Nutrabolics Clenbutical Fat Burner Review: Does Clenbutical Work?
Nutribolics’ Clenbutical fat burner is obviously named to sound very similar to clenbuterol (reviewed here!) the powerful sympathomimetic drug used as a bronchodilator in many parts of the world (although its never been approved for use in the U.S.), which is also a powerful fat burner.
But can Clenbutical really measure up to clenbuterol?
Let’s have a look at the ingredients…
1. Coleus Forskohlii: a cAMP stimulator common to many popular fat burners. cAMP is a “cellular regulator.” In other words, this compound is required to “spark” many intercellular processes. An increased concentration of camp can have such “total-body” effects as raised thyroid hormone levels and increased fat burning.
Yes, the effects of Coleus forskohlii and a corresponding positive effect on weight loss have been established in one study (Journal of Obesity Research August 2005, “Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations Associated With Forskolin Consumption In Overweight and Obese Men”), but the results were not overwhelming.
2. Guarana extract: often included in fat burners for its caffeine content, which in itself is a useful thermogenic agent. The combination of caffeine and green tea is also a beneficial one (Obes Res. 2005 Jul; 13(7): 1195-204).
3. White kidney bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) extract: This ingredient is often included in fat burners for its ability to inhibit the activity of the enzyme alpha-amylase, which is needed to break down starches into simple sugars. Unfortunately, a recent UCLA clinical study on Phaseolus vulgaris concluded…
“Clinical trends were identified for weight loss and a decrease in triglycerides, although statistical significance was not reached.”
In other words, while white kidney bean extract does show some promise, but its effects are hardly earth-shattering.
4. Green tea: a worthwhile ingredient in any fat burner, studies validate green tea’s ability to elevate metabolic rate. It’s also a potent antioxidant, and may be useful for regulating blood sugar levels through the inhibition of the digestive enzyme amylase (read the full review of green tea here!)
5. Citrus aurantium: standardized for synephrine, ephedra’s “chemical cousin,” it was originally thought synephrine could replace ephedra as the premier thermogenic in most fat burner compilations (this based on promising animal studies). Unfortunately, human-based studies have been less exciting. Results were lackluster, they suffered from methodological flaws, or were done using a combination of ingredients (making it impossible to attribute results to any specific ingredient).
6. Cayenne: included in Clenbutical for its metabolism-boosting effects. There is a small body of evidence that indicates that cayenne consumption can indeed elevate the metabolism (Br J Nutr 1999;82:115–23, Br J Nutr 1998;80:503–10). Unfortunately, it’s only at much higher doses (one study used 10 grams consumed along with meals!) that any effect is realized.
7. Ginger root: the most common uses for ginger are as an anti-nauseant and to aid in digestion. Although studies are being performed to determine whether ginger has a positive effect on the metabolism, it’s unlike the small amount included in this formula will elicit much effect.
Bottom line?
This is hardly a rip-roaring fat burning formula. Although there are a few decent ingredients here, there are just as many that have no demonstrated effect. There are simply are more comprehensive formulas available — as an example, check out my review of Isatori’s MX-LS7 fat burner.
