Smartburn™ with Hoodia has been discontinued by Iovate.
Smartburn™ with Hoodia (for women) promises “450% more weight loss than diet and exercise alone.” Another quote on one of the web sites I saw indicated…
“Smartburn’s™ blend of core weight loss ingredients makes it one of the most powerful weight supplements on the market today.”
There are a couple of problems with these two statements. The first is that the clinical study on which this statement is based was not performed on Smartburn™ itself, but instead upon a blend 3 of the ingredients included in the Smartburn™ formula.
What’s the difference you say?
Well, the problem is that is that we don’t not know how much of each of these crucial ingredients is included in the Smartburn™ formula — it is protected by a proprietary formula that prevents the actual efficacy and strength of each ingredient to be determined.
Given the relatively small amount of ingredients in the proprietary formula I’d be very surprised if this compilation contained anywhere near the amount of ingredient needed to obtain the results touted by the clinical study.
This is common practice amount fat burner retailers — quote a study backing one or more of your product’s ingredients, while only making a tiny, useless amount available in the compilation.
Of course, that’s not necessarily the case here, but we can’t know for certain.
The second statement…
“Smartburn’s™ blend of core weight loss ingredients makes it one of the most powerful weight supplements on the market today.”
… is simply erroneous — Smartburn™ does not sport a revolutionary formula by any means, nor is it particularly powerful. This is marketing 101, plain and simple.
With that said, let’s take a look at the Smartburn™ formula…
1. A blend of calcium, chromium polynicotinate and potassium. There’s some small evidence that calcium may be useful for weight loss, but in this compilation, it’s mostly window dressing. Chromium is a great addition to any weight loss formula for its positive effects on insulin function, although clinical evidence demonstrating its postive weight loss effects are contradictory.
2. Garcinia cambogia extract (also known as Citrimax or hydroxycitric [HCA] acid): Although showing promising results initially, Citrimax does not appear to be much use for weight loss.
A newer, patent pending version of this compound, called SuperCitrimax, where the HCA is bonded to calcium and magnesium to increase potency and bioavailability, seems to be much more effective. See the full review of Citrimax for more info!). Unfortunately, it needs to be present in a very high dose (almost 3,000 mg) to be effective.
3. Gymnema sylvestre extract: In the correct dosage, preliminary evidence seems to indicate this ingredient may affect blood glucose levels by reducing its absorption in the intestines. More evidence is needed to properly rate the effectiveness of this ingredient as a potent fat burner.
4. Rhodiola rosea extract (roseroot): an adaptogen like ginseng, this ingredient is generally used to increase energy, stamina, and athletic performance. Early studies indicate a 170 mg dose might combat fatigue in night shift workers.
5. Theanine: the major amino acid found in green tea. It has a relaxing effect and may be capable of lowering blood pressure levels.
6. Astaxanthin: a powerful antioxidant, very similar to beta carotene. Any antioxidant is good to addition to any product compilation, but in this case, you’d be better off with the dosage provided by a good multi-vitamin.
7. Hoodia: a full review of Hoodia is available here. Despite the claims, Hoodia’s appetite-suppressing powers are based more on hype than science.
8. Vinpocetine: a derivative of an alkaloid derived of a plant from the periwinkle family. In Europe, Japan and Mexico it’s used as a pharmaceutical agent for the treatment of cerebrovascular and cognitive disorders. It may have a slight effect on elevating metabolism, but at this time, that’s mostly speculation.
9. Green tea: although likely to be included in only the tiniest amount in this formula, green tea is a great addition to any fat burner.
10. N-acetyl tyrosine: an important precursor to many important neurotransmitters, high doses of tyrosine may effect mood in a positive manner.
11. Soy phospholipids: this must be the ingredient in the Smartburn™ compilation that justifies the “for women” advertising, because this formula isn’t specifically designed for women otherwise.
Again, it’s difficult to determine the exact amount of ingredient included here, but in higher doses, soy can be used to prevent osteoporosis, reduce menstrual symptoms and prevent hot flashes. It’s also helpful for reducing total cholesterol levels and LDL cholesterol in men and women.
Bottom line on Smartburn™?
There are some decent ingredients in this formula, but unfortunately, it’s likely that some of them aren’t included in a dosage high enough to constitute any more than “label dressing.” It’s impossible to know for sure. Personally, I’d be highly surprised if you achieved much with this product.
However, I’d love to hear from you on this. Have you used Smartburn™? How have you found it? Let us and our readers know!
September 3, 2009
I’ve been using Smart Burn for 2 weeks & I lost was my love handles, which I am really happy about but I forgot my Smartburn & I gained all that fat back !
*sigh* I’m gonna give it 1 more try, amd hopefully that isn’t money down the drain.
February 24, 2017
Smartburn was amazing- Soo sad it’s off the market. It truly did work. What ever percentages they were using- they got it down perfect! I still search for it . . . or something close- but- nothing to be found . .. I hope to find something soon . . .
No side effects, no lose of fat on my chest, no caffeine highs (& I am very sensitive to caffeine) slept great, felt great! Lost weight on stomach, thighs, was getting tone. – I was doing treadmill or walking outside -an hour each day BUT- can do this on my own-with no supplement-& hardly lose anything-or lose in my chest & face . . . . BRING SMARTBURN BACK!!!!
February 24, 2017
Thanks for sharing your experience with us, Dee.
October 11, 2009
I have found SmartBurn with Hoodia the only thing that works for me!
Initially, it worked best when I used it with an internal cleanse (for me, it was the SlimQuick product). It seemed that I needed the cleanse to jump start my body into loosing weight.
There is a SIGNIFICANT loss in my thighs, which have always been heavy. That loss seems to ‘stick’ even when I go off the SB.
I too have experienced increased ‘hunger’ at times when taking it, but it doesn’t make me gain more weight. When I get to feeling really hungry and don’t want to junk out, I drink a glass of Metamucil 🙂 to fill me up, give my my daily fiber and keep me from eating.
October 11, 2009
I just posted a positive response, but forgot to change the Visitor Rating from the pre-populated ‘1’ to a 4.
May 1, 2010
I am very disappointed, I’ve been using it for two weeks, drinking lots of water, joined an exercise class and changed eating habits a bit but I nothing has changed.
May 7, 2010
I have been using Smart-Burn for a few weeks now. My goal in using it was not to find a dramatic fat-blocking, hunger destroying pill that would take pounds of my body each week, but rather a pill that would take the edge off so that I could say no to things easier and not be thinking about hunger all day. I also did not want to “feel” like I had taken a pill~ the jitters, etc.
Smart-burn accomplished all of these things for me. I only take them once a day, in the morning when I get up, but the just “settle” me perfectly and I love that. I never feel jittery, and I never have a “sour stomach” after taking them, as with a couple others I have tried. I am one who hates to take anything on an empty stomach~ perhaps it is just a mental thing, but that has prevented me from being faithful to take other products. SB has a sweet coating~ perhaps vanilla? that makes them very easy to take. If they had a strong herbal or medicinal taste I could not do it.
About half the time I also take something called “slim-shots” with milk in the afternoon. This is just if I am starting to get the overwhelming hungries again and want to settle them down. I don’t know why I have gotten in the habit of using two different formulas~ perhaps because the second I do not have to take before meals so the other I can eat a bit at the same time (though it with the milk usually fills me).
I did not have a huge amount to lose, just after four children I couldn’t seem to get that last fifteen or so off. I have lost 5 pounds in two weeks and feel I am establishing better eating habits that will be good even if I don’t take the SB, so I am grateful for its assistance there as well. I also find that eating lots of black beans, especially, and other veggies, and green tea help so much. I think sometimes when we fill our bodies with too much junk, it can’t find the nutrients it needs, so it keeps driving us to eat more. Eating the right things will help us not only maintain healthier, more disease-free bodies, but also keep the weight down as well. And really, after eating 9 servings of fruits and veggies, who has room for an entire pan of brownies?? (ok, maybe just one… 🙂
May 7, 2010
I just reviewed this product, but meant to give it five stars. Even now that I am here, it does not give me the option to change that, so perhaps someone could adjust that for me who runs the site?? Anyway, SB gets 5 stars from me as it did just exactly what I need for it too. Thanks!
June 15, 2010
I have tried and tried many things for help losing weight, and honestly I don’t care about all the hype anymore. I used smart burn and combined with my ecercise for thirty minutes every other day.
This worked the best. For women that have had children like me give smart burn a try – I loved it and lost most of my weight in three months. It was a total of 25 lbs!
June 21, 2010
I lost 50 pounds with smartburn. I absolutely love it. I also continued to use less of it and maintained my weight for over 2 years. It does not make you jittery and I had not side effect. The stores I purchased it at took it off the shelves. Then because of surgery low-back fusion I had gain 20 pounds. I have tried other product but nothing has helped. I would drive 100 miles just to get this product. It is the only thing that ever worked for me. Just can’t seem to find it here.
August 20, 2010
When I first started Smart Burn I did notice some initial changes: less bloat, not as hungry, some weight loss. After the 1st week I had lost 3 lbs and felt as though my appetite was getting less.
By the second week I had regained 4lbs and it seemed as though I had lost all effects of the previous week. I took the entire bottle and followed the instructions, I even increased my work outs.
I attribute any weight loss to increaing my workouts NOT to Smart Burn! The only thing Smart Burn helped me with was changing the way I viewed nutrition and exercise. Yet I am quite convinced that with wanting to improve myself and wanting to work towards something better, I would’ve figured all that out without the help of Smart Burn.
November 2, 2010
I started to try Smart-Burn a couple weeks ago as a jump start to a new fitness program of eating better and fitness for a few weeks now. I new that I was not to find a dramatic fat-blocking, hunger destroying pill that would take pounds of my body each week, I wanted something that would prevent me from going to the cookie jar late night, help with the will power. I eat 6 small meals a day an take the SB and I am full constantly to a point were I can barely finish my little meal. I drink plently of water and get a least 45 – hr of excercise a day. I lose on average 2 lbs a week.
I’m a fitness trainer and due to medical reasons I was indesposed for a while and gained 20lbs .. I just started getting back to my normal eating and working out and I have already lost 10 lbs – just 10 more to go and I hope to reach that by my work Christmas party mid Dec. 🙂
November 19, 2010
I am 21 years old and had a baby 8 months ago. As soon as I stopped nursing I stopped seeing the weight come off even while exersing and being on a healthy diet.
I am now using smart burn and in a week and a half taking only 2 pills twice a day I lost 12 pounds! I am so happy and notice every day that there is 1 -2 lbs gone. I’m so happy with my results and it really does curb my hunger! I love this stuff definitely give it a shot it… worked for me when nothing else did!
December 13, 2010
I have been on and off this product for about two years now and i have to say I have lost 30lbs have lots of energy. I find I am not stressed as much and have changed my overall eating and exercise program. And my body has not in a very long time been this toned. I feel great and have not gained back anything.
IT WORKS FOR ME……..
January 24, 2011
I have used smart burn on two separate occasions, and I found it works really well. Along with a proper exercise program as well as eating better/smaller portions of food, it really helps to boost weight loss.
It gets your metabolism, as well it really helps with muscle tenderness. When I take it as recommended I feel a lot less pain and recuperate much more quickly in between work outs. The only thing I don`t like about this product is that once you stop taking it, you have to continue to exercise in order to get your metabolism going normally again. I find if I ween myself off them and continue to exercise for another month after I stop them I do very well with weight loss.
Smart burn has helped me loose 20 pounds the first time I used it, Which I was able to maintain keeping off. Ive recently started taking it again and am very excited to loose the last of my mommy weight.
November 22, 2011
I used SmartBurn for several years and rapidly dropped from 174 to 126 pounds. I stopped using SmartBurn in January because it has been removed from the market . . . I’ve gained 30 lbs back as no other diet pills work for me!!! 🙁
January 5, 2014
This stuff is amazing and I lost 50 lbs with no exercise! I am thinner than my 2 daughters! I am back to my ideal weight and because this is not in the market any longer I have now invested in the Garcinia Cambogia that Dr Oz recommended and going to see if it keeps my weight down (I still want to lose 10 more lbs) and if it helps my girls to lose their belly fat. I wish this was still in the market I give it 5 stars as it worked totally worked! 🙂