# Lose kilos of belly fat with this one simple technique **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [September 5, 2012, 11:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806 "2012-09-05T23:15:16Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![simster](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/simster/32/1047_2.png) [@simster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/simster)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 12:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/41 "2012-09-11T12:51:43Z")
> [@Smeghead](#): > > There was a disappeared spammer thread in GD the other day claiming that the secret to weight loss was to take supplements crammed full of free radicals. That was just so wrong I had to write up a few paragraphs explaining just HOW wrong it was, even though I knew the thread was about to vanish. For the masses here - can you re-post that to this thread? which product was the spam for? ---
**Author:** ![smithsb](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/smithsb/32/12107_2.png) [@smithsb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/smithsb)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 1:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/42 "2012-09-11T13:36:39Z")
**If you act right now, we’ll send you two, that’s right, two secrets for the same low price!!!** Just pay separate shipping and handling charges and be sure to include your home phone number and all email accounts (strictly for follow-up quality control purposes). ---
**Author:** ![Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/son_of_a_rich/32/5439_2.png) [@Son\_of\_a\_Rich](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Son_of_a_Rich)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/43 "2012-09-11T13:39:51Z")
Two coworkers were discussing weight lose one day. I said, “I know how you can lose 20 lbs. of ugly fat instantly”. One of them bit. I said, “Cut your head off”. But seriously, the kind of ads the OP mentioned are always on Yahoo mail, accompanied by the most amateur gifs I’ve ever seen- pictures that have absolutely nothing to do with whatever they’re trying to sell. ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 4:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/44 "2012-09-11T16:18:47Z")
> [@Learjeff](#): > > My understanding that there’s currently no way to focus where fat is removed. > > That is, you can get lean by eating less and/or exercising more, but where the fat comes off is based on how your own body works. Situps don’t remove more fat from your abs; leg exercises don’t remove more fat from your thighs, and pushups won’t – well, you get the idea. Likewise, one diet won’t make your butt leaner, another your belly. > > Maybe someday when we understand the control systems better we’ll be able to target fat removal, similar to the way the body seems to target areas when it adds or removes fat (usually the wrong places, according to my female friends). But we’re a long way from that. > > If I’m wrong, please fight ignorance. I’m unarmed, so it shouldn’t be hard. You’re not wrong. The only way to lose fat in a particular area of the body is surgical removal. If you want to lose belly fat some other way, you’re going to have to lose fat everywhere, meaning more exercise and less nomming. ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2012, 4:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/45 "2012-09-11T16:32:24Z")
> [@simster](#): > > For the masses here - can you re-post that to this thread? which product was the spam for? Some drink or something that claimed to be full of free radicals, aka atoms and molecules that have an unpaired electron and are highly reactive because of it. They are a major cause of cellular aging and the general breakdown of the body because they essentially rip electrons out of perfectly fine working atoms which then become radicals which rip out more electrons creating more radicals and so on. Oxygen is particularly known for this behavior and it’s why we’re always being told to eat and drink things high in anti-oxidants because anti-oxidants get rid of oxygen free radicals. As I recall, the funny bit of the spam was the description of the radicals in the spam as being stable which is a bit like describing a fire as chilly. ---
**Author:** ![lennyjohnes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@lennyjohnes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lennyjohnes)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 5:00am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/46 "2012-09-16T05:00:56Z")
> [@glaeken](#): > > I have seen a few things that claim what the OP was asking. The latest miracle is apparently raspberry ketone. I am sure I remember something else a few years back that was unleashing the miracle power of mango’s though. > > As far as I am aware these things claim to thoroughly clean out the bowel and reduce swelling of the belly and so give amazing results quickly. They seem to centre around the idea that the bowel never fully clears out properly and so if you could ever get it to do this you could lose inches off your belly very quickly. > > As for the spammer technique on this sort of thing for forums I see them post what looks like an innocent question and then they let the conversation develop a little at which point they register another account and then post their link in the thread. I think the thinking is by letting the thread develop a little they are getting a few fish on their hook for when they post their actual spam link. > > As for the validity of the claims it’s telling I think that almost the exact same claims are made for some amazing natural product and then a year later the natural product becomes something else but the claims remain unchanged. Nice one Glaeken. I’d say you’ve covered it more or less. Inflammation as well as clogging up of systems particularly in your later years are more responsible for an increase in belly fat than anything else. It’s true that activity slows down as you grow older, so this also plays a role, but you can achieve significant results from something as simple as a liver cleanse. Remember, organs such as the liver also produce bile which is responsible for breaking down fat, so if it’s not functioning effectively then you’re bound to start accumulating fat. I should stress, however, that this doesn’t apply to the lazy people who simply slouch and gorge on fast food, they need proper exercise and nutrition. Basically, you need to understand your body metabolic type i.e whether you are a protein type, carbohydrate type or in between and simply tailor for feeding habits to your type. It’s not all about the amount of calories, but instead more on the type of calories. In other words, 1000 calories from carbohydrates and 1000 calories from protein will have different effects on fat storage, weight loss (lean muscle and fat) on different individuals depending on their protein type. Now I will close of with one of those ‘tips’. If you want to lose belly fat, try turning you tap on ‘cold’ for about 30 seconds when having a shower. Let the water hit the large surface areas such as the back, shoulders and chest. This cold shower will activate your brown fat, which is responsible for generating body heat. This burns up a fair amount of fat and plays a part in reducing your belly fat. ---
**Author:** ![eschereal](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/eschereal/32/18939_2.png) [@eschereal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/eschereal)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 5:27am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/47 "2012-09-16T05:27:10Z")
Well, geez, that last post just exemplifies the spam profile described earlier, no? ---
**Author:** ![Neidhart](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/bbe5ce/32.png) [@Neidhart](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Neidhart)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 12:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/48 "2012-09-16T12:42:13Z")
Local woman is 95 but looks 13! She’s a vampire! ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 2:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/49 "2012-09-16T14:24:11Z")
> [@For You](#): > > Well, geez, that last post just exemplifies the spam profile described earlier, no? Yup, but when do we get the link? ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 3:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/50 "2012-09-16T15:22:48Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > As I recall, the funny bit of the spam was the description of the radicals in the spam as being stable which is a bit like describing a fire as chilly. Now wait a minute here. Not all free radicals are created equal. In fact, anti-oxidants work explicitly because the free radicals they form are stable. I suspect it’s also why vitamin E was shown to increase cancer in smokers. Free radicals are, after all, still reactive, and excessive anti-oxidants could lead to an increase in free radicals. ---
**Author:** ![Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/do_not_taunt/32/2968_2.png) [@Do\_Not\_Taunt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Do_Not_Taunt)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 3:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/51 "2012-09-16T15:47:58Z")
> [@kaylasdad99](#): > > Yeah, the ones you find around these days are literally _skeletons_! [Not just today!](http://www.theonion.com/articles/archaeological-dig-uncovers-ancient-race-of-skelet,932/) ---
**Author:** ![audiobottle](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/bc8723/32.png) [@audiobottle](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/audiobottle)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 5:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/52 "2012-09-16T17:35:57Z")
> [@singular1](#): > > I was horrified recently when my surgeon (hip replacement) recommended a diet that involved injections from the urine of pregnant women and a 500 calorie a day diet. Man, he’s a great surgeon, but wow! did this lower him in my eyes! I wonder if this is what the ad is about, since that diet is all about belly fat (per insane surgeon): Ah, yes, that was the beta-hCG diet. Supposedly, beta-hCG will take away your hunger so you can tolerate what is essentially a starvation diet. It’s sort of a fad at some of the more woo-ey clinics, and some people have experienced great results. I have no idea what happens when you stop this, because it’s certainly not a permanent solution. ---
**Author:** ![lennyjohnes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ce73a5/32.png) [@lennyjohnes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lennyjohnes)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 5:37pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/53 "2012-09-16T17:37:02Z")
> [@For You](#): > > Well, geez, that last post just exemplifies the spam profile described earlier, no? C’mon now. Did you see any links or any references? A question was asked an an answer given. All I did was add to that and help (or at least that’s what I thought I was doing). Would you rather nothing was said? If that’s the case, I’m happy to silently read through the forum and not make any comments … ---
**Author:** ![Inner\_Stickler](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/inner_stickler/32/318_2.png) [@Inner\_Stickler](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Inner_Stickler)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/54 "2012-09-16T17:43:20Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > Now wait a minute here. Not all free radicals are created equal. In fact, anti-oxidants work explicitly because the free radicals they form are stable. I suspect it’s also why vitamin E was shown to increase cancer in smokers. Free radicals are, after all, still reactive, and excessive anti-oxidants could lead to an increase in free radicals. Perhaps I misremembered or lost something but that was my recollection of Smeghead’s post. I’m no chemist. I never could get my head around electron shells. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 8:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/55 "2012-09-16T20:21:34Z")
As far as I know, deliberately injesting free radicals is moronic. I was just pointing out that there is some chemical logic to it. The only way to truly quench an unpaired electron, is with another unpaired electron. ---
**Author:** ![Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b38774/32.png) [@Attack\_from\_the\_3rd\_dimension](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Attack_from_the_3rd_dimension)\ **Post date:** [September 16, 2012, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/56 "2012-09-16T21:42:57Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > Ah, yes, that was the beta-hCG diet. Supposedly, beta-hCG will take away your hunger so you can tolerate what is essentially a starvation diet. It’s sort of a fad at some of the more woo-ey clinics, and some people have experienced great results. I have no idea what happens when you stop this, because it’s certainly not a permanent solution. Your pregnancy test suddenly becomes negative again? ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 2:55am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/57 "2012-09-17T02:55:29Z")
> [@Inner\_Stickler](#): > > They are a major cause of cellular aging and the general breakdown of the body because they essentially rip electrons out of perfectly fine working atoms which then become radicals which rip out more electrons creating more radicals and so on. Oxygen is particularly known for this behavior and it’s why we’re always being told to eat and drink things high in anti-oxidants because anti-oxidants get rid of oxygen free radicals. Is this possible? I’ve never heard of free radicals creating more free radicals. ---
**Author:** ![WarmNPrickly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/d78d45/32.png) [@WarmNPrickly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WarmNPrickly)\ **Post date:** [September 17, 2012, 9:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/58 "2012-09-17T09:52:18Z")
A free radical is an unpaired electron. The only way to destroy an unpaired electron is with another unpaired electron, so yes, free radicals will go in making more free radicals until they pair up. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/74df32/32.png) [@The\_Devil\_s\_Grandmother](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Devil_s_Grandmother)\ **Post date:** [September 18, 2012, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/59 "2012-09-18T20:29:22Z")
> [@audiobottle](#): > > Ah, yes, that was the beta-hCG diet. Supposedly, beta-hCG will take away your hunger so you can tolerate what is essentially a starvation diet. It’s sort of a fad at some of the more woo-ey clinics, and some people have experienced great results. I have no idea what happens when you stop this, because it’s certainly not a permanent solution. In my experience, if you successfully add a lot of vegtables to your normal diet and take a walk everyday, you get to live the life of a thin person. I lost 30 pounds, and hope to lose another 20. ---
**Author:** ![AaronX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/7bcc69/32.png) [@AaronX](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AaronX)\ **Post date:** [September 19, 2012, 5:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806/60 "2012-09-19T05:35:07Z")
> [@WarmNPrickly](#): > > A free radical is an unpaired electron. The only way to destroy an unpaired electron is with another unpaired electron, so yes, free radicals will go in making more free radicals until they pair up. Your first part just says free radical + free radical = 0 free radicals. They annihilate each other. How is it possible to have unpaired + paired = 2 unpaired? It’s like saying odd number + even number = 2 odd numbers. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/lose-kilos-of-belly-fat-with-this-one-simple-technique/633806.md?page=4)