Review: Universal Nutrition Animal Cuts Fat Burner:

The Animal Cuts fat burner comes to us from Universal Nutrition, makers of Animal Stak, Animal M-Stack, Animal Pump and other "animal" products.

With it's distinctive "can" packaging and "hardcore" image, Universal Nutrition's series of products always garner a fair bit of interest. And like their other products, Animal Cuts contains a pretty extensive blend of ingredients -- and plenty of them, too!

The Animal Cuts formula is broken up into various complexes...

1) Thermogenic complex: contains synephrine, octopamine, EGCG, tyramine, phenylethylamine and l-theanine.

Phenylethylamine is the "feel-good" chemical commonly found in chocolate. Unfortunately, both it and tyramine (probably included in this formula for its ability to encourage the release of several neurotransmitters) are metabolized by monamine oxidase and are unlikely to reach the bloodstream in any significant amount.

Synephrine and octopamine are thought to be decent thermogenics, but there currently isn't an abundance of scientific data to prove this is the case. For synephrine, existing data is to the contrary. Check this extract about Citrus Aurantium (from which synephrine is derived) from this PubMed abstract...

"An extensive search of MEDLINE, EMBASE, BIOSIS, and the Cochrane Collaboration Database identified only 1 eligible randomized placebo controlled trial, which followed 20 patients for 6 weeks, demonstrated no statistically significant benefit for weight loss, and provided limited information about the safety of the herb."

This study (Obes Rev. 2006 Feb;7(1):79-88) concludes...

"While some evidence is promising, we conclude that larger and more rigorous clinical trials are necessary to draw adequate conclusions regarding the safety and efficacy of C. aurantium and synephrine alkaloids for promoting weight loss."

EGCG and l-theanine are both commonly derived from green tea. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a powerful antioxidant and anti-cancer and agent, and is the most potent catechin in green tea. Studies show that ingesting such catechins can lead to a lowering of bodyfat AND of cholesterol levels (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 81, No. 1, 122-129, January 2005).

Even EGCG on its own is helpful (see J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Aug;26(4):389S-395S) although some studies (see J Am Coll Nutr. 2007 Aug;26(4):396S-402S) have indicated that...

• More potent dosages of EGCG may lead to greater effect
• EGCG may work best when combined with other catechins and stimulants -- like those found in green tea.

L-theanine has the ability to reduce stress and promote feelings of relaxation.

2) Metabolic Complex: Contains guarana (standardized for caffeine, but also contains other xanthines) as well as L-carnitine, which is often included in fat burners for its role in the inter-cellular fat burning process. However, studies investigating this ingredient's benefits for weight loss have been unequivocal.

3) Diuretic complex: Contains dandelion and uva ursi extract, both of which are well known for their ability to increase the elimination of excess water via an increase in urine.

4) Thyroid complex: Not surprisingly, guggulsterones are included here. Several studies validate guggulsterones' thyroid-stimulating activity (Planta Med 1988;54:271-7, Curr Ther Res 1999; 60:220-7). Also included are soy isoflavones.

5) Insulin potentiators: these ingredients help modify blood sugar levels and include alpha lipoic acid (a favorite of mine) and two types of chromium.

Also included are a blend of "nucleotide regulators" (which include phosphate, inosine, and phosphatidylcholine) "neurotransmitter regulators" (which include l-tyrosine and St. John's Wort) and finally the "Animal Cuts Complex".

The "Animal Cuts Complex" is a blend of hydroxycitric acid (reviewed here) as well as naringin (to extend the effects of the ingredients, and inhibit the action of the enzyme cytochrome P450, which may be associated with obesity), white willow, ginger root (likely included here for its stomach-soothing and nausea-reducing effects) and phenylalanine.

Through a process called enzymatic decarboxylation, phenylethylamine (that's the chocolate, "feel-good" chemical we discussed earlier, right?) can be naturally synthesized from phenylalanine.

No doubt about it, the Animal Cuts fat burner certainly boasts a ton of ingredients. And it does try to cover all the "fat burning bases" by including thermogenic ingredients, diuretics, blood sugar moderators, thyroid boosting ingredients as well as others. And, since it contains 200 mg of caffeine and 20 mg of synephrine per serving, you'll definitely "feel" this product.

Nonetheless, many of the ingredients in Animal Cuts do not have much clinical evidence validating their effectiveness. A good strategy for Universal therefore might be to reduce the number of complexes in this formula and instead focus on ingredients for which there is more solid clinical evidence for weight loss.

While the "Animal" series of products does not have a shortage of fans, if it were my money on the table, I'd probably opt for a product that contained fewer, proven ingredients at a relevant dosage. (For a list of products we recommend, please click here!)

Regardless, I'd love to hear from those of you who have used Animal Cuts...

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