SimplyAtheistic

I just saw a commercial about leptoprin, supposedly a great weight loss supliment. It is advertised as only for those who want to lose 20 lbs or more, and they even talk about the outrageous price being justified by the guranteed results. Has anyone tried this stuff, does it really work like it is advertised?
Jake

catalyst

Calcium (amino acid chelate): 264mg 67%
Vitamin B6: 25mg 1250%

Anorex (Leptoprin): 989mg
A proprietary blend of the following:
Acetylsalicylic acid: 324mg
Caffeine: 200mg
(34mg from standardized Kola nut [280mg])

Green Tea (leaf) Extract (standardized for polyphenols/catechins content)
L-Tyrosine
Kelp (0.15% Iodine [100mg])
Ephedrine alkaloids: 20mg
(exclusive 10% extract from Whole Plant Ma Huang [200mg])
Cayenne (fruit)

I have not taken this supplement as such, however, I have utilized an ECA stack, which is pretty much what this is, with the addition of Green Tea leaf extract.

The advertising process for this supplement is very deceptive, surprise. It is not a true anorectic, as catecholomine anorectics are pretty much amphetamine derivates, and have a well deserved schedule IV drug classification, although the ephedra will provide a certain amount of anorectic action.

The ephedra will stimulate the sympathetic nervous system by causing the pre-synaptic nerve terminals to release norepinephrine, as well as increasing circulating adrenaline, which is a chief beta-2 agonist (an adrenergic receptor on the surface of an adipocyte (fat cell)). This triggers the process of lipolysis. There is also some carryover to the beta-1 and beta-3 receptors of the adipocyte.

The caffeine and aspirin are mainly to decrease the response of prostaglandin release secondary to beta-andrenergic stimulation, which decrease cAMP concentrations in the cell. If this process were not inhibited, the lipolytic effect would be shortened drastically, to such a degree that certain studies have shown that ephedra is not a significant lipolytic agent without the addition of caffeine. (1,2,3).

The ECA stack is the most effective thermogenic supplement on the market, having been shown to be more effective than the now-defunct phen-fen, redux, etc.

The green tea extract will provide some slight thermogenic effect, but it in no way compares to the ECA stack, which is the most efficient compound present in this supplement. Green tea is a nice antioxidant, however.

Tyrosine can act as a stimulant, but only when taken in the presence of pretty much no other source of protein, as it will compete with the other eight large amino acids to cross the blood brain barrier.

The other listed supplements in this compound have no direct effect on thermogenesis, however, in the nutrient deficient individual (most people) they probably cannot hurt.

IMNSHO, you can assemble the essential components of this compound yourself for less than one-third of the price, but then the experts who put this compound together need a little something for their efforts, don't they.

And, depending on fat storage pattern, this may not be the most efficacious compound, as someone with a female adipose distribution pattern would be better served by something that targets the alpha-2 receptors.

The normal warnings should apply when taking any ephedra based compound (IOW, avoid if you have heart problems, blood pressure or hypertensive disorders, using an MAOI, etc.)


1. Dulloo, AG., Miller, DS. The Thermogenic Properties of ephedrine.methylxanthine mixtures: Human Studies. Int J Obes 1986; 10: 467-481.

2. Astrup, A., Breum, L., Tourbo, S., Hein, P., Quaade, F. The effect and safety of an ephedrine/caffeine compound compared to ephedrine, caffeine, and placebo in obese subjects on an energy restricted diet. A double blind trial. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1992; Apr; 16(4): 269-277.

3. Tourbo, S. Astrub, AV., Breum, L., Quaade, F. Safety and efficacy of long-term treament with ehpedrine, caffeine and an ephedrine/caffeine mixture. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1993. Feb; 17 Suppl 1: S69-S72.

HeatherD

I think the advertising goes all out to be deceptive, even to make the packaging look like a prescription medicine package. Then they mention that it's patented as if that makes it an effective weight-loss formulation.

Here's a review of it from a weight-loss website 3fatchicks.com

I saw the ad a month or two ago and looked for information via Google and happened upon that site. They aren't doctors or nutritionists but they did go to the trouble of finding sources of information about the ingredients. In the end though, $153 for a month's worth of a diet supplement, that isn't proven to work in clinical trials, is a waste of money. For that much money you could probably lose more weight with a part-time nutritionist working for you. I can get a membership at a health club for much less than $153 per month and I know that will work. (once I get off my fat-ass and start exercising)

catalyst

Actually, the supplement shoud work, given that is an ECA stack, even though over priced and with a great many bells and whistles.

While I agree with some of the points made on that website, there are a couple of problems with their approach and conclusion:

1st: They reference Dean Ornish. This is pretty much an ad hominem attack on my part, and something of a personal issue, but his one size fits all, there is only one way to diet, bias against supplements, etc. is not an approach I can respect. And he has drawn some various spurious conclusions wrt ephedra.

2nd: "Ephedra contains the chemical ephedrine, which appears to cause weight loss when used in combination with caffeine. However, there are weaknesses with the design of most available studies. The results of research on ephedrine alone without caffeine are clear" from this they determine that ephedra is not effective, despite the fact that the supplment contains caffeine. Makes no sense to me.

3rd: Their e-mail testimonials. Sounds like too many people read the National Equirer for nutritional advice.

4th: The difficulties with ephedra have been overdramatized. Rather like difficulties with many other supplements.

The ECA stack is a proven thermogenic agent. However, as I said above, there are certain people who should not use it.