Zantrex-3 High-Energy Fat Burner is a popular dietary supplement, designed for individuals looking to boost their energy levels and experience rapid weight loss.
It was introduced more than two decades ago by Zoller Laboratories/Basic Research, a multimillion-dollar company and a top distributor of bodybuilding, weight-loss, and skin-care products.
It works by burning calories throughout the day while suppressing the appetite (tricks the brain into thinking you are full and makes you eat fewer calories). Moreover, it increases the metabolism and turns the human body into a 24-hour fat-burning machine (at least, according to the producer company), ultimately leading to extra weight loss.
Ingredients
This supplement is approved by the Food and Drug Administration and is made of natural ingredients, including – guarana, yerba mate, damiana, trimethylxanthine, kola, green tea, black pepper, schizonepeta, Asian ginseng, Rhodiola crenulata, cacao, maca, and black tea.
Dosage
The recommended dose for people looking to lose weight is 2 capsules with a full glass of water half an hour before your main meals. It is not recommended to take more than four capsules in an eight-hour period.
Does It Work?
There haven’t been many clinical trials regarding this supplement. However, based on anecdotical evidence, some people who have personally used this supplement experienced a considerable boost in energy levels. Moreover, it appears to be effective in reducing appetite and cravings. This leads to an average weight loss of about 5 pounds, but this effect reduces notably with use.
What Are The Side Effects Of Zantrex-3?
Caffeine
This supplement is packed with caffeine, a central nervous stimulant that can have some positive effects on the human body. Nevertheless, regular consumption of caffeine leads to dependency because of the increased tolerance, thus, there is a need for higher amounts to experience the same effects.
Heavy caffeine consumptions (especially from coffee, green tea, energy drinks, or supplements) may lead to a difficulty absorbing minerals from foods, even if you take supplements or consume foods rich in minerals. This happens because caffeine affects iron absorption in the stomach as well as it affects the kidneys’ capacity to retain zinc, calcium, magnesium, and some trace minerals.
Moreover, according to a study done at the University of Alabama, women who intake a lot of caffeine are about 70 percent more likely to develop urinary incontinence.
In addition, long-term studies have established that individuals with a gout history should avoid caffeine since it is strongly associated with a gout flare-up.
Note – you can prevent caffeine overdose by avoiding foods and drinks containing caffeine while taking this supplement.
Guarana Seeds
Guarana has been used for millennia, as the early natives would use it to make teas which would suppress hunger for weight loss. The problem is the jitters, anxiety, palpitations, difficulty falling asleep, and increased blood pressure as they may result from the consumption of this herb, most likely due to its high content of caffeine.
However, this herb contains molecules called tannins, that according to studies, cause the caffeine to release slowly, producing a long-lasting energy plateau.
Yerba Mate Extract
Yerba mate (scientific name – Ilex paraguariensis), better known as mate, is mostly consumed in Uruguay, Bolivia, Brazil, and Paraguay.
Unlike other herbs, yerba mate contains caffeine but is also high in nutrients. However, consuming this herb in large amounts increases the risk of larynx, esophageal, or oral cavity cancer because it can damage the protective lining of these body parts.
More importantly, consuming large amounts of yerba mate over the course of a few years can lead to liver disease, according to a 1976 study issued in the “Journal of Clinical Pathology.”
Damiana
Damiana (scientific name – Turnera diffusa), also referred to as Mexican damiana, herba de la pastora, and old woman’s broom has been used as an aphrodisiac as well as to aid in the control of bedwetting and to treat headaches. Additionally, it has been shown to help reduce the effects of exhaustion and enhance energy levels.
Due to its caffeine content, damiana may interfere with the human body’s absorption of iron which may lead to iron deficiency anemia (a condition in which blood lacks sufficient healthy red blood cells).
Signs and symptoms of iron deficiency anemia include:
- reduced resistance to infection;
- lightheadedness;
- cold intolerance;
- shortness of breath;
- poor scholastic performance;
- craving ice;
- diminished capability to perform hard labor;
- fatigue;
- pale skin;
- brittle nails.
Schizonepeta
Schizonepeta, also known as Jing Jie, Japanese Mint, or Japanese catnip, is a medicinal herb that is used for the treatment of fever, common cold, heavy menstrual periods, and sore throat.
There are some concerns that this herb might make liver disease worse because it contains pulegone, a known hepatotoxin, and natural insecticide.
Conclusion
This supplement is one of the few successful fat burners which can help you lose a few extra pounds, without the utilization of dangerous compounds.
However, if you want to lose weight or maintain your weight, it is healthier to have a whole food complete vegetarian diet combined with regular moderate exercise, stress reduction techniques, and healthy sleeping patterns.
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