CritiCALorie » aloe vera

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse Review

Susan — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 17:08:10 +0000

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse is a 48 hour diet drink that claims it will help you “Get the body you want” (website). This QuickTrim Fast Cleanse review will give you the skinny on the truth about QuickTrim Fast Cleanse.

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse Ingredients

Sodium 14 mg
Potassium 24 mg
Lemon Detox Blend 8.08 g
Soy Sprouts
Oat Fiber
Aloe Vera Gel
Barley Malt
Licorice Root Extract
Trace Minerals
Cranberry Concentrate
Eleuthero Root Extract
Cherry Juice Crystals
Astragalus Root
Barley Grass
Brown Rice
Bilberry Fruit Extract
Elderberry Fruit Extract
Pomegranate Fruit Extract
Blueberry Fruit Extract
Acerola Berry Extract
Raspberry Juice Crystals
Coconut
Pure Lemon Juice Concentrate
Blackberry Fruit Extract
Cranberry Fruit Extract
Fibersol-2
Chlorella Algae
Japanese Seaweed Blend
Soybean Fiber
Chicory Root
Jerusalem Artichoke Tuber
Mung Bean
Wheat Berry
Jasmine Tea Extract

Don’t be too impressed by the lengthy list of ingredients contained in QuickTrim Fast Cleanse. The truth is that NONE of the ingredients has been proven to contribute to cause weight loss. The ingredients in QuickTrim Fast Cleanse are healthy ingredients, but they will not cause significant long term weight loss.

Taking QuickTrim Fast Cleanse will most likely land you on the toilet for several days. Therefore, you could lose some weight right away, but it is just water weight and will come back right away.

If you are just looking to fit into a sensational dress for a night, maybe QuickTrim Fast Cleanse is for you, but you can be sure it won’t be a pleasant process and it won’t cause lasting weight loss.

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse Cost

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse costs $29.99 per bottle. One bottle lasts two days. This QuickTrim Fast Cleanse review finds this is too expensive for this product. There is no clinical evidence to prove QuickTrim Fast Cleanse will really cause weight loss.

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse Guarantee

QuickTrim does not actually sell QuickTrim Fast Cleanse. You have to purchase through a third party. Therefore, QuickTrim does not offer a guarantee. Check with the individual retailer to find out if they offer their own guarantee.

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse Marketing

The QuickTrim website is packed with pictures of the Kardashian sisters in skimpy clothing. In addition, they claim QuickTrim Fast Cleanse is used by many celebrities. Even if this is true, just because a celebrity endorses or uses a product doesn’t mean it is actually worth buying. In fact, in most cases, they’re the ones making money off of it.

QuickTrim Fast Cleanse Conclusion

This QuickTrim Fast Cleanse review finds QuickTrim Fast Cleanse is probably not the product for you. Unless you are looking to spend the next few days on the toilet, you don’t want to take QuickTrim Fast Cleanse. True, it might cause you to lose a little water weight, but it will NOT be long lasting. If you are looking to fit into that perfect dress, maybe you’ll want to try QuickTrim Fast Cleanse. Otherwise, look for a diet pill that includes clinically proven ingredients in the necessary amounts.

Aspire Review

Cal — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 16:40:56 +0000

Aspire is a weight loss product marketed solely towards women that claims to be the “solution women like you have been waiting for.”

So how does Aspire stack up against the competition? This Aspire review will take a look at their ingredients, marketing, guarantee, and pricing to help you decide for yourself.

Ingredients

The Aspire weight loss product consists of 3 different formulas: Cleanse, Weight Loss, & Appetite Suppressant.

Cleanse is designed kick start your weight loss by ridding your body of toxins.
Weight Loss is meant to boost your energy and your fat burning capabilities.
Appetite Suppressant is (surprise!) supposed to help you eat less.

Aspire Cleanse

Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Psyllium Seed
Aloe Vera
Cascara Sagrada – A natural laxative, cascara sagrada is effective but has a number of side effects and safety warnings (such as don’t take it for longer than 7 days in a row).
Milk Thistle Seed
Fennel Seed
Rhubarb Root
Raspberry Leaf
Flaxseed
Goldenseal Herb
Dandelion Leaf

This is a pretty standard mix of fibers designed to cleanse your system.

Aspire Weight Loss

Raspberry
Guarana – Has shown to be effective when combined with yerba mate and damiana.
Green Tea – An effective and proven weight loss ingredient, green tea helps to increase the metabolic rate and is known for its fat burning capabilities.
GuggulsteronesWhile many claim that it aids in fat burning, research is lacking that supports this theory.
Rhodiola Rosea
Cinnamon Bark
Yerba Mate – Has shown to be effective when combined with guarana and damiana.
Banaba
Ginseng – Many believe that ginseng aids in weight loss, and early studies seem slightly supportive, but more definitive research is needed.
Dandelion Root
Alpha-lipoic Acid – While it’s true the alpha-lipoic acid helps produce energy, studies suggest that your body already makes enough of it so more isn’t likely to do much good.
Evodiamine
Chromium – Chromium plays in important role in blood sugar regulation. More research is needed, however, that shows that chromium supplementation leads directly to weight loss.

Aspire Appetite Suppressant

GlucomannanA dietary fiber that has quite a bit of research backing up its claims to be an effective appetite suppressant.
Fibersol-2
Hoodia GordoniiHoodia is a fad ingredient that has almost zero research backing up its claims to aid in weight loss through appetite suppression. It became popular by marketing, and not for its efficacy.

Some of the ingredients in Aspire are good and some are hype. If they disclosed the amounts of each ingredient, it would be much easier to gauge it’s effectiveness.

Aspire’s Marketing

First, the positive. I like that Aspire lists all of the ingredients in the different formulas and even has a little information about each one. This can be found by going to the FAQ’s, then clicking the question about the ingredients. While I wish they told us how much of each ingredient is in the mix, they’ve done more than some companies that I’ve seen.

What I don’t like about Aspire’s marketing is that the entire website feels like some hyped up sales pitch that almost tries to play off of people’s insecurities. You’ll see comments such as, “Do You Feel Like Crying When You Look In The Mirror? Use Aspire And Laugh Out Loud When You Get On The Scale” or “heads will turn wherever and whenever you walk by.”

Oh, and this was a favorite:

You should not be spending your time worrying or crying about your weight. If you really want to be slim and gorgeous and wear those hot bathing suits you’ve seen on the beaches (and only dreamed of wearing), we have the answer you’ve been waiting for.

As if we have to be slim and skinny in order to be happy and beautiful. I hope you can see through the shallow marketing.

I don’t however, see any big red flags other than the distasteful sales copy.

Aspire’s Money Back Guarantee

I was glad to see that Aspire offers a 90 day money back guarantee. Anything over 60 days in this industry is pretty good, so 90 days is a pretty solid guarantee.

I’m somewhat confused at something in their guarantee. Here’s what it says (emphasis added): “If you’re not happy with Aspire, contact us within 90 days of your purchase date and return the unused portion (even if you’ve used everything), and you’ll get a full refund (less shipping), no questions asked!”

The first part makes me believe that you can only get a refund for the unused (or unopened) bottles. But the second part in parenthesis makes it sound like you get a refund on all bottles, even if they were used (and are now empty).

I don’t have any big reason to believe that this ambiguous terminology isn’t intentionally trying to trick consumers, but If I were you I’d play it safe and only count on getting refunded for unused bottles.

Aspire’s Price

A one month supply is $49.97. If it’s effective, this isn’t a bad price for a weight loss product. Of course, they suggest you take it for 3 to 6 months (likely to pad their pockets a little more).

Conclusion

The Aspire weight loss product consist of a pretty good ingredient profile. Many of the ingredients have been proven, and some have not. Overall, as long as the ingredients are included in the correct amounts (which we can’t verify since they don’t disclose it) than it’s likely to be fairly effective. I like their guarantee and the price is decent. I don’t, however, like the manner in which they’ve marketed their product. You be the judge.

Banital Review

Susan — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 15:33:42 +0000

Banital is a diet pill which supposedly “assists with the four biggest problems people have when it comes to losing weight, assisting in carb metabolism, fat metabolism, appetite suppression while giving you a much needed energy boost throughout the day” (website). This Banital review will give you the full picture of Banital–from their ingredients to costs and guarantees.

Banital Claims

The Banital website claims Banital diet pills will do the following:

“Appetite Blend-stops you from over eating

Carb Blend-helps pass undigested through your body

Energy Blend-gently raises your energy level”

Banital Ingredients

Green tea 100 mg has been proven to contribute to weight loss, but only when included in doses of 300 mg or more per day. This Banital review finds there is not enough green tea in Banital to contribute to weight loss.

Peppermint leaf

Cinnamon bark is supposed to help control blood sugar levels, but there is no research to substantiate this.

Chamomile calms the stomach but does not cause weight loss.

Ginger root calms the stomach but does not contribute to weight loss.

Licorice root

Tangerine peel

Chicory root-tonic

Gymnema sylvestre helps control blood sugar levels. Unfortunately, Banital fails to list how much gymnema sylvestre it contains.

Aloe vera

Bitter melon

Citrus aurantium (6% synephrine) contributes to weight loss. However, the important thing with synephrine is the concentration–the higher the better. Thus, the 6% concentration of synephrine in Banital will not do much to cause weight loss.

Lycium berry has not been shown to contribute to weight loss.

Chitosan contributes to weight loss, but only when included in doses of 3 grams per day or more. Banital does not list how much chitosan it contains, but it is extremely unlikely that there is enough chitosan to be effective.

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber that makes users feel full. However, it has to be taken in doses of 2-4 grams per day. It is unlikely that Banital diet pills contain enough glucomanna to be effective.

As you can see, Banital does contain several clinically proven ingredients. Unfortunately, they hide how much of each ingredient is included, making it impossible to know how effective Banital will be. Companies usually do this so they can hide how little of each ingredient they actually include.

Banital Guarantees

Banital has two different guarantees–the regular guarantee and the “Double your money back” guarantee.

The regular guarantee is a 30 day money back guarantee. To get a refund, you have to call customer service to get a Return Merchandise Authorization (RMA). Then you send in your unopened bottle for a refund.

The “Double your money back” guarantee has so many hoops to jump through, I would be surprised if anyone ever gets it. To get double your money back, you have to:

See a doctor
Have Banital recommended by the doctor
Have your weight recorded before taking Banital
Have your weight recorded 25 days after starting Banital

The “Double your money back” guarantee is a joke. It is listed several times on their website, but they only list the details in the fine print, and the fine print is very confusing.

Banital Cost

The Banital website lists three purchase options:

A 30 day supply for $79.95 (including Banital, a Health and Fitness Guide, and a bottle of their detox formula)
An autoship option for $79.95 per month (including Banital, detox formula, and a Multi-Nutrient)–with this option you are automatically shipped the product every month and your credit card is charged.
A 30 day only supply for $139.75 (including Banitol, detox, Health & Fitness guide, and vitamins

The Banital website does not explain the difference between option 1 and option 3. Like their guarantee policies, Banital’s purchase options are very confusing. Any of these options is WAY too expensive for Banital. There is no proof that Banital actually works.

Banital Conclusion

This Banital review finds Banital does not live up to its claims. If Banital actually included their proven ingredients in proven amounts, it would be a great diet pill. However, they hide how much of each ingredient they include. Banital is far too expensive and their costs and guarantees are confusing. Find a diet pill that is honest about how much of each ingredient it contains–one that contains proven ingredients in proven amounts.

7-DFBX Review

Susan — Sun, 02 Nov 2008 16:59:04 +0000

7-DFBX is a diet pill that claims, “Buy 7-DFBX Today and be 7, 10, 14, Even up to 21 POUNDS Skinnier in 7 Days!!” (website) This 7-DFBX review will explain the ingredients in 7-DFBX as well as determine what validity (if any) there is in the claims about 7-DFBX.

7-DFBX Ingredients

Caffeine Anyhdrous is just regular caffeine. It has been shown to contribute to weight loss.
Potassium Gluconate has healthy benefits but has not been shown to contribute to weight loss.
Chromium Polynicotinate has been shown to contribute to weight loss by some studies, but not by others.
Psyllium Husk
Oat Bran Fiber
Barley Rice Fiber
Apple Pectin
Fennel Seed
Glucomannan (267 mg) is a dietary fiber which is supposed to make users feel full. Studies have shown glucomannan to be effective when used at a dose of 2-4 g per day. Thus, this 7-DFBX review finds there is not enough glucomannan in 7-DFBX diet pills to be effective.
Flax seed powder
Dandelion Root
Uva Ursi is used to treat headaches and bladder infections. There is evidence that a drug interaction is possible when Uva Ursi is combined with diuretics (like Buchu, Juniper, parsley, and mint leaf).
Cranberry
Buchu Leaves 4:1is a diuretic.
Alfalfa
Juniper Berries is a diuretic.
Garlic 100:1
Ginger Root
Parsley is a diuretic.
Goldenseal
Mint leaf is a diuretic.
Red Raspberry Leaf
Lemon Peel
Hawthorn Berries
Red Clover Leaf
Burdock Root
Irish Moss
Aloe Vera
Cayenne Pepper
Sage
Noni
Mangosteen
Pomegranate
Apple Cider Vinegar
Grapefruit Seed

7-DFBX is a diuretic (it rids your body of water). So, you might see a little weight loss from using 7-DFBX diet pills, but you will probably be on the toilet a lot. Don’t count on keeping the weight off either.

7-DFBX Cost

7-DFBX costs $19.99 per bottle (for a one week supply). This is very expensive, considering there is no evidence to show that 7-DFBX actually works.

7-DFBX Guarantee

The 7-DFBX website says, “If you are not satisfied with our product, please return the empty bottle to receive full refund less S&H. If you purchased more than 1 bottle, all other bottles MUST be in unopend, unused, and resellable condition.” This seems like a pretty good guarantee, although they do not specify how much time you have to return the product for a refund.

7-DFBX Claims

7-DFBX claims you can lose up to 21 pounds in one week by taking 7-DFBX diet pills. Anything that promises more than about a pound a day should be questioned. If you do happen to lose some weight when taking 7-DFBX, you won’t keep the weight off. 7-DFBX does warn to take a week off in between bottles.

7-DFBX Conclusion

This 7-DFBX review finds this product is not worth your money. You might experience some weight loss from 7-DFBX, but only because you will be stuck on the toilet. There are more comfortable and more lasting ways to lose weight. Check out our recommended products. They contain proven ingredients in correct amounts.

7-DFB Review

Susan — Sat, 01 Nov 2008 16:43:49 +0000

7-DFB (Seven day fat burner)

According to their website, 7-DFB (seven day fat burner) is “the ONLY Fat Burner in the World that can help YOU Lose 7, 10, 14, Even Up To 21 POUNDS in Just 7-Days”. They claim the average loser loses 8.75 pounds in 7 days. This 7-DFB review will determine if there is any validity to these lofty claims.
What are the ingredients in 7-DFB?

The following is the ingredient list found on the 7-DFB website

Serving Size: 6 Capsules
Amount per 6 capsule serving

Total carbohydrate 2000 mg
Dietary Fiber     2000 mg
Potassium Gluconate 200 mg
Chromium Polynicotinate 2 mg
Dandelion Root  1500 mg
Psyllium Husk   500 mg
Oat Bran Fiber   500 mg
Rice Bran Fiber 500 mg
Uva Ursi   500 mg
Glucomannan 500 mg
Flax seed powder 500 mg
Cranberry   500 mg
Buchu Leaves 4:1 200 mg
Alfalfa   200 mg
Juniper Berries 200 mg
Garlic 100:1   200 mg
Ginger Root 120 mg
Parsley   100 mg
Mint leaf   100 mg
Red Raspberry Leaf 70 mg
Lemon Peel   70 mg
Hawthorn Berries 70 mg
Red Clover Leaf 70 mg
Burdock Root   70 mg
Irish Moss   70 mg
Aloe Vera   70 mg
Sage    70 mg
Cayenne Pepper 70 mg
Noni    50 mg
Mangosteen   50 mg
Pomegranate   50 mg
Apple Cider Vinegar 50 mg
Grapefruit Seed 50 mg

What a long list of ingredients! The 7-DFB website has a description of each ingredient. In addition to those listed on the bottle, they also list Caffeine Anyhdrous, apple pectin, fennel seed, and goldenseal.
This seems strange since these ingredients are not listed on the bottle.

Chromium Picolinate (chromium + picolinic acid) is pushed by companies as an aid to losing weight. It is known that small quantities of chromium are “needed for glucose utilization by insulin in normal health, but deficiency is extremely rare in developed nations.” ((http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chromium_picolinate))
Some claim chromium picolinate reduces insulin resistance and leads to weight loss. However, studies show mixed results.

Do you have a chromium deficiency? Probably not.

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber which makes you feel full. Studies have shown it is effective in promoting weight loss, but only if you take 2-4 grams per day. The amount of glucomannan in 7-DFB diet pills is not enough to cause weight loss.

The remainder of the ingredients in 7-DFB might be healthy, but they have no effect on weight loss (unless you call a laxative effect a way to promote weight loss). This 7-DFB review finds there is no ingredient in 7-DFB which has been proven to contribute to weight loss (at least not in proven amounts).
How much does 7-DFB cost?

One bottle of 7-DFB diet pills costs $19.99 for a seven day supply. However, if you join the Orovo club (a multi-level marketing company) you can get a bottle of 7-DFB for about $5 (after you pay full price for one product).

How should 7-DFB be taken?

The recommended dosage is 6 capsules twice a day for seven days. Allow 7-days without using the product in between cycles.
What are the side effects of 7-DFB?

Side effects of 7-DFB diet pills include frequent bowel movements, increased heart rate, and nausea.
Is there a guarantee for 7-DFB?

The 7-DFB website says they will give a full refund if you return your empty bottle (plus any unopened bottles). You will receive a “prompt refund” minus shipping and handling.

7-DFB conclusion

This 7-DFB review finds this is not a typical fat burner. It does not contain ingredients typically contained in fat burners. There are no proven ingredients in 7-DFB diet pills. Any claim that you can lose 21 pounds in seven days should be a huge red flag. Maybe you could lose weight on 7-DFB but it would most likely be because you would be stuck on the toilet for a week. If you really want to lose weight, look for a diet pill that includes proven ingredients in proven amounts.

Cleanse for Life Review (Isagenix)

Susan — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 16:10:30 +0000

Cleanse for Life is a diet supplement drink that supposedly gives:

“More energy
Natural weight loss
Reduced cravings
Improved muscle tone
Balanced digestion
Greater mental focus” (website).

This Cleanse for Life review will explain the untold truths about Cleanse for Life and its manufacturer, Isagenix, to give you the full story behind this product.

Cleanse for Life Ingredients

Sodium (45mg ) is necessary for health, but does not contribute to weight loss.

Potassium (70 mg) does not contribute to weight loss.

Total Carbohydrate 10g

Dietary Fiber (1g ) is very important in health, but it does not directly contribute to weight loss.

Sugars 8 g

Other Carbohydrate 1g

Vitamin B3 (niacin) 8 mg

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) 8 mg

Vitamin B12 (cobalamin) 30 mcg

Proprietary Blend 100 ml

Aloe Vera Leaf gel is used in many skin care products, but it has not been shown to contribute to weight loss.

IsaLyte trace minerals

Pau D’Arco inner bark

Suma root is supposed to keep hormonal balance. There is no proof that it contributes to weight loss.

Eleutherococcus Senticocus root extract is supposed to increase the immune system; it does not contribute to weight loss.

Burdock root

Fennel seed

Peppermint leaf

Licorice root

Choline bitarate is contained in many diet supplements which claim choline reduces body fat, but there is no evidence to back up this claim.

Inositol helps transport fat from the liver. It is used to treat depression and ADD.

Betain HCl

L-Methionine helps breakdown fats and aids in digestion. It is not recommended that you supplement with L-Methionine unless directed by your doctor.

The Truth Behind Cleanse for Life

The Cleanse for Life website (the Isagenix company website) is quite frustrating. There are no prices listed and no guarantee listed either. Of course they do not say how much of each ingredient is included (supposedly because they don’t want anyone stealing their formula).

Well, we contacted Isagenix customer service and here is what we found:

If you sign up for a yearly membership ($39 per year), you get a discount on Isagenix products.
Before they will give you the price for a single bottle of Cleanse for Life they try to sell you their “30 Day Cleanse” (which costs $374 without a membership and $260 with one). If that doesn’t work they try to sell you the “9 Day Cleanse” (which costs $174.95 without a membership and $130 with one). These extended day cleanse programs include several products including Cleanse for Life.
Finally they told me the price on one single bottle of Cleanse for Life. It is $43 without a membership and $32 with one. One bottle of Cleanse for Life lasts 2 days.
Isagenix employs Multi-Level Marketing tactics, although they do not call them such. In other words, they try to get you to sell Isagenix products and give you a cut of everything you sell. Maybe that is why they don’t list their prices online–you get a different price depending on how much you have sold and who you buy it through.
Isagenix does have a 30 day money back guarantee. However, they will not refund your membership fee. We like that they will return your money (minus shipping and handling), but we like to see a guarantee of 90 days.

Cleanse for Life Conclusion

This Cleanse for Life review finds that Cleanse for Life seems like nothing more than a scam. It does not contain any proven ingredients, and the marketing is misleading and confusing. If you really want to lose weight, use a diet pill with proven ingredients in proven amounts.

BioSculpt Review

Susan — Mon, 13 Oct 2008 20:21:43 +0000

BioSculpt is a nighttime formula diet supplement. It claims to be “The world’s best-most powerful 3 in 1 formula” (website). Unfortunately, they never explain what the 3 in 1 is…The BioSculpt website claims BioSculpt does the following:

Promotes weight loss
Supports appetite reduction
Helps with lean muscle development
Helps shorten workout recovery time
Enhances body’s ability to rejuvenate
Promotes better sleep, increased energy and stamina
Collagen protein places the body’s metabolism in an optimal state to burn fat.

This BioSculpt review will examine the ingredients contained in BioSculpt as well as the marketing techinques of BioSculpt to help you see just what you can expect from BioSculpt.

BioSculpt Ingredients

Protein 4g
Vitamin B5 60mg
Vitamin B6 4mg
Hydrolyzed Collagen 3000mg

BioSculpt™ Blend 7650mg:

Aloe Vera Gel
Potassium Pyruvate
CLA
L-Carnitine

Proprietary Blend 1000mg:

L-Alanine
L-Lysine
L-Proline
L-Glutamine
L-Leucine
Hydroxyproline
Dimethyl Glycine

Protein, Vitamin B5, and Vitamin B6 have healthy benefits, but they have not been shown to contribute to weight loss.

Despite what many diet supplement companies claim, there is NO scientific research to prove that collagen contributes to weight loss.

CLA has been proven to contribute to weight loss. Unfortunately, BioSculpt fails to reveal how much CLA it contains, making it impossible for this BioSculpt review to determine if there is enough CLA in BioSculpt to contribute to weight loss.

L-Carnitine supposedly helps to break down fats. There is no scientific research to back up this claim.

L-Glutamine has many healthy benefits, but it has not been shown to contribute to weight loss.

The directions for taking BioSculpt are as follows:

“Take Biosculpt once daily on an empty stomach, usually three hours after the last meal. One ounce should be taken each evening” (website). Most dieters would agree that their most likely time to snack is in the evening, so of course you are going to lose weight if you don’t eat anything for at least three hours after dinner. If you see any weight loss when taking BioSculpt it is probably from eliminating your evening snacking.

BioSculpt Cost

BioSculpt costs $31.96 for a one month supply (which, according to their website is 20% off). This BioSculpt review finds this is way too expensive for BioSculpt. The only proven ingredient in BioSculpt is CLA, and the amount is undisclosed.

BioSculpt Guarantee

BioSculpt offers a 30 day money back guarantee, with the refund coming within 10 business days. We like the money back guarantee, but 30 days simply isn’t long enough to determine if a product works (although since BioSculpt contains only one proven ingredient in an undisclosed amount it is unlikely that it will work).

BioSculpt Marketing

The BioSculpt website specifically says BioSculpt is a nighttime formula. They urge you to take it with their daytime formula, ThermoSculpt. This is just another way to get more money out of you.

BioSculpt has the typical fake-looking before and after photos and testimonials. Don’t give these photos or testimonials any weight; they probably aren’t real anyway.

BioSculpt Conclusion

This BioSculpt review finds BioSculpt is just another typical diet supplement. It contains only ONE proven ingredient and doesn’t even say how much of it is included. BioSculpt is too expensive to gamble on. Instead, try a diet pill which has proven itself.

Hooderma Review

Susan — Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:55:01 +0000

Hooderma is a diet gel which claims to help people “lose 12 pounds in 9 days” (Hooderma website). They claim that the ingredients in the gel will get into your bloodstream faster than ingredients in a diet pill. Hooderma is also supposed to help make skin look younger by reducing lines and wrinkles. This Hooderma review will explain just how valid these claims are and what Hooderma might do for you.

What are the ingredients contained in Hooderma?

The following are the ingredients in Hooderma, according to their website.

Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 extract
Green Tea
7 Keto DHEA
Aloe Vera Gel
MSM
Hyaluronic Acid

Hoodia Gordonii is an overhyped ingredient that is extremely popular right now. Unfortunately, regardless of what some might claim, there is NO scientific evidence to show that Hoodia actually contributes to weight loss. Hoodia 20:1 extract is supposedly the purest form of Hoodia, but it doesn’t really matter considering it hasn’t been proven to work.

Green tea is a clinically proven ingredient which increases the metabolic rate. Green tea is one of our favorite ingredients, as long as it is included in proven amounts.

7-KETO is a naturally occurring metabolite (metabolites break things down for use in the body) of the hormone dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA serves as a precursor for the sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Studies have shown that 7-KETO can contribute to weight loss, when used in the proper amount. There are no long-term studies available to show 7-KETO’s affect on humans. Some have concerns that it may cause heart palpitations. Others have even suggested maximum dosages of 5mg. As always, it is up for you to decide if you are comfortable supplementing with 7-KETO.

Aloe vera is known for its use in treating cuts and burns. While it is used in my skin care products, there is no evidence of its effectiveness in these products. It has not been shown to contribute to weight loss either.

MSM is often used to treat osteoarthritis and snoring. There is no evidence that it contributes to weight loss.

Hyaluronic acid cushions and lubricates connective tissue in the body. Research has shown that hyaluronic acid can help to reduce wrinkles.

What does the research say about Hooderma?

Here are the problems with Hooderma: 1) They do not disclose how much of each ingredient is included in the formula. 2) There has been no research done specifically on diet gels. All the research has been done on diet pills. This makes it impossible for this Hooderma review to determine how effective Hooderma is.

Does Hooderma really help the skin?

Hooderma does contain hyaluronic acid, which can help to reduce lines and wrinkles. However, they do not disclose how much hyaluronic acid is included, so, once again, this Hooderma review cannot determine if the hyaluronic acid in Hooderma is effective in reducing wrinkles.

Neither Aloe vera nor MSM has been proven to contribute to moisturizing the skin or reducing wrinkles.

What is the cost of Hooderma?

Hooderma costs $31.99 for a two month supply. While this is relatively inexpensive compared to other diet products, there is no evidence that it actually works.

Does Hooderma have a guarantee?

Hooderma includes a 100% Satisfaction Guarantee. According to the website, if you return one used and any unused bottle you will be given a full refund minus shipping.

What are the side effects of Hooderma?

Side effects include restlessness, allergic reactions to the gel, and blood sugar imbalances.

Hooderma conclusion

This Hooderma review finds that while a diet gel may be a new idea, it is not an effective one (at least not for this gel). Hooderma does contain some ingredients that have proven effective in promoting weight loss, they do not include ingredient amounts. Also, there has been no research done on diet gels so there is no way to know how much of each ingredient would be effective. If you are serious about losing weight, read through our recommended products.

Colvera Review

Susan — Wed, 20 Aug 2008 21:22:44 +0000

Colvera is “an all natural weight loss system that is designed to help your body process proteins effectively and help you build lean muscle naturally” (website).
This Colvera review will detail each Colvera ingredient and dissect Colvera’s claims to let you know what you can expect from Colvera diet pills.

Colvera Ingredients

Collagen Hydrolysate (Protein) is an ingredient used commonly by diet pill companies who claim collagen will reduce body fat. There is no research to back up these claims.
Aloe Vera is sometimes used as a mild laxative. It helps in colon cleansing. However, it has not been
proven to directly contribute to weight loss.
Lecithin is supposed to break down fat and flush it out; there is no evidence to prove this.
Safflower Oil helps to regulate body functions by building prostaglandins. It does not contribute to weight loss.
Beeswax is used for the coating of the capsules. It does not contribute to weight loss.
Water
Gelatin, like Collagen, is supposed to reduce body fat and fine lines. Once again, there is no scientific evidence to prove these claims.
Glycerin is added for flavor. However, it does not contribute to weight loss.

You will notice that NONE of the ingredients in Colvera diet pills have been proven to be effective
in contributing to weight loss. On a more positive note, the ingredients in Colvera are all-natural. Too bad they fail to list how much of each ingredient they include.

Colvera Cost

Colvera diet pills cost $49.95 for a one month supply (with a discount for buying in bulk). Each bottle contains 90 capsules.

Colvera–No Guarantee

The Colvera website states, “No legitimate company can guarantee that their product will work for everyone. We do, however, guarantee that if you don’t take the product, you won’t lose the weight!”
This statement is ridiculous! Beware of any company that is unwilling to back up their own product. It should make you suspect of the product.

How to Take Colvera

According to the Colvera website, “You simply take 3 capsules before you go to bed on an empty stomach. This process allows Colvera™ to work more efficiently during the first 45 to 90 minutes of sleep while the body uses the available collagen and other vital nutrients during this time.”
Anyone who has tried dieting knows the biggest secret is avoiding evening and night snacking. So, going to bed on an empty stomach will help whether you take anything
or not. If you experience weight loss while taking Colvera diet pills, it is most likely because you are going to bed on an empty stomach and not because of Colvera.

Colvera Claims

Colvera wants you to believe they have a superior product because they do not include caffeine or stimulants. They claim, “Colvera™ is a natural Collagen Protein Formula, which works as a nutritional supplement that safely and naturally assists the body in shedding extra body fat, sugar, and toxins. What they don’t tell you is that none of the ingredients in Colvera have been proven o contribute to weight loss.

Colvera Conclusion

This Colvera review finds that Colvera will do nothing to help you lose weight. There is NO clinical
evidence showing that any of the ingredients in Colvera contribute to weight loss. If you are really
serious about losing weight, read through our recommended products to find one that includes
proven ingredients in clinically proven amounts.

Calogel Review

Susan — Sat, 16 Aug 2008 20:23:03 +0000

Calogel is “a natural marine collagen protein formula, which works as a nutritional supplement that safely and naturally assists the body in shedding extra body fat, sugar, and toxins. Calogel™ AM simply supports your body’s lean muscle and fuels your body’s natural mechanism in burning off excess fats and sugars.” This Calogel review will explore the ingredients in Calogel diet pills and determine what you might realistically expect from this product.

Calogel Ingredients

Calogel diet pills contain the following ingredients:

Collagen
Lecithin
Aloe Vera
Safflower Oil
Beeswax

Many diet pill companies claim collagen reduces body fat and erases fine lines and wrinkles. Unfortunately, clinical research has not been able to substantiate this claim; collagen has not been proven to contribute to weight loss.

Lecithin is supposed to break down fat and flush it out of the body. Once again, Lecithin has not been proven to contribute to weight loss.

Aloe Vera is known for its healthy benefits. It is sometimes used as a mild laxative. The use of Aloe Vera for weight loss is mainly for colon cleansing.

Safflower Oil helps to regulate body functions by providing the material to build prostaglandins.

Beeswax is used for the casing of the Calogel gelcaps. Beeswax does not contribute to weight loss.

Calogel AM & PM Formulas–What is the difference?

Calogel has two formulas, the AM Formula and the PM Formula. There is NO difference in the ingredients contained in the two formulas. Since Calogel does not disclose how much of each ingredient is included, there is no way to determine if there is any difference in these two formulas. The only differentiation made between the AM and PM formulas is how they are taken.

The directions for the AM Formula are as follows:
“Take 3 gelcaps in the morning as soon as you get up and do not eat for one hour” (website).

The directions for the PM Formula are:
“You simply take 3 capsules before you go to bed on an empty stomach. This process allows Calogel™ to work more efficiently during the first 45 to 90 minutes of sleep while the body uses the available collagen and other vital nutrients during this time” (website).

You will notice that the basic direction for both formulas is not to eat when taking the diet pill. So, if you are seeing results from taking Calogel it is most likely because you are not eating right after waking up and you are going to bed with an empty stomach. There is NO evidence to show Calogel will cause weight loss; NONE of the ingredients in Calogel have been proven to directly cause weight loss.

Calogel–No Guarantee

The Calogel website states, “We do not offer returns or guarantees simply because we can not be with each person to make sure it is taken properly and taken each day. We do, however, guarantee that if you don’t take the product, you won’t lose the weight!. Remember Calogel has nearly a 90% success rate when used correctly” (website).

It is really unusual for a diet pill company not to have some sort of a guarantee. Any company that fails to back up their product is not worth buying from.

Calogel Cost

Calogel diet pills cost $98 for a combo pack including both the AM and PM formulas. This combo pack lasts one month. This Calogel review finds that this is much too expensive for Calogel diet pills. There is no proof that Calogel contributes to weight loss; don’t waste your money on it.

Calogel Conclusion

This Calogel review finds that Calogel may improve your fine lines and wrinkles, but it will not cause weight loss. There are no proven ingredients contained in Calogel diet pills. Save yourself some grief and look for a product with proven ingredients in proven amounts.