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When you visit the GOLO website, it seems less like a comprehensive weight loss program and more like a platform focused on selling a particular supplement called Release. A quick visit to their online store confirms this, as the sole item available for purchase is the Release supplement.
While the website offers some additional resources, including dietary and lifestyle plans, they come with a catch—you can only access them after buying GOLO’s Release supplement.
Now, let’s dive into the evaluation of GOLO’s Release to determine if it’s a worthwhile investment, explore the possibility of finding a more affordable alternative, and provide an overall rating.
Ingredients of GOLO Release
Examining the ingredients is our first step. The recommended dosage is one capsule with each meal, totaling three capsules per day.
A significant concern arises when we discover that many of the supplement’s ingredients are concealed within what’s known as a “proprietary blend.” These blends allow companies to keep the exact amounts of each ingredient secret, which can be problematic for consumers.
They hinder transparency by not disclosing the individual doses of ingredients, making it challenging for consumers to assess the effectiveness of the supplement. Companies often use proprietary blends to mask low doses of ingredients in their products. This lack of information makes it difficult for consumers to gauge the potency of the supplement.
Considering these concerns, it’s advisable to steer clear of supplements that utilize proprietary blends. Nevertheless, let’s begin by evaluating what we do know about the ingredients.
Magnesium, zinc, chromium
Let’s break down the ingredients in GOLO Release, starting with magnesium, zinc, and chromium—minerals vital for metabolism. While research suggests that supplementing these minerals may benefit aspects linked to obesity, such as inflammation and insulin sensitivity, they don’t directly lead to weight loss.
These effects are more pronounced in individuals with deficiencies or insulin resistance issues like diabetes or PCOS. If you follow a strict diet, such as keto or veganism, supplementing magnesium or zinc might be beneficial. However, a well-rounded diet rich in vegetables, legumes, nuts, seeds, whole grains, and animal meats usually provides sufficient amounts.
For those without insulin resistance problems and a varied diet, adding these minerals through supplements may not be very helpful. GOLO’s Release, especially the magnesium dose, might fall short, making a regular magnesium citrate supplement a better choice.
Rhodiola
Moving on to Rhodiola, known for cognitive and wakefulness effects, it doesn’t directly impact weight loss but might assist in increasing physical activity.
Unfortunately, we have no info on the dose here, so cannot determine if this will be useful or not.
Inositol
Inositol, like minerals, could enhance insulin sensitivity, especially in individuals with PCOS. However, the inconclusive evidence on its weight loss benefits and the insufficient dose (usually requiring 1-4 grams per day) in the proprietary blend raise concerns.
Berberine, Gardenia, Banaba, Salacia, Apple
The herbs—Berberine, Gardenia, Banaba, Salacia, and Apple—are rooted in traditional use but lack substantial evidence. Their historical purposes include reducing inflammation and aiding insulin resistance. Berberine stands out with some evidence supporting improved insulin sensitivity in diabetes or PCOS. Yet, the doses in studies (1-2 grams per day) far exceed what GOLO Release provides.
GOLO Release Side Effects and Concerns
When exploring the ingredients of GOLO Release, a key concern arises regarding the presence of berberine. While the exact amount remains unclear, berberine has the potential to interact with various medications.
Berberine can influence how the liver processes certain drugs, potentially diminishing their effectiveness or elevating their levels to toxicity when taken alongside other medications. If you’re on medications that undergo liver processing, like cyclosporin, it’s crucial to consult your doctor about the safety of taking GOLO Release.
Moreover, berberine is deemed unsafe during pregnancy or breastfeeding, warranting extra caution for individuals in these situations.
Is GOLO Release effective?
GOLO’s Release seems geared more towards enhancing insulin sensitivity than directly promoting weight loss. For individuals with insulin resistance issues, such as diabetes or PCOS, it might offer theoretical benefits for the condition, even if not really for weight loss.
However, a more practical approach for addressing insulin resistance could involve dietary changes, such as adopting a low-carb or keto diet. Relying on a supplement with poorly researched herbs might not be as effective as modifying your diet.
Some users report weight loss success with GOLO, but this is likely attributed to the accompanying dietary plan rather than the supplement itself.
Many supplement brands pair their products with dietary plans, as supplements alone typically don’t lead to noticeable weight loss. It’s common for users to credit the supplement for weight loss when, in reality, the dietary plan plays a pivotal role.
This review focuses solely on the effectiveness of the supplement, not the associated diet. Individuals experiencing positive results with GOLO may achieve similar outcomes by following the diet alone, without relying on the supplement.
Overall review: GOLO Release
Reviewing GOLO Release by effectiveness for weight loss, I’m giving it a D. It basically works to support those with insulin resistance issues, not really to help you lose weight. And even if you have insulin resistance issues, taking it without following a proper weight loss diet or lifestyle is not likely going to have any effects on weight whatsoever.
Reviewing GOLO Release by cost, I’m giving it an F. It can be essentially replicated by getting individual ingredients at a cost many times less.
Reviewing GOLO Release for safety, I’m giving it a C. It may not be safe for those taking medications since berberine can interfere with them.
Overall review, I’m giving GOLO Release an F. I would recommend you stay away from it.
Top alternatives to GOLO Release
Overall, GOLO Release is essentially just an overpriced zinc and chromium supplement, with perhaps enough rhodiola to do something, although we really don’t know.
For the other herbal ingredients, the doses obtained from GOLO Release are either too low or lack evidence for benefit, and likely will not have any effect on weight loss.
If you’re looking to achieve similar effects, but better than those of GOLO Release, I would combine a quality rhodiola + berberine + inositol + chromium + zinc.
- Berberine (dihydro) – 2 to 4 caps / day
- Berberine (generic) – 2 to 3 caps w/ meals
- Berberine (Thorne) – 1 to 2 caps w/ meals
- Chromium nicotinate (GTF) – 1 to 5 caps / day
- Chromium picolinate – 1 to 5 caps / day
- Inositol (caps) – 2 to 4 caps / day
- Inositol (powder) – 1 to 2 scoops / day
- Rhodiola – 1 cap / day
- Zinc citrate – 1 cap / day
Learn more about
- Berberine for Weight Loss
- Chromium For Weight Loss
- 6 Things To Look For On Supplements
- 5 Things to Know Before Buying Weight Loss Supplements
- Other weight loss supplements
Citations
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See also
- Doctor Reviews: BiomaBioma and other generic probiotics may support general gut health but lack specific, research-backed benefits for weight loss.
- Doctor Reviews: LipozemLipozem and similar keto BHB supplements have shown little to no effectiveness in supporting keto, weight loss, or athletic performance.
- Doctor Reviews: Youthful BrainYouthful Brain is unlikely to improve cognitive performance in healthy individuals, as research shows limited benefits for their ingredients.
- Doctor Reviews: Lemme CurbLemme Curb is basically just a high-dose chromium supplement, which hasn’t been proven to help with weight loss or cravings in healthy people.
- Doctor Reviews: Nello SupercalmNello Supercalm is a drink mix with ingredients that may help manage stress and anxiety, though it might not work for everyone.
Sir,
I would like to know, in your opinion, what are the good and effective weight-loss supplements currently available on the market?