Genuine Health’s Abs+ Fat Burner Review: Does Abs+ Work?
Abs+ is the fat burner from Genuine Health that claims to “provide a significant decrease to both your waistline measurements and your weight in 90 days or less – safely and naturally.”
Abs+ also is one of a few natural fat burners that can claim to have a clinical trial validating that it actually does do something (Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, Volume 12, Number 3, 1 February 2007, pp. 69-78(10)).
When I look at the ingredients profile, it’s not that surprising. Abs+ is a simple product containing a mere two ingredients — conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) and green tea, standardized for ECGC, or epigallocatechin-gallate. If there are two natural ingredients that show any real promise for weight loss, it is these two.
Let’s start with CLA.
CLA is a non-essential fatty acid found primarily in meat and dairy products. CLA is found in the highest concentrations in the meat of animals that chew their cud — cows and sheep are good examples of such animals.
Unfortunately, it’s impossible to get the beneficial effects of CLA directly from meat and cheese.
Why?
This fatty acid is available naturally in very low concentrations. In other words, you’d need to consume a huge amount of high-fat foods to obtain a reasonable amount of this supplement. By doing this, of course, you’d negate any positive benefits. That’s why it’s necessary to supplement with CLA.
There is some decent data indicating that CLA, taken in doses from .7 to 4.5 grams daily, can decrease body fat mass in obese and overweight people (the optimal dose seems to be about 3.2 grams daily — see Am J Clin Nutr. 2007 May;85(5):1203-11).
There is also some evidence that indicates higher doses of CLA can increase lean body mass. This contributes to an elevated metabolism, which is a good thing for weight loss! (J Nutr. 2007 May;137(5):1188-93.)
If there’s something that should be said about CLA’s ability to increase lean body mass, it’s that this effect was seen at a dosage twice that normally recommended—slightly more than 6 grams daily. The referenced study included two control groups; the one at the lower dosage (3.2 grams) did not experience the same increases in muscle mass.
The Abs+ formula, to its credit, contains plenty of CLA.
A regular dose (2 capsules 3 times daily) contains just under 3.5 grams of CLA, while a maintenance dose (1 capsule 3 times daily) contains about 1.7 grams—more than enough to be effective, according to the study.
As I indicated earlier, the other ingredient in Abs+ is green tea, standardized for something called EGCG, or epigallocatechin-gallate. I’ve been a big fan of green tea for a while. Not only does it taste great, it’s a powerful anti-oxidant too!
And of course, there’s some real evidence green tea is good for weight loss (see Mol Nutr Food Res. 2006 Feb;50(2):176-87, Am J Clin Nutr; 81:122-129, Journal of the International Association for the Study of Obesity. 2000 Feb;24(2):252-8, The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 1999 Dec;70(6):1040-5).
Studies show green tea’s weight loss benefits are a result of several mechanisms.
These include an increased metabolism, a positive effect on blood sugar and insulin regulation, and possibly the inhibiting of the enzyme amylase, which is required for the processing of carbohydrates. It also has been shown to lower LDL levels (that’s the “bad” cholesterol) as well as triglyceride levels.
In a nutshell, green tea is a great, all-round health supplement that certainly appears to exhibit some real benefits for weight loss.
Bottom line of the Abs+ formula?
The combination of green tea (standardized for epigallocatechin-gallate) and CLA is a good one. The clinical study performed on this product (Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, Volume 12, Number 3, 1 February 2007 , pp. 69-78(10)) certainly adds credibility to its claims.
And while I caution that no fat burner will provide miraculous results without the implementation of a sensible diet and exercise program, the Abs+ product is better than most, and probably worth experimenting with.
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March 14, 2008
I first heard of Abs+ on this website while researching other supplements. I decided to try Abs+ because it’s all natural. I’ve tried other supplements in the past and experienced some adverse reaction such as skin irritation etc. So I decided to try this product.
Abs+ is awesome!!! I really like this product. It truly works. I’ve been taking it since 11/29/07.
At first I didn’t see any results because I was taking the supplement without altering my eating habits. But, as January 2008 began, I made the decision to make changes to my eating habits and immediately I saw great changes.
I’m not a health nut and I often backslide by eating foods that I shouldn’t. While altering my eating habits has helped some, Abs+ deserves a lot of credit.
The reason is because while I’m able to lose weight (as I have in the past), my problem area is my stomach. My stomach often remains.
Abs+ worked on my stomach where I have the problem. The reason I know it is Abs+ is because a few months ago I had also changed my eating habits to attend a friends wedding in Jamaica.
I lost weight but still had a stomach. I didn’t feel as good because my stomach was still there although I had lost some weight. In November when I began taking the supplement, I was a bit concerned that it wouldn’t work. However, by the end of the first week in Jan I noticed a change and how my shirts fit in the stomach area.
Many of us don’t have the patience or we want to see results right away which sometimes the reason we flock to all these supplements with different ingredients that claim to be the next best thing.
Let me tell you, Abs+ works. It truly works. The only thing is the bottles doesn’t last too long since you have to take 2 tabs 3x per day (the bottle comes with 90 tabs). This is the only issue that I have, but I continue to use it because it works.
I say great work genuine health for creating such an awesome product with evidence to back it up. If you really want a product that works and doesn’t offer any side effects and drawbacks, use ABS+. IT’S AWESOME!!!
March 16, 2009
I have to say that abs+ really works. I recently started taking abs+ about 2 weeks ago and like most women my biggest problem was my stomach. Honestly, I work out 30-60 mins per day for 3 days per week and I have definitely seen results. I am very disciplined with my diet and even though I am not a heavy person, my issue once again lies in my tummy. I don’t have a six pack or anything but I have noticed drastically that my tummy has been reduced.
I am going to Jamaica in 3 weeks and I am confident that I will get to where I want to go just by using Abs+ So far I have not not had any side effects and I think it is an awesome product. I will definitely keep you updated on my progress as I go along.
July 15, 2009
In short – the product is over rated, and review misleading.
Its hard to come across the actual journal article, but I did manage to find it.
2 topics – body dimensions, and reported weight loss.
Body dimensions: A few quotes from the article.
“several subjects who lost weight actually showed increases in their waist circumference measurements”
“Body fat also did not show any significant
change after ingesting abs+ for 12 weeks”
Did the reviewers here actually read the article? In concession, YES it was a misleading article. It always stated “significant losses” and never the actual value (below).
Weight loss:
Mean average loss over 12 weeks = ~ 2 pounds (0.9 kg).
In three months, there is without a doubt more factors (and money effective solutions) that will influence your weight than this product.
It goes on in the discussion about other studies reporting serious abdominal fat reductions using higher levels of EGCG – but that is not this study and NOT this product!
Editor’s comments: Not sure what was so misleading about our review. It states that Abs+…
“… is one of a few natural fat burners that can claim to have a clinical trial validating that it actually does do something (Journal of Herbs, Spices & Medicinal Plants, Volume 12, Number 3, 1 February 2007, pp. 69-78(10).”
That’s true.
It then goes on to state that Abs+ contains the amount of CLA shown helpful in numerous studies, and cites the appropriate references. That’s also true.
It also outlines the benefits of EGCG, but nowhere does it say or suggest that the studies cited refer to studies performed on Abs+. Lastly, it cautions not to expect miracles with the product. Nowhere does it say that Abs+ is a miracle product, only that there’s supportive evidence for both CLA and green tea/EGCG. Maybe we’re reading separate reviews… there’s nothing misleading about this.
February 16, 2010
I have just started taking ABs+ (Feb 12 2010) So I took my measurements and I will keep up to date. 149.8 lbs, hips 40″ tummy 381/4″ waist 37″ and ribs 34 1/2″. I’m not on much of a diet, and I walk when I can.
Editor’s comments: Please update us once you have finished your first bottle of the product.
April 9, 2010
Hi, I have been taking abs+ for 3 weeks now and am having chest pains, I was just wondering if this is a side effect to abs+? Can someone please help. Thanks.
Editor’s comments: Abs + is a pretty mild product by anybody’s standards, but chest pains are nothing to fool around with – we suggest ceasing the product immediately and seeing your physician as soon as possible.
August 26, 2010
I bought abs+ the other day. I started off by taking only one pill with food in the morning. I wanted to start off easy and not make myself feel sick. All day long I felt like something was stuck in my chest… almost like a chest pain. I felt sick all day… wondering what is wrong?
Editor’s comments: Hard to say; it could be a “gas” pain or maybe it is something more serious. If a further dose brings the same results, this is definitely not something you should continue taking.
January 20, 2011
I have used this product for almost two weeks and feel bloated every time I use it and have not lost any weight.
I was also constipated for almost a week; does this change? Is this normal? One of the claims is that I will lose weight naturally and will see results in 90 days. Is this just the effect in the beginning? Needless to say I am initially disappointed…
Editor’s comments: Your side effects are not common, but it’s possible the CLA in this product is not agreeable to you. It’s impossible to say whether or not you’ll become less sensitive to this product over time… you’ll just need to experiment. As to this product’s effects? Both ingredients in Abs + have some decent clinical data behind them, but the effects are subtle and you will still need to diet and exercise. See the full Abs+ review for more information.
April 14, 2011
Love this product see results in 2 weeks. I work out about 5 days a week about 1hr – 1.5hr each day.
I have a wonderful work out plan and this stuff helps a lot especially for losing weight and becoming more lean!
Great product!!
December 16, 2011
Just started abs+ last week along with a work out/diet plan last month. No side effects and it is working well.
August 29, 2018
Hi Paul. Any possible reason why I couldn’t take three per meal instead of only two? I’m in the beginning phases and I am on weight watchers and exercising regularly I thought maybe it would just give a little extra push. Would you be OK emailing me your opinion ? Many thanks.
September 9, 2018
Sure. Just did. 🙂
March 6, 2012
So pretty much all of these reviews state there was some weight loss over the course of a few weeks but you had to change your eating habbits and work out 5x a week… People, the only thing that is contributing to your weight loss is the diet and exercise. I too lost 8 pounds last month but I did it by changing my diet and working out 5 days a week, sometimes multiple times a day.
I started taking this product a couple of weeks ago and it has not produced any further weight loss than what I was alreayd experiencing. I have tried other supplements before that are thermogenic and those actually burn fat because they increase your body’s temperature and increase metabolism.
Congrats to you all who lost weight and further contributed by your overall health by changing your eating habbits. The success belongs to you, not these pills.
March 28, 2013
I started taking this pill 5 days ago, it says take 6 pills a day but since I’m only 15 I take 3-4, I also have other pills I need to take daily, but ever since yesterday morning I’ve been having really bad pain in my arms, legs and definitely stomach,& the sides of it, I’ve never felt this really before and I’m scared something bad could happen, any ideas what it could be? if the pill caused it?
March 28, 2013
Editor’s comments: Jennifer, these products are not recommended for anyone under the age of 18. And for many, there is the possibility of a drug interaction. Stop the pills immediately and book an appointment with your doctor.
June 3, 2013
Bought the product, ate and took three pills as suggested.
This product made me really sick, cramps, really smelly gas, stomach ache. This lasted about 3 Hours and Finally Went Away. The Next Day I wanted to try it again (But lower the dose sinse it costed so much damn money) and I only took 1 and I was fine! So you may have to cut down on the pill intake if you get the same reactions I did.
Thanks
July 3, 2013
Just started taking these, as they were on sale at Shopper’s Drug Mart for nearly 60% off, and my boyfriend picked them up to start himself. I have actually gained two pounds since taking them yesterday, but this could be unrelated. I’ve read many, many negative reviews but am going to finish the bottle before claiming my money-back guarantee. Maybe things will improve.
May 6, 2014
Does abs+ affect birth control?
September 18, 2016
The comment section is certainly very informative!
Thank you everyone