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Zoplex |
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Introduction & Overview |
Zoplex is a weight loss supplement that claims to “regulate hunger and cravings, as well as stress and emotional eating.” The product is said to be “naturally safe” and claims to be a “new revolutionary weight loss supplement.” The product’s promotional material states that users will “know it’s working in about 45 minutes!” because they “won’t have any appetite or cravings.” Nevertheless, the manufacturer of this product adds that it “is not a miracle product, as others claim they are.”
There are many products that seem to make exaggerated claims while somehow distinguishing themselves from other products that make similar exaggerated claims. This product’s suggestion that it will alleviate all appetite and cravings within 45 minutes does not seem realistic. We will assess the claims made by this product, and will also examine its individual ingredients for their potency. In addition, we will discuss some components of this product that may be associated with adverse effects.
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| Pros |
• Contains Vitamin B6
• Contains Calcium
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| Cons |
• Contains Caffeine
• Green Tea is a source of additional Caffeine
• Ingredient Velvet Bean may be associated with several side effects
• Does not appear to include a powerful thermogenic component
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| Products Formula |
This product includes some of the following ingredients: Vitamin B6, Folic Acid, Calcium, Green Tea Extract, Mate, L-Tyrosine, Caffeine, 5-HTP and Velvet Bean.
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| Formula In Depth |
The ingredient Velvet Bean, which is said to be a plant source of the dopamine agent L-DOPA, is promoted in this product as a potential inhibitor of cravings. However, numerous concerns have been raised about the use of L-DOPA in supplements, and some researchers do not believe there is valid evidence of its effectiveness. Side effects of this ingredient may include the following: hypotension, arrhythmias, nausea, gastrointestinal bleeding, disturbed respiration, hair loss, confusion and a condition that appears to mimic amphetamine psychosis.
In addition, the use of Caffeine in this supplement may have undesirable stimulant side effects to the user. While the product claims to contain less Caffeine than other supplements, this may be difficult to verify, as Green Tea is likely a source of additional Caffeine. Furthermore, the product description does make the disclaimer, “if you’re sensitive to Caffeine, this MAY affect your blood pressure.” Caffeine is also associated with nervousness, jitters, and possible insomnia. Finally, we would have liked to have seen a potent thermogenic component in this supplement. This type of ingredient acts to boost metabolism while an appetite suppressant curbs cravings. These two types of ingredients, when combined in a supplement, often work well to attack weight loss on multiple levels.
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| Customer Feedback |
In one online discussion forum focused on Zoplex, one consumer warned another about the effectiveness of this product. This participant wrote, “DON’T BUY IT! It’s a scam – my best friend got married two months ago, and before her wedding tried to lose about 10 lbs. She read all this stuff claiming it would help decrease appetite but it didn’t do anything for her.”
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| Conclusion |
While this product claims to quickly decrease appetite, not all evidence appears to support this claim. In addition, some of its ingredients may cause undesirable side effects for the dieter. This combination of questionable effectiveness and potential adverse events seems to make this product a dubious choice at best.
There are currently some supplements on the market that substitute Caffeine with healthy alternative ingredients. These supplements may also contain a potent thermogenic component such as Advantra-Z®, which addresses metabolism and fat-burning. Advantra-Z® has been shown to be particularly effective when used in supplements also containing the powerful appetite suppressant Hoodia. Some of the better manufacturers of such supplements may allow consumers to evaluate their products free of charge through samples.
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