Since dietary supplements containing Ephedra have been receiving a bad rap lately, I decided to give this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX a shot recently in my weight loss efforts. As usual, I gained a few pounds over the winter, so to give my metabolism a jump-start, I began using this Ephedra free nutritional supplement as directed along with incorporating an exercise program into my daily routine. While we all know learning new and better dietary habits for life is one of the best ways to lose weight and then keep it off during the maintenance phase, I'm always a sucker for weight loss products that offer noticeable results. Lose Weight Fast! the bottle says, so here we go again! Read on to find out if this Advanced Thermogenic Energy Formula helped me reach any of my newest fitness goals.


~~~The Product~~~

Advertised as a Rapid Fat Loss Catalyst, this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX dietary supplement is Ephedrine free and is one of the newer weight loss formulas available in the sports nutrition market today. According to the packaging, Xenadrine's advanced new ephedrine-free formula is powered by a revolutionary blend of potent thermogenic compounds clinically proven to increase the body's metabolic rate and energy expenditure to help promote fast and dramatic reductions in weight and bodyfat. Containing a mixture of natural herbs and other ingredients, including Vitamins, Caffeine, and Green Tea Extract, it is suggested that users will lose more weight with this supplement than with dieting alone as this formula boosts the metabolism, which in turn allows more body fat to be burned for energy during regular daily activities. And even better, those consuming these pills on a daily basis may reap the benefits of weight loss and increased energy without the bothersome side effects many experience when taking supplements containing Ephedra, such as a nervous/jittery feeling, headache, and sometimes a rapid heartbeat including palpitations. For me, these side effects were almost intolerable when taking regular Cytodyne Xenedrine RFA-1 last year, so I was quite anxious to give this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX a try instead.


~~~Packaging & Price~~~

Each 120 count bottle of this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX may be purchased at most drug and discount stores, such as Wal-Mart and on sale NOW at www.drugstore.com for about $26.99 (regular price $39.99). Taken exactly as directed, this sized bottle should last 30 days. Packaged in a white plastic bottle containing a child proof cap, each capsule is a big large in size and has a slightly offensive herbal odor to them. Those with difficulty swallowing pills may wish to open each capsule and mix the contents with food, but I find it very simple to swallow two at time with no problems experienced. The directions for use are clearly printed on each bottle, along with the ingredients and drug warnings. Discuss the use of this Ephedra free Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX with your physician first just in case, and sensibly follow the directions by not exceeding the recommended daily dosing as described below.


~~~Directions for Use~~~

According to packaging advertising found on each bottle of this clinically tested Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX: As a dietary supplement, take two capsules before breakfast or morning exercise session, and two capsules at mid-afternoon with 8 ounces of water. Do not take in the evening. Do not exceed 4 capsules per day. Individuals weighing under 150 lbs. may wish to begin use with one-half the recommended dose for the first week (one capsule twice per day). For best results, use as part of a reduced fat diet and exercise program. Assessing your tolerance to this drug initially would be the best thing to do as testing small doses first is recommended. Try one a day for a few days and then increase the dosage to one capsule twice daily. Once you determine how your body reacts to the weight loss drugs found within this product, you can then decide if upping the dose to the maximum 4 capsules a day would be helpful or not. Some people may experience noticeable results with lower doses of this thermogenic compound, so not only would this make each bottle last longer, but it would also mean a smaller amount of this weight loss formula would be consumed into the body. Use this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX before the expiration date printed on each bottle, and store in a cool, dry place.


~~~Supplement Facts~~~

Serving Size: 2 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 60

Amount per Serving % Daily Value
**Vitamin C 100 mg 166%
**Vitamin B6 10 mg 500%
**Pantothenic acid 12 mg 120%
**Magnesium 10 mg 2.5%

**Proprietary Thermodyne Complex: 1415 mg (Daily Value not established).


~~~Ingredients~~~

Proprietary Thermodyne Complex: Tyroplex™ (proprietary blend of l-tyrosine and acetyl-l-tyrosine), Green Tea Extract (standardized for epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine and polyphenols), Seropo™ (proprietary cocoa extract standardized for PEA[phenylethylamine], tyramine and theobromine), Yerba Mate (standardized for caffeine and methylxanthines), dl-Methionine, Ginger Root (standardized for gingerols), Isotherm™ (proprietary blend of 3,3',4',5-7 pentahydroxyflavone and 3,3',4',7-tetrahydroxyflavone), Bitter Orange (standardized for synephrine, n-methyltyramine, hordenine, octopamine and tyramine), DMAE (2-dimethylaminoethanol), Grape Seed Extract (standardized for catechins).

Other inactive ingredients:
Talc, Magnesium Stearate, Gelatin.


~~~Warnings~~~

Keep this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX out of the reach of children. Not intended for persons under 18 years of age. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing or at risk of or being treated for high blood pressure, heart disease, renal disease, hyperthyroidism, spasms, psychiatric disease, suffer from migraines, are allergic to tyramine or chocolate, have asthma or are taking asthma medication. Consult your physician before use if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI). The recommended dose of this product contains about as much caffeine as a cup of coffee and should not be taken by individuals wishing to eliminate caffeine from their diet. Limit use of caffeine-containing foods and beverages while taking this product because too much caffeine may cause nervousness, irritability, sleeplessness, and occasionally, rapid heartbeat.

Drug Interaction Precautions:
Consult your healthcare professional before use if you are taking an MAO inhibitor or any other prescription drug.


~~~My Experience~~~

After taking just one of these Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX twice a day to assess my tolerance and then moving up to the recommended maximum dosage, I noticed that my energy level was slightly increased yet I experienced none of the negative side effects I'd felt when taking other Ephedra containing weight loss products in the past. There were no shaky jitters and no headache, and I was easily able to sleep at night, so insomnia was not experienced while taking this dietary supplement as well. My resting heart rate stayed in the 60's and 70's, which is normal for me, yet I truly did not notice any decrease in my appetite, so I tended to eat the same amount of food every day as before I started taking this advanced thermogenic energy formula. Even though I was exercising almost every day by walking/jogging on my treadmill, I lost not one pound over the two week period in which I experimented with this new Ephedrine free sports nutritional choice. Unfortunately, I did not experience the rapid fat loss as advertised even though I did have more energy which in turn allowed me to improve my fitness level through extra daily activity. Hopefully my body will eventually catch up (maybe I'm gaining muscle while losing fat at the same time only the scale can't tell the difference just yet), but I must say I'm very disappointed overall in the results I received while taking this patent pending Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX.


~~~Overall Recommendation~~~

If all the press discussing the dangers of Ephedra containing weight loss products scare you (even though most dangerous side effects occur at drug levels way ABOVE the recommended daily dosage), consider this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX instead as a safer alternative if you still feel like you need extra help in reaching your weight loss goals. Even though I personally did not lose a single pound while taking this Ephedra free formula, I did notice an increase in my energy level, which in turn surely meant my metabolism was somewhat increased as a result. So in turn, I feel that an average "three star" rating is in order as others may experience more noticeable results than I did. Just remember to read the label carefully and follow the directions to the letter as increased doses may eventually do more harm than good. And no weight loss drug is worth the trouble if your health is compromised in the process. So get your MD's okay, and then check out this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX cautiously to discover if its benefits outweigh any possible risks. Good luck and I hope you reach your weight loss goals safely!


For more information on this Cytodyne Xenadrine EFX and other sports nutritional products, check out their website at:

www.cytodyne.com

Questions or comments?
1-888-CYTODYN

CYTODYNE Technologies, Inc.
Wall, NJ 07719


***Other Ephedra containing weight loss aides to be used with caution:

Cytodyne Xenadrine RFA-1

Muscle Tech Hydroxycut

Twinlab Metabolift Capsules


Recommended: Yes