Eugene B. Friedman, MD. You can click the link to order on Amazon here. The Thermo Heat® Weight Loss Revolution is a groundbreaking scientific plan based on research involving brown fat (BAT) and offers its readers a brown fat, thermogenic and brown-fat-activating-diet, nutrition, supplement(s) and exercise program. You can also get a free PDF version here

In conclusion, overwhelmingly, the research has clearly shown that coffee is a healthy beverage with almost miraculous powers!  That is, of course, without the cream and sugar! Coffee may prevent certain diseases, burn fat, boost lean body mass, improve cognitive function and exercise performance! Become a FAT BURNING MACHINE, take a scoop of AML™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN with your morning coffee on an empty stomach or 30 minutes before a meal! We have delicious flavors in Chocolate Fudge and Vanilla Cream – they taste amazing! AML ™ THERMO HEAT® FAT BURNING PROTEIN† is an advanced scientifically designed protein and amino acid drink. As part of a calorie-restricted diet and exercise (aerobic and resistance training) program, it can help enhance fat loss and preserve lean body mass when following a low-calorie, low-carbohydrate or ketogenic diet. A healthy weight loss is one that enhances the reduction of body fat and preserves lean body mass while dieting. You will be pleased with the results!

References:

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  1. THE THERMO HEAT® LOW-CARB MEDITERRANEAN DIET: WHY IT’S THE HEALTHIEST & BEST DIET FOR 2019 by Steve Blechman, https://advancedmolecularlabs.com/blogs/news/the-thermo-heat%C2%AE-low-carb-mediterranean-diet-why-it-s-the-healthiest-best-diet-for-2019 
  1. The Thermo Heat® Weight Loss Revolution, by Michael J. Rudolph, Ph.D, including the foreword by Daniel L. Friedman, MD and Eugene B Friedman, MD.