Mega-T Green Tea has become pretty popular (note, by popular I don’t mean it’s a good product) of late with their “Lose up to 20 lbs*” claim right there on the Mega-T Green Tea packaging. Though it looks like cold medicine with the way it’s packaged Mega-T Green Tea is just your run of the mill diet pill.

Hydroxycitric Acid Update

On May 1, 2009 the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop taking Hydroxycut-branded products. Over more than 7 years they have received 23 reports of health related issues with those taking Hydroxycut-branded products. The main health concern appears to be serious liver-related problems. Iovate Health Sciences Inc., the makers of Hydroxcut, have voluntarily recalled all of the products under question in the FDA’s report

Common symptoms of liver complications include:

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• brown urine
• light colored stools
• unusual tiredness
• stomach pain
• itching
• loss of appetite
• weakness
• vomiting

In light of the recent FDA warning concerning the possible dangers of Hydroxycut-branded diet pills, many believe that the associated health risks are likely due to the inclusion of the commonly used ingredient Hydroxycitric Acid, or HCA. And while according to the FDA, “The agency has not yet determined which ingredients, dosages, or other health-related factors may be associated with risks related to these Hydroxycut products. The products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal extracts.” you can never be too cautious.

So, while further study and research is needed to confirm the link between HCA and the liver problems, until proven otherwise any products that contain HCA are no longer recommended on this website.

Mega-T Green Tea Ingredients

Mega-T Green Tea consists of the following ingredients:

• Green Tea – pretty obvious that it would contain green tea. Green tea is actually quite an effective diet pill ingredients. It’s been shown to increase the metabolic rate and has mountains of research to back it up. I thoroughly reviewed Green Tea and stand behind it. It should be noted, unfortunately however, that Mega-T Green Tea doesn’t include a very effective dosage of green tea (90 mg EGCG and 50 mg of naturally occurring caffeine)
• Chromium – research falls on both sides of the fence with Chromium. Some clinical studies have shown that chromium is effective, while others have shown that it’s not. Its purpose is primarily to regulate blood sugar levels, which can help control weight problems. If I did opt for chromium, I would go with the patented formulation ChromeMate, as found in products like Anoretix.
• Garcinia Cambogia – I reviewed Garcinia Camogia and found it to be an effective diet pill ingredient when used in the right quantities. I’m partial to Super Citrimax, which is HCA, the active component of Garcinia Cambogia that makes it to do what it does. When you use just the HCA, you can include more ingredients in there because you’re dealing only with the extract.
• Guarana – Guarana standing alone isn’t too impressive. When combined with Yerba Mate and Damiana, it yields great results. It’s unfortunate that Mega-T Green Tea didn’t include these other two ingredients to really build an effective formulation. They tended to stay on the “less expensive” side of the ingredient equation.
• Eleuthero, Bladderwrack, Fo-Ti and Gotu Kola are there mainly for supplement fact eye candy.

Mega-T Green Tea’s Claims

LOSE UP TO 20 LBS

They have a little asterisk at the end of the claim, but I don’t have the package in front of me and can’t see what they say. They probably make the standard disclaimer that “results may vary.” It’s interesting to note that they say up to but depend on consumers really noticing the “20 LBS” part of the claim. They’re hope there is that you get excited about the prospect and buy yourself some Mega-T Green Tea. Though, it probably doesn’t need pointing out, but Mega-T Green Tea’s claim is also correct if you lose just one pound…

“Green Tea: Curb appetite to improve fat metabolism.”

This claim doesn’t really make any sense. Green Tea doesn’t curb your appetite — it increases the rate at which your metabolism burns calories. They’re just throwing stuff out there trying to get consumers to bite.

Mega-T Green Tea’s Price

We found it for $36 — extremely expensive compared to other alternatives. Actually, the alternative we’d recommend is more expensive, but the “bang for your buck” is just so much higher. With Mega-T Green Tea you’re getting an ineffective amount of green tea, a bit of garcinia cambogia (but not in its better Super Citrimax form), and guarana, but without the Yerba Mate and Damiana.

Overall, Mega-T Green Tea just leaves me underwhelmed from every side.