Metabolism plays a crucial role in how our bodies convert food into energy, impacting everything from weight management to overall health. While certain supplements can help boost metabolism and support energy production, taking them in excessively high doses can have the opposite effect. Overloading your system with certain nutrients may disrupt hormonal balance, strain metabolic processes, and even slow down calorie burning.
We checked in with Dr. Matthew Casavant and Dr. Jeoff Drobot to discover two supplements you should avoid if you want to minimize damage to your metabolism. According to them, creatine supplements in high doses and high doses of stimulants such as ephedrine are the ones to steer clear of. Read on to learn more.
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1. Creatine supplements in high doses
Creatine supplements are popular among athletes and bodybuilders for enhancing muscle performance and strength. However, taking creatine in high doses can potentially hurt your metabolism and overall health for several reasons.
"Creatine supplements in high doses can damage the kidneys by causing dehydration and impaired kidney function. Damaging the kidneys inhibits their ability to filter waste and break down proteins, fats, and carbohydrates in the diet," he notes.
To minimize these risks, it is important to follow recommended dosage guidelines and consult with a healthcare professional before starting creatine supplementation, especially if you have any pre-existing health conditions or concerns.
2. High doses of stimulants such as ephedrine
While ephedrine is known to temporarily boost metabolism and increase fat burning, excessive use can lead to serious side effects. Overstimulation from ephedrine can elevate cortisol, the stress hormone, which can actually slow metabolism over time and lead to fat storage, especially in the abdominal area. While ephedrine may provide a short-term metabolic boost, excessive use can backfire, leading to long-term metabolic damage and health risks.
"High doses of stimulants like ephedrine can also overstimulate the body and cause a high heart rate, anxiety, and even heart attacks in some cases," Dr. Drobot says.
