Dexatrim Review
Review At A Glance
Initially, the Dexatrim formula was comprised largely of something called phenylpropanolamine. A Yale University study linking phenylpropanolamine to hemorrhagic strokes in women caused an FDA warning to be issued. At that point, Dexatrim morphed into an ephedrine-based product, up until the ephedra ban in 2003. The brand name Dexatrim continues to exist, with several ephedra-free products to choose from.
How Does It Work?
Most Dexatrim products contain some calcium, blood sugar moderators like chromium, fenugreek, and vanadyl, plus green tea, guarana, kola nut, additional caffeine and synephrine (bitter orange). Together, they act to suppress appetite, supposedly without loss of energy.
Who Is It Good For?
In its current forumlas, could be moderately useful as a supplement to a nutritious diet and exercise regime.
Keys: Sample Ingrediants
- Blood sugar moderators
- Green tea
- Bitter orange:5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) from Griffonia simplicifolia seed (see Further Thoughts below)
Pros
- No longer contains phenylpropanolamine
- No longer contains ephedrine
- One of the current formulas is caffeine-free (ginseng is substituted for energy boosting)
Cons
- A brand name that has a tarnished reputation based on past forumlas
- Not a substitute for eating right and exercising
- No support or guidance - just a pill, albeit a healthier one than it used to be
Further Thoughts
The nutrient 5-HTP (the common name for the compound 5-hydroxytryptophan) is a derivative of the amino acid tryptophan. A mood-enhancing chemical, 5-HTP is reported to increase pain tolerance, induce sleep, and affect how hunger is perceived. Unlike other supplements that have molecules too large to pass from the bloodstream into the brain, molecules of 5-HTP are small enough to do so. Once in the brain, they're converted into an important nervous system chemical, or neurotransmitter, called serotonin.
