Skip to content

2,4-Dinitrophenol

What is 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)?

2,4-Dinitrophenol is a synthetic aromatic nitrogen compound. It is primarily used as an antiseptic, but has a number of industrial applications, including the manufacture of explosives and herbicides, and is also considered an industrial pollutant.

DNP is also abused by dieters and bodybuilders to aid fat loss. DNP became popular in the early 1930s as a product to aid fat loss before it was declared extremely dangerous and unfit for human consumption by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration in 1938 (1).

What is 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP) used for?

2,4-Dinitrophenol belongs to a class of chemicals called proton decouplers. Normally, our bodies generate usable energy through the movement of protons across the membrane of the tiny cellular components known as mitochondria. The movement of each proton across the cell membrane regenerates an ATP molecule, which is used in reactions that require energy. The movement of protons is therefore "coupled", so to speak, to the generation of ATP. A proton uncoupler such as DNP allows protons to exit the mitochondria, which means that they are no longer forced to follow the ATP-generating pathway through the mitochondrial membrane. Since the body requires ATP to survive, the body must dramatically increase its metabolic rate in an attempt to push more protons through the ATP-generating channel. This makes the process of generating energy very inefficient and produces a large amount of heat. ATP production is fueled by food or stored fat or glycogen. Because DNP makes ATP production so inefficient, the body needs a lot more of these energy sources. If you don't compensate for this by eating more food, the body will fall back on its fat stores. This is why DNP causes such rapid weight loss. Apart from this, DNP has no other benefits.

Side effects of 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP)

Of all the substances abused by bodybuilders, athletes and dieters, DNP is one of the most dangerous.

Despite the illegality of this substance, there are regular reports of deaths (2). This is due to 2 factors:

  • Unpredictability - this substance affects different people differently. A dose that has a weak effect on one person can be fatal for another.
  • Small therapeutic window - as this substance partially deactivates a vital process, there is little difference between an effective dose and a toxic or lethal dose. DNP is considered one of the harshest agents available and the list of side effects is long. An increase in body temperature is inevitable as this is the route by which this substance causes weight loss. At one end of the spectrum, this will cause sweating and discomfort. At the other end of the spectrum, it can cause seizures, brain damage and death. Victims of DNP have been described as "burning from the inside" and body temperatures of up to 45 degrees Celsius have been recorded, which are absolutely fatal.

Other symptoms include nausea and vomiting, electrolyte and fluid imbalances, water retention, shortness of breath, a yellowing of body fluids, changes in the production of thyroid hormones and insulin, and insatiable hunger.

2,4-Dinitrophenol (DNP) alternatives

There are many safe and effective fat loss products on the market. Many of these also work by stimulating the metabolism, although not in the same dangerous way as DNP. A fat loss supplement is a safe and legal way to accelerate fat and weight loss. Fat loss supplements contain ingredients such as fatty acid transporters, mood enhancing agents, appetite suppressants, hormonal support ingredients, vitamins, minerals and agents that stimulate immune system function that work together with a healthy diet and exercise to deliver results. It is worth noting that some manufacturers try to make it appear that their product contains DNP for marketing purposes. An example of this would be DNPX from Pro Supps, which despite its name does not contain any dangerous or illegal compounds. Green tea extract is one of the most popular weight loss support products on the market. Unlike DNP, green tea extract is a safe and harmless thermogenic that is capable of increasing metabolic rate without interfering with the body's essential processes. Green tea extract is also a powerful antioxidant that protects against free radical damage. DNP is popular with athletes looking to lose weight before a competition. A more common and safer alternative is to use a diuretic. Water retention can increase weight and worsen visible muscle definition. For some athletes, a safe and harmless diuretic can be a good short-term solution.

References

  1. Dinitrophenol poisoning. Resus Review. http://resusreview.com/2014/dinitrophenol-poisoning/. Accessed April 23, 2015.
  2. Grundlingh J, Dargan PI, El-Zanfaly M, Wood DM. 2,4-dinitrophenol (DNP): a weight loss agent with significant acute toxicity and risk of death. J Med Toxicol. 2011 Sep;7(3):205-12.