Controlled Labs' REDuction PM Review: Night Time Fat Burner?

REDuction PM is a "sleep and slim" weight loss product; it's designed to be taken prior to bedtime, and, according to Controlled Labs, it...

"...keeps your appetite under control, maximizes your metabolism overnight, and helps you sleep deeper to enhance lean mass."

REDuction PM is one part of Controlled Labs' AM/PM fat loss system; we're going to focus on the night time formula here (the AM formula is much more heavily weighted towards stimulants, which are not included in this product for obvious reasons).

Although not a brand name with the same visibility as some of the "big guys" (e.g., BSN, Muscle Tech, etc,) we've reviewed a couple of Controlled Labs' products in the past and found them to be high quality, nicely engineered products (see White Flood and Green Magnitude).

So a closer look at one of their fat burner and weight loss offerings was in order. We chose to review the PM formula because it is much more difficult to create an effective night time formula, given that you can't pump your customers chock-full of cheap stimulants if you expect them to get any sleep.

The REDuction PM formula boasts two matrixes...

1) The HungeReduction Complex™: A 925 mg blend of the following...

1. Cordia Salicifolia Extract: More commonly known as Cha de Bugre, and included in weight loss products for its ability to suppress appetite, and occasionally, even as an alternative to ephedra. There is exactly ZERO credible, published clinical data to validate that Cha de Bugre has any benefit for dieters. Anecdotal evidence, however, suggests a moderate appetite suppressing quality.
   
   
2. Raspberry Ketones: A phenolic compound derived from red raspberries, raspberry ketones have only really been shown effective in animal studies (you can view the details of the study here). You are not a mouse, and the results of animal studies do not necessarily translate over to humans.
   
   An unpublished pilot study performed on Razberri-K (a patented form of raspberry ketones) demonstrated it enhanced post-exercise fat oxidation, although the results were apparently not large enough to be statistically significant.
   
   
3. Ginger Root: Ginger contains gingerols, which are chemically related to capsaicin. It does demonstrate some mild thermogenic and metabolism-boosting characteristics, although compliance to high dosage is likely necessary.

   Some small animal studies performed on zingerone (a component of ginger) have been positive for weight loss (Yakugaku Zasshi. 2008 Aug;128(8):1195-201) albeit the dosage used (170 mg/kg) is too high to be transferred into humans (a 180 lbs. person would need to take about 14 grams a day).

   Ginger also seems to accelerate gastric emptying... the opposite of the sort of thing dieters want (Eur J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2008 May;20(5):436-40).

4. Big Red™ (Cayenne Fruit Extract): Cayenne fruit (the active ingredient of which is called "capsaicin") is often used to improve digestion. Topically as a cream, it can be used to treat arthritis. However, it may improve the efficiency of the circulatory system, as well as elevating the internal body temperature, and increasing fat burning ability through thermogenisis.

   There is a small body of evidence that indicates that cayenne consumption can indeed elevate the metabolism (Br J Nutr 1999;82:115–23).

   Unfortunately, it's only at much higher doses (one study used 10 grams consumed along with meals!) that any effect is realized. This study (Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol. 2007 Jan;292(1):R77-85. Epub 2006 Jul 13) says it best...

   "Capsaicin has been shown to be effective, yet when it is used clinically it requires a strong compliance to a certain dosage, that has not been shown to be feasible yet."

   In other words, in order for capsaicin to have an effect on your metabolism, it has to be taken in doses much too high to make it practical.
   
   
5. Olive Leaf (Olea Europaea Extracted For Oleuropein): Oleuropein is an antioxidant polyphenol, and usually included in products for its touted "immune-system-support" benefits.

2) The SLEEP N' SLIM Complex™: A 1300 mg strong blend of the following...

1. GABA (gamma-aminobutyric acid): From our glossary...
   
   "When taken in supplemental form, GABA has a mild sedative effect that can aid relaxation and sleep."
   
   
2. Taraxacum Officinale Extract: Better known as dandelion, this ingredient is usually included in weight loss products for its diuretic properties, although the root extract is used to treat digestive disorders and improve liver function.
   
   
3. Valeriana Officinalis Root Extract: More commonly referred to a "valerian root", this ingredient is likely included here for its anti-anxiety and sleep promoting effects.
   
   
4. L-Theanine: An amino acid found in green tea, theanine is a common ingredient in sleep-promoting products, and is a "no-brainer" addition to this formula.
   
   
5. Griffonia Seed Extract: Likely standardized for 5-HTP, although at what potency we cannot be sure. In high doses, 5-HTP can aid with weight loss, but is more commonly used as an alternative treatment for depression.

And there you have it—Controlled Labs' REDuction PM in a nutshell.

So... how does it measure up to the advertising claims?

Well, if you remember from earlier, here's what the Controlled Labs' folks claimed you could expect from the product...

"...keeps your appetite under control, maximizes your metabolism overnight, and helps you sleep deeper to enhance lean mass."

Let's look at these one by one...

1. Keeps your appetite under control: There's only one ingredient in this formula that might have an appetite-suppressing effect (there's only anecdotal evidence to support this assertion at the time of this writing), and that's Cha de Bugre (5-HTP can help with appetite suppression, but at a dose of 900 mg/day—far more than what's included in this formula).
   
   
2. Maximizes your metabolism overnight: Both ginger and cayenne root can elevate the metabolism, but only when consumed in extremely large doses. Neither ingredient will have much of an effect on your metabolism in this product.
   
   
3. Helps you sleep deeper: If there's value in this formula, it's here; this is a decent, but not revolutionary, sleep enhancing product.

Reading the BodyBuilding.com feedback on REDuction PM seems to echo this conclusion; most users find this product helps them get to sleep easier, and sleep more soundly, but noticed little effect in the weight loss department.

At the same time, this is hardly a product that is going to break the bank—$16 buys you a month's supply from a reputable online retailer like BodyBuilding.com. Given what we've seen from Controlled Labs' other offerings, we suspect this is probably a fine product to experiment with as a sleep aid. Just don't expect to lose any weight on the stuff.

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