Fat burners and diet pills are constantly being introduced to the market - some become very popular, while others disappear almost over night. Dexatrim is one of the longest standing diet pills ever marketed, and it has been around since the 1980's. Early on, Dexatrim contained Phenylpropanolamine (PPA), an over the counter cold medication. In 2000, the FDA issued a public health advisory against the use of PPA. Dexatrim was then reformulated containing ephedra, and we all know what happened to ephedra.
Over the decades, Dexatrim has reformulated their diet pill many times. However, it has maintained its popularity and staying power and is still a widely used diet pill to aid weight loss. Dexatrim has slightly changed its name to "Dexatrim Max", and now offers several diet pills including Dexatrim Max, Dexatrim Max Complex 7, Dexatrim Evening Appetite Control, Dexatrim Max2O, and Dexatrim Natural Dietary Supplement.
As we mentioned above, Dexatrim has come out with several different Dexatrim diet pills. The two we are reviewing here are Dexatrim Max, and Dexatrim Max Complex 7. The basis of both diet pills are rather similar, containing the exact same amounts of vitamins and minerals. The major difference between the two diet pills is their proprietary blend. In Dexatrim Max, the proprietary blend consists of Green tea and Oolong tea extracts. In Dexatrim Max complex 7, it is a blend of Green tea and Oolong tea extract, but also combined with 7 Keto, and hence the name "Complex 7".
Green tea extractis a powerful antioxidant that's known to have weight loss benefits.
Wulong Tea and weight loss - With the many proven health benefits of Oolong tea, no wonder it's gained such popularity. But of course, I think the major attraction and selling point that's made Oolong tea so popular in the west is its weight loss benefits. There are many studies that have demonstrated the weight loss benefits of drinking Oolong tea regularly. But I can safely say that drinking almost any tea will convey similar weight loss benefits, not just Oolong tea. Regardless, it is noteworthy to mention some studies showing the weight loss benefits of Wulong tea.
In a study performed on female Japanese subjects, the effect of Oolong tea on energy expenditure was tested. The subjects consumed water, Oolong tea, and green tea, where their energy expenditures were measured afterwards. The study found that after 2 hours, the energy expenditure increased 10% for oolong tea, and 4% for green tea compared to control group [1].
Another study tested Oolong tea's effect on the increase in metabolic rate and fat oxidation in men. This study involved 12 men consuming 4 beverages: water, full strength tea, half strength tea, and water containing caffeine. The study found that energy expenditure increased by 3.4% for the full strength tea and fat oxidation increased by 12% [2].
Asian Ginseng - Ginseng is a staple of traditional herbal medicine. It is considered to be one of the most powerful of medicinal herbs-improving one's circulatory system and enhancing the body's metabolism. Numerous books, articles and research herald ginseng as an "adaptogen" and nontoxic substance that helps the body to adapt to stress. Researchers have isolated certain plant compounds called saponins which are believed to be the reason for ginseng's adaptogenic properties.
Dexatrim Max Complex 7 Review
As we mentioned above, Dexatrim Max Complex 7 is essentially the same as Dexatrim Max, except that it contains an extra ingredient 7-Keto (3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone -100mg), and hence the name "Complex 7". Below is a list of Complex 7 ingredients:
Serving size: 2 capsules
Servings per container: 30
So what's the big deal with 7 Keto? Studies have shown that when you lose 10%
of your bodyweight, your metabolism also drops by
about 15%, which means that its gets harder to lose
more weight, while losing weight. This is why for
most people, it's mission impossible to try to lose
the last few pounds. Makes sense right? You body and
metabolic system always tries to stay in balance,
as you lose weight, your metabolism tries to find
a better balance by lowering itself. Other way around,
everyone knows that when a person gains weight, his/her
metabolism increases accordingly.
Studies have found 7 Keto to increase the levels
of T3 hormones, which has direct and profound effect
on the body's metabolism. T3 hormone is a thyroid
hormone that's directly linked to metabolism, and
is also used to treat depression. However, it is not
clear exactly how 7 Keto works to increase T3 hormone
levels, but this significant (and safe as claimed
by researchers) increase in T3 is what helps people
lose weight. There are a number of studies done on 7 Keto, speaking
well of its effect on weight loss. Take a look:
A novel combination of thermogenic compounds, and 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone: each increases the resting metabolic rate of overweight adults.
Zenk JL, Frestedt JL, Kuskowski MA.
Department of Clinical Affairs, Minnesota Applied Research Center, Edina, MN 55435, USA.
This was a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study testing the idea that combining 7 Keto with calcium citrate, green tea extract, ascorbic acid, chromium nicotinate will increase the resting metabolic rate (RMR) of obese individuals on a calorie restricted diet. 45 overweight subjects were randomized to three 7-day treatments with 7 Keto or placebo.
The study found that RMR decreased by 3.9% for the placebo treated group, while the RMR increased by 3.4% for the 7 Keto group. This led to the conclusion that 7 Keto reversed the decrease in RMR that's normally associated with dieting, and that it increased RMR above basal levels benefits obese individuals. [3]
A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone in Healthy Overweight Adults
Kalman, DS., Colker, CM., Swain, MA., Torina, GC., Shi, Q. Current Therapeutics, (7):435-442 2000
This double-blind, placebo controlled study involved 30 overweight adults with an average BMI of 31.9. The subjects were divided in to a 7 Keto group and a placebo group. The 7 Keto group received 100mg of 7 Keto twice each day, while the control group received a placebo. All subjects took part in exercises 3 times a week lasting 60 minutes each session. Each subject also followed a calorie reduced diet.
The study found that the 7 Keto group lost an average of 2.88kg of body weight compared to 0.97kg for the control group. The 7 Keto group also experienced a higher reduction of body fat 1.8% versus 0.57% for the control group. The 7 Keto group also experienced a significant increase in their T3 levels.
There are numerous studies conducted showing the effectiveness of 7 Keto, so I won't list them all here. Between Dexatrim Max and Dexatrim Max Complex 7, I would have to say that Complex 7 has a clear edge on the original Dexatrim Max with its inclusion of the 7 Keto ingredient.
Instead of spending money on another diet pill, why not spend much less and learn the true method of long term, healthy weight loss that will lead to permanent weight loss results.
1. J Med Invest. 2003 Aug;50(3-4):170-5.
Oolong tea increases energy metabolism in Japanese females.
Komatsu T, Nakamori M, Komatsu K, Hosoda K, Okamura M, Toyama K, Ishikura Y, Sakai T, Kunii D, Yamamoto S.
Department of Applied Nutrition, The University of Tokushima School of Medicine, Tokushima, Japan.
2. J Nutr. 2001 Nov;131(11):2848-52.
Oolong tea increases metabolic rate and fat oxidation in men.
Rumpler W, Seale J, Clevidence B, Judd J, Wiley E, Yamamoto S, Komatsu T, Sawaki T, Ishikura Y, Hosoda K.
Beltsville Human Nutrition Research Center, Beltsville, MD 20705,
3. J Nutr Biochem. 2007 Sep;18(9):629-34. Epub 2007 Apr 5.
HUM5007, a novel combination of thermogenic compounds, and 3-acetyl-7-oxo-dehydroepiandrosterone: each increases the resting metabolic rate of overweight adults.
Zenk JL, Frestedt JL, Kuskowski MA.
Department of Clinical Affairs, Minnesota Applied Research Center, Edina, MN 55435, USA.
4. "A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo Controlled Study of 3-Acetyl-7-Oxo-Dehydroepiandrosterone in Healthy Overweight Adults," Kalman, DS., Colker, CM., Swain, MA., Torina, GC., Shi, Q. Current Therapeutics, (7):435-442 2000
