Dinitrophenol, known as DNP, is an Illegal supplement that is very effective at increasing heat production and Metabolic Rate. It is illegal as it is the only compound ingested as a 'dietary supplement' that was proven to kill numerous people when barely misused.
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Dinitrophenol is an ionophoric compound that short circuits mitochondrial ATP production. This cessation of ATP production via the mitochondria leads to an increase in the Metabolic Rate (as substrate is utilized at a higher rate so cytosolic ATP can sustain life) and subsequent weight loss.
It is one of the few chemical compounds that is causatively linked to death. Overdosing on Dinitrophenol leads to toxicity via excessive heat production, irregular breathing and heartrate, and mitochondrial dysfunction.
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Dinitrophenol, DNP, 2,4-DNP, Dinitro, Dinosan, Dnoc, Nitrophen, Chemox, Aldifen, Mitcal
2,4-Dinitrophenol has been linked causatively to death.
This page exists for informative purposes. Usage is not advised.
Examine.com Medical DisclaimerStandard online protocols advice for titrating up towards a dose of 200-400mg daily with cessation after 2 weeks of usage.
(NOTE: This dosing information is anecdotal in nature and based on past human trials that were not conducted in a controlled fashion and later published. No information exists in the scientific literature for the best dosages for weight loss)
I hope the existence of this page can act as a deterrent to those considering this compound.
Unless you are an elite level bodybuilder (in which case you wouldn't listen to me anyways) then there is absolutely no need to risk health and life for fat burning.
I cannot lie, this compound appears to work well. That being said, it is incredibly dangerous. A single genetic difference in its metabolism could cause toxiological buildup easily, and its low Therapeutic Threshold would ensure that you felt this toxicity quick.
Kurtis Frank
The chemical is a yellow crystalline powder that has a sweet, musty odour and is soluble in water.[1]
It has historically been used as a component of explosives, and as a pesticide and food/clothing dye.[2] It was reported in 1933 that usage of Dinitrophenol led to weight loss and it became popularized as an obesity treatment.[3] It was effective in doing so, and led to a reported loss of 1.5kg per week.[4] Over time, as more side effects manifested, it was deemed ill-fit for human consumption by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic act of 1938.[1][4]
It had a second resurgence in 1981 when a Physician marketed a product with Dinitrophenol in it (under the name Mitcal) through his private clinic[5] which resulted in one reported death and a large number of reported side effects.[5][4]
Since then it has remained available online through some websites, and toxicity cases arise every now and then from misuse of Dinitrophenol despite the FDA advising for its cessation.[6]
Dinitrophenol can stimulate oxygen consumption in cells[7] and a general spike in the metabolic rate[2] at around an 11% increase per 100mg Dinitrophenol consumed.[8]
Under normal metabolic conditions, 1 ATP molecules are created during one passing of Acetyl-CoA through the Kreb's Cycle (The TCA) and many energy intermediates are produced in addition to the lone ATP; these energy intermediates go through oxidative phosphorylation in the mitochondria to produce an additional 11 ATP. Dinitrophenol is an oxidative phosphorylation inhibitor, and prevents these 11 additional ATP from being formed by interfering with inorganic phosphorus uptake into the mitochondria (needed for ATP synthesis) and also acting as an ionophore, which drastically hinders the electrochemical gradient in the mitochondria required for ATP synthesis.[9][10][11] It is the shift in the electrochemical gradient that causes the fat loss, as the excess ions that carried potential energy (calories) are dissipated as heat.[12]
Dinitrophenol, by mitochondrial uncoupling, is able to protect mitochondria from Reactive-Oxygen Species (ROS) mediated cell death by allowing energy to be lost through uncoupling rather than contained in the mitochondria to exert damage. This was demonstrated in an animal model injected with a toxic dose of quinolinic acid.[13]
The usage of glucose as fuel markedly increases with low doses of Dinitrophenol[14] This increase in glycolysis leads to an increase in pyruvic acid and lactic acid (via anaerobic metabolism) due to the lack of ATP from the oxidative phosphorylation inhibition.[15]
It has been reported that supplementation with Dinitrophenol can cause potassium accretion in renal tissue in rabbits[16] and may contribute to toxicity.[17]
Due to the lack of phosphate usage for ATP production in the mitochondria, phosphate also can accumulate in cells.[18]
In rats given 3-30mg/kg DNP for a period of 46 days (14 days prior to mating) noted that while no significant toxicity occurred to either parent and no differences in implantation rates, that the number of live births and average weight of pup birth were both reduced at 30mg/kg (thought to be indicative of developmental/reproductive toxicity) but failed to find teratogenicity when measuring birth defect rates.[19]
Dinitrophenol has been causatively linked to death in numerous occasions,[20][21][22] with the causes of death usually related to hyperthermia and tachycardia (irregular heartbeat) paired with diaphoresis (excessive and unpredictable sweating and tachypnoea (rapid and irregular breathing).[4][1]
The lethal dosages are sometimes unknown (ie. not reported in the case study or not otherwise known), but seem to range around 2,500mg or a bit higher for acute death (leading to death in under 24h) or taken over the course of 1-6 days; a death was once reported in a 46 year old woman at 300mg, which is within the recommended dosage range.[23]
As of September 2011, there have been 62 reported deaths from DNP usage; 12 of which were in the last decade and half of which were by bodybuilders[4] with two deliberate suicides.[20][22]
Numerous case studies linking DNP to death, with a fair bit of them placing DNP in a position of 'causative beyond a reasonable doubt'. Although most are associated with overconsumption of DNP (relative to the recommended intake range), at least one case study noted death associated with 300mg
(Common misspellings for 2,4-Dinitrophenol include dinitrofenol, dinitrophenl)
(Common phrases used by users for this page include dinitrophenol toxicity, dinitrophenol electrochemical gradient, dinitrophenol, 2-4- dinitrophenol, 2, 4 dinitrophenol helps weight loss, 2 4 dinitrophenol mitochondria)
(Users who contributed to this page include KurtisFrank, Pwoolf, Robotra, Sol)
