LipoTrim (NOW) is a weight loss supplement which claims to support fat digestion and increase metabolism of fat by the liver. LipoTrim claims, “This synergistic blend of ingredients therefore supports many aspects of healthy fat metabolism, which, in turn, may promote higher energy levels.” Emphasis should be placed on “may”. Although they claim to use ingredients which have been clinically proven to aid in weight loss, they fail to mention that the clinical trials were done on mice or rats, not on humans¹ (hopefully we’ll see some human trials in the future).

What is in LipoTrim?

• L-Carnitine (as L-Carnitine Tartrate) 100 mg †
• L-Methionine 500 mg †
• Inositol 1 g †
• Choline (as choline bitartrate) 1 g †
• Chromium (as Chromium Picolinate) 200 mcg 170%
• Vitamin B6 (as Pyridoxine HCI) 10 mg 500%
• Taurine 250 mg †

†: Daily value not established.

L-Carnitine is known for stimulating the burning of fatty acids. It is rare for a well-nourished person to be deficient of carnitine. Studies on L-Carnitine have shown mixed results, and those with positive results came when using at least 4 times the amount contained in 3 tablets of LipoTrim.

Methionine assists in the breakdown of fats and assists with the digestive system. By helping remove heavy metals from the body, it detoxifies the liver. It is not recommended that you supplement l-methionine unless directed by a professional physician.

Inositol is also a fat-solublizing agent that helps to transport fat from the liver. It is mainly used to help treat depression, ADD, Panic Disorder, and Bipolar Disorder.

Choline is found in many nutritional supplements which claim to reduce body fat, but there is little to no evidence to prove that it has any effect on reducing excess body fat.

Supporters of chromium picolinate claim it reduces insulin resistance, thus leading to weight loss. Again, the jury is still out on this one. Studies show opposing conclusions.

Vitamin B6 helps in the maintaining of balanced blood sugar levels.

Taurine is an organic acid that helps generate nerve impulses. It is often added to energy drinks; studies have shown it does not affect energy.

Is there any proof that LipoTrim really works?

Like many other weight loss supplements, LipoTrim has not had research conducted on it specifically. As mentioned above, studies are contradictory or inconclusive on many of the individual ingredients. There were some studies done on the effects of methionine and choline used together. The subjects lost 26 percent of their body weight in 21 days of taking these two supplements. However, the subjects were mice.²
Another study showed taurine supplementation prevented obesity in mice fed a high-fat, low-calorie diet.³

Although these results are positive in mice, who knows what the results would be in humans. In addition, there is no good way to compare the amounts used in mice and derive proper amounts to be used in humans.

LipoTrim (Now) Review Conclusion

There are just too many unknowns with LipoTrim. It could potentially be a good product, but until more research is done on humans, we recommend taking something else. Look at our list of recommended supplements.

1. We don’t discount completely studies done on mice and rats, we just wish the hawkers of diet pill supplements would mention when they’re citing studies that the study wasn’t done on humans. [↩]
2. http://www.jlr.org/cgi/content/abstract/M600198-JLR200v1?ck=nck [↩]
3. http://endo.endojournals.org/cgi/content/full/147/7/3276 [↩]