Research
Energy balance
Chemical uncouplers like 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) increase energy expenditure but are dangerous and cause severe side effects including hyperpyrexia and death.
Do not use DNP for weight loss. It is a toxin that can cause fatal overheating. The risks far outweigh any potential metabolic benefits.
StrongRefutesVERY_HIGH confidence
The chemical uncoupler of respiration, 2–4-dinitrophenol, has in the past been prescribed in the treatment of obese patients. The effects of such a toxin have been dramatic and extremely negative. It has severe metabolic effects and causes hyperpyrexia and death.
Why this rating
The dangers of DNP are well-established in medical history and literature cited in the paper.
Source
Respiration uncoupling and metabolism in the control of energy expenditure
Daniel Ricquier · Proceedings of The Nutrition Society · 2005
DOI 10.1079/pns2004408
narrative_reviewCited 177×
Read the paper DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10
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