Higenamine for Fat Loss

Beta adrenergic receptor agonist higenamine may facilitate fat reduction. 

Higenamine is a chemical compound naturally occurring in various plants. Its supplemental use is believed to facilitate fat loss by:

• Activating β adrenergic receptors. Higenamine, similar to other fat burners, may support fat loss by stimulating β adrenergic receptors.

Overview

Also known as norcoclaurine HCl, higenamine is a compound found in a series of plants long used in traditional herbal medicine to improve health and well-being:

• Nandina domestica
• Aconitum carmichaelii
• Nelumbo nucifera
• Galium divaricatum
• Aconitum japonicum

The development of synthetic higenamine ingredients has sparked a massive surge in interest regarding its use as a natural stimulant to give athletes an edge on their competition as well as to improve focus in work environments. As a β adrenergic receptor agonist, higenamine is purported to trigger a number of physiological effects, including increasing heart rate, reducing asthma, triggering the release of hormones, supporting fat loss, and enhancing muscle growth.^{1 2}

Although research concerning its fat burning ability is still in its early stages, the similarity between the underlying function of higenamine and the fat burners ephedra and synephrine is a promising launching pad for clinical investigation.

How Higenamine Might Help With Fat Loss

Activating β adrenergic receptors

β adrenergic receptors play a major role in the breakdown of fats via a process known as lipolysis.³ As a β adrenergic receptor agonist, higenamine is said to promote fat loss and, ultimately, increase metabolism and energy expenditure.⁴

Higenamine Reputation & Benefits for Fat Loss

Higenamine may promote various fat loss benefits, including fat mass reduction via lipolysis and thermogenesis, but research is still in its infancy. Its potential to burn fat by activating β adrenergic receptors rests, for the most part, on its striking similarity to other fat loss stimulants, such as ephedrine, hordenine, and synephrine. Other β adrenergic receptor agonists have been reported to help lose weight and support thermogenesis as well as serve as anti-obesity agents.^{5 6} As such, it is often used as a diet tool to help people trim inches off their waistline.

A notable complicating factor in higenamine supplementation is its ban by the WADA for a large number of sporting events. This effectively steers away a large percentage of its potential clientele (competitive athletes) and subsequently detracts from research funding.

Research

Animal Research

Animal studies have not necessarily demonstrated the capacity of higenamine to burn fat or trigger fat loss in isolation, but research labs have suggested that higenamine activates β adrenergic receptors in various areas of the body, including:

• The trachea of rats⁸
• The heart of mice⁹
• The colon of pigs¹⁰

Human Research

The use of higenamine by humans in supplements and nutrition has been determined to be safe with few adverse side effects, but clinical studies have yet to investigate the isolated impact of higenamine as a fat burning supplement.¹¹

Dosage for Fat Loss

• Ideal higenamine dosage based on clinical research has not been established.
• Typical higenamine supplement products come in 20 – 30 mg servings to be taken 2 – 3 times per day.

Available Forms

• Leaf or root extract in capsule, tablet, or powder form