Cravex Review: Appetite Suppression and Weight Loss?
Cravex offers natural appetite suppression and clinically proven weight loss in one nice, attractively packaged product. At least that’s what the advertising claims.
Oh yeah, I nearly forgot — its a carb controller too!
Of course, inquiring minds want to know… does Cravex eliminate excess body fat? Does increase the metabolic rate and balance blood glucose regulation as claimed by the advertising literature?
Well, it will come as no surprise that despite the “clinically proven” claim, there is no clinical trial validating the effectiveness of Cravex. And it’s a little difficult to evaluate the formula, given that two versions seem to be advertised online.
I’ve decided to evaluate the version presented on Natrol.com — I’m hoping that the version presented on the company web site is the most up to date version (the other version I see advertised is based upon Gymnema Sylvestre, an ingredient which may be useful for suppressing appetite and balancing blood sugar levels).
So what’s in Cravex?
Well, there’s a fairly significant amount of Garcinia cambogia Extract (also known as Citrimax, and standardized for HCA or hydroxycitric acid), plus chromium, calcium, green tea and caffeine.
I’ve reviewed Garcinia cambogia Extract (Citrimax) in detail here!
At one time, it was thought to be an effective ingredient for appetite suppression.
Unfortunately, studies have not borne this out. If there’s a positive here, it’s that a more potent version of this ingredient (called SuperCitrimax) may indeed be helpful as an appetite suppressant.
Also, supplement guru Will Brink (author of Fat Loss Revealed, reviewed here!) feels studies conducted on Garcinia cambogia Extract were not performed with strong enough dosages.
If Garcinia cambogia Extract is to be helpful at all, it needs to be present in dosages of at least 1,000 mg — which it is here.
Chromium, reviewed in detail here, does indeed play an important role in blood glucose regulation. It’s a great addition to any supplement, and especially worth investigating if you have an sort of blood sugar issues. As far as being a potent “fat burner” goes? Clinical data is contradictory.
I’ve talked a lot about green tea on this web site. It is one ingredient that shows some real promise for weight loss (click here to read a full review of green tea). When combined with caffeine, it becomes even more beneficial for weight loss (Obes Res. 2005 Jul; 13(7): 1195-204)
Why have they included calcium in this formula?
Well, both adults and children who have a low calcium intake are more likely to have a higher body mass index, find it easier to gain weight, and be overweight than those with a high calcium intake (Am Coll Nutr 2002;21:152S-5S). It’s also true that increasing calcium consumption seems to be effective for weight loss for those individuals following a low calorie diet.
However, studies have found that increasing calcium consumption (to 1,000 mg/day) from dairy products (especially yogurt) is the most effective — supplements may not prove to be nearly as helpful (Am J Clin Nutr 2004;79:907S-12S). On that note, there’s only 180mg of calcium in the Cravex formula so it’s unlikely to have much effect on weight loss.
Bottom line?
There are a few good ingredients in this compilation, but unfortunately, the appetite-suppressing effects of the main ingredient, Garcinia cambogia Extract, are far from proven. For that reason, I’d be hesitant to recommend trying this product.
