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Rasperry Ketone Miracle or Myth?
A dietary supplement containing compounds from red raspberries has been flying off the shelves in stores since it was featured on a daily TV talk show. It was touted as "The No. 1 Miracle in a Bottle".
Raspberry ketone is the natural primary aroma compound of red raspberries. It's used in perfumes, cosmetics and as a food additive. It's also one of the most expensive natural flavor compounds produced for the food industry. As a result, raspberry ketone rarely comes from raspberries and is instead artificially synthesized.
Raspberry ketone regulates adiponectin, a protein used by the body to regulate metabolism. It reportedly causes the fat within your cells to get broken up more effectively, helping your body burn fat faster. The recommended dose is 100 mg per day. To get the same benefit from the whole fruit, you'd have to eat about 90 pounds of raspberries
Given to mice in very high doses raspberry ketone has been shown to prevent high-fat-diet-induced elevations in body weight. Although products containing this compound are marketed for weight loss, there is yet no clinical evidence for this effect in humans.
Physicians and nutritionists critical of the supplement worry that patients are looking for a miracle rather than looking at what they're eating and how much they exercise. Before taking any supplement, check with your doctor.