Gaspari Cytolean V2 Review: An Improved CytoLean
Gaspari’s CytoLean V2 replaces the original Cytolean, a green-tea, caffeine, and phenylethylamine-based fat burner. Although short on evidence to validate its effectiveness, CytoLean generally garnered positive feedback from its users.
So… how does the newest version measure up? Is it an improvement on the original CytoLean formula? Let’s have a look and see what’s in it…
The newest CytoLean formula contains two complexes…
1. The Lipolytic Drive Complex™, a 565mg strong blend of…
Green tea extract: Probably talking here about EGCG, one of the most important green tea catechins, and the one to which many of green tea’s weight loss benefits are attributed. Of course, we can’t be sure it contains a potent enough dosage of the stuff, since the label itself does not reveal that information.
Proprietary extract of Pericarpium Citri reticulatae:Obviously labeled for impact, since “tangerine peel” sounds much less impressive. That said, this ingredient is a source of both synephrine and tyramine; neither of which has been shown to demonstrate much in the way of rip-roaring fat burning benefits.And, because of the ambiguous nature of the way this ingredient is labeled, it’s impossible to determine what exactly the role of this ingredient plays here. After all, it could be standardized for N-methyltyramine, a chemical that may interfere with the enzyme monamine oxidase, thus increasing the effectiveness of the phenylethylamine also included in this formula. Or, it could be standardized for synephrine, which despite its relative ineffectiveness, remains a common ingredient in many weight loss products.
Additionally, tangerine peel is also a source of bioflavonoids like hesperidin, nobiletin, etc. Hesperidin, naringin, and others may have antioxidant and hypoglycemic effects, but can also inhibit certain cytochrome P-450 enzymes, and can increase the bioavailability of certain drugs taken with it (at least in animal experiments).
B-Phenylethylamine HCL:This is the “ampthetamine-related” chemical present in chocolate which produces that famous “chocolate high.”Unfortunately, simple supplementation with phenylethylamine won’t do much to improve your mood.That’s because the majority of it gets metabolized by an enzyme known as “monamine oxidase” (MAO) This prevents all but the slightest amounts from reaching the bloodstream. And alas… no feelings of “well being” or mild euphoria. The original CytoLean formulacontained a ton of natural monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) to help offset the metabolism of phenylethylamine. This revamped formula probably contains only one: the tyramine isolated from the tangerine peel.Regardless, even if phenylethylamine helps with your mood, there’s no evidence to indicate it provides any fat burning characteristics.
Proprietary extract of Paullinia cupana: Again labeled for impact, since “guarana” is a common ingredient, and one that has graced the label of weight loss products for years. My guess is that its role here is as a source of caffeine, a common and mildly helpful thermogenic.
2. The Psycho-Corticoid Optimization Matrix™: A 420 mg strong blend of the following…
Caffeine: As already noted, caffeine is a common thermogenic with established, but not revolutionary effects. One study (see Obes Res. 2005 Jul; 13(7): 1195-204) also shows the combination of green tea and caffeine (270 mg epigallocatechin gallate + 150 mg caffeine per day) can be helpful for elevating the metabolism and encouraging weight loss. It’s impossible to tell whether CytoLean contains the relevant amounts of either EGCG or caffeine, however.
Lactium®: A milk-derived ingredient with apparent “stress-reducing” characteristics.
7b-OH: A metabolite of DHEA with similarities to 7-Keto DHEA. And while several studies have validated 7-Keto’s effects on weight loss (see Journal of Exercise Physiology, Volume 2, Number 4, October 1999, J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Sep;18(9):629-34. Epub 2007 Apr 5, Current Therapeutics, (7):435-442 2000), it’s too early to say whether this variation will offer the same benefits.
Chinese Boxthorn Extract (Lycium Chinense): Also known as Wolfberry or Goji berry, it’s hard to say why Gaspari felt it was necessary to include what can only be a smattering of this ingredient… although some extra antioxidant phytochemicals in your diet can never be a “bad thing.”
Bioperine®: A black pepper extract common to weight loss and body building supplements. It’s most often included to increase the bioavailability of the formula its included in.
Huperzine A: As noted by Elissa in our glossary, huperzine is an”alkaloid isolated from a Chinese moss (Huperzia serrata) that has neuroprotective and cognitive effects.” It is often added to fat burners and body building supplements for that reason.
So there you have it. The newest version of CytoLean in a nutshell.
How does it measure up?
First of all, I have to say I don’t like Gaspari’s coyness as it manifests itself on the product label.
In my opinion, Gaspari usually makes class-leading products (we’ve reviewed many; see SuperPump 250, Halodrol, Novadex) and engaging in such practices brings them down to the level of some of their most base competitors.
It’s really not something Gaspari should be doing, or needs to be doing. Normally, their products speak for themselves.
Regardless of the ambiguousness of the label, and the undetermined effectiveness of some of the ingredients, is this an improvement over the previous version? The original CytoLean was—let’s face it—not much more than green tea, caffeine, plus a hearty dose of phenylethylamine and a pile of natural MAOIs.
In this version, the umpteen natural MAOIs are dropped, and replaced with tangerine peel extract (probably standardized for tyramine, which acts like an MAOI), guarana extract, Lactium®, 7b-OH and Goji berry. Guarana, of course, offers some weight loss benefits, although they are likely attributable to its caffeine content. Lactium® may provide a calming effect (if the ingredient works as claimed and the product contains an effective dose) and goji adds some antioxidants, but the benefits of 7b-OH are debatable (why not just use the regular 7-Keto?).
Having experimented with the original CytoLean myself (I found the mood enhancing effects to be extremely dramatic and not particularly pleasant) it wouldn’t surprised me if this version of CytoLean is designed to be a slightly de-tuned, less harsh version of the original.
While the fat burning effectiveness may have increased with the addition of 7b-OH, this is largely based on speculation. No published data validates any fat burning claim for this ingredient. Therefore, it’s impossible to authoritatively claim this version is any better than the original.
That said, if you liked the original CytoLean, there’s no reason to believe you won’t be happy with this version. If you found it a “bit much”, you may even like this version more.
