Lipo-6 Fat Burner (Original) Review: Does Lipo 6 Work?
Lipo-6 is a fat burner based on… wait for it… 6 fat burning ingredients (how did the folks at Nutrex come up with the name, I wonder?).
Special note: The original Lipo-6 formula—which this review is based upon—is no longer legal, since it included ephedra (we’ve left the review up just for your information). This is unfortunate, since when taken properly ephedra is an effective appetite suppressant and weight loss supplement. It is possible to still get it legally if you know what you are doing; see my report on The Black Market Report on Ephedrine for details. Current Nutrex products reviewed on UltimateFatBurner.com are Lipo 6 X, Black, and Hers, and ephedra-free.
Lipo-6 is a relative rarity these days; it’s an ephedra-based fat burner. Ephedra-based fat burners are fast becoming a dying breed, an unfortunate circumstance, since they walk all over most ephedra-free fat burners in the matter of effectiveness. Put most simply, ephedra, especially when combined with aspirin and caffeine, are a proven fat burning trio often referred to as the “ECA stack”.
Ephedra has garnered its share of controversy lately, but for the most part, it’s completely unfounded, based on general assumptions and inaccurate and irresponsible media reports. That’s not say, of course, that Lipo 6 and other ephedra-based products are for everyone — individuals with high blood pressure and other contraindicated symptoms should stay well away from Lipo-6.
Lipo-6 contains the first two elements of the ECA stack (ephedra and caffeine), but not the third – aspirin. Because some people do not tolerate aspirin well, it is often left out of such compilations. For those who tolerate aspirin well, it’s a simple matter of adding an aspirin to this compilation.
Bottom line?
The ECA stack works, although there are some caveats. Rather than repeat myself, check out my series on ephedra, starting here.
OK, now let’s look at the rest of the Lipo 6 formula…
2. Citrus aurantium: Standardized for synephrine, a compound often described as a kinder, gentler ephedra. Unfortunately, there isn’t a whole lot of evidence that citrus aurantium does much of anything. Most clinical evidence shows little to no weight loss effect, while this study showed only the mildest effect, concluding…
” CA (citrus aurantrium) alone increased thermogenesis, on average, by 4% (52), a response that is statistically significant but not necessarily clinically significant, representing an average 1 kg over 6 months.”
So Lipo-6’s formula doesn’t gain much from the addition of this compound.
3. Coleus forskohlii: A herb from the mint family, its roots have been used in traditional ayurvedic medicine for ages. The active compound of Coleus Forskohlii, called “forskolin”, has been used traditionally to treat asthma, overweight, hypothyroidism, and high blood pressure. It has also been shown to help prevent the formation of blood clots by preventing platelet aggregation.
There is some limited clinical evidence that indicates a properly standardized forskohlin supplement (250 mg of 10% forskolin extract twice a day) can both elevate testosterone levels and favorably alter body composition.
Whether this product contains an optimal amount of properly standardized Coleus Forskohlii is impossible to tell (because of the proprietary labeling), therefore it’s difficult to asses its real value in this formula.
4. Bioperine: a thermonutrient that aids in the absorption of vitamins, minerals, aminos, and so on. A full review of bioperine is posted here!
Yohimbine: the active compound of Yohimbe, which is derived from the bark of the African tree of the same name (although in Lipo 6, the Yohimbine is synthetic). Because of yohimbine’s effect on the central nervous system (it acts upon alpha-2 adrenergic receptors), may encourage weight loss. Because of its ability to dilate blood vessels, Yohimbe’s best use is an aphrodisiac—a natural Viagra if you will.
Yohimbe isn’t a benign ingredient. For instance, people with high blood pressure or kidney disease should avoid Yohimbe containing products, as well as women who are, or who may become pregnant. There’s also some concern about combining Yohimbe with ephedra (could lead to variations in blood pressure levels) or antidepressants.
What about clinical data on this ingredient? Well, it does show that yohimbine exhibits some mild weight loss effects, not terribly surprising as we know it acts as an alpha 2-receptor antagonist. Some evidence also demonstrates some “lipid-mobilizing action” characteristics.
Bottom line on Lipo-6?
Simply because of the ephedra stack, Lipo-6 should work for you. Some of the other ingredients in this formula—like yohimbine and foskohlii—may add something to the formula, but since it’s impossible to know how they are dosed it’s impossible to say how much.
That said, the combination of ephedrine, caffeine, synephrine and yohimbine guarantees an extremely potent product as these are all stimulants. This product is definitely not for anyone with heart issues or high blood pressure.
If you feel you’d like to try Lipo-6, I highly recommend starting off at the lowest dose possible to assess your tolerance.
February 22, 2018
This was the only fat burner that had my thighs go down! I miss the original!