Cheater's Relief Fat Burner Review & Information:

Cheater's Relief by BSN is marketed as an "advanced carb and fat inhibitor." I was eager to review this product as I'm a pretty big fan of BSN's sports performance supplements -- like NOXplode and Syntha-6.

Cheater's Relief does contain an intensive blend of ingredients, but unfortunately, only a scant few have any real evidence demonstrating effectiveness as either fat or carb blocking. Let's have a closer look at the ingredients...

i) Cassia Nomame: included in weight loss products for its "ability" to inhibit the enzyme lipase which is required for the break down and deposit of fat. However, there's very little clinical evidence to validate these claims. Check out this excerpt from this Pubmed abstract on "Nutraceutical resources for diabetes prevention"...

"There does not appear to be a natural lipase inhibitor functionally equivalent to orlistat, although there are poorly documented claims for Cassia nomame extracts." (Med Hypotheses. 2005;64(1):151-8.)

ii) Chitosan: a fiber supplement derived from the shells of crustaceans, it was once thought chitosan was an effective "fat-blocker."

Unfortunately, clinical evidence has indicated otherwise. Check out this excerpt from a recent clinical study...

"Results obtained from high-quality trials indicate that the effect of chitosan on body weight is minimal and unlikely to be of clinical significance." (Obes Rev. 2005 Feb;6(1):35-42. Effect of chitosan on weight loss in overweight and obese individuals: a systematic review of randomized controlled trials.)

iii) Opuntia Ficus Indica (prickly pear cactus): I've seen this included in fat burners as a fiber supplement and "organic fat binder" (see the Proactol review here!).

There does seem to be an increasing body of evidence to suggest that prickly pear cactus helps reduce blood lipid levels and other Metabolic Syndrome indicators -- especially blood sugar levels (see Adv Ther. 2007 Sep-Oct;24(5):1115-25, Wien Klin Wochenschr. 2002 Oct 31;114(19-20):840-6, Arch Invest Med (Mex). 1989 Oct-Dec;20(4):321-5, Arch Invest Med (Mex). 1989 Apr-Jun;20(2):197-201).

Cheater's Relief also contains a "Carb Relief- Insulin Regulator- Calorie Re-Direction Blend" which contains a blend of blood sugar moderators (4-Hydroxy-Lean (from fenugreek) R-ALA and Cinnulin -- derived from cinnamon) and carb blockers (Citrilin HCL -- hydroxycitric acid derived from garcinia cambogia and Phaseo-Lean -- derived from white kidney bean extract).

While I do like the blood sugar moderators in this compilation, the carb blockers are no "home run." For example, the clinical data validating the effects of white kidney bean extract is pretty ambiguous. A recent UCLA clinical study on phaseolus vulgaris (white kidney bean extract) concluded...

"Clinical trends were identified for weight loss and a decrease in triglycerides, although statistical significance was not reached."

And hydroxycitric acid is no clear winner either. Studies are inconclusive, some showing positive results (Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 2002 Jun;26(6):870-2), others showing no effects (Physiol Behav. 2000 Oct 1-15;71(1-2):87-94.). In fact, a newer, more potent form of hydroxycitric acid (called SuperCitrimax) may be the most effective form of HCA yet.

Bottom line?

Cheater's Relief does contain interesting ingredients. However, most either have very little credible supporting clinical evidence validating their weight loss effectiveness, or they have already been shown to be ineffective for weight loss.

Perhaps some day new studies will validate the effectiveness of some of the ingredients in this profile, but for now, we need to be skeptical. Of course, the blood sugar moderating element of this product is good, but it on its own doesn't justify a purchase of Cheater's Relief.

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