To combat the slowdown in metabolism associated with weight loss and promote continued weight loss, or help to maintain achieved weight loss, there is growing interest in finding ways to increase thermogenesis.

As the name implies, thermogenesis is the process of generating heat (or “thermo”). Body heat is produced by burning body fat in the mitochondria (energy factories) in your cells. The heat energy given off by this metabolic process is essential to help maintain body temperature. Speeding up a relatively sluggish metabolism by consuming additional thermogenic micronutrients and phytonutrients that help optimize metabolism can be a key way to combat body weight that creeps back after weight loss. The table below lists several key factors that may help support thermogenesis and healthy metabolic function.
 
Clinical trials have supported an increase of energy expenditure of about 4%-5% following the consumption of caffeine, green tea catechins, and capsaicin. Other ingredients mentioned in the table above have been reported to be of potential benefit in increasing energy expenditure or promoting more optimal metabolism in weight maintenance, but do not have strong support as of yet from clinical trials, but may be beneficial.
 
While any of these ingredients can be incorporated into a custom nutrient premix, blending them is a science involving the consideration of many factors such as interactions, bioavailability, potency, quality and shelf-life. Partnering with an experienced food technologist adept at creating custom nutrient premixes can alleviate many formulation challenges.
 
Dietary Ingredients Suggested to Promote Optimal Metabolism and Thermogenesis