Review: Universal Nutrition Animal Cuts Fat Burner - UltimateFatBurner.com

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! In fact the updated version of this formula (our review was completed in late summer 2012) sports over 40 ingredients (over 4,000 mg per serving) divided among 8 different complexes.

Of course, it`s a relatively easy process to jam a ton of ingredients into a formula. It only means something if they are useful ones, included at dosages shown to be helpful in accompanying clinical studies.

So let’s take a closer look at Animal Cuts and its 8 complexes…

1. Thermogenic complex: contains caffeine, kola nut, guarana, yerba mate, raspberry ketones, coleus forskohlii and evodiamine.

The core ingredient of this complex is caffeine; in addition to being present on its own, kola nut, yerba mate and guarana also contain it. Caffeine, of course, is the most common of thermogenics, with a demonstrated (albeit mild) effect on the metabolism (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97, Am J Physiol. 1995 Oct;269(4 Pt 1):E671-8).

Yerba mate, like the recently popular green coffee extract, is also a source of chlorogenic acid, which may have benefits for dieters as well. One study on mate showed that consumption led to delayed gastric emptying and an increased feeling of satiety when combined with guarana and damiana (damiana is missing from this formula).

Despite being featured prominently on the Dr. Oz show, the clinical data supporting raspberry ketones and their effects on weight loss is almost entirely animal based. There is some evidence coleus can be helpful for weight loss, although it is unclear whether or not Animal Cuts contains an effective dose of this ingredient. Theoretically, evodiamine (which is a a vanilloid receptor agonist like capsaicin) should be helpful for weight loss, but so far, the only existing studies to verify its effects are animal based.

2. Metabolic Complex: Contains green tea extract (standardized for epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) and polyphenols), as well as Oolong, Black and White tea extracts and coffee bean extract.

When it comes to weight loss ingredients, green tea extract is about as close to a no-brainer as you can get. Epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) is a powerful antioxidant, anti-cancer agent, and is the most potent catechin in green tea. Studies show that ingesting such compounds can lead to a lowering of bodyfat AND of cholesterol levels (American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 81, No. 1, 122-129, January 2005).

And that’s just the beginning; check out the complete green tea review for a complete overview of its benefits. Ooloong tea too, has benefits for weight loss. And while there are no studies to confirm the weight loss effects of either white or black tea, there is no doubt they contain many of the same helpful constituents that contribute to both green and oolong tea’s usefulness.

Coffee bean extract probably refers to chlorogenic acid, but it would nice if Universal eliminated the need for any speculation by revealing exactly what it is for which they are standardizing this ingredient.

3. Thyroid complex: The previous version of Animal Cuts contained guggulsterones, but this one contains L-tyrosine (a thyroid hormone precursor), olive leaf extract (standardized for oleuropein), and Salvia officinalis (common sage). I was unable to find any human bases studies to suggest any of these play any significant role in supporting thyroid function.

4. 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.

This newest version also adds Hydrangea root, Buchu leaf, Juniper berry and celery seed into the mix. One serving of Animal Cuts offers up 800 mg of this 6 ingredient blend. That’s not a lot, when you consider that most dedicated diuretic products contain several thousand milligrams of dandelion root extract per serving.

5. Nootropic complex: This element of the formula is designed to help with mood and mental focus. This 500 mg blend contains DMAE, bacopa, phenylethylamine (or PEA, the “feel good” chemical found in chocolate) and huperzine A.

Huperzine is an alkaloid isolated from Chinese moss, and although it is has “brain boosting” characteristics, it is also a selective inhibitor of the enzyme monamine oxidase—the enzyme that metabolizes the aforementioned phenylethylamine.

By including huperzine in this formula, Universal has increased the likelihood that some PEA may cross into the bloodstream intact, and effect energy levels and mental focus accordingly.

6. Cortisol Inhibiting Complex: Cortisol is the major stress hormone, elevated levels of which can attribute to weight gain as well as the loss of lean muscle. The 300 mg in this complex is divided up between the following ingredients…

7. CCK Boosting Complex: CCK is short for “cholecystokinin”, and it’s a powerful “satiety” chemical produced naturally in our bodies. Retailers have been trying to harness its powers—unsuccessfully—for some time. This 300 mg complex contains…

8. Bioavailability complex: Such complexes are designed to improve the “uptake” of the ingredients in the formula. The 500 mg in this complex is divided up between 6 ingredients. The first, bioperine, is pretty typical. The others; ginger root, cayenne, grapefruit, quercetin, naringin are not.

Flavonoids like quercetin, naringin, and grapefruit may be included for their ability to inhibit the action of the enzyme cytochrome P450. Ginger is likely included here for its stomach-soothing and nausea-reducing effects, and cayenne too, which may also have benefits for digestion.

So there you have it; the new and “improved” Animal Cuts.

But does adding more ingredients and increasing the complexity of an already complex product really improve things?

Sure, Animal Cuts does try to cover all the “fat burning bases” by including thermogenic ingredients, diuretics, thyroid boosting ingredients, cortisol inhibitors, as well as others.

And, it looks like it contains a TON of caffeine, so you’ll definitely “feel” this product. Plus, it appears to contain plenty of green tea/EGCG as well—the “caffeine +EGCG” combination is about as close to you can get to a “no-brainer” pairing of ingredients in a fat burner, despite the fact that the effects of green tea on weight loss is grossly exaggerated by most retailers.

But at the same time, many of the ingredients in Animal Cuts either do not have much (or any) clinical evidence validating their effectiveness, or they are severely under dosed.

Both the Cortisol Inhibiting Complex and the Cortisol Inhibiting Complex for example, contain ingredients for which some small amount of evidence validates the claimed effects. However, by stuffing more ingredients than necessary in these complexes, you pretty much guarantee that the most effective ingredients are being diluted down to a “light dusting.”

Why bother? Why not just eliminate the ingredients for which the evidence is weak, and ramp up the amount of those likely to be effective?

I’ll answer the question for you; it doesn’t make for an impressive looking label, that’s why.

And that’s too bad, because obviously some thought went into this product.

So what about value?

At this time of this writing BodyBuilding.com is selling the 3-week, 42 packs can of Animal cuts for the $34.98. If it were up to me, I would opt for a product that contained fewer, proven ingredients at a relevant dosage. However, for $34.98, you could do a lot worse. (I would definitely not pay more however: GNC is selling it for $61.99!!!).

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

Summary of Animal Cuts
 
  • Produced by a popular, well-known company with a strong following.
  • Contains some decent ingredients.
 
  • Kitchen sink supplement with more ingredients than needed.
  • Too many ingredients with inadequate clinical support.
  • Too many complexes – tries to cover all the bases.

Author: Paul

Paul Crane is the founder of UltimateFatBurner.com. His passions include supplements, working out, motorcycles, guitars... and of course, his German Shepherd dogs.

12 Comments

  1. Do Animal Cuts work? Or is this just another “get ripped quick” scheme?

    Post a Reply
  2. I’ve taken this product a few times but generally can’t get past a week of supplementation. Two weeks at half dosage is my max. It effects my mood; I feel edgy & irritable after a few days.

    The thermogenics are effective but make my hands sweat constantly. Overall I couldn’t take this product long enough to notice any weight loss.

    Post a Reply
  3. animal cuts really help to bring the cuts out in me but i had trouble sleeping in the night.at one point in time i felt like my testicles shrink with the product.i also talked to my training partner and he said the same happaned to him with the product.

    Post a Reply
  4. This stuff doesn’t work at all. I hate how people that sell this on the internet say how good it is and things like that. They just getting paid to say it works.

    I’m on day 10 on this pills and I don’t really like it. I lost 1 pound but it was because of the gym. This pill sucks really bad.

    Post a Reply
  5. Animal Cuts is a decent product. The ingredients certainly work (diuretics, stimulants) but they kind of drain you of your energy after the first week of exercise. I am 12 days into the Cuts and it has certainly brought out some definition that I had lost and I haven’t really done cardio, just high-rep lifting (12-15 reps). My forearms and legs are especially where the definition is coming out. Downsides-it upsets your stomach, you get headaches all day (removing the stim capsule helps with this), and you have to drink TONS of water (literally gallons) to stay hydrated on workout days. All in all, the product does what it’s supposed to (I’m not getting paid to write this review), just put in your hard work and cut the fat/garbage out of your diet on it. Hope this helps!

    Post a Reply
  6. I gave it a try some months ago and did 2 cycles. It works for sure although during the first cycle I had some problems toward the end of the third week and really looked visibly bad in the last days. After a 3 weeks break, I did the second cycle and it want much better in terms of side effects.

    I was on heavy diet (anabolic, low carb diet) and the product helped me to stay focused and continue with the work outs. De-Hydration is a problem. Due to it diuretic contents you need to drink a LOT. Conclusion: works for sure but you need to be careful if it is your first fat burner.

    Post a Reply
  7. I am weighing 95 kg right now and I have a little fat in my chest and belly. I have read the feedback on Animal cuts. I am not a bodybuilder but do some cardio 3 to 4 times a week. I would like to have some advice before buying this product: Will it work great taking 1 pack only? And will I need to continue to take the pills after being ‘cut’? Thanks for helping.

    Editor’s comments: John, if you take half a dose, you probably can’t expect the same results. Will weight return? If taking Animal Cuts gives you the energy to work out harder and longer and suppresses your appetite a bit, then those effects will cease once you stop taking it. If you reduce your activity while consuming more calories than you require, the weight will come back. That’s the same with any weight loss supplement.

    Post a Reply
  8. I really enjoyed animal cuts, i got from 182 to 165 in 2 months and 2 cycles with out cardio however heavy diet and lots of weight training, gave me good energy and great appitite control.

    Post a Reply
  9. I took animal cuts for about 1 week before I noticed side effects happening within my field of vision. Although I did keep taking the product and although I noticed results, I developed Ocular Myasthenia Gravis. It it an autoimmune disease. I had no signs of it before I used this product. I am undergoing further testing for these disease to see if there is an issue with my thyroid that is the underlying cause of the disease. If the issue is associated with my thyroid, I will file suit against the manufacturer of animal cuts.

    Post a Reply
  10. Somebody please advise, does this product has any affect on blood pressure.

    Editor’s comments: Any stimulant based fat burner has the potential to do so, yes.

    Post a Reply
  11. Hey ok so its almost a week I take it side effects not much but my testicles are shrunk and tight anyone had this experience? Are they gnna stay like that or only during animal cuts

    Post a Reply
  12. I started taking Animal Cuts yesterday. I’ve been drinking water almost non stop.
    Yesterday I threw up after workingout. Today while taking it I feel light headed/almost stuffy headed. Almost a tight throat feeling….and a slight headache.

    I’m 31 years old, 184 pounds, 5’9, eating regularly (steamed chicken and broccoli, etc) and drinking plenty of water.

    Since I normally don’t take much in stimulants (i.e. one cup of coffee a day usually) Will I get used to this or should I stop taking it?

    THanks

    Post a Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *