Apidexin Review: Clinically Proven Ingredients That Outperform Prescription Drugs?

Can you really lose 4-7 pounds per week effortlessly with Apidexin? Can its blend of "clinically proven" and patented (or patent-pending") ingredients really outperform prescription weight loss solutions?

I'll give you three guesses, but I suspect you'll only need one. Let me explain...

First, as detailed by Elissa in this blog post, the terms "patented" and "patent-pending" mean absolutely nothing when it comes to proving that a product actually works. That doesn't prevent retailers from using them to sell their products however; it's a common misconception that the patenting process involves some sort of critical demonstration or proof of a product's effectiveness. That's not the case at all. As Elissa points out...

"A patent is simply a legally-recognized grant of property rights over an invention,  formula, or design."

So don't be fooled. "Patented" does not mean "works".

Now what about the clinically proven claim? That's a good question, so let's look at the ingredient profile...

1) Fucoxanthin: I've reviewed several products containing this ingredient, all claiming to have a ton of science backing them up. The fact of the matter is that recent research (Br J Nutr. 2008 Jan 11;1-5) has shown fucoxanthin to have extremely low bioavailablilty in humans (i.e. the body does not absorb it easily).

The only credible studies were performed on rats or mice; none of the "amazing" human based studies have ever been published anywhere credible. So the "clinically proven" claim carries little weight here (if you'd like to read more about Fucoxanthin, please read this review).

2) Razberi-K™: The Apidexin web site states...

In a recent study (Morimoto et al, 2005), test subjects were fed a high fat diet to induce obesity while treated groups were also fed an additional 1 or 2% raspberry ketone. The treated groups gained less body fat than the control groups.

What they've forgotten to mention is that the "test subjects" in this study were mice, not humans (see Life Sci. 2005 May 27;77(2):194-204. Epub 2005 Feb 25). You're not a mouse. All a single, small positive animal study confirms is the need for more studies; first on animals, and then on humans. At this point, there is no credible scientific data to validate Razberi-K's weight loss effects on humans.

3. GuggulEZ100™: Guggulsterones, and specifically the E&Z guggulsterones which are arguably the most important isomers of guggul, have been used in weight loss products for years. There is a small amount of evidence that indicates guggulsterones may also have value as a fat burner (see J Postgrad Med. 1995 Jan-Mar;41(1):5-7) specifically by increasing thyroid T3 hormone levels.

Data validating guggul's cholesterol-lowering characteristics is contradictory; an earlier study indicated it did (see J Assoc Physicians India. 1989 May; 37(5):323-8), while a later study published in The Journal Of The American Medical Association showed it did not.

The Apidexin web site also states that guggul can "support a fine skin texture by decreasing the appearance of blemishes." I'm wondering what data they have to support this; I have found some evidence that guggul may help with a severe type of acne called nodulocystic acne (see J Dermatol 1994:;21:729-31) but nothing else. They also claim that "Guggul EZ 100 won't strip away your muscle like other weight loss products"... this too, is baseless.

4) Thermodiamine™: Basically, this is evodiamine; a Chinese fruit that some claim burns fat by increasing the body's production of heat, as well as reducing the body's ability to store fat.

The claims are supposedly "scientifically" proven. The problem is, they haven't been scientifically proven in humans. There have been some promising "in vitro" studies and some done on rodents, but the jury is still out on whether this product has positive weight loss effect for humans (see Planta Med. 2001 Oct;67(7):628-33 for more details).

4) Forslean®: Standardized for forskohliin, yet another relatively common weight loss ingredient. Yet despite all the talk of a "definite "buzz" circulating about its fat loss capabilities", the effects of coleus forskohlii and a corresponding positive effect on weight loss have only been established in a few small animal studies. Human studies (Journal of Obesity Research August 2005, "Body Composition and Hormonal Adaptations Associated With Forskolin Consumption In Overweight and Obese Men"), did not yield overwhelming results.

One study (Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition. 2(2):54-62, 2005) concluded...

"Results suggest that CF (coleus forskohlii) does not appear to promote weight loss but may help mitigate weight gain in overweight females with apparently no clinically significant side effects."

5) Lipolide-SC™: Standardized for sclareolide, or clary sage extract. Theoretically, sclareolide is a cAMP stimulator (as is forskohlin). cAMP is what is called a "cellular regulator." In other words, this compound is required to "spark" many intercellular processes. An increased concentration of cAMP can have such "total-body" effects as raised thyroid hormone levels and increased fat burning. Is there any independent clinical evidence to support clary sage extract's amazing fat-blasting powers?

Nope. Sorry.

6) Infinergy DiCaffeine Malate®: A combination of caffeine and malic acid, supplement retailers claim this "special form" of caffeine is both easier on the stomach and more effective than regular caffeine.

And while caffeine's fat burning characteristics are well established (see Am J Clin Nutr. 1989 Jan;49(1):44-50, Am J Clin Nutr. 1980 May;33(5):989-97), there is no published research to indicate that this form of caffeine is any more effective. Theoretically, it could work better, worse, or exactly the same as the regular stuff. Who knows?

7) Bioperine®: Used to increase the bioavailability of certain ingredients, a full review of Bioperine is available here!

I'm sure it's becoming apparent by now; Apidexin "clinically proven" claim needs to be taken with a grain... er... a chunk of salt. There are additional problems as well...

• There is no clinical data that indicates the specific blend of ingredients known as Apidexin is effective. And there's certainly no evidence to indicate it "outperforms" prescription weight loss drugs.
• Although the ingredients are revealed, how much the formula contains, is not. This prevents us from determining whether the dosages used in the formula come close to the amounts used in the clinical study cited, or whether they are simply there as "label dressing."
• A single capsule dosage contains 500 mg of ingredients. This increases the likelihood the majority of the ingredients are present in dosages too low to have any effect.
• This product is expensive — $50 per bottle. Most decent, readily available formulas are available for $10-20 less.

So to answer my earlier question...

"Can you really lose 4-7 pounds per week effortlessly with Apidexin?

It's quite simple: no — there's absolutely no evidence to support this claim.

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