Archive for February, 2008

PinnoThin Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

PinnoThin Review

PinnoThin, a patented product from Lipid Nutrition, is basically an extract of the Korean Pine Nut, which is said to be an effective appetite suppressant.  PinnoThin was “developed” by Lipid Nutrition and is used as an ingredient in many other diet products.  The company website explains that “its effectiveness has been studied in two human trials.”  Wow, two whole trials? 

Does PinnoThin Really Suppress Appetite?

Despite the claim that “two human trials” support this pine nut oil as effective, there have been no studies done except by Lipid Nutrition itself and so there is a serious conflict of interest here making the results highly unreliable.  Until further research has been done on pine nut oil to see how significant the effects are, I would not expect the miracle results that the company promises.  This is not to say that the stuff will not help, but there is simply not enough evidence to create a whole slew of products that makes so many bold claims.

PinnoThin Pros

  • No known health risks

PinnoThin Cons

  • Not sufficiently proven effective as an appetite suppressant
  • Works only as an appetite suppressant

PinnoThin Conclusion

There is simply not enough research on pine nut oil for me to conclude that it will make any significant impact on your appetite.  In any case, relying only on appetite control is a poor strategy for weight loss.  I do not recommend PinnoThin products, at least not until they show some real science behind the claims.

For effective and reliable fat-burners, check out the following products…

Methyl Ripped Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Methyl Ripped Review

Methyl Ripped, developed by NxLabs claims to be “bodybuilding’s strongest fat burner.”  More than anything, this product appears to be most heavily marketed toward “the serious bodybuilder.”  To begin with, this is clearly not a product for the average person looking to lose weight.  Bodybuilders have typically low body fat anyway and are high in lean muscle mass, and so if anything this is designed for their body type and is not for you if you don’t consider yourself a bodybuilder.

Does Methyl Ripped Really Burn Fat?

Methyl Ripped contains several proprietary blends, so it is tough to say exactly how much of everything it contains, but it looks like the most significant ingredients are

  • Caffeine
  • Catechins
  • Guggulsterones
  • clary sage
  • Forskolin

These are great ingredients and in the right formulation could make a big difference in burning fat.  Caffeine gives a good energy boost while guggulsterones help to stimulate the thyroid and boost the metabolism.  The various catechins are native to many nutritional supplements and are antioxidants, but have less application to weight loss.  I always like products that contain clary sage and forskolin, which can boost the function of cellular respiration and help you to burn more calories, but here they are included in too small of a dose.

Methyl Ripped Pros

  • Quality ingredients

Methyl Ripped Cons

  • Designed only for bodybuilders
  • List price is $60

Methyl Ripped Conclusion

This product overall doesn’t look too bad.  Again, the proprietary blends make it difficult to say how much of everything is actually in it.  Even with high concentrations though, it is not worth the price tag. If you are a serious bodybuilder, then you will probably have a good enough handle on your diet to decide if you really want to cough up $60 on this one.  For any other person, I do not recommend Methyl Ripped.

To see the most effect fat-burners available, check out the following products…

Metabo Extreme Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Metabo EXtreme Review

Metabo Extreme claims to help you lose weight without dieting.  It also boasts that it contains no stimulants to make you jittery.  Without dieting?  Sounds like a bit of a contradiction doesn’t it?  In any case, lets see if this “dietless” pill works…

 

Metabo Extreme Ingredients

  • Guarana
  • Bee Pollen
  • Ginseng
  • Ginger
  • Lecithin
  • Damiana (leaf)
  • Sarsaparilla (root)
  • Golden Seal
  • Gotu Kola
  • Gymnema Sylvestre

Most of these ingredients, like lecithin, ginger, guarana, etc., are pretty mild and inexpensive and can be cheaply obtained in other dietary supplements.  Some of them are stimulants and contain caffeine, which is contrary to the claim that this product contains no stimulants.  It may not be enough to make you jittery, but there are not many other ways to boost your metabolism.  There are other products here like gymemna which help control blood sugar, but collectively these ingredients in these concentrations simply cannot work together to make a significant enough effect to help you lose weight. 

Metabo Extreme Price

You can buy Metabo Extreme for as cheap as $11 per bottle.  That is a low price, but expect low results.

Metabo Extreme Pros

  • Low price
  • No dangerous ingredients (low risk of side-effects)

Metabo Extreme Cons

  • Weak ingredients
  • Weak concentrations

Metabo Extreme Conclusion

Despite the “extreme” label, this is a mild product with a mild price, but again, expect some very mild results.  If you want to risk the $11, knock yourself out, but I do not recommend it.  There are much more effective products out there that are just as safe.

To see some of the safest and most potent weight-loss supplements, check the reviews below…

NuPhedrine Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

NuPhedrine Review

NuPhedrine, formerly known as “Looking Trim” back when ephedra was legal, is a re-formulated diet pill that claims the much-hyped power of Hoodia gordonii and Advantra-Z.  This product has one of the most aggressive and flamboyant marketing schemes I have seen, but this does not always and in fact rarely equals results.  In this case they seem to think that the marketing makes this product worth $75 a bottle.

Does NuPhedrine Work?

For the price tag, you expect results.  As for its main ingredients of Advantra-Z and Hoodia gordonii there are some issues.  Advantra-Z, also known as citrus aurantium or bitter orange extract, is often a very effective ingredient for its synephrine content.  My problem here is that they do not indicate how much synephrine is included, which could mean this is just a weak concentration.  As for Hoodia gordonii, I don’t even know where to begin.  This is probably the most overly-hyped product ever.  The website offers some “clinical evidence”, but the truth is that there have been no clinical, peer-reviewed studies to show any significant effect of Hoodia.  The word “clinical” is almost meaningless anyway.

NuPhedrine Pros

  • Offers 60-day money back guarantee

NuPhedrine Cons

  • Over-priced at $75
  • Unclear synephrine concentration
  • No real evidence behind Hoodia gordonii

NuPhedrine Conclusion

If you like before-and-after photos, the NuPhedrine website has plenty, but if you are looking for an effective weight-loss supplement then steer clear of NuPhedrine.  There is almost no chance these photos had anything to do with NuPhedrine use, and I can see nothing in the product ingredients to say it is worth even close to $75 per bottle.  I do not recommend NuPhedrine.

To learn more about the products most popular among consumers and experts, check the reviews below…

 

Max Trim Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Max Trim is a vitamin weight loss supplement designed specifically for women. Made by Max-Rx, Max Trim claims to reduce appetite and target common female deficiencies. While it may be a good multivitamin, Max-Trim doesn’t contain quality proven ingredients for appetite suppression or weight loss.

Max Trim contains many vitamins found in a multivitamin, although Max Trim doesn’t include calcium, which is a great mineral for women. For weight loss, Max Trim contains Guarana, Caffeine, Green Tea, White Willow Bark, and Guggulsterone. To suppress appetite or boost the metabolism, this formula relies heavily on stimulants like Guarana, Caffeine and Green tea. These ingredients may cause negative side effects such as sleeplessness, constipation, jitters, and elevated heart rate. Max Trim recommends taking two capsules in the morning with a glass of water. This supplement can be purchased for $40.00 - $60.00 for a 60-capsule supply.

Pros:

  • Contains vitamins  
  • May slightly suppress appetite.

Cons

  • Could cause many negative side effects. Sleeplessness, constipation, jitters, raised heart rate.
  • Does not contain proven ingredients.
  • Ingredients are not in high enough concentrations.
  • Had mixed testimonials on its performance.

Conclusion

Max Trim is mediocre multivitamin that may help with weight loss, but don’t count on it drmatic weight loss results. Its ability to show any dramatic weight loss results remains to be seen. Max Trim’s ingredients seem to have more unwanted side effects than proven effectiveness.

Safety: 3 stars

Effectiveness: 2 stars

Appetite Suppression: 2 stars

Money-back Guarantee: none

Value: 2 stars

(based on a 5-star scale)

Ephedrine-P57 Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Ephedrine-P57 Review

What is Ephedrine-P57?

If you are reading this review you most likely already have Ephedrine-P57 and want to learn more about your product.  If you don’t already have it – you are ‘in luck’ (as opposed to ‘out of luck’) because Ephedrine-P57 is no longer available.

The reason Ephedrine-P57 is no longer available is ineherent in the name – it contained Ephedra.  The Food and Drug Administration ruled Ephedra illegal as a dietary supplement in 2006.  Since then rulings have changed when the quantities are diminished, but nothing has quite been set in stone.

What Happened to Ephedrine-P57?

If you have tried to visit the Ephedrine-P57 website you will automatically be re-directed to a website selling NuPhedrine.  NuPhedrine is made by the same company and is a similar product – just without the Ephedra – phew!

Is NuPhedrine a Proper Substitute?

When products are forced to change they are never quite the same.  NuPhedrine basically replaced its ephedra with Hoodia.  Hoodia has no scientific research backing its claims.  Furthermore, many products claiming to contain Hoodia only contain cheap imitations.  Fortunatley it appears the NuPhedrine is CITES certified.

To find out more information on NuPhedrine be sure to check out the full review.

Ephedrine P-57 Conclusion

If you were indeed reading this review because you own a bottle of Ephedrine-P57, the safest route would be prompt disposal.

If you think the transformed NuPhedrine is what you are looking for – be sure to check out some products listed on this page.  Each of which has been top rated by consumers like you and rated as the best in their class.

Looking Trim Review

Thursday, February 28th, 2008

Looking Trim Review

Looking Trim is a product that was discontinued after the federal ban on the use of ephedrine because of health risk.  You can no longer buy this product (nor would you want to).  The company has “re-formulated” their product with even less effective ingredients and now markets it as “NuPhedrine”.  For more information, check out our review of NuPhedrine.

Or for the best products on the market, read the reviews below…

 

Stacker 3 Review

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

Stacker 3

Does Stacker 3 Work?

Stacker 3 is the latest in the Stacker series. The Stacker series is trying to get itself back to prominence after the FDA banned Ephedra for being unsafe. The Stacker 2 didn’t garner very good reviews from users but the new Stacker 3 is supposed to be new and improved. Let’s take a closer look and see.

Stacker 3 Ingredients

The Stacker 3 is virtually the same as the Stacker 2 but now they have added Yerba Mate. This left us scratching our heads because there are no conclusive studies linking Yerba Mate to weight loss. The Stacker 3 is another proprietary blend. This raises a red flag. Sometimes companies use proprietary blends to mask ineffective and cheap product mixes.

Most of the ingredients that comprise the proprietary blend are fairly common in most weight loss supplements. There are some ingredients that we like in the Stacker 2 such as caffeine and gugglusterone. Caffeine has been shown to increase both mental and physical output. While gugglusterones have been linked to increasing your metabolism.

What the Stacker 3 is missing is the same thing the Stacker 2 was missing, an effective fat burner.

Side Effects of the Stacker 3

Side effects of the Stacker 3 include dizziness or light-headedness, headaches, and increased heart rate or blood pressure.

Price of the Stacker 3

The Stacker 3 can be bought for $30. That is a little steep for a cheap proprietary blend.

Stacker 3 Pros

  • Contains Caffeine and Gugglusterones

Stacker 3 Cons

  • No Effective Fat Burner
  • Relatively Expensive
  • Side Effects
  • Ineffective Proprietary Blend

Conclusion

Unfortunately, there is more fiction than fact in the Stacker 3’s claims.

 

 

 

 

Jetfuel Fat Burner Review

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

 

JetFuel Fat Burner Review

I had a hard time finding good information about JetFuel, a diet supplement from German American Technologies, but I’ve done enough research to help you decide if it will actually work for you.

Does JetFuel Work?

If you go to the company website, you will find almost zero information about this product other than some testimonials and a few before-and-after photos.  The product claims to “cut fat” and “harden” your body.  Wow, that’s pretty scientific.  I might need to pull out my medical dictionary.  As for its ingredients, the only information I can find is that it contains B-vitamins, a cortisol blocker, and the grand majority of the supplement is a proprietary blend with no specific list or concentration of the ingredients.  This is a big red flag.  The B vitamins are good but not necessarily related to fat-loss.  As for the cortisol blocker, it is intended to help reduce stress.  Many products falsely claim stress to be a major cause of increased fat.  There is a small amount of evidence to suggest that stress increases your body’s propensity to store fat, but not by much. 

JetFuel Pros

  • None that I can see

JetFuel Cons

  • No specific list of ingredients
  • Difficult to find information
  • Over-priced

JetFuel Fat Burner Conclusion

I would not recommend that anyone try this product.  There are no controlled studies behind it and no way of knowing what the real ingredients and their concentrations even are.  I can find nothing other than hype to suggest that you should buy JetFuel and especially not for a minimum of $40.

To find the most effective and reliable weight-loss supplements, read below…

Acomplia Review

Wednesday, February 27th, 2008

 Acomplia Review

Acomplia is a  perscripion drug that is known to help control addictions and cravings. It is generally used to help individuals with their addiction to cigareetes and to help them quit smoking. It is marketed towards smokers who fear that quitting smoking may result in weight gain. Acomplia is said to help individuals to do both: lose weight and quit smoking.

There are many supplements on the market today advertised as serving two functions like this. It is uncertain if the product is designed to work equally for weight management, as it is for smoking cessation. Acomplia is designed to work by blocking the signals sent by nerve receptors in the brain and fat cells that are believed to make people want to overeat and smoke. It is proven that weight loss  occurs by limiting caloric intake.

How Does Acomplia Work? 

Acomplia is advertised to aid in weight loss mainly by suppressing the appetite and reducing hunger cravings. It is marketed more towards the over weight smoker who is looking to stop smoking and avoid weight gain. According to acomplia’s official site there are several negative side effects expected to occur within the first years of use. These include nausea, irritability, depression and anxiety.  The drug also “acts on the brain which is especially likely to elevate concerns.” Some suggest that the positive results outnumber the negative effects. Acomplia is only available by prescription making it more difficult and expensive to obtain, especially for those without health insurance.

How Much is Acomplia? 

As we know, pharmaceuticals can be expensive. An online pharmacy sells 20 mg capsules of Acomplia in three different quantities: 28 capsules for about $254; 56 capsules for about $485; and 84 capsules for about $717. Acomplia may be effective in supporting weight loss goals, but there may be better, less expensive options available for most individuals.