5 May
7 min. read
Съдържание:
It seems that every time we turn around, there is a new weight loss supplement, which makes some noise and draws our attention.
You know ... those who promise to tone your belly, burn the fat, reduce your appetite, or even allow you to eat anything you want and still lose weight...
It all sounds great at first, but most of you already realize that the idea of a "magic pill" is a complete illusion. There is no nutritional supplement that will provide you with the body of your dreams just by taking it alone.
Does this mean that weight loss supplements should be completely crossed out? Don’t be in such a hurry. Research shows that some of the supplements can actually be effective and deserve to be considered.
You just need to know what to look for, where to get your information and to explore how the given substance affects your body, so you can use it properly.
And that brings us to the nutritional supplement I want to talk about in this article - yohimbine.
What is yohimbine? How does it work? How much and when to take it? Can it be combined with other products?
The answers to all these questions can be found in this article. After reading it, you will know exactly what yohimbine can and cannot give you and is it worth your money.
What Is Yohimbine and Where Does It Come From?
Yohimbine is an alkaloid extracted from the bark of the Yohimbe tree, a little evergreen tree growing in the lands of Africa. It has been known since antiquity and has been used by the Egyptians as a natural aphrodisiac.
Yohimbine is a common ingredient in energy drinks and sports nutritional supplements. In recent years, it has been the subject of heated debates between fitness enthusiasts. What will attract your interest is that yohimbine stimulates metabolism.
Also, check out the other curious benefits of taking it:
5 Great Benefits of Yohimbine
1. Weight Loss Boost
One of the most valuable benefits of yohimbine is its effect on weight reduction. It is used from many bodybuilders, athletes and fitness enthusiasts as a means of burning body fat.
The effect of the supplement is as follows: yohimbine is an alpha-2 adrenergic antagonist, meaning it blocks this subtype of receptors. The subject is really complex and I will try to keep things as simple as possible. To initiate lipolysis (the mobilization of stored body fat), it is necessary to stimulate certain beta-adrenergic receptors or to block certain alpha-adrenergic receptors.
Interestingly, the stubborn fats found on the women’s thighs are difficult to mobilize because of the high concentration of alpha-2 receptors. Yohimbine can help mobilize the fat in these and other areas of the body.
2. Appetite Suppression
This is a great advantage for those of you who are on a diet. Studies have shown that yohimbine supplements reduce total calorie intake and suppress hunger.
Interestingly, one study suggests that yohimbine reduces carbohydrate and fat intake but not protein. This helps to suppress the appetite, because proteins are highly satiating. Your body also burns more calories for protein digestion and absorption than it would, if it’s digesting and absorbing carbohydrates and fats.
3. Improved Blood Circulation
When the blood circulation is delayed, you have no energy and your thinking is blurred. In this case, taking yohimbine may improve your condition.
More specifically, studies have shown that yohimbine effectively improve the blood flow in the limbs. This supplement may also slightly increase the heart rate, which will help your body deliver more nutrients to the tissues and cells.
4. Improved Heart Health
In people with narrowed blood vessels, the heart needs to work harder to pump the blood, which leads to an increase in blood pressure. This in turn may be a cause of heart attacks and strokes, as narrow blood vessels are more likely to clog.
Here is where yohimbine takes action, expanding the blood vessels and facilitating blood flow. It will make it easier for your heart to work and reduce the risk of developing cardiovascular diseases.
5. Increased Libido and Reduced Risk of Impotence
The yohimbine extract is a suitable supplement for men suffering from impotence, erectile dysfunction and low libido. As you have already learned, taking yohimbine increases the blood circulation, which also affects the blood flow to the genitals.
If your sexual life suffers, perhaps this natural supplement, which has been used since antiquity for the same purpose, is the solution for you.
In addition, yohimbine may slightly increase testosterone levels in men, and in women it may increase the feeling of sexual arousal.
Intake Recommendations
The recommended daily intake is 0.2 mg per 1 kg of body weight (2 mg per 10 kg). You should not experience any side effects at this dose. This is also the right dose for weight loss and fat burning.
Divide the daily dose into 2 parts and take it in the morning and afternoon (but not later than 4PM to prevent problems with sleep). It’s better to take yohimbine on an empty stomach. Its effect lasts for 6 to 8 hours.
My advice is to start with half a dose in the first few days to track how the supplement affects you and test your sensitivity to it.
Should You Take a Break from Yohimbine Supplementation?
There are no strict rules for the yohimbine intake, but it is good practice to take the supplement for 1 month, then take a short break (10-15 days) and continue again.
Can You Combine Yohimbine with Other Products?
1. Yohimbine and Pre-Workout Supplements
It is not recommended to combine yohimbine with pre-workout supplements. The reason is that they often contain a combination of caffeine, L-carnitine, taurine, creatine and other substances that mutually enhance their effect. Therefore, it is better to avoid simultaneous use.
Still, if you use them together, you will feel a stronger effect, which some fitness enthusiasts think is better and deliberately do it.
2. Yohimbine and Green Tea Extract
The green tea extract has a similar effect to yohimbine. It is also useful as a fat burning supplement. Its combination with yohimbine is not recommended because the substances in the two products enhance their effect, which can lead to side effects.
3. Yohimbine and Caffeine/Synephrine/Ephedrine
It is not recommended to take yohimbine in combination with products containing caffeine, synephrine or ephedrine. The reason is the same as for the green tea - the substances in these products are similar and enhance each other, making their effect stronger. This can lead to anxiety, shaking hands, insomnia and increased stress on the heart.
This combination is certainly not for everyone, and the tolerance for it depends on your physical activity and overall preparation. If you’ve decided to try, use small doses to avoid potential side effects.
4. Yohimbine and Food
I’ll say it one more time – the effect of yohimbine is most noticeable on an empty stomach. Take it 30-45 minutes before or a few hours after a meal.
5. Yohimbine and Alcohol
There aren’t many studies of the interaction between yohimbine and alcohol. However, many people say that when they take yohimbine and alcohol on the same day, they experience various unpleasant side effects.
Expected Results from Yohimbine Supplementation?
- More energy
- Suppressed appetite
- Acceleration of metabolism
- Increased fat loss
What Are the Potential Side Effects?
Like any supplement, yohimbine can also have side effects, but only if you haven’t estimated your dose properly and you’ve taken more. The main side effects resemble those of caffeine - shaking hands, excitement and anxiety. This is why the supplement is not recommended for people with panic disorder.
Also, since high doses of yohimbine increase blood pressure, it is contraindicated in people with heart diseases. It is also not recommended for pregnant and nursing women.
For the rest of you, however, studies suggest that moderate doses of yohimbine are well tolerated by the body.
In Conclusion
Yohimbine is one of the few fat-burning supplements that have a proven positive effect. However, keep in mind that the reaction to such products is highly individual.
You may experience adverse side effects at lower doses as well. For example, some people can drink 3-4 coffees without having a special effect, while others feel the unpleasant symptoms of caffeine intake after the first cup. So always start with the lowest doses possible and gradually increase your intake, carefully tracking your tolerance to the product.
At reasonable doses and taken by otherwise healthy people, yohimbine is safe. But when combined with other products or taken by people with ailments, the risk of side effects increases significantly. Always keep this in mind when you choose to combine different weight loss supplements together.
