Review: ErgoGenix ErgoBurn (Previously known as “Amp 2”)
ErgoGenix’s ErgoBurn fat burner and energy booster is not a new product. Nope, it’s a re-named, re-labeled and re-branded version of ErgoLean’s Amp 2 fat burner. From what I can tell, it’s identical to the original formula.*
A single capsule serving offers up 250 mg of 8 ingredients, including 80 mg of caffeine. Unless you’re using the highest recommended dosage (4 caps 3 times per day—a pretty unrealistic dose since it delivers an outrageous amount of caffeine; just under 1,000 mg) it is pretty much guaranteed that most of the supporting ingredients will be under-dosed, with the possible exception of a couple (since this is a proprietary blend, it’s impossible to know for sure which ones, of course).
A capsule or two will be all most people will need to accomplish this. And if you’ve got a huge tolerance to stimulants, you can always boost your dosage to the maximum recommended dose.
That said, let’s have a closer look at the ErgoGenix formula…
Caffeine Anhydrous: No surprise here; caffeine’s got a well established record as a thermogenic, and does help with weight loss (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97). It also cheaply and effectively addresses the most common complaint of dieters; lack of energy.
Zingerone: A component of ginger, small animal studies performed on zingerone 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).
N-Methyltyramine HCl: A derivative of the biogenic amine, tyramine, it’s also a constituent of bitter orange (Citrus aurantium). I could find no weight loss effects attributed to this compound… in fact, one report notes that it inhibited lipolysis in cell cultures.
Raspberry Ketone: 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An unpublished pilot study performed on Razberi-K® (a patented form of raspberry ketones) demonstrated it enhanced post-exercise fat oxidation, although the results were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.
Fursultiamine: A derivative of Vitamin B1, the Amp 2 advertising states that this ingredient may
“…improve exercise performance and reduce muscle fatigue.“
I did find some evidence that high-dose thiamine supplementation (100 mg/day) does appear to reduce exercise induced fatigue (Metab Brain Dis. 1996 Mar;11(1):95-106).
On the other hand, studies performed with large doses of Fursultiamine (1,000 mg/day) showed it to have no effect on exercise performance (see Eur J Appl Physiol Occup Physiol. 1997;75(6):520-4)
Green Coffee Bean Extract: This ingredient is likely standardized for something called “chlorogenic acid.” Although there is some animal (see BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2006, 6:9), and human weight loss data(Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2012; 5: 21–27) available, more (and better!) research is needed.
Evodiamine: a Chinese fruit that some claim burns fat by increasing the body’s production of heat, as well as reducing the body’s ability to store fat. Although a preliminary animal study shows promising results, to date there’s no evidence showing evodiamine works in people.
Kaempferol: This ingredient, usually derived from grape seed, has shown anti-obesity activity in animal and in-vitro experiments, but human data is lacking.
And that’s it; the entire ErgoBurn formula in a nutshell.
As already discussed, its value comes mainly from the energy-boosting effects of the caffeine / DMAA combination. For many people, this will deliver enough value on its own. Especially when you consider that ErgoBurn is not outrageously priced (a 120 capsule bottle retails for about $28 at BodyBuilding.com). The remaining ingredients, as already detailed—are under-dosed and offer value that is speculative at best.
But as an “energy supplement”, we have no doubt ErgoBurn works just fine, thank you very much!
*minus the DMAA, which – while part of the ErgoBurn formula at the time of writing – is now on its way to being banned.
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