Doctor Reviews: Puravive

Listen to this article on Spotify, or watch it on YouTube.

When checking out a weight loss supplement like Puravive, it’s essential to be cautious about their weight-loss promises. They often talk about revealing new secrets for losing weight, but let’s take a closer look at Puravive’s claims. They suggest that low levels of brown adipose tissue contribute to obesity, citing two articles to support their stance. However, we need to dig deeper into those articles to understand the actual story. Do these studies genuinely show that low brown adipose tissue levels lead to obesity?

Puravive’s misleading claims

Let’s dive into Puravive’s weight loss assertions and separate fact from fiction.

Claim 1: BAT and Obesity

Puravive suggests that having high levels of brown adipose tissue makes people skinny. However, the supporting article they reference actually connects BAT to overall heart health, not weight loss. The study indicates a link between increased BAT and a lower risk of diabetes and heart disease, particularly in obese individuals. Contrary to Puravive’s claim, the study doesn’t say that skinny people have more BAT or that BAT aids weight loss. It merely suggests that BAT may reduce cardiovascular risks in obese individuals.

Claim 2: Burning Capacity of BAT

Puravive states that BAT can burn 300 times more calories than any other cell. However, the cited study focuses on seasonal changes in BAT activity, not its calorie-burning capacity. Puravive might have cherry-picked a statement about BAT producing more heat, not necessarily burning calories. Moreover, the study concentrates on BAT in fetuses, not adults.

Claim 3: Ingredients Activating BAT

Puravive references articles claiming their ingredients activate BAT. It’s crucial to prioritize studies demonstrating actual weight loss or BAT activation in humans, not just in cells or mice. None of Puravive’s references are human studies; they’re all conducted on cells or mice. While these studies offer insights, human metabolism is complex, and findings in cells or mice don’t guarantee weight loss in humans. Without human studies demonstrating weight loss benefits, we can’t confidently say Puravive effectively addresses obesity.

BAT and Weight Loss

So, the big question on your mind might be: Can activating brown adipose tissue (BAT) actually help with weight loss? Theoretically, it’s a possibility, but let’s break it down realistically. BAT in adults primarily works to keep us warm by generating heat when we’re cold. It’s not like regular fat that contributes significantly to our body weight; instead, adults only have small amounts of BAT, around 0.1% of body weight, compared to the 20-25% that regular fat makes up.

Despite its role in thermoregulation, studies attempting to boost BAT activation through cold exposure in humans haven’t shown any substantial weight loss effects. Even if you could somehow activate all your BAT, the calorie burn might not translate into significant weight loss, though it could offer cardiovascular benefits.

Moreover, BAT becomes active mainly in a cold environment to generate heat. It doesn’t just kick in randomly, meaning you’d need to consistently expose yourself to cold conditions for BAT to burn calories. If the idea of shivering in a chilly room for hours to burn a small number of calories doesn’t sound practical, then relying on BAT activation for weight loss may not be the most effective strategy.

Puravive’s Ingredients

Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty of Puravive’s ingredients. The recommended daily dose is just one capsule.

But here’s where it gets interesting—the ingredients are essentially a rebranded version of another supplement called Exipure. Beyond the similar ingredients, both websites use identical templates and language to promote these supplements. They even share nearly identical bottle designs.

Upon closer examination, the ingredients match up, with a slight difference in labeling. Puravive uses “luteolin,” while Exipure goes for “Perilla extract.” But here’s the kicker—luteolin is a component found in Perilla extracts, and it’s clearly mentioned on both bottles.

Leaf and Olive Extract

Olive oil is packed with heart-healthy polyunsaturated fats, which can be good for your heart and metabolism. However, going for olive oil supplements may not be the best move. You can easily get the same benefits by drizzling regular extra virgin olive oil on your salad. Plus, it’s more cost-effective. Most studies showing olive oil’s perks involve incorporating it into your diet, not through supplements. The likely reason is that the amounts used in these studies go way beyond what Puravive provides.

Holy Basil

Holy Basil, an Ayurvedic herb, is often used to tackle inflammation. While there’s not much evidence supporting its weight loss claims, it shows slight promise in helping diabetics control blood sugar levels. But here’s the catch – the doses in studies are way higher (around 500 mg daily) than what Puravive offers.

Bee Propolis

Bee Propolis, a concoction made by honey bees, is known for its sealant-like properties in beehives. While studies hint at its potential for aiding diabetics, the snag is in the dosage. Most studies use nearly 1000 mg per day, much more than what you’ll find in Puravive. So, don’t expect any practical benefits from the dosage in this supplement.

Amur Cork Tree and Kudzu

These traditional herbs have historical use for inflammation and gastrointestinal issues. While amur cork tree contains berberine, a compound with potential insulin sensitivity benefits, the doses needed (1-2 grams daily) are far beyond what Puravive provides.

Quercetin

Quercetin, found in fruits and berries, is great for overall health, but it doesn’t contribute to weight loss. The hitch with Puravive is that the amounts used in beneficial studies are way more than what one pill of this supplement can offer.

Korean Ginseng

Known for its stimulating effects, Korean ginseng might help combat fatigue and enhance concentration. It’s also linked to blood sugar control in diabetes. However, effective doses in studies range from 200 to almost 1000 mg per day, raising questions about the effectiveness of the small amounts in Puravive.

Luteolin

Present in green veggies, egg yolk, squash, and corn, luteolin doesn’t show any weight loss benefits. Puravive uses perilla extracts as a source of luteolin.

Side Effects and Concerns

Let’s talk about some safety aspects and considerations regarding Puravive. One thing to keep in mind is the presence of berberine in its ingredients. While the exact amount isn’t specified, berberine has the potential to interact with other medications. If you’re currently on any medication, it’s crucial to have a chat with your doctor before thinking about incorporating this supplement into your routine. Another key point is that berberine is a no-go during pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Is Puravive effective?

Now, the big question: Does Puravive actually work? Well, after digging into all the details, it seems like this supplement is completely useless for weight loss. In fact, it appears to lack any practical health benefits.

It seems to lean weakly towards helping control blood sugar, specifically for those dealing with metabolic issues like diabetes. But if you’re in the clear when it comes to diabetes or blood sugar concerns, it’s likely that Puravive won’t show any noticeable effects. Even for those with blood sugar issues, the low dosages across all components might render it ineffective.

Considering the overall lack of effectiveness in Puravive, it’s a bit tricky to compare it to other options. However, if I had to throw in a recommendation, focusing on berberine might be a more fruitful endeavor. Berberine has the potential to assist with blood sugar control in diabetics, indirectly contributing to weight management.

Overall review: Puravive

Reviewing Puravive by effectiveness for weight loss, I’m giving it an F. I don’t expect it to do much of anything. Even if you have diabetes, the doses it uses are likely so low it probably still wont do anything.

Reviewing Puravive by cost, I’m giving it an F. It’s pretty expensive for such a useless supplement.

Reviewing Puravive for safety, I’m giving it a B. Although the ingredients seem mostly safe to take, the lack of information about this particular supplement makes it really sketchy to take.

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

Top alternatives to Puravive

If you’re looking to achieve similar effects, but better than those of Puravive, I would combine a quality

• Berberine (dihydro) – 2 to 4 caps / day
• Berberine (generic) – 2 to 3 caps w/ meals
• Berberine (Thorne) – 1 to 2 caps w/ meals

Learn more about

• Berberine for Weight Loss
• 6 Things To Look For On Supplements
• 5 Things to Know Before Buying Weight Loss Supplements
• Other weight loss supplements

See also

• 
  Doctor Reviews: Bioma
  Bioma and other generic probiotics may support general gut health but lack specific, research-backed benefits for weight loss.
• 
  Doctor Reviews: Lipozem
  Lipozem and similar keto BHB supplements have shown little to no effectiveness in supporting keto, weight loss, or athletic performance.
• 
  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.