~~~MUSCLE TECH HYDROXYCUT EPHEDRA FREE FAT LOSS SUPPORT FORMULA~~~GREAT FOR ENERGY, BUT I'M STILL HUNGRY!
Written: May 17 '04 (Updated Jun 28 '04)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Ephedra free (good for some, bad for others); increases energy and boosts metabolism.
Cons: Ephedra free; doesn't suppress the appetite in my experience.
The Bottom Line: Use this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free for increased energy for workouts, but don't expect miracle weight losses suggested by the commercials.
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| melissasrn's Full Review: Hydroxycut Ephedra Free |
Despite the fact that I have the exercise part of an effective weight loss program down pat (my treadmill gets a good workout 6 to 7 days a week and has for a good 2 years now), I can't seem to get the eating part right on a regular basis. For I've gained and lost the same 5 to 10 pounds more times than I'd like to count! And since ephedra containing products are hard to come by these days because there are people out there that ignore the warnings and or safe dosage directions for use, those are no longer an option for people like me who actually DID follow the directions carefully. So I decided to try one of the many ephedra free alternatives instead in attempts to help do something about my ravenous appetite: I picked up a bottle of these Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free dietary supplements to see how they measure up. Read on to find out more about this fat loss support formula that "supports weight loss, increases energy, and boosts metabolism" according to the product claims.
~~~The Weight Loss Supplement~~~
First of all, it should be obvious from the product name that this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free dietary supplement is indeed "ephedra free". This stimulant used to be a very popular ingredient found in many weight control products, but because of it's potential for abuse, it cannot be readily purchased over-the-counter anymore. So to keep up with the multi-million dollar weight loss product business, companies had to scramble to create alternative choices like this one. And according to product advertising, this "new advanced patent-pending thermogenic support formula containing three proprietary trademarked ingredients called ChromaTech, Hydroxagen Plus and HydroxyTea which support weight loss, increase energy, boost metabolism, and promote thermogenesis" (an increase in heat production). Sounds pretty cool, huh? And now to make this product even more effective, something called "Gymnema sylvestre" has been added to help support normal blood glucose levels. So everything added together is supposed to "help support weight loss and reduce appetite when combined with your diet and exercise program." Notice that this dietary supplement doesn't claim miraculous weight loss on its own as you have to do your part, too, by eating a balanced diet and burning more calories through exercise. But for me, I did find these Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free capsules did help increase my energy if taken before working out. If only I could say the same thing regarding a decrease in appetite while taking this weight loss product.
~~~Packaging, Price & Availability~~~
Pick up a 140 count bottle of these Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free dietary supplements at your favorite drug, grocery, discount, specialty nutrition store, or online at places like drugstore.com for $29.99. A smaller 60 count bottle runs $15.99, which might be better when giving this product a trial run first before shelling out more money for the larger size. Serious users may wish to purchase the huge 210 count bottle, which will set you back a whopping $54.99. The capsules themselves are rather large in size (think "horse pills") and are white in color. They are still fairly easy to swallow though. When the bottle is opened you can really smell the herbal ingredients, but it's not that bad nor can you taste them going down. Inside my 140 count bottle featuring red, purple, and yellow packaging I found a small white box type carrying case that is divided into two sections so that you can discreetly carry two doses of two pills each in your pocketbook instead of lugging the whole thing around every where you go. This free gift is a convenient idea to help users keep up with their doses during busy days on the run. Use this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free dietary supplement before the expiration date found on the bottom (a good three years for mine since the date is 02-2007 on my bottle). But once you are into week three of the program and beyond, this stuff will go fast anyway. "Store in a cool dry place."
~~~Directions for Use~~~
The most important thing when beginning any weight loss program is, of course, checking with your health care provider to make sure it doesn't clash with any medical conditions you may have. Then, the second most important thing is to follow the directions for use closely without missing doses or taking too much too quick. So when taking these Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free as a dietary supplement, "take 3 capsules with a glass of water 3 times daily, approximately 30 - 60 minutes before meals (preferably before breakfast, lunch, and dinner). Do not exceed 3 capsules in a 4 hour period and 9 capsules in a day. Do not take within 5 hours of sleep. To assess individual tolerance, follow the dosing chart below.
Week 1 ~ 1 capsule, 3x daily
Week 2 ~ 2 capsules, 3x daily
Week 3 & beyond ~ 3 capsules, 3x daily
For best results, combine Hydroxycut with a low-fat, calorie-reduced diet and an exercise program. Do not snack after dinner. Consume ten 12-oz. glasses of water per day. Read the entire label before use and follow directions." Plan reasonable and nutrition meals that are no more than 4 hours apart (including snacks) to keep your blood sugar levels steady and do not skip meals, either, as you'll be more likely to binge if you are starving. Just use common sense as eating potato chips in front of the TV all day long while popping a few of these Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free dietary supplements won't even come close to bringing you close to your weight loss goals.
~~~My Experience~~~
Starting out with the lowest dose (1 pill 3 times a day) as directed when beginning this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free fat loss support program, I noticed little difference in the beginning regarding my either my energy or my appetite levels. So I quickly moved on to the the maximum dose as I assessed my own individual tolerance to this dietary supplement. Taken before exercising, I did notice a boost in my energy level, yet when taken before meals, I really couldn't tell that my appetite was effected much at all, if any. But unlike previous ephedra containing products I'd taken in the past, there was no "jittery" feeling experienced nor did I experience any insomnia at bedtime. And my heart rate stayed normal at rest even though this product is supposed to help boost the metabolism. After a few weeks of use (including almost daily exercise), my weight stayed virtually the same as I ended up eating like normal since my appetite didn't seem to be affected while taking this fat loss support formula. So it should come as no surprise to know that healthy food choices is key to any weight loss program (easier said than done, though!). For depending on this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free dietary supplement to help control my appetite wasn't a very successful choice in the end even though it DID give me more energy for my workouts, which is better than nothing, I guess!
~~~Ingredients~~~
Supplement Facts
Serving Size: 3 Capsules
Servings Per Container: 46
***Calcium (as Hydroxycitrate).......265 mg
***Chromium (as Polynicotinate)......133 mcg
***Potassium (as Chloride Hydroxycitrate)...249 mg 7
***Hydroxagen Plus.......................1.7 g
***Garcinia Camboga (Fruit & Rind) Extract Standardized for Hydroxycitrate acid
***Glucomannan (Amorphophallus Konjac)
***Alpha Lipoic Acid
***Willow Bark Extract (Purple & White) Standardized for Salicin
***L-Carnitine (as Tartrate)
***Hydroxy Tea.......................406 mg
***Green Tea Leaf Extract (Standardized for 95% polyphenois) 70% Catechins (45% epigallocatechin gallate-90mg EGCG)
***Caffeine (as Caffeine Anhydrous)
***Guarana Extract (seed) Standardized for 200mg of caffeine
~~~Other Inactive Ingredients~~~
"Gelatin, magnesium stearate, silica, cellulose."
~~~Warnings~~~
This Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free is "not intended for use by persons under 18. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult a physician (medical doctor) before using if you have been treated for or diagnosed with, or have a family history of, any medical condition including but not limited to: high blood pressure, cardiac arrhythmias, heart, liver, kidney, or psychiatric disease, stroke, angina, diabetes, asthma, nervousness, anxiety, depression, seizure disorder, peptic ulcers, or if you are using any prescription or over-the-counter drug, or if you are sensitive to the effects of caffeine. Do not use if you are using a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSR), or any other dietary supplement and or over-the-counter drug containing ephedrine, caffeine, pseudoephedrine or phenylpropanolamine (ingredients found in certain decongestant, allergy, asthma, cough, cold and weight control products), herbal or botanical products, aspirin, any anti-coagulant (blood thinner), or any other ephedrine group alkaloid, or other ingredients that have a known stimulant effect. One serving of this product contains about as much caffeine as two cups of coffee. Do not combine with other sources of caffeine (i.e. tea, coffee, and cola beverages). Stop use for 2 weeks after 12 weeks of continuous use. Consult a physician before starting any diet or exercise program. Discontinue use and call a physician immediately, if you experience: rapid and or irregular heart beat, dizziness, headache, shortness of breath, sleeplessness, tremors, nausea, nervousness, tingling sensations, chest pain, noticeable changes in behavior, loss of consciousness or other similar symptoms. Exceeding the recommended serving and or improper use of this product will not improve results and may cause serious adverse health effects. Do not use with alcohol. Do not use if you have a history of drug use. Do not use during strenuous activity on high temperature conditions. Use only as directed. Do not use if imprinted seal under cap in broken. Taking this product without adequate fluid may cause it to swell and block your throat or esophagus and may cause choking. Do not take this product if you have difficulty in swallowing. If you experience chest pain, vomiting, or difficulty in swallowing or breathing after taking this product, seek medical attention. Keep out of reach of children."
~~~Overall Recommendation~~~
If you need serious help with your appetite, then taking this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free most likely won't make a big difference in your weight loss efforts. But when extra energy is desired to help prolong your workouts, then this product can be a beneficial part of your overall program when used as directed. Just don't rely on it solely to give you that beautiful body the commercials advertise on TV as the results are most definitely atypical and you'll most likely be left disappointed and with less money than you had before. I most likely won't be purchasing this supplement again for weight loss although it does help to boost my metabolism while exercising. For unless ephedra is ever cleared for over-the-counter use again, it all boils down to good ole fashioned will power and healthier eating choices with daily physical activity thrown in as no magic pill seems to exist. So if you find this Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free for a good price somewhere, it might be worth a shot as individual results will definitely vary, especially if you can control your eating habits better than I can! Otherwise, don't expect anything dramatic to say the least. Good luck and stay healthy :-)
***All information found inside quotation marks (") are not my own words but is instead product information taken from the packaging.
***For more information on the new and improved Muscle Tech Hydroxycut Ephedra Free advanced fat loss support formula and other similar dietary supplements designed to aid in weight loss, check out their website online at:
www.hydroxycut.com
Questions or comments?
1-800-246-3261
MuscleTech R&D, Inc.
Mississauga, ON CANADA
L6W 4S6
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***Other similar fat loss products that may be of interest:
Muscle Tech Hydroxycut (Original Formula)
Xenedrine RFA (Original Formula)
Xenedrine EFX (Ephedra Free Formula)
Twinlab Metabolift Capsules
Recommended:
Yes
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