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Doctor Reviews: PhenQ PM

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PhenQ PM boldly asserts its ability to optimize the three stages of nighttime fat burning. Sounds impressive, right? Well, not so fast. While there are indeed three stages of sleep, the concept of three distinct phases of nighttime fat burning is questionable at best.

The supplement also touts itself as a “fat-incinerating formula” that targets stubborn pounds while you catch your Zs. But before we delve into this lofty claim, let’s address a fundamental question: Can you really burn fat while you sleep?

Can you burn fat while you sleep?

The answer is a cautious yes. Yes, you do burn some calories and fat during your slumber, but the majority of calorie burning happens while you’re awake. Your body is a 24/7 calorie-burning machine, working to sustain you whether you’re sleeping, eating, or exercising.

However, the notion that a supplement can ramp up fat burning while you peacefully dream away the night is far-fetched. Our bodies burn fat in response to energy demands, and sleep is not the most energy-demanding activity.

In reality, our metabolism naturally slows down during sleep. So, the idea of turbocharging metabolism to burn fat contradicts the natural rhythm of our bodies.

If nighttime fat burning were to spike, the surplus energy would either raise your body temperature or elevate your heart rate. After all, expended energy doesn’t disappear—it needs an outlet.

Now, imagine trying to sleep with a racing heart and drenched in sweat. Not exactly the serene nighttime experience one would hope for. The truth is, sleep is not the optimal time for fat burning.

For effective weight management, focus on daytime fat burning through activities like exercise and intermittent fasting. Exercise prompts fat burning by demanding more energy from your muscles, while intermittent fasting encourages your body to use its own fat stores for energy during periods of food abstention.

That’s not to say sleep isn’t important for weight loss. Quality sleep regulates hormones, boosts daytime metabolism, enhances energy levels, and reduces stress—a combination that supports smoother weight loss progress.

However, it’s misleading to claim that more sleep equals faster weight loss. While 7 to 9 hours of sleep supports a healthy metabolism, excessive sleep can actually result in lower overall energy expenditure.

Ingredients of PhenQ PM

Now, let’s shift our focus to the supplement itself. With a recommended dosage of four capsules per day, let’s dissect each ingredient to determine their potency, active compounds, and potential effectiveness for weight loss.

PhenQ-PM-review-ingredients
Ingredients of PhenQ PM supplement.

After this thorough examination, we’ll explore more budget-friendly alternatives and assign an overall rating to this intriguing nighttime fat-burning solution.

Vitamin B and C

Vitamins B and C are essential for your body’s energy production and metabolism. Some studies suggest that low levels of these vitamins might increase the risk of obesity or metabolic diseases. However, it’s important to note a few things.

If you already get enough vitamin C or B vitamins from your diet, taking extra supplements may not impact your weight or metabolism. In today’s world, deficiencies in these vitamins are rare, thanks to the nutritional quality of our food.

While Vitamin B12 deficiency is more common, especially among vegans, it’s worth mentioning that PhenQ PM doesn’t provide B12. Additionally, the amounts of B and C vitamins in PhenQ PM are minimal. Even if you had a deficiency, the supplement might not be sufficient to correct it.

In summary, although B and C vitamin deficiencies can affect metabolism, it’s unlikely that you lack these vitamins. If you do, opting for a high-quality B complex supplement would likely be more effective than relying on PhenQ PM.

Choline

Choline, found in meats, eggs, and dairy, is important for our nervous system, much like how protein supports our muscles. Having an adequate amount of choline is essential for its effective utilization by our body.

If your diet already includes meats, eggs, or dairy, you’re likely getting enough choline. Taking small choline supplements may not provide any extra benefits.

Chromium

Chromium is a mineral that aids in glucose metabolism. However, supplementing with chromium is beneficial only if you have a deficiency, which is uncommon in North America.

While it can be helpful for those with diabetes or PCOS, the impact on weight loss or fat reduction is minimal. Studies suggest only marginal weight loss in these specific groups.

Some supplements claim that chromium helps maintain blood sugar levels, and technically, they are correct. But if you already have enough chromium and don’t have diabetes or PCOS, adding more chromium won’t affect your blood sugar levels or weight.

Molybdenum

Molybdenum, a vital mineral, plays a crucial role in supporting our liver function. It falls into the category of essential trace minerals, meaning our bodies require only tiny amounts to function optimally.

PhenQ PM asserts that molybdenum aids in detoxification, linking it to the liver’s role in eliminating waste from our system. The idea is that a shortage of this mineral might impact how efficiently our liver operates.

However, it’s important to note that molybdenum deficiencies are exceptionally rare, making the need for supplements highly unlikely.

While molybdenum does contribute to our detox processes, there’s no concrete evidence proving that taking molybdenum supplements improves liver function or facilitates weight loss.

In fact, studies indicate that individuals with liver diseases, such as hepatitis, liver cirrhosis, alcoholic liver disease, and liver cancer, often have elevated levels of molybdenum in their blood. Therefore, if you’re grappling with liver issues, opting for molybdenum supplements is probably not a good idea.

L-Arginine

L-arginine is an amino acid that some people take as a supplement, especially those dealing with heart issues. It’s believed to enhance athletic performance by potentially lowering blood pressure and reducing angina during exercise.

Now, let’s talk about PhenQ PM, a weight loss supplement making bold claims about boosting growth hormone levels by 100%. Naturally, I was a bit skeptical and decided to investigate.

Upon digging into the matter, I found a small review suggesting that L-arginine supplementation might indeed increase growth hormone levels. However, here’s where things get interesting and not in PhenQ PM’s favor.

Firstly, the studies showing this growth hormone boost used doses ranging from 5 to 9 grams of L-arginine. In contrast, PhenQ PM provides just over 1 gram, which is considerably lower.

Secondly, even if there’s a slight increase in growth hormone, it doesn’t necessarily mean a faster metabolism. There’s zero evidence supporting the idea that L-arginine contributes to metabolism or fat loss.

Thirdly, these findings apply specifically to younger men who are awake, not asleep, and right before they exercise during the day.

So, the bottom line is that taking L-arginine, especially in the doses found in PhenQ PM, isn’t likely to have any significant impact on nighttime fat metabolism. If you’re looking for a weight loss solution, it’s crucial to consider the scientific evidence and not be swayed by bold claims.

L-Lysine

Let’s talk about L-lysine, another amino acid in the mix. Honestly, it’s not something super special. Now, PhenQ PM claims it supports the production of carnitine.

Sure, our bodies can whip up L-carnitine from amino acids like lysine and methionine. But here’s the catch—it’s not as simple as it sounds.

Now, here’s a question: If the aim is to amp up carnitine production, where’s the L-methionine in PhenQ PM?

And, why didn’t they just toss in L-carnitine directly into the supplement if the goal is to jack up those carnitine levels?

Moreover, the bulk of research suggests that L-carnitine’s impact on fat metabolism shines brightest during exercise, not when you’re chilling or catching some Zs. So, no, don’t expect L-lysine in PhenQ PM to be a nighttime fat-burning miracle.

L-theanine

L-theanine is an amino acid that might boost your brainpower and help you stay focused, especially in stressful situations. Some folks even use it to ease feelings of anxiety.

Now, it’s important to note that L-theanine won’t directly help you lose weight or burn fat. However, it could play a role in improving your sleep. It’s worth mentioning that the scientific evidence supporting the use of L-theanine for treating insomnia isn’t super strong.

5-HTP

5-Hydroxytryptophan, commonly known as 5-HTP. People often take 5-HTP to address mood concerns such as depression, and some studies have looked into its potential impact on weight management.

While the overall evidence isn’t very strong, there are suggestions that 5-HTP might have a slight effect in curbing emotional eating and snacking. It’s important to note that these studies used higher doses of 750 to 900 mg of 5-HTP daily, whereas PhenQ PM only provides 150 mg. This means that even if there are potential benefits, the amount in PhenQ PM might not be sufficient to make a noticeable difference.

In essence, 5-HTP could play a role in mood support, but the evidence for its direct impact on weight loss, especially at the dosage found in PhenQ PM, is limited.

Is PhenQ PM effective?

Unfortunately, PhenQ PM doesn’t do much when it comes to burning fat. This isn’t surprising, though, as many nighttime fat burners face the same issue—they don’t really help with fat burning.

PhenQ-PM-review-ingredient-analysis
PhenQ PM supplement review analysis.

The idea of using a supplement to boost your metabolism while you sleep might sound great, but it’s not practical or scientifically possible. Instead, these nighttime fat burners usually focus on promoting better sleep, which, in turn, can positively affect your metabolism.

However, when it comes to PhenQ PM, it falls short even in the sleep department. It seems more like a poorly made multivitamin, with a mix of random ingredients that don’t seem well thought out. Plus, the doses are so low that they likely won’t have any real impact.

If you’re interested in the benefits of L-arginine for your workouts, it’s better to take it during the day. Nighttime consumption is simply not effective and can be considered a waste.

Overall review: PhenQ PM

PhenQ-PM-review-overall-summary-rating
Overall PhenQ PM review rating.

Reviewing PhenQ PM by effectiveness for weight loss, I’m giving it an F. Like most night time fat burners it doesn’t actually do anything for fat burning, and it doesn’t even really help with sleep much.

Reviewing PhenQ PM for cost, I’m giving it a D. You can replicate what PhenQ PM is trying to provide you with better quality generics for many times less.

Reviewing PhenQ PM for safety, I’m giving it a B. Although some of the ingredients like L-arginine or 5-HTP could have been problematic at high doses, the doses used here are likely too small to be harmful, or useful.

Overall review, I’m giving PhenQ PM an F. I would recommend you stay away from it.

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Citations

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Collier SR, Collins E, Kanaley JA. Oral arginine attenuates the growth hormone response to resistance exercise. J Appl Physiol (1985). 2006;101(3):848-852. doi:10.1152/japplphysiol.00285.2006

Gao X, Wang Y, Randell E, et al. Higher Dietary Choline and Betaine Intakes Are Associated with Better Body Composition in the Adult Population of Newfoundland, Canada. PLoS One. 2016;11(5):e0155403. Published 2016 May 11. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0155403

Jäger R, Purpura M, Geiss KR, Barthel T, Schnittker R, Weiß M. Improving mental regeneration after physical exercise. J Int Soc Sports Nutr. 2008 Sep 17;5(Suppl 1):P3. doi: 10.1186/1550-2783-5-S1-P3. PMCID: PMC3313114.

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Mazaheri-Tehrani S, Yazdi M, Heidari-Beni M, Yazdani Z, Kelishadi R. The association between vitamin C dietary intake and its serum levels with anthropometric indices: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2023;51:101733. doi:10.1016/j.ctcp.2023.101733

Onakpoya I, Posadzki P, Ernst E. Chromium supplementation in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Obes Rev. 2013;14(6):496-507. doi:10.1111/obr.12026

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