MX-LS7 Ingredients

Green tea does cause weight loss when used in doses of 300 mg or more per day. Again, MX-LS7 hides how much green tea it contains.

Yerba Mate has been proven to cause weight loss but only when combined with Damiana and Guarana. MX-LS7 does not contain Damiana or Guarana. Thus, this MX-LS7 review finds the Yerba Mate in MX-LS7 will not contribute to weight loss.

Natural and anhydrous caffeine contribute to weight loss, but MX-LS7 does not list how much caffeine it contains.

Bioperine increases the body’s ability to absorb nutrients; it does not necessarily cause weight loss.

Synephrine is a clinically proven diet pill ingredient. The important aspect of synephrine is the concentration–the higher the concentration the more effective the synephrine. Once again, MX-LS7 does not disclose the concentration of synephrine it contains.

Gugglesterone supposedly increase thyroid function, but research has shown varying results.

Clary sage

Coleus forskholii does cause weight loss, but there is no proof of how much coleus forskholii MX-LS7 contains.

Tyrosine causes weight loss when used in doses of 500 to 1500 mg per day; it is unlikely that MX-LS7 contains enough Tyrosine to be effective.

Evodiamine has been shown to cause weight loss in rodents, but more human research is needed.

Xanthinol Nicotinate has been shown to increase blood flow to the brain, but it has not been shown to cause weight loss.

Bacopa

Vinpocetine is used to treat age related memory problems; it does not cause weight loss.

MX-LS7 Price

MX-LS7 diet pills cost $34.99 for 120 capsules. If you take the maximum recommended dose of 8 capsules per day, one bottle will last 15 days. This is very expensive for a diet pill. Although MX-LS7 contains several clinically proven ingredients, it fails to disclose how much of each ingredient is included. Thus, any amount is too much to pay for MX-LS7 diet pills.

MX-LS7 Guarantee

MX-LS7 has an unconditional 60-day money-back guarantee. Unlike many other diet pill companies, MX-LS7 will even give refunds on open bottles. We like this guarantee, but be assured you will need it if you buy MX-LS7.

MX-LS7 Conclusion

MX-LS7 contains several of our favorite diet pill ingredients. Unfortunately they do not list how much of each ingredient is included (probably because there are only trace amounts of these ingredients). Look for a diet pill with similar ingredients but one that includes them in the necessary amounts.

• “Lose Weight
• Have Blemish Free Skin
• Increase Sexual Desire & Sensation
• Increase the Size and Firmness of Your Breasts”

This CurvaTrim review will explore the ins and outs of CurvaTrim and help you determine if this is the product you have been looking for.

CurvaTrim diet pill ingredients

Proprietary Blend 757.5 mg

• Green Tea (50% caffeine)
• Soy Isofavones 40% extract
• Chocamine
• Cinnamon
• Ginger root
• Kelp
• L-Tyrosine
• Dong quai
• Damiana leaves
• Wild yam root
• Avena sativa
• Motherswort
• Blessed thistle
• Fennel seed
• Magnolia bar
• Fenugreek seed
• Elderberry
• Passion flower
• Razberi K

Green tea–this ingredient has been proven to contribute to weight loss. However, CurvaTrim includes it in a “Proprietary Blend”; they do not disclose exactly how much green tea is in the formula. Thus, it is impossible for this CurvaTrim review to determine if the amount of green tea contained in CurvaTrim diet pills is enough to be effective.

Chocamine–I’m neutral, leaning positive on this ingredient. Cocoa itself is effective for endurance, but Chocamine’s has such a deluge of ingredients inside it, it’s tough to really zero in on effectiveness.

Cinnamon–it has been used for years to help regulate blood sugar. Does it directly help you lose weight? That question still remains. With little to no research supporting it, the jury is still out on cinnamon’s efficacy.

Damiana–When combined with yerba mate and guarana, damiana has been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss. However, on its own damiana has not been shown to cause weight loss.

Razberi K–Studies show raspberry ketones induced weight loss in mice with a diet containing 2% of the total diet as raspberry ketones. No studies have been done on humans. Note: in order to take in 2% of raspberry ketones as your total diet you would have to take a ton of these CurvaTrim diet pills. Once again, Methyl Ripped does not disclose how much of this ingredient is included. This makes it impossible to determine whether or not the amount of raspberry ketones in CurvaTrim is enough to be effective in promoting weight loss.

CurvaTrim Guarantee

The CurvaTrim policy is as follows: “Return your one empty bottle (we want you to use all of our fine product) within 60 days of purchase plus all other bottles purchased in undamaged, unopened, and resalable condition for a prompt refund less s&h.” (website)

CurvaTrim and the breast enhancement pill controversy

Breast enhancement pills are controversial. One company, Bloussant, was sued by the FTC for false claims.
While CurvaTrim claims it will help with breast enhancement, none of the ingredients in CurvaTrim diet pills have been proven to contribute to breast enhancement. This shouldn’t be too surprising–why would so many people opt for surgery if you could get the same results from a pill?

How much does CurvaTrim cost?

You can get 90 capsules of CurvaTrim diet pills for $39.99. If you take the recommended dose of 4 capsules per day, it will cost over $53 per month. This is very expensive for a product that hides how much of each ingredient is included and has lofty, unsubstantiated claims.

CurvaTrim Conclusion

This CurvaTrim review finds CurvaTrim is a mediocre product. It includes ingredients in undisclosed amounts. There is no scientific evidence to prove the ingredients in CurvaTrim diet pills will lead to breast enhancement. Spend your money on a diet pill that actually works–one that uses proven ingredients in proven amounts.

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.

What are the ingredients in Thermadrol?

• Green Tea Extract 600mg
• Advantra Z® (Citrus Arantium) 400 mg
• 5-HTP 5 mg
• HydroCitric Acid (Garcina Cambogia) 420 mg
• Bioperine® 6 mg
• L-Carnitine 150 mg
• L-Tyrosine 75 mg
• Vitamin B6 30 mg
• Vitamin B12 600 mcg
• Chromium Picolinate 120 mcg
• Yerba Mate 60 mg
• Apple Cider Vinegar 30 mg
• Caffeine Anhydrous 120 mg
• Fennel Seed 30 mg
• Licorice Root 30 mg
• Pantothenic Acid 9 mg
• Phenylalanine 30 mg
• Gymnema Sylvestre 225 mg
• Cayenne Powder 30 mg
• Hoodia Gordonii 20:1 30 mg
• Ginger Root 45 mg

Green tea has been proven to increase metabolic function, causing weight loss. Studies have shown that taking 300 mg of green tea per day will cause weight loss. The amount of green tea in Thermadrol diet pills is sufficient to cause weight loss.

Advantra Z is a patented extract of Citrus Aurantium (also called Bitter Orange). The active ingredient in Citrus Aurantium is Synephrine, which I reviewed in depth previously.

The short of it is that Advantra Z is one of the ingredients you’ll find in diet pills that is actually effective in aiding weight loss. Synephrine is a stimulant that does not cause the jitters of caffeine. Some make the claim that Syephrine is the “new ephedra”. There has been absolutely zero research documenting a synephrine effect equivalent to ephedra. Is Synephrine (Advantra Z) effective? Yes. But let’s not equate it to ephedra until we have some research to back it up.

5-HTP is an amino acid, a precursor to serotonin (serotonin modulates anger, aggression, body temperature, mood, and appetite, among other things). The main purpose for 5-HTP to be included in a diet pill is for its mood enhancing effects. Much of the excessive calorie consumption causing obesity is supposedly due to mood-induced eating.

What you really have to question is the effectiveness of Garcinia cambogia at all. According to one of my favorite sources, Garcinia cambogia’s “usefulness is unproven.” However, according to this study HCA “was also shown to exhibit concentration-dependent release of serotonin in isolated rat brain cortex, which may explain its appetite suppressive action.” The dosage for the study was 4.6 grams per day — clearly more than the 840 mg present in Thermadrol (with two servings per day). I’m not saying that a lesser dose is not effective, I’m just presenting all of the facts. The study used a much higher dosage.

Bioperine is an extract from the fruit Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). Both of these contain the active ingredient that you’re looking for: Piperine. They call it a “thermonutrient” because it “enhances the body’s natural thermogenic activity.”

Is it the real deal? The Bioperine website did cite one study on their website, that showed an increased absorption of beta-carotene, vitamin B6 and selenium (fat soluble, water soluble, and a mineral, respectively). I don’t know if the ability to absorb more nutrients will directly translate into lost weight, but the added health benefits of Bioperine should not be overlooked.

Carnitine is an amino acid which helps break down fats. Although Carnitine is included in many weight loss supplements, there is no clinical evidence that it contributes to weight loss.

Tyrosine (you’ll sometimes see it called 4-hydroxyphenylalanine) is one of the amino acids used by cells to synthesize proteins. You can find it wherever you find casein (a type of protein found predominantly in dairy products such as milk, cheese, or cottage cheese). Tyrosine is a building block for neurotransmitters, which are chemicals used to relay, amplify and modulate signals between a neuron and another cell.

L-Tyrosine is one diet pill ingredient that has quite a bit of support from actual research:
With L-Tyrosine, you want to look for daily dosage amounts of 500 to 1500 mg. Thermadrol does not have nearly enough Tyrosine to be effective.

Chromium, according to some studies, reduces insulin resistance, thus increasing weight loss. However, other studies find the opposite. The findings are too contradictory to be sure whether it is effective or not. We’re neutral with a slightly positive lean here.

Yerba mate contains mainly caffeine, theophylline, and theobromine. These ingredients supposedly promote central nervous stimulation and help the body to shed water as well as suppress appetite. Additionally, caffeine, theophylline and theobromine appear to suppress appetite, and boost metabolism. However, there is not adequate research to support this. When you combine Yerba Mate with Guarana and Damiana, the effect is great — as shown by some interesting research. Thermadrol does contain Guarana but not Damiana, unfortunately.

Caffeine has been shown to increase metabolic function. Don’t be impressed with the wording Caffeine Anhydrous–it is just dried caffeine. Be sure to take into account your own reaction to caffeine before taking any product containing it.

Hoodia Gordonii is an ingredient that has gained popularity with diet pills. However, there is no scientific evidence that Hoodia actually contributes to weight loss.  All hype, no science.  I wish Thermadrol would’ve left this out — it’s a negative for us to have a diet pill containing this completel fad of an ingredient.

Does Thermadrol have a guarantee?

The Thermadrol website says “Try Thermadrol with QuadraBurn and its 21 Active Ingredients at no risk. If you don’t Lose at Least 10 Pounds AND see an amazing change in your body and energy levels…if friends aren’t raving about weight you’ve lost…If you are not 100% satisfied in any way…simply send back the empty container within 30 days for a full refund of the purchase price.”  This looks like a very solid guarantee.  No fancy wording or trickery.

What are the side effects of Thermadrol?

Side effects of Thermadrol diet pills include sleeplessness, nausea, or jitters. These side effects are actually listed on the Thermadrol website (our hat goes off again!). This is almost unheard of in the diet pill industry. Most companies claim their products have no side effects even if the side effects are known and documented.

How much does Thermadrol cost?

A bottle of 120 capsules costs around $30 and lasts 20 days. At $1.50 per day, they are relatively inexpensive as diet pills go.

Thermadrol’s Unusual Marketing

I was very happily surprised with Thermadrol’s website. It included testimonials, but unlike countless other diet pill companies, the testimonials were simple and quiet believable.

In addition to Thermadrol diet pills, you also receive free exercise software and a free short-term gym membership (wow).

As already noted in this Thermadrol review, Thermadrol actually lists the side effects on their website. This is another unusual move by a diet pill company.

Thermadrol does not autoship their product. In other words, you have to re-order the product if you want more. They do not automatically ship it to you, as many diet pill companies do.  Another plus.

Best of all, Thermadrol tells you how much of each ingredient is included in their formula. This is the ONLY way to know how effective a diet pill actually is.  Thermadrol impresses us yet again.

Thermadrol conclusion

This Thermadrol review finds that Thermadrol is a legitimate diet pill. It contains several proven ingredients, most in proven amounts. We appreciate the upfront marketing. The inclusion of Hoodia adds nothing and we wish the guarantee were for more than 30 days. However, we do not doubt that Thermadrol diet pills can facilitate weight loss.

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.

What are the ingredients in Animal Cuts?

The following is the (lengthy) list of ingredients, according to the Animal Cuts website.

Serving Size 1Pack
Servings Per Container42

Amount Per Serving % DV

• Niacin(as Niacinamide) 15mg 75%
• Vitamin B6(as Pyridoxine HCL) 2mg 100%
• Synephrine *
• Octopamine *
• Tyramine *
• Eqigallocatechin Gallate (EGCG)
• L-Theanine *
• PEA (Phenylethylamine) *
• Choline Citrate *
• Betaine HCL *
• Inositol Monophosphate *
• Guarana (22% Caffeine) *
• L-Carnitine *
• Dandelion Extract (Taraxol, Taraxerol) *
• Uva Ursi Extract (Arbutin, Methyl-Arbutin) *
• Guggul (2.5% Guggulsterones) *
• Soy Isoflavones *
• Insulin Potentiators 100mg
• Alpha-Lipoic Acid *
• Chromium Polynicotinate *
• Chromium Picolinate *
• Nucleotide Regulators 300mg
• Phosphate *
• Inosine *
• Phosphatidylcholine *
• Neurotransmitter Regulators 250mgSt.
• John’s Wort (0.3% Hypericin) *
• Tyrosine *
• Citrilene%u2122 (Hydroxycitric Acid) *
• Grapefruit Extract (Naringin, Naringenin) *
• White Willow (Bark) *
• Phenylalanine (As L-Phenylalanine) *
• Ginger Root Extract (Gingerols, Shoagols) *

What do the ingredients in Animal Cuts do?

Synephrine–One study performed in December of 2007 looked at the lipolysis (fat loss) effects of Satsuma mandarin orange (Citrus unshu Mark) peel on the fat cells of rats (I know, it’s always rats). A high concentration of Synephrine was present in the peel and lipolysis effects were present. The overall conclusion:

These results suggest that the segment wall, an edible fraction, from Satsuma mandarin orange might be useful as a functional food, especially as a fat-reducing material.

PEA (Phenethylamine) is an alkaloid that functions as a neurotransmitter in the brain. Some people call Phenetyhlamine “The Love Drug” because it is included in chocolate but the question arises as to the validity of that claim because Pheneythlamine is metabolized so quickly, it’s doubtful that any significant amount would reach the brain quickly enough to cause an effect. More human research is needed on phenethylamine.

Carnitine is an amino acid which helps break down fats. Although Carnitine is included in many weight loss supplements, there is no clinical evidence that it contributes to weight loss.

Gugglesterones are supposed to increase thyroid function to promote weight loss. However, studies have had varying results.

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.”

Do you have a chromium deficiency? Probably not. However, some studies are finding that Chromium Picolinate reduces insulin resistance, thus leading to weight loss. Other studies claim to find the opposite.

L-tyrosine has proven to contribute to the ability to work out more effectively and burn more calories. You guessed it–the amount of L-tyrosine in Animal Cuts is not disclosed.

Green tea is a very effective ingredient in increasing metabolic function when used in the appropriate amount. However, Animal Cuts does not disclose how much green tea is contained in their formula.

This long list of ingredients can be intimidating. Companies often include dozens of ingredients in micro
amounts so you think you are getting something different and effective. Don’t be fooled. The proof is in how much of each ingredient is included. You will notice the ingredients in Animal Cuts are included in a “complex”. In other words, they don’t want you to know how much of each ingredient is included in the formula. Therefore, it is virtually impossible for this Animal Cuts review to determine the true effectiveness of this product.

How much do Animal Cuts diet pills cost?

A bottle of Animal Cuts diet pills costs around $30 and has 42 packs (servings). If you take the recommended 2 packs a day, one bottle will last you 21 days. While this isn’t especially expensive for a diet pill, there is no way to know how effective it is (which essentially makes it infinitely expensive).

What are the directions for taking Animal Cuts?

The Animal Cuts website gives the following directions:

“Take two Animal Cuts packs everyday for three consecutive weeks. Follow a cycle consisting of three weeks on and one week off. After your one week off cycle, you can repeat another three week on cycle until you reach your goals. Take on an empty stomach.”

Animal Cuts’ in-your-face marketing

Let’s just say Animal Cuts marketing isn’t your typical diet pill marketing. Their website uses any language you can imagine and doesn’t apologize for doing so. They show pictures of bulging biceps, obviously catering to the teenage crowd.

Animal Cuts conclusion

This Animal Cuts review finds that, despite their claims, Animal Cuts diet pills are really not that different from typical fat burners. Like so many other diet pills, Animal Cuts leaves you in the dark about how much of each ingredient is included in the formula. This is a tell tale sign that there is not enough of the proven ingredients to be effective. Try using a diet pill that is honest in the amount of each ingredient included.

What are the ingredients in Levorex?

Ingredients per serving:

• Acetyl-l-carnitine 400mg NV
• Acetyl-l-tyrosine 50mg NV
• Green tea extract 98% (50% egcg) 180mg NV
• Rhodiola rosea (3% rosavins) 25mg NV
• Grape seed extract 98% 50mg NV
• Bioperine� 4mg NV
• EvoPure (Pure evodiamine) 20mg NV
• Vinpocetine 4mg NV
• Tyramine base 10mg NV
• Pyroxidal-5-phosphate 3mg 150%
• Calcium pantothenate 10mg 100%

L-Carnitine is known for stimulating the burning of fatty acids. Research findings are mixed. Levorex claims Acetyl-l-carnitine is even better than l-carnitine. Research found that old rats fed Acetyl-l-carnitine plus lipoic acid showed increased metabolism. (http://www.pnas.org/cgi/content/abstract/99/4/1870)
However, Levorex does not contain lipoic acid. Also, because this study was done on rats and not humans, this Levorex review cannot determine exactly how effective the Acetyl-l-carnitine in Levorex might be.

Tyrosine (you’ll sometimes see it called 4-hydroxyphenylalanine) is one of the amino acids used by cells to synthesize proteins. Even an effective ingredient,backed by research, is ineffective if there isn’t enough of it. With L-Tyrosine, you want to look for daily dosage amounts of 500 to 1500 mg. The amount in Levorex isn’t enough to be effective.

Green tea has been proven to be effective in contributing to weight loss.

Bioperine is an extract from the fruit Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). Both of these contain the active ingredient that you’re looking for: Piperine. They call it a “thermonutrient” because it “enhances the body’s natural thermogenic activity.” I don’t know if the ability to absorb more nutrients will directly translate into lost weight, but the added health benefits of Bioperine should not be overlooked.

In a clinical study, evodiamine was given to mice as .02% of their diet. These mice did lose more weight than the mice given placebo. We’d like to see more research done on evodiamine before we can endorse it as an ingredient to be included in diet pills.

Vinpocetine is used to treat age-related memory problems (increases blood circulation to the brain). You should only take 2-5 mg of vinpocetine to make sure you don’t react negatively to it.

How much does Levorex cost?

One bottle of Levorex diet pills contains 360 capsules and retails for $79.95 (although you can find it online for $36.99). If you take the maximum dosage of 12 capsules per day, one bottle will last 30 days.

What are the side effects of Levorex?

The side effects of Levorex include increased heart rate, nausea, anxiety, and dizziness.

Liporexin/Levorex–why the name change?

Levorex was previously known by the name Liporexin, but the name has recently been changed. There could be several reasons for this. There are other diet pills with the name of Liporexin; perhaps they wanted to be able to distinguish their product from the others. Or perhaps they wanted to leave behind their past and try to start over. There is very little information online about the manufacturer, AvaPharm, or Anafit, the company that represents them.

Levorex conclusion

Levorex is a diet pill which prides itself on not using stimulants; we like this. We also like the use of green tea. However, more research needs to be done on most of the ingredients in Levorex. This Levorex review recommends finding another diet pill until more research can back up the claims made by Levorex.

What are the ingredients in TrimSpa Energy?

The following is the ingredient list from the TrimSpa website.

ElectraSPA Proprietary Blend: Green Tea Extract 40% (standarized for egcs, polyphenols and 40% caffeine), glucomannan, cocoa extract (standardized for pea, tyramine and 10% theobromine), hoodia gordonii (whole plant/less roots), sodium carboxymethylcellulose, glucosamine hcl, guarana extract, l-tyrosine, citrus narargin, atp, vanadium) 1098.5 mg **

Other Ingredients: Dicalcium Phosphate, Microcrystalline Cellulose, Croscarmellose Sodium, Stearic Acid, Magnesium STearate, Hypromellose, Hydroxypropyl Cellulose, Polyethylene Glycol, FD&C Red No. 40 Aluminum Lake, FD&C Yellow No. 6 Aluminum Lake, Titanium Dioxide.

Green tea is one of our favorite diet pill ingredients because it has been proven to increase metabolic function, thus causing weight loss. However, TrimSpa Energy does not disclose how much green tea is contained in its formula. This makes it impossible for this TrimSpa Energy review to determine if the amount of green tea in TrimSpa Energy is enough to cause weight loss.

Glucomannan is a dietary fiber which absorbs water and makes the user feel full. Studies have found that for Glucomannan to be effective, the user must take 1-2 grams per day. Again, TrimSpa Energy diet pills do not say how much glucomannan they contain so no one can know if it is enough to be effective.

Hoodia gordonni is, unfortunately, a very popular diet pill ingredient. Despite all the hype, there is no scientific evidence that hoodia actually contributes to weight loss.

Guarana is composed mostly of caffeine. When combined with yerba mate and damiana, guarana has been shown to be effective in promoting weight loss. However, on its own guarana has not been shown to cause weight loss.

L-tyrosine has proven to contribute to the ability to work out more effectively and burn more calories. You guessed it–the amount of L-tyrosine in TrimSpa Energy is not disclosed.

One very big red flag when looking at a pill with a proprietary blend is to look at the serving size. Their daily serving size is 4 tablets, but then they include some very ineffective fillers (hoodia goronii being the biggest). This pushes out space for something effective like Green Tea and l-tyrosine. Combine that with the fact that, as mentioned above, glucomannan requires 1 to 2 grams per day and the whole TrimSpa Energy formulation is in now in question.

What are the side effects of TrimSpa Energy diet pills?

Side effects include jitters, anxiety, sleeplessness, headaches, hot flashes, depression, mood swings, thyroid problems, and dizziness.

How much does TrimSpa Energy cost?

One bottle of 90 tablets costs $19.95. If you take the recommended dosage of 4 tablets per day, it will cost you less than a dollar a day. While this is relatively inexpensive for a diet pill, it is still too expensive since there is no way to know if it will be effective.

TrimSpa Energy Conclusion

This TrimSpa Energy review finds that TrimSpa Energy does include some clinically proven ingredients. However, they fail to disclose the amounts of any of our ingredients. This means there is no way to determine the effectiveness of TrimSpa diet pills. If you are serious about losing weight, look for a diet pill that uses clinically proven ingredients in proven amounts.

Anadrox does contain several ingredients which have been clinically proven to contribute to weight loss at specific levels. However, like so many other diet pills, Anadrox fails to disclose how much of these ingredients are included. Thus, it is impossible to determine the effectiveness of Anadrox. This Anadrox review will explain just what this product includes and how it might affect you.

What are the ingredients in Anadrox?

The following ingredients are contained in one serving (4 capsules) of Anadrox diet pills

• Vitamin C (mg) 60
• Niacin (mg) 20
• Vitamin B6 (mg) 5
• Folate (mcg) 200
• Vitamin B12 (mcg) 250
• Copper (mg) 1
• Magnesium (mg) 1
• Chromium (mcg) 50
• *VasoTherm Pump mg 2638

*The Pump mg 1941
*The Burn mg 696

Ingredient Details:
The Pump – NitroFolin: (l-arginine HCl, citrulline malate, l-tyrosine, vanadyl sulfate, choline dihydrogen citrate, banaba leaf extract, n-acetylcysteine, taurine, NADH)

The Burn – Thermo Z7: Norephrine, Beta Agonist & Glyceral-3 CyInhibitors: (Advantra Z, 7-KETO, DL-Phenylalanine, kelp, guggulsterones E and Z) Purine Nucleoside & Phosphate dehydrogenase Inhibitors: (green tea and guarana seed extracts (providing 45mg EGCG and 200mg caffeine, theophylline & theobromine)…

Nitric oxide has been proven to contribute to weight loss. As you will note in this Anadrox review, the amount of nitric oxide in each serving is not disclosed.

7-KETO is a naturally occurring metabolite (metabolites break things down for use in the body) of the hormon dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA serves as a precursor for the sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. Studies have shown that 7-Keto is successful in promoting weight loss. 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. Once again, Anadrox fails to disclose how much 7-Keto is contained in the product, leaving it impossible for this Anadrox review to determine whether the amount of 7-Keto is beneficial or even harmful.

Green tea is an ingredient that has been proven to contribute to weight loss. It is one of our favorite diet pill ingredients. Again, Anadrox diet pills fail to disclose how much green tea is contained in the product.

L-tyrosine has proven to contribute to the ability to work out more effectively and burn more calories. You guessed it–the amount of L-tyrosine in Anadrox is not disclosed.

Gugglesterones are supposed to increase thyroid function to promote weight loss. However, studies have had varying results.

Guarana has proven results, but only when combined with Yerba Mate and Damiana (both of which are not present in the

How much does Anadrox cost?

One bottle of Anadrox diet pills will cost you $41.99. One bottle contains 112 caplets. With the recommended dose of 8 caplets per day, one bottle will last 14 days. That is nearly $3 per day! This is extremely expensive. (Note: if you do want to try Anadrox, purchasing Anadrox through Bodybuilding.com gets you 224 caplets for $48.)

What are the side effects of Anadrox?

The side effects of Anadrox diet pills include increased heart rate, shortness of breath, nausea, diarrhea, and weakness.

Anadrox Review Conclusion

This Anadrox review has found that Anadrox does include several proven weight loss ingredients. However, they fail to disclose how much of each ingredient is included. It could be a good product, but there is no way to be sure. Anadrox is extremely expensive. Save yourself money and possible disappointment by using a diet pill that is proven to work.

As you can see. Atro-Phex makes some pretty bold claims. Too bad there is little research to back them up. Like countless other weight loss supplements, Atro-Phex fails to disclose just how much of each ingredient is included so comparing it other weight loss supplements or even to clinical studies of individual ingredients is virtually impossible.

What are the ingredients in Atro-Phex?

The following is a list of the ingredients contained in one capsule of Atro-Phex:

• Vitamin B6 (Pyridoxine HCl) 6.25mg
• Vitamin B9 (Folic Acid) 100mcg
• BSN Atro-Phex Extreme Multi-Action Rapid & Sustained Release Energy & Weight Management Tech
• Adipose Atrophy & Energy Stimulator Matrix
• Atro-EFX A Scientifically Engineered Ratio Of
  • B-Phenyethylamine,
  • B-Phenyethylamine Malate,
  • Hordenine HCl,
  • Methylxanthine (hello…this is just a source of Caffeine),
• IFAS50 (A Precise And Synergisctic Ration Of High Potency Fatty Acid Synthesis Inhibitors:
  • Green Tea,
  • Fleece Flower, and
  • Loranthus Parasiticus (yes, that means parasite. Butterflies eat it and you can find it just about anywhere. It’s a beast to get off of mango trees)
• DL-Phenylalanine,
• Razberi-K (4-[4-Hydroxyphenyl] Butan-2-One),
• Naringin 99%,
• Citrus Aurantium 30%,
• Bioperine,
• Yohimbe HCL Mood & Mental Performance Optimizers
• N-Acetyl-L-Tyrosine-Ethyl-Ester Monohydrate,
• Vinburnine 99%,
• Vinpocetine 99%,
• Vincamine 99%) Aqua-Retic™ Matrix
• Juniperus Communis Extract,
• Isopimpinellin 10%,
• Isoquercetin,
• D-Myo-Inositol,
• 5-Triphosphate Hexasodium Insulin Support & Weight Management
  • Cinnulin PF (Aqueous Cinnamon Extract) Pro-Thyroid Amplifier
  • 7-Keto (3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone),
  • Dicana (A Patent Pending Diiodothyroacetic Acid Isomer)

Atro-Phex Employs Shock Factor as Marketing Tactic

Considering Atro-Phex’s target market, it’s no wonder that they simply throw out anything possible to impress the aspiring 13-year-old bodybuilder (who weighs a buck twenty-five soaking wet). What you’re seeing here is the employment of the relatively new shock factor. A diet pill shock factor is increased when the quantity of ingredients listed is increased to an (at that time) unbelievable amount. Notice that I’m not talking about the quantity or potency of each ingredient, just the length of the list.

Imagine baking a cake where you included one grain of pepper, one piece of rosemary, a few grains of cinnamon, and one single piece of parsley, sage, and thyme.

What would be the effect on the cake? Probably absolutely nothing. But then you could go around to your friends and say there were six “secret” ingredients in the cake to make it special.

This is essentially what Atro-Phex is doing here with their ingredients.

Now, if I were to take my secret cake ingredients and hide them inside new words, that would add even more to my cake’s shock factor.

• Pepper -> Schwarz Pfefir Extract (extract is overused, because for some reason everyone thinks it’s fancy)
• Rosemary -> Fat Disodator
• Cinnamon -> Cinni-plex Isolate (isolate’s a lot like extract, but less used)
• Parsley -> Petroselinum crispum (if you’re having a hard time coming up with a fancy name, you can just use the latin term for it — this is done all the time)
• Sage -> Leucophyllum frutescens
• Thyme -> Tymianek Extract (Tymianex means Thyme, but in Polish)

This is exactly what Atro-Phex has done. Don’t fall for it (especially at their price). I’ve bolded the terms that are simply fluff (or that made me laugh out loud).

Atro-Phex hiding (as usual) behind “Proprietary” Blends

You will notice specific amounts are listed only for the vitamins. None of the other ingredients have the amounts listed. This is typical for weight loss supplements because they don’t want you to know what a small amount of the effective ingredients is included.

Even at a dosage of four capsules, this ingredient list is cleary heavy on the list and light on the potency (and potency is what matters).

A Look at some Atro-Phex ingredients in depth

Studies show raspberry ketones (Razberi-K as listed above) induced weight loss in mice with a diet containing 2% of the total diet as raspberry ketones. No studies have been done on humans. Once again, Atro-phex does not disclose how much of this ingredient is included. (Notice that 2% of the total diet would be 40 calories based on a 2,000 calorie diet (if you’re an Atro-phex customer target, it would likely be more. It would be physically impossible for them ton include the same, or even close to the same ratio of raspberry ketones for you).

We like green tea as a diet pill ingredient, as it’s been proven effective in aiding weight loss. However, the actual amount of green teac contained in Atro-Phex is not disclosed, so we cannot determine whether it will provide any weight loss benefits.

Synephrine can be found in the citrus aurantium fruit, also known as bitter orange.

Is Synephrine effective? One study performed in December of 2007 looked at the lipolysis (fat loss) effects
of Satsuma mandarin orange (Citrus unshu Mark) peel on the fat cells of rats (I know, it’s always rats).
A high concentration of Synephrine was present in the peel and lipoloysis effects were present. The overall
conclusion:

These results suggest that the segment wall, an edible fraction, from Satsuma mandarin orange might be useful as a functional food, especially as a fat-reducing material.

Bioperine is an extract from the fruit Piper nigrum L (black pepper) or Piper longum L (long pepper). Both of these contain the active ingredient that you’re looking for: Piperine. They call it a “thermonutrient” because it “enhances the body’s natural thermogenic activity.” The Bioperine website did cite one study on that showed an increased absorption of beta-carotene, vitamin B6 and selenium (fat soluble, water soluble, and a mineral, respectively). I don’t know if the ability to absorb more nutrients will directly translate into lost weight with Atro-phex, but the added health benefits of Bioperine are obvious.

Yohimbe comes from the bark of an African evergreen tree. It has been shown to increase fatty acid mobilization. It is also used to treat erectile dysfunction. We’re lacking in research on Yohimbe (we meaning Criticalorie, not necessarily the medical community), so we take a neutral stance on it until we’ve done more research.

7-KETO is a naturally occurring metabolite (metabolites break things down for use in the body) of the hormon dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA). DHEA serves as a precursor for the sex hormones, such as estrogen and testosterone. In one study, participants exercised thee times per week for 45 minutes each time, ate an 1,800 calorie per day diet and was given either a placebo or 100mg of 7-KETO twice daily. After eight weeks, the KETO group lost an average of 6.34 pounds compared to the placebo group’s loss of 2.13 pounds. 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 (obviously much lower than the study cited above). As always, it is up for you to decide if you are comfortable supplementing with 7-KETO.

Dicana is a metabolic regulator that allegedly burns stored fat as while sparing muscle tissue. It promotes thermogenesis by boosting the body’s temperature and increasing oxygen consumption. There is no research to back up these claims.

What is the cost of Atro-Phex?

Atro-Phex costs $64.99 for 98 capsules. The recommended dosage is 4 capsules per day, with a warning not to exceed 8 capsules per day. At the recommended dosage, one bottle will last about 25 days. This is very expensive considering there is no research showing the product actually works.

Expense is an interesting thing with diet pills because, at times, it can show the manufacturer is actually including the necessary quantity of these ingredients to be effective. When I first saw the (very) high price for Atro-phex I thought, “Well hey, maybe the quantity is actually sufficient!” Then I noticed that Bodybuilding.com, one of the main distributors, sells it for $39.99. The $64.99 is just a fake “retail” price to make you feel good about wasting your money on Atro-Phex.

What are the side effects of Atro-Phex?

Side effects include cramping, burping, gas, sweating, nausea, headaches, and rashes. The Atro-Phex website explains that the product should be cycled through, with the optimal length being 12 weeks of taking Atro-Phex followed by 4 weeks off. My gut tells me Atro-Phex is heavy on shock appeal and light on results

Atro-Phex Review Conclusion

Atro-Phex does contain some ingredients that have been proven to promote weight loss. However, like so many other weight loss supplements, Atro-Phex fails to disclose the amount of each individual ingredient included in the product. This makes it impossible to determine whether enough of the ingredient is included to be effective. This product is too expensive considering they cannot prove their claims. (And the Atro-Phex website wins the Flashy Website award.)

What does Accomplix contain?

Chromium Dinicotinate Glycinate 175 mcg
Vitamin B-6 4mg
Vitamin B-12 375 mcg
Vitamin C 50 mg
Hoodia Gordonii
Banana Leaf Extract
Clary Sage
Guggelsterones lipid extract
Citrus Aurantium
Cinnamon Bark
L-Tyrosine
Magnolia Bark Extract
Guarana Extract (50% caffeine)
Green Tea

Hoodia is one of the most hyped weight loss ingredients in years. Too bad all the hype can’t make it effective. There’s been one study published about the effects of Hoodia and I found it very interesting. Just a few caveats though: the study was done on rats, and the Hoodia extract, P57, was injected directly into the brains of said rats. MacLean, the researcher conducting the study, asserted that the Liver processed the P57 so easily that an effective (high enough) dosage would likely be impossible.

Citrus aurantium contains Synephrine. Studies on Synephrine have been conflicting. While some studies have found Synephrine to be beneficial in weight loss, others have shown Synephrine could be dangerous. A study done in 2004 states that the required dose of Synephrine necessary to promote fat loss in humans is very high and that such a high dosage would have harmful side effects. We’re 50/50 on Synephrine.

Tyrosine is a building block for neurotransmitters, which are chemicals used to relay, amplify and modulate signals between a neuron and another cell. It has been proven to be beneficial in weight loss if the dosage is equal to 500 to 1500 mg daily. Since we don’t know how much Tyrosine is contained in Accomplix, we cannot determine if it will be effective in this supplement. (History would tell us that there’s not enough Tyrosine in there).

Many studies have found Green Tea to be effective in promoting weight loss. However, without knowing exactly how much green tea is contained in Accomplix, it is impossible to determine if it is effective in this weight loss supplement.

Accomplix Video Review

What do the Accomplix Clinical Studies Say?

Accomplix leads consumers to believe they have conducted research on their specific product–they have not. The Accomplix website states the following:

“In a ‘Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled, Crossover’ clinical study the Accomplix™ formula was shown to be effective for 87% of all people. A study of this quality and depth is virtually unheard of for a ‘natural dietary supplement’.”

We find it interesting that there is no mention of who performed the study, when and where it was performed, and what the specific findings were. The study was conducted NOT on Accomplix but on the formula. As noted before, some of the ingredients in Accomplix CAN be effective in promoting weight loss IF they are used in the proper amounts. Once again, Accomplix does not list the amounts of each individual ingredient so the effectiveness of Accomplix cannot be determined.

How much does Accomplix cost?

Accomplix costs $74.95 for 150 capsules. If the maximum recommended dosage of 6 capsules per day is taken, one bottle will last 25 days. Compared to other weight loss supplements which contain the same ingredients, Accomplix is very, very expensive. It is no more effective than other products with the same ingredients.

Accomplix Guarantee

Accomplix has a money-back guarantee. However, like that of many other weight loss supplements, the Accomplix guarantee has fine print which you should know about. You have to return your unused portion with the invoice within 30 days of purchase. You must also return all unopened packages. There is a 25%
administrative fee and it takes up to two months for you to receive your money back.

Accomplix Review Conclusion

Accomplix is no different from dozens of other weight loss supplements. Despite their claims to be backed by clinical research, they have proven nothing except that they are misleading. Accomplix is very expensive and will not give you the results you are looking for.

Cytolean’s Ingredient Profile

Cytolean contains some effective ingredients:

• Green Tea Extract (though it’s only 60% EGCG). Green Tea is an effective ingredient for diet pills, increasing your metabolic rate. I reviewed green tea extensively previously.
• Phenylalanine is an effective appetite suppressant (see the phenylalanine review)
• Caffeine has been proven effective time and again as an effective thermogenic.
• L-Tyrosine has been shown to increase focus during stressful periods. I reviewed tyrosine as well.

Cytolean also contains some ingredients that are mainly just eye candy when it comes to weight loss:

• Phenylethylamine, which I’ve reviewed, doesn’t have enough research to justify the claims.
• Gingko Biloba is there to aid in “improving your personality” according to the sales copy…but aren’t we trying to lose weight? Ginkgo Biloba is best known for supporting memory function.

With an ingredient lineup like this (even including the eye candy), you’d think I’d jump on the bandwagon recommending Cytolean. Well, I can’t. The Cytolean “proprietary blend” comes to a total of 667 mg…hardly enough to pack all of these ingredients in there with any sort of punch. Remember, for a diet pill to be effective it must do two things: have the ingredients, and have them at at least the minimum amount. Cytolean fails with the latter.

Cytolean’s Science

In their less-than-impressive website, they link to Cytolean Science and this is typical garbage behavior from some companies. They throw together that document with margins thin and line-spacing even thinner, using a font that crams letters together. The result is to throw a document at you that appears science-y but doesn’t actually deliver any real clinical results. Most casual shoppers will see the Cytolean science document and 1) be impressed that there’s “science” behind the pill while also being 2) intimidated by its presentation. This accomplishes Cytolean’s desires of looking like there’s research behind Cytolean while not actually having to present any research.

And if Cytolean did have research behind them, you can bet they would have known that the effective dosages of the ingredients they included are actually much higher than what they’re giving their customers.

The “Feel Good” Cytolean Gotcha!

Cytolean is in a great position with their marketing because they’re really trying to push Cytolean as a pill that does help you burn fat, but also helps you “feel good” (that’s why the phenylethylamine is in there, the “love drug” from chocolate). A lot of the other ingredients in there are supposed to support the absorption of phenylethylamine into the blood stream. The gotcha! comes because “feeling good” is hardly measurable and if it’s not measurable, it’s also not manageable. A diet pill can make the claim “Lose 7 pounds in 2 weeks” and that’s measurable. But how can a customer measure how good they’re feeling compared to how they were feeling before? And please define “good”, “very good”, “great” etc.

Cytolean’s basically making a claim that can’t be verified (until they decide to have some double-blind, placebo controlled, randomized, peer-reviewed studies done to support their claim. And even then, how will the study evaluate if a person is feeling good? I suppose they’ll be able to monitor brain activity and go from there.

Until then Cytolean gets a pass.

Cytolean Review Conclusion

Strong ingredients but there aren’t enough in there to make something happen in all likelihood. The “feel good” effect isn’t measurable, which makes it very hard to verify. Overall, Criticalorie is going to pass on Cytolean until some research is done to determine its effectiveness. At the moment, given the aggregate size of their proprietary blend, it’s fairly safe to assume that its effects would be mediocre at best.