How Does DNP Work for Fat Loss?

Dear Lyle,

I am new to this life style, and I do not know a lot about these supplements. You were saying something in a letter about DNP. What the hell is that. I am somewhat like how you described in the letter. I am not at my desired body fat ratio 6’1 185-190 lbs. That does not sound bad, I love the weight I am at, but I want to cut the fat off. I was reading about this DNP, what does it do? Is it legal, and if so how and where do I get it (if it is a supplement)?

Answer:

Ok, first the disclaimer. DNP is a potentially FATAL compound to use. So do not take any potential use lightly. If you screw up, you will die. That said, here’s what DNP is.

DNP is what is termed a metabolic uncoupler meaning that it uncouples one metabolic process from another.

Specifically DNP blocks oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria of Type I muscle fibers. I bet that clears it right up. Ok, let’s take these words from the back to the front.

Type I muscle fibers: these are slow twitch muscle fibers used mostly for endurance events. They use mainly fat for fuel.

Mitochondria: these are the ‘powerhouses’ of the cell (in-joke for any physiology types since EVERY book I’ve ever read that mentions mitochondria has to comment that they are the powerhouses of the cell) which are involved in energy production, primarily through the breakdown of fat.

Oxidative phosphorylation: this is the chemical process by which the mitochondria makes ATP (adenosine triphosphate) in the cell. ATP is the only energy source that the body can use directly. When ATP is used, as during exercise, the body will make more ATP by breaking other stuff down (i.e. fat and carbohydrate).

So how does DNP work? DNP blocks the cell’s ability to produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. This causes the cell to become low in ATP. The cell doesn’t like being low in ATP so it tries to make more through oxidative phosphorylation (which breaks down fat for fuel). So it burns some fat in an attempt to make ATP. But it can’t, being blocked by DNP. So it burns some more fat in an attempt to make ATP. But it can’t. This continues as long as the DNP is in your system. End result: lots of fat burned in a futile attempt to make ATP.

But here’s the problem: energy is just heat. When the body breaks down fat to try to make ATP, some heat is generated. Since the ATP is never made (because of the DNP), the heat is dissipated out from the cell. Since fat continues to be burned (at very high rates) the body continues to produce more and more heat.

If you take too much DNP, your body will literally cook itself from the inside. it would not be a pleasant way to die. As an example, when I used DNP it was approximately 20 degrees outside (winter) and I still had to run a fan to keep cool. Nasty, nasty.

So that’s what DNP does.

As to your second question, thankfully DNP is not a supplement. It is legal (it is used to make bug spray because it cooks the bugs from the inside out) but the average person wouldn’t be able to get any (it can only be bought from chemical supply houses who typically don’t sell to individuals). And if you told anyone you were going to eat it, they’d think you were nuts.