Ultimate review Trim: is Really The Ultimate Fat Burner Trim?

Ultimate Trim claims to be the "Ultimate Fat Burner", allowing users to "lose 20 lbs. fast" with its "triple action weight loss formula." I found this last statement to be at odds with a comment made a mere 3 paragraphs later...

"...in order for any weight loss fat burning system to work, the solution must address the four key components of weight loss."

So is this a triple or quadruple action product?

The web site itself is typical of products like this; it features a mix of personal testimonials (all sporting impeccable grammar), quotes from Oprah and Dr. Nicholas Perricone regarding several "key" ingredients of the product, an offer for a free trial and the logos of several recognizable media outlets (CNN, FoxNews, etc.).

Of course, neither Oprah or Dr. Perricone endorse Ultimate Trim, and it hasn't been featured on any of the news channels featured prominently on the site. It's all part of the retailer's effort to add credibility to their product's claims.

In scouring UltimateTrimDirect.com I could find no information about the company providing this breakthrough product; no physical address or contact number is provided. An e-mail address and contact form are your only links with whomever is behind this company. This is never a good sign.

And check out the "About Us" link... there's no information there, just a re-posting of the company's money back guarantee, which customers allege isn't honored anyway.

So is there anything to the Ultimate Trim claims? Is there any reason to spend $70 on this product? Let's have a look at the product formulation...

1) Caralluma Fibriata: The Ultimate Trim sales copy makes much ado over the "fat burning powers" of this "wonder" ingredient. Despite all this, I was only able to find one positive study on Caralluma (see Appetite. 2007 May;48(3):338-44. Epub 2006 Nov 13). It concluded...

"While there was a trend towards a greater decrease in body weight, body mass index, hip circumference, body fat and energy intake between assessment time points in the experimental group, these were not significantly different between experimental and placebo groups. Caralluma extract appears to suppress appetite, and reduce waist circumference when compared to placebo over a 2 month period."

While positive, I would hardly describe the results of this study as a rip-roaring endorsement of Caralluma's amazing fat burning and appetite suppressing powers. Incidentally, it also appears to be the only published, peer-reviewed study on Caralluma's possible benefits for dieters.

Additionally, the clinical study calls for 1 gram (1,000 mg) of Caralluma daily — and we can't confirm whether or not Ultimate Trim contains that much active ingredient (the daily intake of the proprietary Ultimate Trim blend comprises 1464 mg of ingredients).

Although Caralluma is listed first (ingredients are listed on labels in order of prominence), there are 5 other ingredients included here as well. In essence what that means is that if Caralluma is included in a dose strong enough to replicate the rather underwhelming results shown by the study above, the other 5 ingredients will be present in such a low dosage as to comprise little more than label dressing.

2) Green tea extract (50% EGCG): Green tea and an essential catechin thereof, EGCG, have been shown to be helpful for weight loss (read the full review of green tea here!). As I just indicated however, if Caralluma is included in a dose potent enough to have any effect, it's very unlikely there's enough green tea here to do anything -- especially considering there are still an additional 4 ingredients in the formula.

3) Cocoa extract: Ultimate Trim labels itself the "feel good" fat burner, probably on the basis of this ingredient. Usually this claim is based on the fact that cocoa extracts contain phenylethylamine (PEA), which is a chemical cousin of amphetamine. Unfortunately, PEA is metabolized by the enzyme monamine oxidase, preventing all but the tiniest amounts from entering the bloodstream.

In this formula the cocoa extract is standardized for l-tyrosine, theobromine, caffeine and a few other goodies. While caffeine is a proven thermogenic, and tyrosine has mood-elevating characteristics in multi-gram doses, it's doubtful any of these ingredients are present in high enough amounts to elicit much of an effect.

4) Cayenne: probably standardized for capsaicin, a chemical that gives chile peppers their "heat." The theory is that capsaicin "revs" up your metabolism by creating heat, thus burning off extra calories. However, this study (Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Jan;292(1):R77-85. Epub 2006 Jul 13) says it best...

"Capsaicin has been shown to be effective, yet when it is used clinically it requires a strong compliance to a certain dosage, that has not been shown to be feasible yet."

In other words, in order for capsaicin to have an effect on your metabolism, it has to be taken in doses much too high to make it practical.

5) ATP: Or adenosine triphosphate. It's a nucleotide present in all cells in the human body. Its roles are many and complex; it's involved in everything from cellular metabolism, muscle contraction, cardiac function to the metabolism of glycogen in the liver. Does ATP help with weight loss? If it does, it isn't reflected in any clinical study I could find (I did find it helps mitigate weight loss in small cell lung cancer patients).

Additionally, any "benefits" offered by the tiny amount of ATP included in this formula are likely compromised by the caffeine also present; caffeine and other xanthines are competitive antagonists of adenosine on cell surface receptors (Anesthesiology 2002;97:938-43).

6) Slimaluma™: The patented version of the Caralluma (see ingredient #1) which comprises the majority of this formula. Including a small amount of it here seems silly and redundant.

At the end of the day what you're left with is a single ingredient that has only one credible study validating its effectiveness (Caralluma), and indeterminate amount of one other useful ingredient (green tea). The remainder of the formula adds relatively little value.

Can you lose 20 lbs fast with Ultimate Trim? There's absolutely no evidence to indicate this is even remotely possible. For 50% of the cost of this product, you can buy much better formulated products that come with a real guarantee.

There are several other problems...

In short this product is overpriced, over hyped, and distributed by a company with a far from stellar record of billing and marketing practices.

Viper dymatize Review: All Day energy Plus Fat Burning?

Viper is the "hardcore" fat burner brought to us by Dymatize Nutrition, a company that's built its reputation manufacturing no-nonsense body building supplements like protein powders, weight gainers and branched chain amino acids among others.

Dymatize claims Viper offers both a rapid release and extended release formula, allowing users to experience an immediate "surge" of energy, followed by a sustained, steady release of energy that lasts most of the day.

So... what's in Dymatize's Viper?

In addition to a hearty dose of Vitamin B12, each capsule boasts a 707 mg proprietary blend of...

1) Dyma-CocoXan™: This is Dymatize's own invention; it's a cocoa extract that contains xanthine, theobromine and added synephrine. In other words, it contains...

a) Caffeine: a well known and common thermogenic, there is some evidence it offers mild weight loss benefits (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97) in addition to an energy boost.

b) Synephrine: Another stimulant, this one derived from the citrus aurantium fruit. Originally it was thought synephrine offered weight loss benefits on par with the now outlawed ephedra, although clinical evidence has now demonstrated that is not the case. Anecdotal evidence seems to suggest synephrine has mild appetite suppressing characteristics, although this has not yet been demonstrated in any peer-reviewed studies.

c) Theobromine: Another "caffeine-like" stimulant, although not nearly as potent. No clinical studies verify theobromine's effects on weight loss.

2) Guarana Extract (99% Xanthine Guaranine): Although some believe this is a phytochemical unique to guarana, it is actually very similar to caffeine in chemical structure.

There's little doubt that it plays the role of a stimulant in this formula, and offers benefits probably close to or on par with regular caffeine.

3) Phenyalanine: An amino acid similar in structure to many "feel good" brain chemicals, phenyalanine can be converted into tyrosine or phenylethylamine, another mood-elevating compound that is commonly found in chocolate.

4) The B-In-B Matrix: contains a whopping 13 ingredients. Because the entire Viper formula contains a mere 707mg of ingredients, and because this matrix appears fourth on the label (ingredients are listed in order of prominence) most of these ingredients in this "matrix" are present as "label dressing" only (i.e., it makes the label appear impressive, but is not present in a dose strong enough to elicit any effect).

Zingiber: Ginger contains gingerols, which are chemically related to capsaicin. It does demonstrate some mild thermogenic and metabolism-boosting characteristics.

Some small animal studies performed on zingerone (a component of ginger) have been positive for weight loss (Yakugaku Zasshi. 2008 Aug;128(8):1195-201) albeit the dosage used (170 mg/kg) is too high to be transferred into humans (a 180 lbs. person would need to take about 14 grams a day).

Ginger also seems to accelerate gastric emptying... the opposite of the sort of thing dieters want (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 May;20(5):436-40). Unfortunately, the aforementioned study was conducted with 1200 mg - 500 mg more ingredient than that present in the entire Viper formula.

Cayenne: Cayenne (capsicum) is often used to improve digestion. Topically as a cream, it can be used to treat arthritis. However, it may improve the efficiency of the circulatory system, as well as elevating the internal body temperature, and increasing fat burning ability through thermogenisis.

There is a small body of evidence that indicates that cayenne consumption can indeed elevate the metabolism (Br J Nutr 1999;82:115–23, Br J Nutr 1998;80:503–10).

Unfortunately, it's only at much higher doses (one study used 10 grams consumed along with meals!) that any effect is realized.

Yohimbe HCL The standardized extract of the bark of the African Yohimbe tree is yohimbine (this ingredient appears to be improperly labeled; it should be yohimbine HCL). This compound is often used as a natural aphrodisiac. It is also sold as a drug (in the U.S., a popular brand is Yohimex containing 5.4 milligram of yohimbine hydrochloride per tablet) and is used to treat impotency, dilate the pupil of the eye, and stimulate fat loss (studies indicating weight loss are promising but not revolutionary -- see Isr J Med Sci. 1991 Oct;27(10):550-6). Because only a few milligrams of yohimbine are necessary to elicit an effect, it is quite possible this ingredient is included in an effective dose.

Because it can cause unpredictable effects on blood pressure, Yohimbe should be approached with caution.

Bioperine™: A standardized black pepper extract, usually included to improve the bioavailability of certain ingredients. Maximowizia Chinensis Extract: Normally labeled as "Schisandra chinensis", a powerful adaptogen. Phaseolus Vulgaris Extract: Commonly used as a carb blocker, data showing white kidney bean's effectiveness for weight loss is contradictory. Regardless, even positive studies used almost 500 mg of extract, which means that it's only present in Viper as label dressing. R-Alpha Lipoic Acid: Biologically active form of alpha lipoic acid, a powerful antioxidant and blood sugar moderator. 5-Hydroxy L-Tryptophan: Often used as an alternative treatment for depression. At high doses (900 mg/day) it has been shown to help improve appetite control and weight loss. Guggul Extract (Commiphora Mukul 2.5% Guggulsterones): From our glossary...

"Guggulsterone – either in the form of standardized guggul extracts or “E & Z” guggulsterones – are often added to fat loss supplements, although the evidence suggests guggul isn’t a weight loss miracle."

Rhodiola Rosea Root Extract: An adaptogenic herb used in Russian folk medicine, there is some evidence rhodiola has positive effects on physical/emotional stress—at a dosage of 340 or 680 mg/day over a 6-week period. Tyrosine Ethyl Ester: A precursor to several neurotransmitters and the thyroid hormone thyroxine, tyrosine is often added to weight loss products to enhance focus and possibly fat burning, although clinical data validating the latter is in short supply. Propionyl-Carnitine Ethyl Ester: Carnitine has long been used in fat burners, despite the fact that clinical data is inconsistent. This form of carnitine appears to exhibit superior antioxidant and heart protecting characteristics. DymaMine3™ (Thiamine Disulfide / Thiamine Trisulfide): Thiamine, also known as Vitamin B1, plays an important role in energy metabolism, and is thought to play a role in appetite suppression. This novel, potent version of thiamine is being touted as a potent enhancer of physical and mental energy—especially when combined with caffeine (as it is in this formula).

So there you are... the complete Viper formula, ingredient by ingredient.

Because of its proprietary blend, it's difficult to assess the true value of this formula.

Most ingredients in the 13-ingredient strong "B In B matrix", for example, are unlikely to be present in doses anywhere near what's been proven effective.

In my opinion, Viper would be a better product if three-quarters of the ingredients in this matrix were dropped, and the more promising were included at useful dosages.

Other ingredients likely to be present in useful dosages (caffeine, synephrine, yohimbine, etc) are relatively ordinary, mainstay ingredients.

To be fair, the fat burning element of this product is incredibly understated in the product advertising I viewed.

For example, on BodyBuilding.com, 99% of the product write up focuses on this product's energy-boosting characteristics and the combination of the immediate, plus the extended release formula.

If it's some added energy you're looking for, I have no doubt that Viper will deliver. The combination of caffeine, guarana, theobromine, synephrine and yohimbine HCL makes that pretty much a no-brainer. Depending how effectively the extended release formula works, Viper may offer a nice, all-day energy boost with no "crash."

Most products on the market offer a 21-day supply of product. Although Viper seems a bit pricey (about $39 at BodyBuilding.com) for a product that's basically a glorified caffeine/synephrine/yohmbine blend, a bottle lasts 6 and half weeks at the recommended two-cap per day dosage, which means comparatively, it is actually pretty reasonably priced.

What are the best natural appetite suppressant?

If you're on the quest for the best natural appetite suppressant, you're not alone; a large percentage of dieters and our visitors have made it clear that such a supplement would be of great value to them.

That said, what are your options when it comes to natural appetite suppressants? As you'll see, there are plenty of supplements that are advertised as such, but relatively few that have a significant body of peer-reviewed, published clinical data behind them.

Let's take a look at some of the more commonly advertised appetite suppressants...

Description: A cactus native to South Africa, this protected species is "claimed" to be able to suppress the appetite thanks to the action of the novel P57 molecule.

Possible issues: Because hoodia is an endangered species that takes several years to grow to maturity, there is a great likelihood that the majority of hoodia products on the market don't contain any hoodia. According to Mike Adams of NewsTarget.com, up to 80% of the Hoodia sold on the market is counterfeit, with 60% of the products sold in the U.S. failing laboratory verification.

Study status: No peer-reviewed, published clinical data exists to demonstrate the appetite suppressing qualities of hoodia.

Interesting stuff: In December 2004, PhytoPharm teamed up with Unilever (who owns SlimFast, Knorr, and Hellman's, among other things), and committed to bringing the active P57 molecule to the market within 3 years.

At the end of 2008 (as announced in this document) Unilever terminated its relationship with PhytoPharm and the development of a hoodia-based weight loss product—making it even more difficult to believe that's there's any real merit to hoodia for weight loss.

Anecdotal reports: Some people report appetite suppression when using credible hoodia-based products. Our "in the trenches" product tester Amie experimented with hoodia and wrote about her experiences here! In short, she found that hoodia curbed her appetite significantly, but nevertheless, didn't end up losing weight.

Recommendation: Real, quality hoodia products (like the Hoodoba brand) are expensive and have little in the way of scientific evidence to validate their effectiveness. Is hoodia worth trying just to see?

It's a decision you have to make. It's certainly not your most cost effective option, and certainly not recommended if you're on a tight budget.

Description: Derived from citrus aurantium (also known as "bitter orange"), synephrine is a chemical "cousin" of ephedra. After the ephedra ban, it replaced the ephedra content of many popular weight loss supplements, on the assumption it would work in a similar manner.

Possible issues: Synephrine is often used in "stimulant free" weight loss formulas. This, despite evidence showing it is a stimulant, and does elevate both blood pressure and heart rate.

Study status: Clinical data shows synephrine demonstrates extremely modest benefits at best. One study concluded...

"There is little evidence that products containing C. aurantium are an effective aid to weight loss."

Anecdotal reports: Some users find synephrine is a helpful appetite suppressant.

Recommendation: Not exactly a winner, but it is cheap (around $14 at BodyBuilding.com for 180 caps, or a 2 months supply) if you'd like to experiment with it as an appetite suppressant.

Description: The popular name for a small Brazilian tree, Cordia salicifolia. It is marketed as a weight loss supplement and as an appetite suppressant.

Possible issues: N/A

Study status: No peer-reviewed, published clinical data exists to demonstrate the fat burning or appetite suppressing qualities of Cha de Bugre.

Anecdotal reports: Some users, including our own scientific and technical advisor Elissa, have found Cha de Bugre to exhibit moderate appetite suppressing characteristics.

Recommendation: Not much science supporting it, but cheap enough to experiment with (as little as $10 at iHerb.com - use the coupon code FAT259 to get $5 off your first order).

Description: Occasionally labeled as "konjac" or "amorphophallus konjac", glucomannan is an un-absorbable polysaccharide that is derived from the konjac root. In short, it is a source of fiber. There are many glucomannan based products on the market, including PGX Daily and Lipozene.

Possible issues: Glucomannan pills can occasionally get stuck in the esophagus and cause a blockage. One study bears this out, indicating that glucomannan-based supplements can pose a hazard for individuals with a history of upper gastrointestinal pathology.

Study status: There is some clinical data to validate glucommanan's ability to increase satiety, lower LDL cholesterol, blood lipid levels and blood sugar levels (especially in diabetics) and help with weight loss. See the full glucomannan review for accompanying clinical references.

Anecdotal reports: Some users find glucommanan helps them feel full longer, and eat less at mealtimes.

Recommendation: Cheap and worth a try (a 180-capsule bottle is just under $10 at BodyBuilding.com). If the capsules are too big for you, break them open and sprinkle them over your food.

Description: Native to India, this plant's leaves have been used as a traditional natural remedy for diabetes. In weight loss products, it's used to inhibit the ability to taste sweetness as well as the intestinal absorption of glucose. It may also have an "anti-diabetic" effect. Not a "true" appetite suppressant, but may help in this manner, if it does suppress sweetness.

Possible issues: N/A

Study status: There is a small body of preliminary evidence indicating gymnema may indeed provide benefits for dieters. One problem though; the majority of studies showing the inhibition of the ability to taste sweet or bitter were performed primarily on rats and mice (for more accompanying study references, please see the glossary listing).

Anecdotal reports: We have received no anecdotal reports on gymnema.

Recommendation: Up to you if you'd like to experiment. A 6-week supply is pretty reasonably priced (about $14 at a reputable online retailer like BodyBuilding.com).

Description: An Indian cactus marketed as an appetite suppressant.

Possible issues: N/A

Study status: One study validates caralluma's weight loss and appetite suppressing benefits, although they are relatively modest.

Anecdotal reports: Customer testimonials and feedback on Dex-C20 (a caralluma-based supplement) and Slimaluma® (the patented version of caralluma) is mixed; some folks found it helpful for appetite suppression, others found it did nothing.

Recommendation: It's cheap enough to experiment with (under $15 for 60 caps) should you think it is warranted. Try Now brand's SlimaLuma Plus (which also contains green tea extract and yerba mate) for two weeks and see if it helps.

Description: A highly nutritious protein derived from milk, and used by bodybuilders for its anti-catabolic properties.

Possible issues: Casein is potentially allergenic, although most milk allergies are formed during early childhood.

Study status: Casein protein offers numerous documented benefits (see the full review for accompanying clinical references) but nothing has been documented pertaining to appetite suppression or satiety.

Anecdotal reports: Because casein is a slow-digesting protein, some people find supplementing with a casein protein can help them feel full longer, thus reducing their appetite.

Recommendation: If you're already using a protein supplement, it might be worthwhile to switch to a quality casein based product. For individuals not supplementing with a protein powder, and have no interest in doing so, perhaps one of the other options on this page would be a better choice.

Palm/Oat Oil Blend (SlimShots)Description: A blend of oil derived from palm and oat sources, and served in small "shots" (the size of a disposable coffee creamer) retailers claim this special concoction can increase satiety and suppress appetite.

Possible issues: N/A

Study status: Yes, there are several studies that indicate this oil blend is helpful for appetite suppression and satiety (see the SlimShots review for accompanying clinical references), although not all studies are positive.

Interesting stuff: It's impossible to tell whether commercial palm/oat oil appetite suppressant products contain a potent enough dosage, or one that corresponds to the positive clinical studies referenced in the full SlimShots review.

Anecdotal reports: Mixed, but more negative than positive. Some of our visitors have found this product helpful, others not. Click here to read user reviews and testimonials on SlimShots!

Recommendation: Although some visitors have reported finding SlimShots and other similar products at bargain prices on occasion, they are generally a fairly expensive product. It's hard to make a recommendation when we're not convinced you'll receive much value for your dollar. Ultimately then, it's a decision you have to make.

Description: More commonly known as "Korean Pine Nut Oil", Pinnothin is advertised as an appetite suppressant (it is thought to stimulate several appetite suppressing hormones—cholecystokinin and glucagon-like peptide 1).

Possible issues: N/A

Study status: Very little published data exists for this ingredient, and what little there is (see Lipids Health Dis. 2008 Feb 28;7:6) demonstrated mediocre results at best. Our scientific and technical advisor Elissa summed it up best when she reported...

"The results are pretty underwhelming—2 g of Pinnothin taken 30 min before a buffet lunch reduced food intake by 9% - by weight in grams - and energy intake by 7%. The latter figure averaged to a whopping 50 calories."

Anecdotal reports: We have received no anecdotal reports on the appetite suppressing qualities of PinnoThin.

Recommendation: There's no reason to recommend experimenting with PinnoThin at this time.

Description: A supplement (called "sprinkles") that you "sprinkle" onto your meals, to increase satiety (the feeling of "fullness") and decrease appetite.

Possible issues: Purchasing Sensa from the official web site may add you to a recurring billing program, especially if you "try it free" (click here to watch our video of the "free trial scam").

Study status: Much ado is made on the official Sensa web site about the "clinically proven" status of the Tastants products. There are all sorts of problems with this, the most obvious one being that this was an in-house study that has never been published in a peer-reviewed journal. Please see the full Sensa Tastants review for a complete discussion of this issue.

Anecdotal reports: Mixed reviews on the products effectiveness, and plenty of billing issues.

Recommendation: There's no reason to recommend experimenting with Sensa Tastants at this time.

Yerba Mate / Ilex paraguariensis: South American Slimming sensation?

Yerba mate (sometime labeled as an officer of bridge or Ilex paraguariensis) is a shrub of South America in the Holly family. It is commonly used to create an infusion of tea as"called"maté." Both dry leaves and branches can be used in infusion, and it can be served hot or cold.

Interest to us, however, is common use of Yerba Mate products weight amaigrissants.Pourquoi is included and is there a good reason for it?

The yerba mate contains caffeine alkaloids xanthine theobromine, theophylline - is the common stimulants that are the reason the most probable.Après all the positive effects of caffeine on weight loss is well established (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan; 49 (1): 44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 may; 33 (5): 989 - 97).

The yerba mate is a decent source of caffeine, and even if the force and power varies, it provides approximately half of the caffeine in coffee.

Theophylline and theobromine are also challenging, although they have a lesser effect on the central nervous system (CNS) than caffeine.

The yerba mate is also a source of a compound that can demonstrate some benefits for loss of poids.Recherche, chlorogenic acid is, however, in the early stages and was performed on the animals to date (see BMC complementary and Alternative Medicine, 2006, 6: 9).

Nevertheless, the studies showing yerba mate, to be an effective weight loss agent were concluants.Dans study, yerba mate combined guarana and damiana has resulted in an increased feeling of satiety and delayed gastric emptying (see J Hum Nutr Diet. 2001 Jun; 14 (3): 243-50).

An animal study showed reduced obesity hired a fatty diet (Arch Biochem Biophys 2008 Feb 26).

On the other hand, this study (Am J Clin Nutr 2004 April; 79 (4): 529 - 36), who examined the clinical evidence for weight loss "natural" multiple AIDS - including the yerba mate - concluded...

Evidence for most dietary supplements as aid in the reduction of body weight is hardly convaincante.Aucun journals supplements can be recommended that you use over-the-counter.

Instead of these data, and based on the fact that the yerba mate displays potent antioxidant properties, I would not shy away from any product which contains the yerba maté in a supporting role weight loss.

However, at this time, it has no conclusive evidence that the yerba mate provides weight loss benefits than those due to caffeine - and perhaps - chlorogenic acid content.Any retailer who makes such claims is not made on the basis of existing evidence.

Zovatol Fat Burner Review: No substantiated top claims & A Ticket price!

The Zovatol fat burner appears to be sold online, mostly via eBay. The Zovatol.com web site contains minimal information—the terms and conditions of the "free trial" offer, which, not surprisingly, includes "participation" in a recurring billing program. We are not fans of any product that uses the "free trial" scam to "rope" customers into a program that sends them a fresh supply of product every 30 or 90 days whether they want it or not. In fact, we've even created a video to document this common and deceptive scam.

You can watch it here!

So what's the scoop with Zovatol, dubbed the "Thermogenic Fat Burning Breakthrough" by retailers? Is there any evidence to validate any of the claims made for the product?

It's probably not going to surprise you to discover that no studies have been performed on this product, nor is there any evidence it has any positive effect on weight loss.

Zovatol contains a couple of useful ingredients, but since the dosage of these is not revealed, it's impossible to determine if they are present in a potent enough dosage to elicit any effect. Let's have a closer look "under the hood" of the Zovatol formula and see what we can find...

1) White and green teas: Green tea is one of the few "fat burners" that shows some real promise for weight loss. In the appropriate dosages (and standardized for the appropriate catechins, i.e., EGCG) it elevates the metabolism, inhibits the activity of the enzyme amylase, and provides amazing antioxidant activity (for a full review of green and tea and to view accompanying clinical references, click here!).

The problem is that we do not know how much green tea Zovatol contains, nor do we know if it is standardized for these critical catechins and caffeine. So it's impossible to assess the value it provides to this formula. You'd think if the product contained an ample amount of this critical ingredient, the retailers would be happy to share this information with the world.

And what's the deal with "white tea?"

Well, it comes from the same plant as the green tea (camellia sinensis) but it is harvested earlier, before the leaves are fully opened and the leaves are covered with a fine white hair (hence its name).

White tea has a lighter, sweeter taste than green tea, tends to be lower in caffeine and higher in antioxidants, and has undergone very little processing.

There's no doubt it probably provides many of the benefits provided by green tea. However, the positive weight loss studies I've viewed have been performed on green tea, not white tea.

And clinicians have attributed much of green tea's weight loss effects to the combination of a critical catechin (EGCG) and caffeine. Since white tea contains much less caffeine, it may not be nearly as effective a weight loss aid.

And of course, just like the green tea, we have no idea how much the Zovatol formula contains.

2) Caffeine: According to the sales page I saw, Zovatol contains "just the right amount to take off your water weight and heighten your metabolism without giving you the jitters." Not sure what this means exactly; caffeine is a diuretic, but its well-established effects on weight loss are a result of an elevation in metabolism (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97) not a dramatic shedding of "water weight."

Once again, it's not revealed whether "just the right amount" of caffeine is actually enough to elicit a response. Theoretically, Zovatol could contain several hundred milligrams, or it may contain hardly any at all.

Who knows?

3) Capsaicin (from hot peppers): According to the retailer, this fat burner "revs up your metabolism to help you blast fat faster." That statement is contradicted by this study (Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Jan;292(1):R77-85. Epub 2006 Jul 13) which says...

"Capsaicin has been shown to be effective, yet when it is used clinically it requires a strong compliance to a certain dosage, that has not been shown to be feasible yet."

In other words, in order for capsaicin to have an effect on your metabolism, it has to be taken in doses much too high to make it practical.

The retailer also states (in regards to capsaicin)...

"... works synergistically with the other ingredients for maximum fat burning."

Unfortunately, there is no clinical evidence to validate this statement.

4) Yohimbe (usually standardized for yohimbine and other alkaloids): Zovatol retailers claim that western scientists have found that yohimbe (derived from the bark of a western African evergreen tree) is an "excellent thermogenic." A few studies bear out Yohimbe's positive effect on weight loss (Isr J Med SCI 1991 Oct;27(10):550-6).

However, its effects are not dramatic -- although yohimbe is certainly an ingredient you can "feel" (yohimbe is a stimulant but some users notice feelings of cold / shivering / goose bumps) which is probably why many supplement retailers add it to their compilations.

What's the bottom line on Zovatol?

It's high priced. It has a very ordinary ingredient profile of indeterminate potency and strength. It appears to be marketed via a "free-trial" offer that adds customers to a recurring billing program. It should come as no surprise, therefore, that we do not recommend Zovatol.

A high quality green tea extract stacked with caffeine tabs would likely provide greater results for a third of the cost.

Ultimate Nutrition Red Zone Fat Burner Review

Red Zone, from Ultimate Nutrition, is the fat burner that claims to "delay exhaustion and burn fat". The "delayed exhaustion" element of the formula is largely attributable to the "fatigue-delay" complex which consists of two ingredients: beta alanine and coenzyme Q10.

That said, let's take a thorough look at the complete Red Zone formula and see how it measures up...

1) The "Fatigue-Delay" complex: A full 3-capsule serving of Red Zone delivers 1030 mg of the following two ingredients (according to the advertising copy I reviewed, the "precise blend of COQ-10 and beta alanine that have been clinically studied to extend workouts.")...

Beta Alanine: More commonly found in pre-workout formulations and body building training supplements like Isatori's H+Blocker, there's plenty of clinical evidence that shows beta alanine reduces training fatigue (see here, here, here, and here!).

If there's a problem, it's the fact that the doses used in these studies are much higher than what is found in this product (3-6 grams daily is the norm). It is extremely unlikely therefore, that this relatively low dose of beta alanine will deliver results on par with the studies referenced above.

Coenzyme Q10: A powerful antioxidant that has been used experimentally to treat both cardiovascular and mitochondrial diseases. Some retailers—like Ultimate Nutrition—claim coenzyme Q10 can increase energy and boost training performance. Unfortunately, the evidence suggests otherwise; for those with normal mitochondrial function, coenzyme Q10 has little or no effect whatsoever (see here, here, here, and here!).

2) The "Calorie-burning" complex: This 795 mg blend boasts 8 ingredients, which pretty much guarantees that none of them are going to be present in a dosage strong enough to elicit any effect (just like with pharmaceutical drugs, the compounds present in fat burners must be present in a specific dosage if the user is to experience some benefits from them. That is not going to be the case here).

Cayenne Pepper (Fruit): Cayenne fruit (the active ingredient of which is called "capsaicin") is often used to improve digestion. Topically as a cream, it can be used to treat arthritis. However, it may improve the efficiency of the circulatory system, as well as elevating the internal body temperature, and increasing fat burning ability through thermogenisis.

There is a small body of evidence that indicates that cayenne consumption can indeed elevate the metabolism (Br J Nutr 1999;82:115–23).

Unfortunately, it's only at much higher doses (one study used 10 grams consumed along with meals!) that any effect is realized. This study (Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Jan;292(1):R77-85. Epub 2006 Jul 13) says it best...

"Capsaicin has been shown to be effective, yet when it is used clinically it requires a strong compliance to a certain dosage, that has not been shown to be feasible yet."

In other words, in order for capsaicin to have an effect on your metabolism, it has to be taken in doses much too high to make it practical. Asian Ginseng Powder (Root): A well-known adaptogen, although studies validating its effects on atheletic performance are mixed. White Willow Powder (Bark): In the old days, white willow bark was used as the herbal form of salicin, and comprised the third element of the good old ephedra / caffeine / aspirin stack. In ephedra-free fat burners like this one, there is no evidence it offers any benefit, short of the anti-inflammatory effects inherent to salicin. Red Tea Extract (Leaf & Stem): It's hard to say for sure, but it's likely this refers to rooibos tea, which, although high in antioxidants and phenolic compounds, isn't in the same family as green or oolong tea and has no demonstrated weight loss effects. Kola Nut Powder (Seed): Animal studies have shown kola nut has fat burning properties, but for humans, the main benefit kola nut offers is as a diuretic and a source of caffeine (kola nut can contain between 2-4% caffeine. Evodia Extract (Fruit): a compound derived from the Chinese fruit Evodia Rutaecarpa. It's claimed to burn fat by increasing the body's production of heat, as well as reducing the body's ability to store fat.

Although a preliminary animal study shows promising results, to date there's no evidence showing evodiamine works in people.

Ginger Powder (Root): Ginger contains gingerols, which are chemically related to capsaicin. It does demonstrate some mild thermogenic and metabolism-boosting characteristics, although compliance to high dosage is likely necessary.

Some small animal studies performed on zingerone (a component of ginger) have been positive for weight loss (Yakugaku Zasshi. 2008 Aug;128(8):1195-201) albeit the dosage used (170 mg/kg) is too high to be transferred into humans.

Ginger also seems to accelerate gastric emptying... the opposite of the sort of thing dieters want (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 May;20(5):436-40).

Black Pepper Extract (Fruit): Usually added to fat burners and other supplements on the basis it improves the bioavailability of certain ingredients. Some make the argument that it elevates the metabolism as well, although there's little evidence to validate this argument—at least when used at the dose typically found in products like this.

3) Power enhancing complex: 500 mg of the following two ingredients...

PowerGrape®: A proprietary Bordeaux grape extract which acts as a powerful antioxidant. Powergrape makes other claims as well; at the 400 mg/day dosage (incidentally, the amount included in Red Zone) it increases oxgenation of the muscles, and protects muscles against lesions caused by physical exericse.

Apparently, these benefits are backed by clinical studies, although these appear to be performed "in-house", and not published in a reputable journal where the methodologies and conclusions can be contested by qualified professionals. Nonetheless, it's well established that grape extracts are potent antioxidants.

Caffeine Anhydrous: Caffeine has a well established record as a mild thermogenic, and does deliver mild weight loss results (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97). It also cheaply and effectively addresses the most common complaint of dieters; lack of energy. According to the Red Zone advertising, there is 100 mg of caffiene in a single dose (the equivalent of a cup of coffee's worth).

So there you have it. Red Zone in a nutshell.

Frankly, it's a bit of a bizarre formulation with an odd focus on potent antioxidants (Coenzyme Q10 and PowerGrape).

While no one is going to argue to possible benefits of antioxidant supplementation—despite the fact that none pertain to weight loss specifically—it's not usually what customers are looking for when they purchase a weight loss supplement.

The inclusion of low dose beta alanine too, is perplexing. At the appropriate dose (around 5 grams, or 5,000 mg), it's a great addition to pre-workout and bodybuilding supplements. At this dose, in a fat burner? I have no idea what Ultimate Nutrition was thinking.

And the ingredients included precisely for fat burning? A tepid, under-dosed and/or backed by poor or preliminary cinical evidence group of ingredients.

It's not that Red Zone is a bad product, it's just that Red Zone can't decide what it wants to be, and in an attempt to be "everything", fails on all accounts.

On the other hand, the small amount of customer feedback posted on BodyBuilding.com is largely positive, although no one seems to be touting its amazing thermogenic properties.

That said, we'd love to hear from Red Zone users. How did you like it?

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Cellucor T7 Extreme Fat Burner Review: Efficient It?

Cellucor's T7 Extreme is, according to the advertising I viewed...

"...specifically designed to decrease body fat by increasing BMR (basal metabolic rate) and increasing the body´s ability to convert fat into instant heat energy."

This, the product advertising goes on to say, is largely due to...

"...its use of fucoxanthins..."

Really?

Let's take a closer look at T7 Extreme and see what ingredients it contains exactly, and what the existing scientific literature says about them.

I was pleased to note that T7 contains a mere 4 ingredients, but less pleased that Cellucor has decided to disguise the fact that its product contains a mere sprinkling of them. Yes, the label appears impressive, boasting 96,000 mcg of ingredient. Unfortunately, 96,000mcg is the equivalent of 96 mg, which is next to nothing.

Sidebar: Mcg or "micrograms" are typically used to label ingredients present in dosages less than a milligram. 500 mcg, for example, would be .5 mg. For a company to use "mcg" when "mg" is the logical choice... well, it's a clear indication that they're trying to disguise the fact their product contains so little ingredient.

So what's T7 Extreme contain?

1) Zinc aspartate: Zinc has important antioxidant, immune and anti-inflammatory properties . More importantly (at least from a bodybuilding perspective), zinc plays a role in normal reproductive and sexual functions for both men and women.

It doesn't play any significant role in weight loss, and supplementation is only beneficial if you're deficient in zinc, which is not normally an issue. Additionally, most supplements containing zinc aspartate usually offer up 30 mg per serving—which would leave a paltry 66 mg to be divided up amongst the remaining 3 ingredients.

2) Fucoxanthin: A carotenoid present in seaweed and other marine vegetables. There is a small amount of promising evidence that indicates Fucoxanthin is useful for weight loss (see Biochem Biophys Res Commun. 2005 Jul 1;332(2):392-7, Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2008;17 Suppl 1:196-9). The bad news is that to date, any published material has been based on animal studies.

Additionally, there's the problem of low bioavailability of these compounds in humans. This study (see Br J Nutr. 2008 Aug;100(2):273-7) concluded...

"... results indicated that the plasma response to dietary epoxyxanthophylls was very low in humans even after 1-week intake of epoxyxanthophyll-rich diets."

The question then becomes...

If the human body has such real difficulty accessing this compound, how effective can it be as a fat burner?

This is a question that can only be answered in a peer-reviewed, published study.

And of course, nothing like that exists yet.

If there's any silver lining here, it's that the positive animal studies used relatively small amounts of this ingredient, meaning there may be enough fucxoxanthin in this product to elicit an effect, should there actually be one.

Still, we don't know exactly how much is included here, although given the 96 mg serving size, it can't be much.

3) Salix matsudana extract: Salix matsudana is a species of willow native to China. Certain chemical constituents (polyphenols, actually) have been isolated from the leaves and demonstrated (in preliminary Chinese and Japanese animal studies) to have anti-obesity action (Phytother Res. 2003 Dec;17(10):1195-8, Zhongguo Zhong Yao Za Zhi. 2000 Sep;25(9):538-41).

Two problems here; first, these are animal studies, and not necessarily applicable in humans. Second, the apparent effective dose seems quite high—570mg/kg in this study. Even if Salix matsudana is helpful in humans (and this is mere speculation) the HED (human equivalent dose) would be significantly higher—and many times the size of the entire 96 mg T7 ingredient profile.

Conclusion?

Label dressing. Looks impressive on the label, but included at a dosage too low to offer any benefit (should there be any).

4) 3,5-Dihydroxy Phenylacetate: Sounds less impressive when described as a water soluble B9 vitamin. According to Cellucor, because of its similarity in structure to thyroid hormones precursors, it has an ability to increase the activity of thyroid, elevate the metabolism, and therefore encourage weight loss.

Uh-huh.

I guess I would ask Cellucor a few questions about this assertion; first, upon what clinical evidence are they basing this claim, and two, if such evidence exists, what dosage is required, and is an appropriate amount in the product?

So there you have it. Cellucor's T7 Extreme in a nutshell.

So what's the verdict?

As you can see, the claims for the product are based entirely on speculation. Speculation mostly, that the positive results bourne out in animal studies will also apply to humans.

None of the weight loss ingredients in this product are backed by any credible human research.

In addition to that, at least one, and possibly more of the ingredients in this product are under-dosed, even if we are to presume a positive correlation between animal studies and human results.

Of course, that doesn't mean T7 Extreme does not work.

It may.

But there's no proof that it does. And the onus is on Cellucor to provide that proof.

So, despite the impressive sounding advertising spiel, what you're left with is little more than smoke and mirrors.

And when you're forking out your hard-earned money for a product, you deserve more than that.

Just my opinion, of course.

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