So when Dr. Oz did a segment Monday about dietary supplement raspberry ketone, it left us wanting to know more about what it is, what it does — and whether it’s safe. On the show, Dr. Oz touted over-the-counter raspberry ketone supplements as a “miracle fat-burner in a bottle.” More specifically, ketone supplements are concentrated doses of the chemical in raspberries that causes their distinct aroma. The substance has been approved by the FDA as “generally safe” since 1965, but ketones are experiencing a surge in popularity thanks to several recent studies analyzing their ability to burn stored fat. Research in both mice and humans have confirmed the all-natural supplement’s fat-burning powers, though many experts regard the data as preliminary, and suggest that people who want to lose weight should stick to good ole diet and exercise. On Dr. Oz, weight-loss expert Lisa Lynn explained how the product has helped many of her clients break through weight-loss plateaus when used in conjunction with a healthy diet and daily exercise. She recommends taking 100 or 200 mg supplements of ketone with breakfast and lunch daily, which she says is the chemical equivalent of about 90 pounds of fresh raspberries. “[With ketone] your body metabolically will go in the direction you want it to go in,” Dr. Oz said on the show. “I’m hoping this will get you over the hump to weight loss, and you use it for that purpose, not as a miracle pill.” Still, not everyone is as on-board with raspberry ketone as Dr. Oz. Diets in Review pharmacist Dr. Sarah G. Kahn says ketones work by regulating the body’s release of norepinephrine, which causes a body-temperature spike and increase in metabolism. However, she cautions, it might not be safe for people with certain health conditions. “I would not recommend this product to diabetics without speaking to their doctor because of the risk of blood sugar fluctuations,” she says. “People who have heart issues or high blood pressure would also not be good candidates for raspberry ketones because norepinephrine can have effects on blood pressure and heart rate. This may also have an effect on people who have COPD or asthma conditions and may make their conditions worse.” For more fitness, diet, and weight loss news, follow @weightloss on Twitter from the editors of @EverydayHealth. Photo credit: Getty Images
