Dietary Supplement Scientific Review: PrescopodenePrescopodene is one of the newest dietary supplements aimed at the weight loss market. Prescopodene contains 13 active ingredients - each with distinct actions in the body. The manufacturers of Prescopodene claim that this supplement effectively aids weight loss by increasing metabolism and decreasing hunger. This review will assess the ingredients in Prescopodene and determine the safety and effectiveness of this supplement by examining the latest scientific research on these ingredients. Primary IngredientsThe primary ingredients contained in Prescopodene have unique and effective properties that aid with weight loss. The chief ingredient in Prescopodene is Advantra Z - a proprietary blend of citrus aurantium. Citrus aurantium - also known as bitter orange - effectively increases the metabolism by stimulating adrenaline secretion into the bloodstream. Adrenaline consequently stimulates the body to burn a higher percentage of fat. The distinct advantage of citrus aurantium is that it results in no change in heart rate 1 or blood pressure 1,2 - a distinct difference from many other weight loss supplements. In fact, no adverse effects related to citrus aurantium use have been reported to date3 and this compound has even been labeled as the "best thermogenic substitute for ephedra"4. Green tea is another proven weight loss aid that is found in Prescopodene. Over an 8-week period, people who consumed green tea lost 11 more pounds than those who took a placebo5. Green tea exerts its effects through heat generation, metabolism increases, and by burning additional body fat for fuel6. Yerba maté is an effective weight loss aid for several reasons. First, this compound contains a unique type of caffeine, which greatly enhances metabolic rate. Second, ingestion of yerba maté and Advantra Z simultaneously has a synergistic effect on fat burning7. Third, yerba maté suppresses appetite by slowing the time for food to empty from the stomach 8. Finally, the type of caffeine that is found in yerba maté has been associated with no adverse effects 9. A clinical trial of yerba maté showed that people who took this supplement lost 10 pounds more than a control group over a 6-week period8. Quercetin works through a different mechanism to stimulate weight loss. While Advantra Z, green tea, and yerba maté mainly act to reduce appetite and increase metabolism, quercetin actually prevents fat cells from multiplying and also causes existing fat cells to disappear 10 - ultimately resulting in weight loss11. No substance besides quercetin has ever been shown to have this effect. Quercetin and fisetin - another compound contained in Prescopodene - both act synergistically with Advantra Z to further enhance fat burning12. Cocoa extract13 and ginger root 14each have a unique ability to stabilize blood sugar levels after meals. These ingredients help to stabilize the appetite after meals and prevent release of insulin - a hormone that stimulates fat storage. Grape seed extract helps to stabilize blood sugar levels15, stimulates fat burning16 and helps to reduce food intake16. Tyrosine is an amino acid that suppresses appetite17 by regulating levels of leptin18 - a hormone that strongly influences appetite and body weight - and helps people with the psychological aspects of maintaining body weight after weight loss19. Secondary IngredientsThe remaining ingredients in Prescopodene include several vitamins including ascorbic acid (vitamin C), pantothenic acid (vitamin B5), and pyridoxine HCP (vitamin B6) and the mineral magnesium. Although these ingredients do not necessarily have a direct influence on weight loss, they do play a supporting role in the conversion of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins into energy. The last ingredient in Prescopodene is DMAE - or dimethylethanolamine - which elevates mood and improves alertness; however, this ingredient has no direct impact on weight loss. SummaryPrescopodene is a dietary supplement that is promoted as a weight loss aid. The main advantage of this supplement is that weight loss is achieved by a number of different mechanisms - appetite suppression, increased metabolism, lipolysis, synergistic ingredients, glucose control, and leptin control. The effectiveness of the primary ingredients in Prescopodene is backed by numerous peer-reviewed clinical trials. The secondary ingredients in this supplement have beneficial health effects, although they do not directly result in significant weight loss. Compared to other weight loss supplements on the market, Prescopodene is considered to be extremely effective because it contains ingredients that address multiple pathways to weight loss. Furthermore, many other supplements contain primary ingredients that have been proven to be ineffective for weight loss such as ginseng, guar gum, L-carnitine, licorice, CLA, pyruvate, chitosan, and spirulina 20. Furthermore, the safety profile of Prescopodene is excellent 1,2,9 with no known toxicity symptoms resulting from any of the ingredients. However, Prescopodene users should strictly follow directions on the supplement label, which include recommendations to take one-half the recommended dosage for the first 7 days to assess tolerance and to avoid taking this supplement in the evening. Women who are pregnant or breastfeeding should avoid taking Prescopodene. In conclusion, Prescopodene is an extremely safe and effective weight loss supplement with a unique ingredient list that results in significant weight loss through multiple proven mechanisms. References
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