Lipo 6 Black Review: Nutrex's Hardcore FatBurner?

Lipo 6 Black is Nutrex's foray into the world of "hardcore" weight loss products. Nutrex has built a pretty good business with its line up of fat burners; if you're reading this, you may be familiar with the original Lipo 6, the upgraded Lipo 6 X, and Lipo 6 Hers.

Lipo 6 Black is advertised as an "extreme" product. I would say that hands down, it is the most potent version of the formula to date. Whether that equates to "extreme" or "hardcore" is another matter altogether, however.

So what's in Lipo 6 Black?

1) Fat Oxidation Dual-Stimulator: Comprised of a 150 mcg blend of 3,3' Diiodo-L-Thyronine and 3,5-Diiodo-L-Thyronine (both of which are also found in Gaspari's Mitotropin). These are metabolites of the T3 thyroid hormone.

In theory, supplementing with thyroid hormone derivatives can raise the levels of T3 itself, increasing the metabolic rate and calorie burn.

But just how effective are these compounds at doing so? Well, they're mentioned along with a series of other thyroid hormone precursors in this study, where the authors state...

"Most of these compounds have interesting properties: counteracting lipid accumulation, reducing cholesterol level, and increasing lipid metabolism without cardiotoxic effects. Hopefully, further studies on basic mechanisms of such compounds will be harbingers of more knowledge on the metabolic effects of TH derivatives and on their possible clinical application."

When conferring with Elissa about this, she informed me of an older study performed by the same research group that indicates some mitochondrial uncoupling may be part of the thermogenic effects. 

One thing that isn't discussed is the possible disruption of natural thyroid production. The aforementioned study references this possibility in its conclusion...

"... the results reported here do not exclude deleterious effects of T2 on a longer time scale as well as do not show that T2 acts in the same way in humans."

John Berardi, writing on behalf of BioTest's T2 fat burner (now discontinued, likely as a result of the growing disapproval of the FDA) dismisses this possibility, but admits that such effects are likely dose-dependent.

So there may be a possible danger when taking a product like this.

2) Lipolytic Acceleration Matrix: Consists of 4.5 mg of various forms of yohimbine (the active chemical in yohimbe). A few studies bear out yohimbine's positive effect on weight loss (Isr J Med Sci. 1991 Oct;27(10):550-6) but its effects are hardly earth-shattering. Nonetheless, it is certainly an ingredient that you "feel" when you take it—which is probably the biggest reason this ingredient finds its way into fat burners.

3) Metabolic Heat Generating Blend: Contains a 20 mg blend of two forms of synephrine (there is no evidence methylsynephrine offers any benefit over regular synephrine). Once thought to be a credible alternative to ephedra, recent studies have demonstrated that synephrine offers only the tiniest benefits to dieters.

4) Brown Adipose Tissue Heat Activator: Contains 3 variations of phenylethylamine, the "feel good" amphetamine-related chemical found in chocolate. Normally, PEA is included in weight loss products as a mood elevator; I have yet to see any published data confirming its fat burning effects.

As a mood elevator, it's of dubious value too—it is metabolized by the enzyme monamine oxidase so quickly that relatively little of it actually enters the bloodstream. That's why the best PEA-based products (see Gaspari's Cytolean) combine it with natural MAOIs (monamine oxidase inhibitors). Theoretically, these inhibit the action of enzyme, allowing more of the PEA to enter the bloodstream, eliciting a "euphoric effect".

Unfortunately, there are no natural MAOIs in this formula.

Free Fatty Acid Releasing Complex: Consists of 200 mg of caffeine. No surprise here; caffeine is a foundational ingredient in most diet pills. It can provide the added boost needed to get to the gym for an effective work out.

And its thermogenic properties—albeit mild—are well established and have been demonstrated in several clinical studies (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97).

What does Lipo 6 Black offer that the other variations of this product do not?

Well, you get a slightly more potent yohimbine blend (an extra 1.5 mg), the PEA blend, and the two thyroid precursors... for an extra $10.

The original version on the other hand, contains guggulsterones, which this formula is missing.

So what's the bottom line on Lipo 6 Black?

It would have been nice if ingredients with little scientific credibility for weight loss (like synephrine and PEA) had been replaced with something a little more useful. The two thyroid precursors are a nice addition, but information regarding both their safety and effectiveness is largely unknown.

In the end, if you're a fan of Lipo 6, you'll probably be happy with this product. It's not significantly more expensive, and the core of the formula remains the same (it's available online from BodyBuilding.com, our recommended online retailer).

On the other hand, if you're looking for a real "hardcore" fat burner, Gaspari's Mitotropin is probably a better choice (although its significantly more expensive, too).

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