Raspberry ketone is the aromatic chemical that gives the fruit its familiar flavor and smell. This phenolic compound also occurs in blackberries and cranberries, and has claims to regulate the hormone, adiponectin, thus increasing fat metabolism within the body. The actual amounts in the fruits are tiny, about 1 to 4 milligrams in every kilogram of berries.
Raspberry Ketone and Its Qualities
Recent claims that raspberry ketone can help with weight loss have resulted in a proliferation of products containing the compound on the market. These products contain heightened levels of the chemical, either natural ketone that has been extracted from the fruit or synthetic, manufactured ketone.
The price of the product is in accordance with its assumed quality, and the consumer should check the provenance of what he is buying. The majority of these products are pills and capsules, but there are also teas and infusions available. As with all food supplements, manufacturers may make additional claims for each product, for example, "appetite suppressant".
Typical Ketone Supplements and Variations
Controversy exists over how much ketone is adequate in the diet. There are many sizes of pill available, but a "typical" supplement is a 400-milligram pill, taken twice a day. This provides the dieter with 800 milligrams of ketone, many hundreds of times above what he or she could take in by simply eating fruit.
Rasperry ketone pills often contain other extracts, like acai berry, kelp and cider vinegar. Such products are usually free of animal ingredients, thus making them suitable for vegetarians. Raspberry ketone powder, typically sold in packs of 200 grams, can be consumed in fruit juice, in water or sprinkled on food.
The advantage of this supplement is that it is "pure" and does not contain the fillers or binders that pills often do. The dieter can regulate his or her daily intake of the product, with the manufacturer supplying a measured scoop for this purpose, for example, 100 milligrams. There are also raspberry ketone drops available.
Raspberry Ketones to Cleanse and Detoxify
A number of ketone products are combined with other compounds to create food supplements with enhanced weight-reducing properties. One example is the combination of raspberry ketone with green coffee bean extract, resulting in pills that have the effects of both compounds. The bean extract contains chlorogenic acid, a chemical that inhibits the absorption of fat in the body. In combination with ketone, this creates a powerful slimming product.
Raspberry ketone tea is a refreshing infusion, typically drunk twice a day. The product combines ketone with extracts like acai berry and green tea, products with antioxidant properties. This means that they work in the bloodstream to neutralise harmful free radical chemicals. There are ketone supplement pills that work in combination with colon-cleansing products to detoxify the body at the same time as promoting weight reduction.
Overall, raspberry ketones are most effective when taken as part of a healthy diet. The consumer should check the origin of whatever product that he or she is purchasing, and not be misled by spurious claims.