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Hourglass Fit claims to be your shortcut to a perfect figure, promising effortless weight loss. But before you jump on the bandwagon, let’s dig into the facts and figure out if it’s the real deal or just another expensive trend. We’ll break down all the ingredients in Hourglass Fit to see if it lives up to the hype.
Ingredients of Hourglass Fit
The recommended daily dosage is four capsules.
We’ll dive into each ingredient to evaluate if they have enough punch, if they contain active compounds, and how effective they truly are for shedding those extra pounds.
B vitamins
These vitamins play various roles in metabolic processes, essential for turning food into energy and supporting overall metabolic function. They help break down carbs, fats, and proteins. While a lack of B vitamins can hinder energy metabolism and worsen insulin resistance, taking excessive amounts won’t necessarily offer benefits and might even lead to issues like nerve damage. The amount of B vitamins in Hourglass Fit is on the smaller side, unlikely to cause problems, but also not potent enough for substantial benefits.
Chromium and zinc
Chromium and zinc are handy minerals for managing diabetes. Chromium appears to aid in insulin resistance, a common issue in diabetes. It improves insulin sensitivity, potentially enhancing blood sugar control. Similarly, zinc may cause a slight decrease in fasting blood sugar levels for those with diabetes.
However, these benefits are mainly observed in individuals with metabolic conditions like diabetes and PCOS. In healthy folks, research doesn’t consistently show advantages unless there’s a significant deficiency of these minerals. Thankfully, deficiencies in North America are rare. Chromium is needed in tiny amounts, and zinc is found in most animal products.
Even with the benefits observed in those with diabetes or PCOS, both zinc and chromium are unlikely to be game-changers for weight loss. Chromium’s impact on weight loss is minimal, leading to an average loss of around one pound over several months. There’s no solid evidence supporting zinc as an independent weight loss solution. While chromium and zinc may help control blood sugar, their effectiveness for weight loss in normal, healthy individuals is limited and not clinically significant.
Konjac root extract
Hourglass Fit relies on konjac root extract as a key ingredient to impact weight. The magic lies in glucomannan, a specific type of soluble fiber found in konjac root. Typically, glucomannan makes up 40% to 60% of the plant’s dry weight, sometimes even more in concentrated extracts.
Glucomannan, like other soluble fibers, has a unique ability to soak up water and create a gel-like substance in your digestive system. What sets it apart is its impressive capacity to hold up to 50 times its weight in water, compared to psyllium husk fiber, which manages only around 25 times its weight.
The gel created by glucomannan gives you a sense of fullness, curbing your appetite and reducing overall food intake. It also slightly delays stomach emptying, helping you control hunger and cravings. Beyond that, it plays a role in regulating blood sugar levels, preventing sudden insulin spikes. Moreover, glucomannan binds to certain nutrients like fat and cholesterol in your digestive system, slowing their absorption. This results in a lower calorie intake, supporting your weight loss journey.
But that’s not all – glucomannan goes the extra mile by being fermented by beneficial bacteria in your colon. This process produces short-chain fatty acids that foster a healthy gut microbiome. A well-balanced gut microbiome has been linked to a reduced risk of obesity and weight gain.
Cayenne extract
Cayenne, the spicy pepper, packs a punch with capsaicin, the natural heat source in peppers. Research hints that capsaicin might help weight loss by revving up fat burning and activating brown adipose tissue. However, it’s crucial to note that these findings stem from studies on cells and mice, not humans.
In human trials, a meta-analysis suggests that cayenne extracts may not significantly trim down body weight, body fat, or BMI. There’s also doubt about capsaicin’s role in fat loss or increased energy expenditure.
While some believe cayenne extracts could curb appetite, it seems more like a side effect, as taking them on an empty stomach may lead to nausea and bloating, occasionally mistaken for reduced appetite. Yet, this effect doesn’t seem to have a meaningful impact on weight or fat loss in people.
5-HTP
Hourglass Fit throws in 5-Hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP), known for its role in addressing mood concerns like depression. Some studies explore its potential in weight loss by potentially curbing emotional eating and snacking.
However, it’s crucial to consider the dose. Studies suggesting benefits used higher doses ranging from 750 to 900 mg daily, while Hourglass Fit provides 150 mg. Even if there are potential advantages, the amount in this supplement may fall short of making a noticeable difference.
Side Effects and Warnings
Now, from a safety perspective, taking Hourglass Fit seems generally okay, but comfort is another story. Some users might experience gas, bloating, and constipation due to the konjac root extracts. On top of that, cayenne could contribute to gas or bloating, especially if taken on an empty stomach. If you’ve got a sensitive stomach or a tendency towards constipation, Hourglass Fit might stir up some stomach issues for you.
Is Hourglass Fit Effective?
Cutting to the chase, Hourglass Fit is essentially a souped-up konjac soluble fiber supplement.
If you’re banking on soluble fiber for weight loss, here’s the deal – it’s not a magic fix on its own. To see real results, you’ve got to weave it into a broader weight loss plan. The trick is to take it before or during meals to help you feel full, curbing your overall food intake. This, in turn, can keep a lid on snacking or overeating.
But here’s the catch – you can’t just rely on Hourglass Fit or any glucomannan supplement alone. It’s not a shortcut; you still need to actively work on cutting down your overall food consumption. Using Hourglass Fit without making other lifestyle changes won’t likely give you the results you’re after. It’s a piece of the puzzle, not the entire picture.
Overall review: Hourglass Fit
Reviewing Hourglass Fit by effectiveness for weight loss, I’m giving it a C. It’s a konjac soluble fiber supplement first and foremost, and whether you lose weight depends on whether you can also actively reduce your food intake.
Reviewing Hourglass Fit by cost, I’m giving it a C. Hourglass Fit can be easily replicated at a much cheaper cost by getting the generic ingredients individually.
Reviewing Hourglass Fit for safety, I’m giving it a B. It’s relatively safe to take, but will probably cause some people significant gas and bloating.
Overall review, I’m giving Hourglass Fit a D. I would not recommend it at all.
Top alternatives to Hourglass Fit
If you’re looking to achieve similar effects, but better than those of Hourglass Fit, I would combine a quality
- Capsaicin (cayenne) – 2 to 5 caps / day
- Chromium nicotinate (GTF) – 1 to 5 caps / day
- Chromium picolinate – 1 to 5 caps / day
- Glucomannan (caps) – 1 to 3 caps w/ meals
- Glucomannan (PGX caps) – 1 to 3 caps w/ meals
- Glucomannan (PGX powder) – 0.5 to 1 scoop w/ meals
- Glucomannan (powder) – 0.25 to 1 tsp w/ meals
Learn more about
- Best Soluble Fibers for Weight Loss
- Capsaicin For Weight Loss
- Chromium For Weight Loss
- Glucomannan 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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Cangiano C, Ceci F, Cascino A, et al. Eating behavior and adherence to dietary prescriptions in obese adult subjects treated with 5-hydroxytryptophan. Am J Clin Nutr. 1992;56(5):863-867. doi:10.1093/ajcn/56.5.863
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Attributions
By Sebastian Stabinger – http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bild:Amorphophallus_konjac_knolle_155gramm.jpg, CC BY-SA 3.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=1761450
See also
- Doctor Reviews: Youthful Brain
Youthful Brain is unlikely to improve cognitive performance in healthy individuals, as research shows limited benefits for their ingredients. - Doctor Reviews: Lemme Curb
Lemme 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 Supercalm
Nello Supercalm is a drink mix with ingredients that may help manage stress and anxiety, though it might not work for everyone. - A Doctor Reviews: Bio Complete 3
Bio Complete 3 is essentially a pricey version of a generic standard probiotic, offering some basic benefits for digestive health. - Doctor Reviews: Lemme GLP-1 Daily Capsules
Lemme GLP-1’s lemon extract, Eriomin, may boost GLP-1 levels slightly, but research shows this won’t cause weight loss or appetite suppression.