Update 9/14/19. What are raspberry ketones and do they work? Well, if you watch the Dr. Oz Show, you may have heard Dr. Oz call raspberry ketones “The #1 miracle in a bottle to burn your fat.” Since he made that bold statement, I've heard that raspberry ketone supplements are sold so fast that vitamin stores can't keep them on the shelves! So, what I'd like to do is review the raspberry ketone research — minus the hype that you have already heard about. Only in this way can you make an informed decision about whether raspberry ketone is right for you. Other names for this supplement include red raspberry ketone, and European red raspberry, as well as the more scientific names Rubus idaeus, Rubus strigosus and Framboise Rouge. I'm telling you these other names because if you just searched for “raspberry ketone” you may not find all of the information available. For this review, I'm pretty much going to stick to just calling it raspberry ketone.
What Are Raspberry Ketones?
Red raspberry ketones are one of many compounds in raspberries and are what gives raspberries their unique smell. Like all things that come from fruits and vegetables, raspberries contain a lot of substances that are healthy —including anthocyanins, vitamin C and beta carotene. As such, raspberry ketones are also antioxidants.
Raspberry ketones also “look” similar to synephrine and capsicum — two ingredients that have been used in many weight loss supplements over the years such as the fat burner promoted by Jillian Michaels. This similarity is likely why scientists considered raspberry ketones as a weight loss agent itself.
Weight loss supplements that contain raspberry ketones include QuickTrim — the Kim Kardashian supplement —and Apidexin. See my reviews on those products for more information.
Ketone trivia. The name ketone is a chemistry term. That's not important. I just thought people might like to know where the word came from. On some websites they spell ketone as “keytone” but this is an incorrect spelling of the word. Again, not important.
Tip. Keep in mind as you read this review that raspberry ketones are not the same thing as ketones that are made when people go on low-carb diets or in people who are diabetic. Those ketones are not the same as raspberry ketones.
Raspberry Ketones And Weight Loss
When Dr. Oz asked his fitness expert, Lisa Lynn (more about her below) on TV, how she found out about the weight loss properties of raspberry ketones, Lisa said “Research research research.” So, I looked up the research on raspberry ketones and this is what I discovered.
In a study published in 2005, titled the Anti Obesity Action of Raspberry Ketone, the supplement was given to mice that were fed a high-fat diet for several weeks. Mice were split into different groups, each getting the same calories but getting different amounts of raspberry ketones (either 0.5%, 1% or 2%).
The diets were about 40% fat in each group. Researchers noted that raspberry ketones — that made up between 1% and 2% of total calories — caused a reduction in body weight and fat buildup in the livers of mice after 10 weeks of use, compared to mice that only were fed a high-fat diet.
Norepinephrine (also called noradrenaline ) is a chemical made in the adrenal glands that act as a neurotransmitter and does many things, one of which includes helping to burn fat. This study also incubated isolated mouse fat cells in norepinephrine along with raspberry ketones to see what would happen.
The researchers observed that the combination of raspberry ketones and norepinephrine caused more fat to leave the fat cells than norepinephrine alone.
This is why Dr. Oz said raspberry ketones cause fat cells to shrink.
I'm telling you this because various websites claim that raspberry ketones increase levels of norepinephrine. However, this study did not show that.
Rather, the researches only showed that raspberry ketones appeared to improve the fat-burning ability of norepinephrine.
This is actually a good thing because too much norepinephrine can be bad. For example norepinephrine can raise blood pressure.
Oddly, this study noted that while a 1% intake of raspberry ketones tended to raise triglyceride levels in the mice, eating it at a concentration of 5% of total calories tended to reduce triglycerides.
These researchers also quoted previous studies noting that raspberry ketones raised metabolic rates—in rats. That's interesting, but where's the proof that raspberry ketones raise metabolism in people?
Bottom Line: This was just a mouse study —and a small study at that! Each group only had 6 mice.
Also, if we really want to be technical, all the mice were male. What about female mice? Would raspberry ketones have the same weight loss effects in female mice —or more importantly —women?
In another study, published in 2010, researchers found that red raspberry ketones inhibited weight gain and improved fat burning in mice that were fed a high-fat diet. Researchers also noted that raspberry ketones increase levels of adiponectin, a hormone made in fat cells.
The Wikipedia page on adiponectin goes into more detail, discussing how the hormone does a variety of things including improving the sensitivity of insulin— (good for diabetics).
Dr. Oz said that Adiponectin was the “hormone that tricks the body into thinking it's thin.”When we put on weight, we reduce the ability of the adiponectin hormone to work.”
Sounds good, but red raspberries have only been shown to reduce adiponectin in mice. What about people? Have raspberry ketone supplements been proven to help people lose weight by raising adiponectin levels? Nope. Not yet.
Tip. There is more evidence that exercise raises adiponectin levels than for raspberry ketones —and exercise has been shown to work in people!
One study from 2013 appeared to show that a supplement – containing raspberry ketones – helped weight loss. But there were several ingredients in that supplement. Also, of the 70 people who originally signed up, only 45 people made it to the end. That's a big drop amount.
There is a study published in 2017 that noted, that raspberry ketones might reduce food intake in mice who were fed a high-fat diet. Again, this is a mouse study.
So, what's the evidence for raspberry ketones and weight loss? It looks like some mouse studies. What about people?
Are Raspberry Ketones Better With Capsaicin?
Capsaicin is found in chili peppers and synephrine is an extract from oranges. Both have been used in weight loss products in the past. Because raspberry ketones “look” like both capsicum and synephrine, I predict that you will see weight loss products that have all three of these ingredients.
But, would they all work better together? I don't know because there is no proof either way. Because of that, I recommend you save your money on weight loss pills that combine (“stack”) capsaicin, synephrine, and raspberry ketones.
Synephrine, in particular, is not without problems. It can raise heart rate and blood pressure which can make it dangerous for a lot of people.
Who Is Lisa Lynn?
Dr. Oz called Lisa Lynn a “fitness expert” on his TV show when he did a segment on this supplement— but who is she? I checked into her background and found her website (LynFit.com) that notes that Lisa Lynn was the personal trainer of Martha Stewart.
Her website does indicate that Lisa holds multiple personal training certifications.
All this is fine but on her website, we see Lisa Lynn also has her own line of supplements (called “Lyn Fit”) She even has a 
raspberry ketone supplement on her website.
In a previous segment of the Dr. Oz show, Lisa Lynn also extolled the virtues of the metabolism booster/weight loss supplement, Coleus Forskohlii. Lisa has this supplement on her website also.
See the review on Coleus Forskohlii for more information.
Look, I'm sure she's a nice person and a great personal trainer —and I am all for capitalism – but where is all the raspberry ketone research? As far as I see, it's just some mouse studies.
How Much Raspberry Ketones Do You Need?
If raspberry ketones help people lose weight, how much works? Nobody knows because there are no human studies of raspberry ketones and weight loss. If we believe the mouse studies (which I don't), it appears that a concentration of 1% of total calorie intake might help weight loss. If that is correct, then the number of raspberry ketones needed would be different for different calorie intakes.
For example, a person who consumes 1800 calories per day would need less than a person who eats 2000 calories per day.
When asked “how much works” on the Dr. Oz Show, Lisa Lynn said to take 100 mg at breakfast— and if that didn't help, to go to 200 mg. Where did she get these numbers from? She doesn't tell us.
I guessing that this might be the human dose, extrapolated from what researchers gave the lab mice? But, I see no good proof that 100-200 mg of raspberry ketones per day helps people lose weight. It might—but I just don't know.
In this toxicology report on raspberry ketones, the authors mention a dosage of 100-1400 mg per day is often mentioned on the internet. That is a pretty big range, which again, says to me, nobody has any idea.
Raspberry Ketones And Appetite
Various websites make the claim that supplements can reduce appetite. But I see no proof of this. Even the mouse studies, do not state that raspberry ketone supplements suppress appetite.
Anti-Aging Effects Of Raspberry Ketones
Can raspberry ketone supplements slow down the aging process? Do they reduce wrinkles? Well, red raspberry ketones do have some antioxidant effects but it's a long shot to go from that to say that they are “anti-aging.”
Raspberry ketones may be found in some cosmetics because they seem to have a skin whitening effect —at least in skins of mice. That's fine, but I recommend you save your money on raspberry ketone anti-aging supplements. They are not an “anti-aging superfood.”
For those who really want a “superfood,” eat raspberries! Here's why: antioxidants work best in small amounts and when they are eaten in combination with the other ingredients in food. Because of this fact, raspberries are better than raspberry ketone supplements when it comes to being healthy.
Raspberry Ketone Side Effects
In healthy people, raspberry ketones are probably safe. That said, those who are not healthy or take medications should speak to their doctor/pharmacist first. Here are a few things to consider when taking this supplement. This list is not complete.
- Start with less than recommended for the first week
- Pregnant or nursing women should also speak to their doctor
- Stop taking the product at least 2 weeks before having surgery
There are only trace amounts of raspberry ketones in raspberries so they are no the same thing as supplements. This toxicology report states that there is only 4.3 mg per 2.2 pounds of raspberries. Just because raspberries are safe does not mean concentrated supplements of raspberry ketones are also safe.
One of the mouse studies summarized above noted that raspberry ketones raised triglyceride levels. Does this mean they also raise triglycerides and cholesterol levels in people?
Since raspberry ketones appear to have some chemical similarity to synephrine, be careful if you have high blood pressure or heart conditions. Synephrine might raise blood pressure and heart rate.
A report from Denmark publishedhas raised some concerns that the supplement may have toxic potential but there is little human evidence for this.
Some have speculated that these supplements may be inappropriate for those with cancers that are sensitive to estrogen levels. This is based on a concern that raspberry ketones may have estrogen-like properties. Cancers that might be affected by this include breast cancer, fibroids of the uterus, endometrium cancer, and uterine cancer.
In the book Herbs of Choice raspberry leaf is said to help with pregnancy issues such as morning sickness and labor pains. The book also notes (p. 140) that raspberry appears to promote contraction of the uterus. That would not be good for pregnant women. Would the same be true for raspberry ketone supplements? I don't know.
Do these supplements raise blood pressure? I do not know, but if the leaf of raspberries cause the muscles of the uterus to contract, what effect would they have on the muscles of the blood vessels? Would they also contract (and raise blood pressure) or would they relax (and decrease blood pressure)? I don't know.
Remember, some raspberry ketone supplements may contain more than just raspberry ketones. Always check the labels to see what other ingredients a supplement may contain.
See What Weight Loss Supplements Work for a list of things I feel have evidence
Do Raspberry Ketones Work?
The research on raspberry ketones for weight loss is in its infancy. As such, I just don't know if this supplement helps people lose weight or not. The majority of research is a lab rat and lab mice research. Raspberry ketones may benefit in mice but what about humans? I'd like to see a real-life study of of 100 people followed for at least 6 months under real-life (not laboratory) conditions to judge its weight loss power.
If you are still thinking about trying raspberry ketones to help you lose weight, I suggest you go to your doctor and get your blood work done first —cholesterol, blood pressure, weight, liver enzymes, the works—and then get it done again in a couple of months to see if anything has changed.
There are a LOT of websites that sell raspberry ketones. If you read the comments here, you'll see how some people talk about how their credit card was charged more than once after they purchased a product. Know who you deal with. Make sure the raspberry ketone websites you deal with have a contact phone number with customer support people who can help you have questions.
If they are going to work, keep in mind that it might take 6 months before raspberry ketones help you lose weight. Oh, and if you watched the Dr. Oz show, you also heard that you still have to exercise and watch what you eat too. So, you have to eat right and exercise as well as take raspberry ketones. That sounds less like “a miracle in a bottle to burn fat” and more like common sense.
Joe,
What is a diet supplement pill that you do reccomend?
Hi Ally I really try not to recommend specific products as I try to be as unbiased as possible. I have written about weight loss products on my personal site, here’s the link http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
My resource page also has a lot of other useful info http://supplementclarity.com/resources/
I have purchased some RK and colon cleanse to try – but I stayed clear of that Channel 4 free trial as something just didn’t seem right with it. Instead I went to Holland and Barrett in the UK, who personally recommended products for me after asking about my lifestyle and diet.
I’m not sure if they will work. I have a strict diet and exercise regime and over the past few months I’ve not been able to loose more than half a pound every two weeks – so for me I’m hoping that the RK and colon cleanse (aloe vera product) will help speed it up a little.
I’ve taken for 3 days now and have seen a definite change in my appetite. I’d like to lose 20lbs in total but have no intention of giving up the diet or exercise! I’ve also started to take some multivitamins as after analyzing my diet I found that as I don’t eat much fish I wasn’t taking on board any vitamin A, hardly any Iron (lack of red meat) and not enough Vitamin C.
I think it’s important to know about your body before you start any sort of diet or taking supplements, it took me a while to decide to try the RK and Aloe Vera but I thought what have I got to lose?
I’m glad I looked into it sensibly and I made sure I bought my products from a store who have a strict manufacturing processes. Who knows what you would get from these websites who claim to offer free trials and then charge you the earth? I bought 180 RK for £25.00 and bought 100 Aloe Vera and 120 multivitamins on a buy one get one half price offer for about £12.12. Don’t be duped by costs of £80+, go and visit your local health store and see what they can give you.
Louise
Louise, thanks for writing. I know how frustrating this can be so do keep in mind that if you are losing a half a pound ever 2 weeks, and its consistent, then that is a victory for you. That’s 2 pounds a month and I call that a good thing 🙂
my weight loss is a mere 1lb a month Joe, a loss I know but a little slow. So far my energy levels have raised and I’ve had no problem getting up early in the morning. Which is a first! I’ve two small children who get up VERY early!! I had a funny turn in the gym on day 3. I think this was due to an the RK increasing temperature? So I’d advise people to be careful if they are doing cardiovascular workouts like I do.
Today I took it a little easier at the gym and felt fine. My week 1 weigh in is on Friday but I’m not sure if starting a healthy eating plan around Easter is a good thing?!
Louise, anytime we start to get healthier is a good thing 🙂
So far, my experiment has helped me to lose a further 2lbs, which I’m really pleased with as by my weight loss past that would have taken me until June to loose!! I had a week off the raspberry ketones to test and no weight loss to report so back on this week. I’m also sticking religiously to 1200 cal on non exercise days and 1500 on exercise days. If I loose another 2lbs this week I will be ecstatic!!
Louise, congratulations. i will point out that 1200 calories is not a lot and a lot less than Id say was healthy for most people. I just want you to be aware of this.
I just ordered a raspberry keytone coffee bean (2 month supply) weight loss supplement this morning because of an ad I heard on the radio. They promise to pay you $5 for every pound you lose, and give you a refund at the end of the program. They also claimed that people experience a 15-20 pound weight loss per month, no exercise necessary and all you have to do is limit yourself to 1800 calories a day.
At the time, I was excited, but now the skepticism has kicked in. I asked the representative I talked to if they had a website, and he gave me “rcgextreme.com”, turns out the website doesn’t exist.
Anyway it seemed like a win-win situation for me,because it would be of no cost to me, in fact profitable on my end, and all Id have to do is give a testimonial.
Well Joe, just thought Id share this with you, I still have time to pull out but after reading most of the comments and your blog im skeptical.
Thank you
Julieanna
Julieanna, I believe I heard the very same radio commercial! Id expect most people to lose weight eating only 1800 calories as its less than most people eat. for what its worth, I was skeptical of the radio commercial also.
i just recently started taking raspberry ketone about a week ago. I think taking it the right way there is hope to shed some pounds. I take it 30 min before lunch and 30 min before dinner (where i have a health shake in the am) i drink over 8 oz of water with each pill and i already feel way less bloated and not wanting to eat so much probably because of the water im drinking with the pill..i think it will help:)
Hi! Just wanted to add my 2 cents worth here. I have been taking the raspberry ketones for about 3 weeks. I have been cutting back on my calories and working out besides. I have not weighed myself but my pants that were tight 3 weeks ago are now loose. What I do like about the ketones is that it does work as an appetite suppressant and I have more energy. I’m not starving all the time.
I mentioned these to my mother who started on them 3 days ago. However, they have raised her blood pressure so she is going to discontinue using them.
Being obese my whole life. When I was younger I tried any supplement that come out on the market that claimed to be “the ultimate weight loss product”. None really worked. I have become a skeptic, but yet still hope that there will be something out there to make losing weight a little easier. I have bookmarked your site. Reading it was like a slap in the forehead. Don’t trust the “miracle cures”. Get up off your butt, change your diet and go for it. Thanks Joe!!!
Anne, you are very welcome. Remember as long as you are exercising regularly – even walking daily -makes you healthier – and that’s even if you dont lose weight. Thats great news in my book 🙂
All interesting stuff – thanks for all of the research done, Joe – I seem to have reached a conclusion that if I eat healthily and exercise more, then I’ll lose weight…exactly what I was told by the doctor and is continually being told by my sports trainer son! Good old common sense, eh 🙂
Thanks Jane. And if nothing else, it will make us much healthier too, which in my book is whats most important 🙂
Oh Dear, I fell for the channel 4 scam too!! My Rk’s haven’t arrived yet but I’m going to cancel and send them back as soon as they arrive..thanks to this great page I will do my research from now on. I think I’ll stick to slimming world and good old fashioned excessive.. Thanks all
Back in 2011 I started a weightless journey. I was extremely overweight. I was 212lbs. since then I have lost a total of 62 pounds. I recently hit a rut in my weightless journey and was frustrated. after watching Dr. oz I thought I would give the RK’s a try. I have been stuck at 150lbs for 4 months now but since starting the raspberry ketones a week and a half ago I am down to 148lbs. now I am not saying they work. I am on a very strict diet and I exercise a good amount but I think it may have given the extra boost I needed. the only side effect I have found are massive migraines which I think is because of the caffeine in them.
I weighed myself today 2 weeks after taking RK I have lost 3lbs of my 7lbs target so not too much to go. I eat a healthy diet last week I ate a little more than I usually do. Im not sure if it is the RK or the fact I was in ‘Plateau mode’ and the extra increased my metabolism, hence the weight loss. I wear a patch and put it on either of my love handles alternate days and have lost an inch, so pleased with that, again still not sure if its the RK ?
Just entered the ‘Channel 4’ review website. I’d advise everyone to stay clear of it. I clicked on one of the links and my firewall went crazy with several threats and malware. I hope everything was blockes :-s
Great review. What about Green Coffee Bean? Are they any good?
Sam here is my review of Green coffee bean
I thought I’d done my research but obviously not after reading all the comments on here! I purchased my so called free trial today and will be cancelling any repeat orders tomorrow. I will try them As soon as they arrive i need to lose 20lb i eat healthy most of the time but I do love my chocolate binges most nightsI walk 2-4 miles most days as I have 4 Labradors will try to cut out all my chocolate and see if I lose any weight. Will keep you informed.
I tried the Raspberry Ketone pills and saw zero change. A couple things I’ve learned from ‘researching’ diet supplements is:
1) I’m wary of ‘mouse’ studies – and once I see that I’m done reading. I would only consider studies that use actual people.
2) The rapid ‘weight’ loss at the beginning is actually due to the cleaning out of the bowels and/or water retention – it is ‘weight’ loss (temporary) but what everyone really wants is fat loss (permanent).
3) Every supplement says it works better with a healthy diet and exercise….. so, save your money – eat less and move more.
Please Please Please do not listen to these bogus messages. I am a doctorate myself. So, pretty good with research and analysis. First of all these people are paid or will be offered free supply for certain time. This product will jitter you to the max and will make you shaky to the point that no one can stop you.
Unfortunately, me and couple of my colleague have tried it for the purpose of our research and ALL of us had the same jittery result. It will not last enough for you to see result.
Hi joe thanks for all the review. I am an rn & have been hunting madly for bad reviews on this & couldn’t find any until now, which in my opinion if you cant find a bad review its too good to true.
I also would like to say to the person who claimed she lost with the rk because she is doing exercise & healthy eating, surely she has lost because of lifestyle changes. ? I could be wrong though.
I would like to tell you how I lost 6 stone I walked , swam & dieted I also got orlastat from my gp which is free in the uk ! It took me two yrs but I got there so save your money & change your life styles.
By the way for those that dont know how orlastst works, it stops you absorbing fat its prescription only & you quite literally crap fat, not a pleasant side effect so you soon learn to cut fat out the diet. Please stop wasting your money & most importantly change your lifestyle & then if want help speed it up with orlastat…. good luck guys..sorry about spelling im dyslexic.
Laura….
What an amazing website! I’ve just read all the comments and dug through the trash to find my receipt from GNC, and shall return the RK product I purchased there just today. I too fell for the hype, but was too suspicious to sign up for the free trial offers.
I’ve been laid up since a major ankle op 6 months ago and this has meant no ability to exercise, so 15+lbs later I need to lose weight. At 54 this is not as easy as it once used to be (I’m an avid equestrian but suffer through the gym here). I have lived in California for many years before relocating back to the UK and am familiar with the Dr Oz show. I had no idea he was connected with such sham offers. Shame on him! (But that’s Fox News for you)…
Anyway being a scientist myself (with BS and MS degrees in food science no less) I was thankful to discover your thorough and objective reviews of the research. I just wish I had found your web site first. I’m going to try the new diet here called the 5 2 (google 5 2 diet BBC Horizon). You eat fairly normally 5 days a week, then fast for 2 (with 500 cals for women and 600 for men), and of course moderate carbs, fat and alcohol, all those things that get us into trouble.
To kick start the diet I’m currently doing a 5 day fast and colon cleanse- and found a good mix of products for this when I was in the USA recently. That, plus no alcohol (kind of hard when I work in the wine industry…) and I will be back to my fighting weight soon, fingers crossed.
Thanks for the well prepared information, and the ability to trace the numerous comments and questions
Jane M. thanks and Im glad you found me! Feel free to share me with your friends and colleagues 🙂
the 5-2 diet sounds like the “fast diet” which is gaining attention here in the US.
Do not do the ketone and cleanse elite “free” trial as advertised by “channel 4” this is intact not free. Read the T&Cs as you cannot take more than 50% of the bottle they send you if you do you are charged per pull. If you do not cancel you are charged a monthly subscription free!
i was one of the unfortunate ones that fell for the channel 4 ketone elite and cleanse free trial i have phoned the number on the bottle and got addresses to return i had one tablet out of the ketone elite and one out of the cleanse elite i am concerned that they wont class that as un used i have also phoned my bank to block any further payments coming out after taking the the one tablet felt violently ill and had serious diarrhea for 24 hours please don,t anyone fall for this scam as i did.
i started raspberry ketones this past week, because of the hype on Dr. Oz, and i truly hoped it would help me lose weight. By the weekend i started to feel funny, and not well…my head was pounding. i have a home blood pressure cuff and decided to take a reading. i was shocked: 155/100. That was about 4hr after taking 250mg of the ketones. I’ve decided to throw away the bottle. Thankfully, 2 days later i was back to 127/80.
sincerely, Inge
Having been someone who historically would have bought these without caring about the side effects due to my desperation to lose weight, i need to tell you how I lost 28 pounds in 12 weeks with Slimmingworldusa.com my friend from the Uk recommended it and it has changed my life, it’s amazing. No pills, no fads, just lovely food and I am never hungry. My family eat the same as me and I feel so healthy.
Dear joe i have been taking RK now for a month just finish the bottle it is 500mg so i take one before breakfast and one for lunch both times with a full glass of water.if you eat a full breakfast or lunch you wont get that sick feeling .when i started to take the RK i was 234LB now i am 222LB don’t know if it is the RK or that i gave up sugar. but as i am reading your comments i am going to stop and see what affect it had on me.
yes i don’t feel hungry like i used to and also when my monthly comes on i had so much cramps and since taking them it stopped. my breast used to get so heavy also but now nothing .I take it m-f and not on sat and Sundays. so do you think i should stop.!!!!!!
IVY B-C, as long as you say your not having any bad side effects and you think its helping then I dont see a reason to stop. You can always do an experiment and stop for a bit while keeping to your diet to see if things change if you like. The important thing is not having any bad side effects.
Thanks Joe i will not start the next bottle .I have a two months supply and stop for a month just to see how i feel and see if the weight drops any more.