AS SEEN IN GQ MAGAZINE: The difference between protein powder and thermogenic supplements.
Want to lose weight but are confused by all the supplements available on the shelf? Not to worry, we spoke to Emilie Brabon-Hames, the co-founder of The Original Bootcamp to give us some insight...
Protein Powder In short - Protein is a tasty and convenient alternative to a meal – giving you all 9 essential amino acids without having to balance a plate. That is, of course, assuming that you get a good quality protein powder. It’s best used as a meal or snack replacement. While you may see many gym-goers sipping at a protein shake during heavy lifting days, don’t be fooled into thinking it's just for the buff. Plenty of research has shown that Protein powders - my favourite being the HydroxyBurn Lean5 range by Body Science - have many other benefits, including lean muscle gain, fat loss and getting all those essential amino acids you need. You could say that protein is the single most important nutrient we need to be able to lose weight, boost metabolism and level out your hormones, and we don’t have enough time in the day to be able to eat as much as we need food wise to achieve our goals. So adding a protein shake to your daily intake is very beneficial to your fat loss goals. A good balance of protein will mean a reduction in hunger and snacking, which of course leads to fewer calories being consumed throughout a normal day. Not only that, but just the act of digesting protein burns more calories than any other food.
Thermogenic Supplement Now these are slightly different – unlike protein powders, they contain very few calories and are used to boost energy levels rather than promote lean muscle growth. Not to say that it won’t happen – the effects of a thermogenic lead to a higher rate of energy which equates to you being able to get a little more out of your workout. While it might be a day where you feel sluggish, the extra kick that a thermo will give you will ensure that you don’t succumb to a second rate workout. Something as simple as the HydroxyBurn Shred Neuro-Thermogenic can greatly improve your energy levels and will raise your heart and metabolic rate, which means your body will need to act accordingly to cool it down and stabilise your body temperature, requiring your body to consume more energy (calories) to keep up. As a result – yep, fat loss. So while not directly a fat burning product, the stimulant ingredients help to increase your metabolism which will encourage your body to use your fat stores as energy.
Another good thing to remember is that a thermo with Antioxidants such as green tea in them also help to improve immune response, reduce cholesterol levels and have been known to help with Rheumatoid arthritis. Put these two products together and you are pretty much guaranteed an energetic fat burning workout to beat any other.
