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Do Fat Burning Injections Work? What The Science Says

Key Takeaways

  • Fat burning injections are injectable medications that market themselves as able to break down fat cells in the body in order to promote weight loss.
  • These injections raise concerns about both sustainability and safety, as they may have several potential side effects, and there is little scientific evidence surrounding their efficacy.
  • Before taking a fat burning injection, you should consult your healthcare provider about your individualized health needs and your medical history.
  • Alternative weight loss approaches to fat burning injections include healthy eating, exercising, and implementing healthy habits.

Table of Contents

The Effectiveness of Fat Burning Injections

Weight loss is a difficult challenge and a stubborn process for many people, so it can be enticing to explore any solution that makes headlines. Fat burning or fat dissolving injections have recently come into the mainstream as a potential answer to one’s weight loss struggles.

However, these solutions are surrounded by so much excitement that they may sound too good to be true, and unfortunately, this is because they often are. These treatments may be effective in some cases, but that doesn’t mean they come without a cost.

That said, there are several different types of these injections, which can offer different benefits and risks. Before you consider fat-burning injections, it’s important to do your research and have all the facts, which we’ll break down here.

What Are Fat Burning Injections?

Fat burning injections are injectable medications that are marketed to help break down fat cells in the body in order to promote weight loss. The process, also known as injection lipolysis, is often used to target certain areas of the body to dissolve body fat. Common areas where injections claim to reduce fat deposits include the chin, back, thighs, upper arms, and stomach.

Some types of fat burning injections include:

  • Lipotropic – Lipotropic injections are those injected directly into a target area and commonly contain ingredients such as vitamin B12, other B vitamins, branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), and more.
  • L-Carnitine Injections – L-Carnitine is an amino acid that is said to enhance the body’s ability to mobilize and burn fat as well as improve energy metabolism.
  • HCG Injections – Known as human chorionic gonadotropin, HCG is a hormone that some claim will decrease hunger when paired with a diet that includes a higher protein intake and a restriction of carbohydrates.
  • PCDC Injections – These injections include ingredients like phosphatidylcholine (PPC) and sodium deoxycholate (DC) and are injected directly into target fat deposits to break down and metabolize the fat cells.

These injections work using different mechanisms that can include boosting metabolism, promoting improved energy levels, and breaking down fat cells. The above injections to burn fat are distinct from other popular injectable medications like Ozempic or Wegovy, which don’t burn fat but instead are focused on suppressing appetite so you eat fewer calories and lose weight.

The Science Behind Fat Burning Injections

What you hear from your local med spa about fat burning injections and what you hear from scientific studies may often be two different things. The science has shown mixed results depending on the type of injection, with some ingredients being more controversial than others.

L-Carnitine

Some research has shown that L-carnitine can offer benefits for cardiovascular health for people with a heart condition, but there is little scientific evidence to support expansive benefits for weight loss. However, some studies show that L-carnitine may boost energy levels, which may have resulting effects on metabolic health and weight loss.

HCG Injections

Meanwhile, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has expressed that HCG injections have not been demonstrated to be effective therapy in treating obesity and there is no substantial evidence that HCG increases weight loss. The FDA emphasizes that there are no FDA-approved HCG products for weight loss.

PC-DC Injections

The only FDA-approved fat-dissolving injection is the prescription medication Kybella, also known as deoxycholic acid, to be used for reducing fat under the chin. This approval means that the FDA has evaluated the medication for quality, safety, and effectiveness. Studies have also shown that PC-DC injections can reduce fat volume and thickness in localized areas.

Results surrounding weight loss injections are inconclusive, with limited science to support fat burning injections and their efficacy. People who lose weight while taking injections often owe their weight loss more to other factors, such as a change in diet or increase in exercise.

Given the lack of a formidable answer to the effectiveness of injections, individuals should think twice before jumping on fat-dissolving injections as the solution to weight loss.

Potential Risks and Side Effects

Not only are fat-burning injections questionable in their efficacy, but they also come with many potential risks and can be outright harmful, depending on the ingredients used. For example, while phentermine may interact negatively with the body, the body can easily process excess amounts of other ingredients, like B vitamins.

It’s also crucial to note that many fat burning injections are not FDA-approved and can come with adverse reactions to the ingredients because of the lack of oversight or regulation of certain products on the market.

Because of the nature of the administration of injectables, there are not only risks associated with the ingredients but also with unskilled providers using improper injection techniques. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has noted adverse reactions, including scarring, redness, swelling, and skin infections.

Additional risks and side effects of fat burning injections include:

  • Anxiety
  • Fatigue
  • Increased heart rate
  • Insomnia
  • Numbness in feet and hands

These injections may also affect your diet and food intake, as many injection providers coincide with a low-calorie diet—this can have other side effects that can include nausea, light-headedness, constipation, and diarrhea.

The number of potential risks and side effects will depend most on the individual, their medical history, and the type of fat-dissolving injections they use. With this in mind, it’s crucial that individuals considering these injections consult their doctor before seeking a provider of fat-burning injections.

Medication-Free Weight Loss

Our customized weight loss programs at re:vitalize don’t offer medications and instead focus on giving you the tools to lose weight naturally, boosting your metabolic age for long-term success and confidence.

What To Consider Before Trying Fat Burning Injections

With the potential risks and question marks surrounding fat burning injections, there is a lot to consider before committing to this approach as your answer to weight loss. All together, it’s important to do your research about the effectiveness and safety of these injectables.

You should consider some of the following factors before you try fat-burning injections:

  • Consulting with your healthcare provider – Your healthcare provider can offer personalized guidance on whether fat burning injections are a safe option for you and whether they may offer risks based on your unique medical history.
  • Cost vs. benefit – Even if some injections can offer benefits for weight loss, it’s important to weigh these benefits against the potential costs of these medications, which can range from a few hundred dollars to over $1,000 per shot, compared to other approaches.
  • Long-term sustainability – Although some fat-burning injections may be helpful in the short term, if you have lifestyle habits that may promote weight gain, you are likely to gain weight back after completing your regimen.

It’s crucial not to fall for fat-burning medications as an immediate solution to weight loss. Although these medications may sound like a great answer, the scientific evidence supporting them is still shaky. You should always do your own research in conjunction with your healthcare provider in order to determine whether you are better off seeking another approach.

Alternatives To Fat Burning Injections

Although fat-burning injections may be convenient, they are far from the safest or most effective long-term approach. Between the potential side effects and the concerns regarding sustainability, most people are better off seeking safer, more effective alternatives.

  • Eating healthy – Eating nutritious whole foods can help provide your body with the nutrients you need to satisfy your appetite and avoid eating junk foods.
  • Exercise – Frequent exercise will promote the body’s use of calories to encourage fat burning that can lead to weight loss.
  • Healthy lifestyle factors – Incorporating other healthy habits, like stress management, regular hydration, and a consistent sleep schedule, can promote metabolic health that fosters lasting weight loss.

The benefit of fat burning injections is their convenience and simplicity over developing healthy lifestyle habits. However, they are also a questionable quick fix that is unlikely to provide the lasting weight loss you are hoping for.

Many people turn to injectables because they are “easier”, but having the right support in developing healthy habits can make all the difference in solving your weight loss struggles once and for all. Our team of expert weight loss coaches and board-certified nutritionists can help provide the support and accountability necessary to make weight loss achievable.

Lose Weight Naturally Through a Holistic Approach

Fat burning injections are a popular approach to weight loss, as they can offer a quick fix for people who find that their weight loss is more stubborn. At re:vitalize weight loss & wellness, we don’t fault you for wanting to find the best approach to weight loss—however, fat dissolving injections are rarely the answer.

At re:vitalize, we take a more in-depth approach that focuses on losing your weight once and for all so you can enjoy long-term success. Our holistic programs start from a foundation of eating nutritious whole foods and fueling your body with a combination of nutrients, encouraging healthy habit formation that drives lasting weight loss. From there, our expert weight loss coaches and board-certified nutritionists provide accountability through daily text messages and weekly check-ins so you can achieve lasting results. 

Our Weight Loss & Metabolic Reset programs and Flexible Weight Loss programs provide options for a variety of lifestyles to help our members meet their weight loss goals. 

Schedule a virtual or in-person 1:1 consultation with our team to learn more about how we can work to help you achieve your weight loss goals once and for all.

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Dan Lemoine

Meet the Author Dan LeMoine

Dan is passionate about helping others get healthy and reclaim their best lives. In addition to serving as re:vitalize’s CEO, Dan is a certified holistic nutritionist, with board certifications from both The American Association of Drugless Practitioners and the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board. He and Dr. Abood co-authored their book, Fear No Food, which became an Amazon #1 Best Seller and #1 New Release. Dan’s thought leadership on weight loss, nutrition, and metabolic health has been featured in various outlets like Fox News, Delish.com, 247Health, Prevention, MSN, and Sports Illustrated. Originally from Ohio, Dan and his wife Danae (also a nutritionist and co-founder of re:vitalize) moved to Phoenix in 2017 to open re:vitalize’s Arizona locations.
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