Xtra slim is a fat loss product based on several herbal and
supplementary products reputed to cause fatloss.
The main ingredients are:
- Green tea
- Guarana
- Ginger
- Acia
- Caffeine
- Carnitine
We can go through these and find out whether this is the
right supplement for you and if it is likely to work.
Green tea
Green tea has been shown in several studies to aid in fat
loss[i].
Unfortunately, you would need an infeasibly high intake of tea to get any fat
loss, so supplements seem the only way to get enough to have an effect.
Guarana
Guarana is a seed. It has more caffeine that than the coffee
bean, and it has been used for fat loss for a while now. Research suggests that it may help in a
little fat loss[ii].
It has a load of antioxidants and phytonutrients for the body as a side
benefit.
Ginger
Ginger can control your cholesterol[iii]. It is also a great antioxidant and has
anticancer properties.
Acai
Acai is a fruit. It has been hyped way beyond any supplement
can live up to. However it does have
some fat loss abilities[iv]
Caffeine
Does this need any introduction? Caffeine pumps up
metabolism and increases alertness.[v]
Remember that caffeine can be addictive, so be aware of cycling off
periodically.
Carnitine
This can raise alarm bells for a few people. Carnitine is
very high in meat, specifically red meat and recently it has been suggested in
research that ingested carnitine turns
into TMAO, which in turn causes atherosclerosis to occur (we are talking
blocking arteries here!). This would be
a concern...if you were a meat eater...however studies have shown that vegans
have the right bacteria in the gut, the type that do not turn carnitine into
TMAO and so if vegans take carnitine it does not cause any issues[vi].
So, with that settled this supplement is not a concern for
vegans we’ll get down to the actual product.
Stimulation
The supplement is a stimulant. It is probably not a good
idea to take it late in the evening. It
can help you get work done and will get both the mind and body moving. I actually used it as a replacement for a
pre-workout to good effect. If you are
currently using (or wish to try) a stimulant-based pre-workout, then this is
actually something I would consider, especially if you are after the twin goals
of training stimulation and fat-loss.
My recommendation is something like 4-8 weeks on, then 4
weeks off (avoid caffeine as much as possible during the ‘off’ phase).
This product will not carve away large chunks of fat. It could however help you shift that last bit
of belly fat or increase losses of fat slightly during a cut.
If you are cutting and just need a little support to help
suppress the appetite slightly and increase the activity level a little, then
this might be just the thing.
[i]
Maki KC, et al. Green Tea Catechin Consumption Enhances
Exercise-Induced Abdominal Fat Loss in Overweight and Obese Adults. J. Nutr. February
2009 vol. 139 no. 2 264-270. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/139/2/264.short
[ii] Boozer CN, et al. An herbal supplement containing Ma
Huang-Guarana for weight loss: a randomized, double-blind trial.
Obesity Research Center, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital Center and Department of
Medicine, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York
10025, USA. http://europepmc.org/abstract/med/11319627
[iii]
Fuhrman B, et al. Ginger Extract Consumption Reduces Plasma Cholesterol, Inhibits LDL
Oxidation and Attenuates Development of Atherosclerosis in Atherosclerotic,
Apolipoprotein E-Deficient Mice. J. Nutr. May 1, 2000 vol.
130 no. 5 1124-1131. http://jn.nutrition.org/content/130/5/1124.short
[iv]
Kaats G, et al. Single group, open-‐label, pilot study of weight loss formula designed
to improve body composition by facilitating loss of body fat without
concomitant loss of fat-‐free mass. AJOL Vol 1, No 2 (2014). http://www.ajol.info/index.php/ambr/article/view/109725
[v]
Colker CM, Effects of Citrus
aurantium extract, caffeine, and St. John's Wort on body fat loss, lipid
levels, and mood states in overweight healthy adults. Current
Therapeutic Research Volume 60, Issue 3, March 1999, Pages 145–153.
http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0011393X00885239
[vi]
Koeth, RA, et al. Intestinal microbiota metabolism
of L-carnitine, a nutrient in red meat, promotes atherosclerosis. Nature
Medicine, 19, 576–585 (2013). http://www.nature.com/nm/journal/v19/n5/full/nm.3145.html
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