Thermogenic supplements contain a varying array of herbs, trace minerals, amino acids, and enzymes that all produce different but specific actions in the body in order to help promote fat loss. The following article is a review of the current ingredients found in Sculptique. As with any thermogenic supplement, a proper diet and exercise program is necessary to facilitate desired results.

The first herbal ingredient is Ephedra or Ma Huang pronounced (MA-Wong). Ephedra contains a number of alkaloids with the principle one being Ephedrine. Ephedra is an herbal stimulant that may promote thermogenesis. Ephedra performs this action by stimulating the beta-receptors, which can control heart rate and basal metabolic rate. 1 For example, when you perform cardiovascular exercise your body produces catecholeamines such as norepinephrine or epinephrine. The catecholamines bind to the beta-receptors and turn on lipolysis or fat burning. So in a sense by supplementing with Ephedra you are mimicking the body response to cardiovascular exercise by stimulating the same receptors that turn on fat burning. Ephedra doesnÕt produce the same effects in the presence of a hyper-caloric diet (high calorie) and only minimal effects without exercise. When the suitable individual following an exercise and diet program utilizes Ephedra in the appropriate dose it can produce positive results. EphedraÕs main benefits are fat loss, muscle sparing, and appetite regulation. 2,3 The average dose of Ephedra containing supplements is 15-25 mg of Ephedrine per serving. Most manufactures recommend three serving daily before breakfast, lunch and dinner. Another tip when using Ephedra is not to use it consecutively 7 days a week. ItÕs best to either take 2-3 days off in a row or take it every day for 2 months with a 2-4 week lay-off. It has been found that when Ephedra is combined with Caffeine that the above results are enhanced. This is why Iron Curtain Labs has combined these two ingredients. This leads me to the next ingredient Green Tea.

Green Tea is an herbal ingredient that contains caffeine and polyphenols. Other herbals that contain caffeine are Kola Nut and Yerba Mate. Caffeine has the ability to free up fatty acids to be used as fuel and can act as an inhibitor of an enzyme that turns off fat burning. 4 When Caffeine is combined with Ephedra the beneficial results are enhanced and prolonged. Caffeine is also a stimulant and this raises the need for concern with the appropriate individuals using this combination. The body has whatÕs called a negative feedback mechanism or natural safety defense. This mechanism tells the body to stop burning fat by producing specific enzymes which disrupt the fat burning process. The body tends to prefer to be in homeostasis or balance. The weight loss is perceived as an imbalance that the body tries to correct. Caffeine is usually in the range of 100 mg to 200 mg per serving or 1-2 cups of coffee. The polyphenols have recently been to shown to work synergistically with caffeine by increasing 24-hour energy expenditure and fat oxidation. 5 The use or misuse of these stimulants has recently caused raw material suppliers to search for non-stimulant fat burning agents.

Synephrine is a related cousin of Ephedrine and according to its manufactures it does not act in the body as a stimulant. Synephrine is supposed to only stimulate the beta 3 receptors, which controls basal metabolic rate. This compound may provide the same fat burning, muscle sparing and appetite suppression as Ephedrine but with out any stimulant like side effects. 6 Synephrine is derived from the bitter orange fruit found in china. Animal research has shown this compound to be a beneficial fat loss agent. The synergistic combination of ephedrine, green tea, and synephrine should result in a super charged release of fatty acids for energy.

The glycone Naringin is a concentrated extract of the grapefruit, which has been shown to prolong the half-life of caffeine and other related compounds. 7 Basically it prolongs the beneficial actions of caffeine by inhibiting its metabolism. Therefore the caffeine stays active longer in the body thus prolonging the thermogenic effects.

Hydroxycitric acid or HCA is derived from Garcinia Cambogia. This compound is thought to inhibit the enzyme responsible for the conversion of excess carbohydrates to fat and regulate appetite. 8 HCA is a non-stimulant agent. It can be used in conjunction with both stimulant and non-stimulant fat burning complexes. Any energy nutrient can be stored as fat if eaten in excess. Too many carbohydrates will convert to fat. HCA may inhibit the enzyme responsible for this conversion.

The In summary, Sculptique - The Professional BodybuilderÕs Definition Formula is a specific combination of ingredients designed to stimulate the release of fatty acids for energy, spare lean muscle, regulate appetite and decrease excess carbohydrate conversion to fat. * The Ephedra has the ability to promote thermogenesis by bonding to the beta-receptors. The caffeine and polyphenols found in green tea may also cause a thermogenic effect resulting in the release of fat for energy. The Synephrine is a beta-3 specific alkaloid that may increase metabolic rate with no stimulant like side effects. The synergistic combination of ephedrine, caffeine, and synephrine results in a super charged release of fatty acids for energy. The naringin, which is naturally found in grapefruit, has been shown to extend the properties of caffeine resulting in dramatic effects. The HCA or hydroxy citric acid that is found in garcina cambogia may decrease excess carbohydrate conversion to fat. Sculptique - The Professional Bodybuilders Definition Formula is a powerful supplement for any bodybuilder attempting to favorably alter body composition.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to treat, diagnose, cure, or prevent any diseases.

REFERENCES 

 1.      Liu, YL. Et al. 1995. “Contribution of beta 3-adrenoceptor activation to ephedrine 

      induced thermogenesis in humans” Int J Obes Relat Disord. Sep;19(9):p. 678-685.

2.      Astrup, A et al. Ephedrine and weight loss. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1992      Sep;16(9):715.

3        Horton, TJ. Et al. Post-prandial thermogenesis with ephedrine, caffeine and aspirin in        lean, pre-disposed obese and obese women. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord. 1996 Feb;20(2):91-7.

 4.   Leblanc, J. Et al. 1985. “Enhanced metabolic response to caffeine in exercise-trained  human subjects” J Appl Physiol. Sep;59(3):p. 832-837.

 5.      Dullo, AG. Et al. Efficacy of a green tea extract rich in catechin polyphenols and caffeine in increasing 24-h energy expenditure and fat oxidation in humans. Am J Clin Nutr. 1999 Dec; 70(6): 1040-5.

 6.      Germano, C. 1998. “Advantra-Z: The natural way to lose weight safely” Kensington Publishing. Ch.2;p. 39.

 7.   Fuhr, U. et al. Inhibitory effect of grapefruit juice and its bitter principal, naringenin, on CYP1A2 dependent metabolism of caffeine in man. Br J Clin Pharmacol. 1993 Apr;35(4):431-6.

8.      Hellerstein, M.K. Et al. 1993. “The indirect pathway of hepatic glycogen synthesis and reduction of feed intake by metabolic inhibitors” Life Sci.53(24):p. 1833 - 1845.