Xenadrine EFX Review: Miracle Fat Burner?

Xenadrine EFX Review

by Peter Bracato

Do you remember the company Cybergenics? Well Cytodyne is an offshoot company of Cybergenics that has released a new ephedrine-free weight loss product called Xenadrine EFX. Back in the day Cybergenics was known as one of the great supplement “marketing” companies. However, despite this accolade, many of their products tended to fall short beyond the marketing hype. Let us see if Cytodyne has broken that mold with Xenadrine EFX by developing a weight loss product that is worthy of all its claims.

Xenadrine EFX claims to be a clinically proven, potent, ephedra-free, thermogenic “fat burner” capable of increasing metabolic rate. Initial review of the Xenadrine EFX formula indicates to me that the product may provide over-stimulation, not the so-called “increased metabolic rate” that one would wish to achieve, as discussed further on in this article. In addition, the product formula seems somewhat light from an ingredient quality perspective, although I have to give Cytodyne’s formulators kudos for their conceptual efforts.

The ingredient list of Xenadrine EFX includes some fancy names for the proprietary blends used, including Isotherm and Thermodyne. The ingredient list also includes ingredient synonyms that have a more scientific appearance than the common name. For instance, the “3,3’,4’5, 7-pentahydroxy-flavone is commonly known as Quercetin. The intent with these naming schemes is to be more appealing to the consumer. One should keep in mind that fancy names do not have any influence on the performance of the formula.

Looking deeper at the ingredient list and the mechanism of each specific ingredient, I do agree with the inclusion of the ß-sympathomimetics in the Bitter Orange extract. The ß-sympathomimetics are a blend of adrenergic amines (synephrine, n-methyltryamine, hordinine, octopamine, and tyramine) that facilitate a greater potential for the utilization of energy substrates. This ingredient, coupled with the energy yielding Seropro (cocoa extract yielding theobromine), stimulate without over excitement of the central nervous system, and also without interfering or extending cyclic adenosine monphosphate levels, which may cause irritability or sleeplessness. Cytodyne should be commended for the inclusion of these ingredients in their product, Xenadrine EFX.

On the other hand, the composition of the remaining active ingredients in the Xenadrine EFX formula do not make as much sense to me structure function wise. As I previously alluded, I see an extreme potential for over-stimulation. This potential is due to neurotransmitter precursors; Tyroplex (l-tyrosine, acetyl-l-tyrosine) - which are mainly for the production of a catecholamine known as norepinephrine. Norepinephrine is an excitatory neurotransmitter that has no effect on fat metabolism and is generally inactivated by monoamineoxidase in the cell. These neurotransmitter precursors, combined with an abundance of caffeine (green tea extract, yerbe mate), may contribute to a user of the product experiencing a “buzz”, including sleeplessness, irritability, and nervous energy. If you are sensitive to stimulants you should keep this in mind if you are considering taking any stimulant based weight loss product.

In addition, I noticed that the ingredient declaration and label copy do not support any of the patented or copyrighted raw materials that one would usually find in other top notch weight loss products. Inclusion of such ingredients often supports some clinical validation for effectiveness and technical support for credibility; this tells me that this probably did not occur because of production budgetary restrictions. I feel in this area that Xenadrine EFX falls a bit short. I wish Cytodyne had put a bit more focus on quality, not necessarily quantity of ingredients.

Lastly, I have concern regarding the label claim that Xenadrine EFX is “clinically proven.” One would assume that “clinically proven” means proven to support weight loss or management and the ability to burn fat. I sourced the clinical papers made available on Cytodyne’s web site. After reviewing these papers, it was clear to me that a label claim for support of weight loss/management and the burning of fat could not be supported. Quite frankly, this is a bit confusing to the consumer. Based on the data available, what the label could say is that Xenadrine EFX is “Clinically Proven to be Safe for 14 days.” The research does not show any evidence of increasing the rate of fat lipolysis or any catalytic potential, although it does show an increase in resting heart rate and thermogenic potential supporting utilization of greater calories. This evidence may support the prevention of weight gain under the direction of a controlled diet and exercise program. They seem to state the obvious in two of the papers available - “Weight control is mandated by two methods: reducing energy intake or increasing energy expenditure”. This is profound, to raise basal metabolic rate in order to burn fat is to directly stimulate or support the Thyroid hormone T3, which effectively oxidizes fat producing energy. This is one of the weaknesses of the Xenadrine EFX formula. There are no component(s) in Xenadrine EFX to directly support fat metabolism.

In conclusion, the Xenadrine EFX by formula evaluation may contribute to a thermogenic increase in calorie usage, although there are no ingredients contained in the formulation to impact fat metabolism. All in all, if you are watching your diet and doing some form of regular exercise you may find Xenadrine EFX to be helpful in rounding out your program.