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Weight Loss

The categories below contain products that assist with weight loss in various ways. These products will not work without a healthy diet and regular exercise. Common sense applies: in order to lose weight, calories in < calories out.

• Appetite Suppressants

  Appetite suppressants are substances that reduce the appetite and cause you to eat less. Many of these substances, such as phentermine, work with neurotransmitters in the brain, having them signal a release of dopamine, epinephrine (adrenaline), and norepinephrine. The neurotransmitters signal a fight-or-flight response in the body which, in turn, puts a halt to the hunger signal. As a result, it causes a loss in appetite because the brain does not receive the hunger message. Other appetite suppressants work best for diabetics.
  
  It is important to research every chemical in these products and to beware of the side effects and usage instructions.

• Cortisol Blockers

  Cortisol blockers are supplements that aim to inhibit the production of cortisol, which is often known as the "stress hormone". Cortisol increases blood pressure and blood sugar, and reduces immune responses. However, no studies have shown that any supplements can actually lower cortisol in the blood supply, and it is unknown if lower blood cortisol would really promote weight loss in the first place. Until serious research on blood levels and fat loss is shown (contact us if you have any), we do not recommend these products.

• Diuretics

  Diuretics are drugs that increase your rate of urination. There are different types of diuretics that work in various ways, but all cause excretion of water from your body. Diuretics may make you excrete as well as pass urine.

• Fat and Carb Blockers

  Fat and carb blockers claim to inhibit your body's absorption of nutrients from the foods you eat. Most of these contain white bean extract, which supposedly have an enzyme that breaks down starches. The second page of this article at AskMen.com mentions many studies that have shown carb and fat blockers to be ineffective, although we cannot find them. If you know where to get the data of these studies, please contact us. Without proven studies, PricePlow does not recommend these products.

• Fat Burners

• • Fat Burners with Stimulants

    Fat burners with stimulants are often known as thermogenics. Thermogenics increase the body's metabolism, generating heat (thermogenesis). Not all stimulants are thermogenics, but common thermogenic substances are ephedra, bitter orange, capsicum, ginger and caffeine.
    
    The most well-known thermogenic formulation is ECA (ephedrine, caffeine, aspirin). While ECA stacks work, it is important that you keep a low dosage as overdosing can cause serious harm or death. Typically the ECA stack is consumed two or three times per day in a 1:10:10 or 1:10:15 ratio of ephedrine:caffeine:Aspirin. You may need to create your own stack as there are restrictions on US sales of ephedrine, and it can only be obtained as an asthma-regulating product (bronchodilator).

  • • Ephedra

      Ephedra is an herb which is also known as Ma Huang. It is both a stimulant and a thermogenic. These compounds stimulate the brain, increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels (increasing blood pressure), and expand bronchial tubes (making breathing easier). Their thermogenic properties cause an increase in metabolism, evidenced by an increase in body heat.
      
      The safety of ephedra-containing dietary supplements has been questioned by the FDA due to the high rate of serious side effects and ephedra-related deaths. Thus, consult your doctor before using ephedra, and do not overdose. PricePlow takes no responsibility for your usage of these drugs and does not recommend them to non-elite athletes.
      
      It is important to note the difference between ephedra and ephedrine: ephedra is a plant; ephedrine is the active ingredient in ephedra (similar to marijuana vs. THC).
      
      Ephedra is often used with aspirin and caffeine for weight loss - this is known as ECA. Some studies have shown that ephedra is effective for marginal short-term weight loss. See study

    • Ephedrine

      Ephedrine is a stimulant based upon the Ephedra plant. It is used as an appetite suppressant, concentration aid, and decongestant. Ephedrine is similar in structure to the synthetic derivatives amphetamine and methamphetamine. These compounds stimulate the brain, increase heart rate, constrict blood vessels (increasing blood pressure), and expand bronchial tubes (making breathing easier). Their thermogenic properties cause an increase in metabolism, evidenced by an increase in body heat.
      
      The safety of Ephedrine-containing dietary supplements has been questioned by the FDA due to the high rate of serious side effects and ephedra-related deaths. Thus, consult your doctor before using Ephedrine, and do not overdose. PricePlow takes no responsibility for your usage of these drugs and does not recommend them to non-elite athletes.
      
      It is important to note the difference between ephedra and ephedrine: ephedra is a plant; ephedrine is the active ingredient in ephedra (similar to marijuana vs. THC).
      
      Ephedrine is often used with aspirin and caffeine for weight loss - this is known as ECA. See the Wikipedia entry for more information on Ephedrine: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ephedrine

    • Synephrine

      From Wikipedia.org: Synephrine (or oxedrine) is a drug aimed at encouraging fat loss. While its effectiveness is widely debated, synephrine has gained significant popularity as an alternative to ephedrine, a related substance which has been made illegal or restricted in many countries due to concerns about potential problems with heart disease risk and its use in methamphetamine manufacture. Synephrine is derived primarily from the fruit of Citrus aurantium, a relatively small citrus tree, of which several of its more common names include Bitter Orange, Sour Orange, and Zhi shi.

  • Guggulsterones / Thyroid Enhancers

    Guggulsterones were once believed to cause a decrease in cholesterol synthesis in the liver. However, studies indicate no reduction in total cholesterol when using various dosages and levels of LDL actually increase in many people.
    
    The thyroid is a gland that controls how quickly the body burns energy, makes proteins, and controls sensitivity to other hormones. We cannot find any independent studies that show if the thyroid can be "enhanced" and if it causes increased fat loss. Contact us if you have any links.

  • Stimulant-Free Fat Burners

    These fat burners consist of no stimulants.
    
    One such fat burner is Chitosan, which is retrieved via the deacetylation of chitin, the structural element in the exoskeleton of crustaceans (crabs, shrimp, etc.).
    
    From Wikipedia.org: "Chitosan is frequently sold in tablet form at health stores as a 'fat attractor': It is supposed to have the capability of attracting fat from the digestive system and expelling it from the body so that users can, it is claimed, lose weight without eating less. However, some scientific research suggests that these claims are likely without substance. At best, unmodified chitosan would remove roughly 10 calories per day from a person's diet."
    
    See http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12740459 for an official study on Chitosan

• Topical Creams/Gels