I've seen ads for fat blockers. What are they and do they work?
Typically, fat blockers contain a substance called chitosan, a derivative of shellfish and other crustaceans. When ingested, chitosan turns to a viscous gel in the stomach, binding with fat and preventing much of its absorption. While this may sound great at first, the fact is that since the fat is not absorbed, it must find an alternate route out of the body. It is not necessary nor in good taste to describe the results of undigested fat getting to areas of the intestinal tract not designed to encounter it, nor what happens as it exits.

Suffice it to say that one of two possible results will occur. The user will either dramatically cut back on fat consumption or cease taking the chitosan. In addition to the gastro-intestinal distress, fat blockers lead to vitamin and mineral losses and malabsorption. Ultimately, they fail to get to the cause of weight gain, eating too much and moving too little.

Are there any supplements that can help in weight loss?
Yes, there are. It is important that you realize a supplement alone is not the best way to lose weight. To lose weight, one must eat fewer calories than he or she expends. If a supplement helps in weight loss, then it supports appetite control, or expending more energy. Substances that have been shown to support appetite control mechanisms are contained in Apex Resist 1, Transport, and Resist 2. They help the brain receive signals that it is full sooner. This may lead to smaller portion sizes and fewer calories consumed throughout the day.

Substances that increase energy metabolism include Fat Burn 1 and Fat Burn 2. All of the aforementioned formulas have the benefit of not being central nervous system stimulants, so there is no jitteriness or anxiousness associated with their use. For those trying to achieve very low body fat (for competition) or have extreme difficulty controlling appetite, Fat Burn 3 may be appropriate.

Use of this supplement is not recommended for those that are unwilling to adopt sensible eating and exercise habits due to the high probability of weight rebound.
If you suffer adverse effects from stimulants, have high blood pressure, or other medical conditions it is important that you check with your physician before using this product, as complications may arise.

Should everyone attempting to lose fat and/or gain LBM eat a high protein diet?
This is FALSE. Any amount exceeding 25% of total caloric intake would be considered high. There is no advantage to high-protein intake for the majority of fat loss subjects. It's all about calories. There are disadvantages to excess protein intake (see below). High-protein weight-loss diets are generally low-calorie diets in disguise that eventually will not satiate the user. This leads to uncontrollable eating behavior and concurrent weight gain. Initial weight loss from a high-protein diet is predominantly loss of body fluids.

Do high-fat diets assist in weight loss?
Remember, you lose fat when you consume fewer calories than you burn, regardless of whether they are fat, protein or carbohydrate calories. However, diets that contain more than 30 percent fat generally slow metabolism and lead to overeating. A very small portion of the population appears to feel and function better on a higher-fat diet (above 25%) while pursuing weight loss. This is due to bio-individuality and the satiating power of fats for this group. Most people would not benefit from a high-fat diet.

When attempting to lose fat, should you avoid eating fruit, wheat products and/or dairy products?
This is FALSE. When reducing calories for continuous fat loss (i.e., fitness models or bodybuilders striving for very low body fat levels) these foods (except wheat) may be eliminated as competition nears. Fruit and dairy products lack the substance or bulk of complex foods, so they don't contribute to satiety when calories are extremely low. But calories are calories.