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Weight Loss ·

HCG Diet: Does It Really Work? Evidence Based Review

Updated 4/18/23./ Have you heard of the HCG diet? It’s been around for over 60 years. I first heard of this diet in 2007 in a book called “The Weight Loss Cure They Don’t Want You to Know About”. What I would like to do here is review the scientific studies that have been performed on the HCG diet protocol and let you draw your own conclusions about whether HCG injections help weight loss or not. This review will focus on the original version of HCG diet  – the version that uses injections of the hormone HCG.

Homeopathic HCG Review

HCG drops (homeopathic version of this diet)

 

What Is The HCG Diet & The Simeons Protocol?

HCG stands for human chorionic gonadotropin. This is a hormone that women make when they are pregnant. In fact the most natural way to raise HCG levels is to get pregnant.

The HCG diet dates back to about 1954 when a doctor named Albert Simeons started giving HCG injections to obese people.  He published his study in the Lancet, a well-known medical journal.

The HCG diet consists of daily HCG injections coupled with a 500-calorie diet. In addition, people are also told to refrain from using hardly any fat. Even the fats in cosmetics are to be avoided during the HCG diet. There are many HCG diet books to help people with

the food portion of the program.

According to Simeons, giving HCG along with the 500-calorie diet was better for weight loss than just giving them 500 calories. He claimed that his technique achieved fast weight loss without people being hungry. This, he stated was because HCG suppressed the appetite and enhanced people’s moods.

HCG injections also were alleged to burn fat from specific body areas. Today we would call this claim “spot reduction” – ridding fat from only certain locations like troublesome areas of the thighs for example.

It’s my understanding that in the Kevin Trudeau’s weight loss book, he speculated that HCG stimulated the hypothalamus of the brain to get the body to start burning fat. Whether that's true or not, I cannot say.

For more on Kevin Trudeau, see my review of Herpes Cure Report.

What matters is that Dr. Simeons claimed that the HCG injections could result in weight loss of between ½ lb and almost 2 lbs per day on average.

Is there any proof this is true? Let's look at the clinical studies on HCG and weight loss and see what we can discover.

HCG Diet Research. Does The Simeons Protocol Work?

There is HCG weight loss research. Doctors have looked at this weight loss solution several times since the early 1950s. I have linked to the actual scientific studies so you can read them for yourself if you like.

In 1963 Craig and associates tested the Simeons diet in 20 overweight women. The study lasted 45 days. Women were split into 2 groups:

  • one group received daily shots of HCG (125 units)
  • the other received shots of a placebo

All women ate only 550 calories a day contained in 2 meals. Women could drink as much water, tea, or coffee as they liked (no sugar in tea or coffee).

Results: Women getting HCG injections did not lose more weight.

In 1973, Asher and Harper tested the HCG diet in 40 overweight women for 6 weeks.  The study was published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

Women either received either

  • daily HCG injections (125 units)
  • or a saline placebo.

All women consumed a 500-calorie diet.

Results. Asher and Harper found that women getting HCG injections lost more weight than those who received a placebo.

 

In the study, it was stated that Harper, who did the “clinical work” also “has an active practice using HCG for weight reduction”. In science, this is technically a no no.  Some might see this as possible bias (even unconscious bias) on the part of the researcher.

However, the connection of the researcher to the HCG diet was clearly disclosed at the beginning of the study. They were not trying to hide this, and I will call this study a “win” for the HCG diet.

It was because of the findings by Asher and Harper that in 1976, Stein and colleagues decided to test the HCG diet. In their investigation, they used a similar protocol as Asher and Harper (Asher provided Stein with their research design).

They tested the HCG diet in 51 young women (ave aged 33). The study lasted 32 days. Women were split into 2 groups:

  • One group received daily injections of HGC (125 units)
  • The other group received injections of a saline placebo

All women were put on the identical 500-calorie diet as in the Asher and Harper study. Women were also instructed to drink 8-10 glasses of water daily.

Results. This study found that the HCG diet did not help weight loss.

Women getting HCG did not lose any more weight than those getting the placebo. In addition, women getting HCG injections did not lose

more weight in specific body areas (as the HCG diet proponents often say will happen).

 

Also, in 1976, another HCG study was performed by Young and colleagues. In this study, there were 202 people.

For 6 days a week, people received either

  • injections of HCG (125 units a day)
  • or saline injections (placebo)

In addition people also ate 500 calories a day and received lectures on diet and behavior modification twice a week for the length of the study.

All fat was excluded from the diet except for the fat that was associated with the protein that people ate from food.

 

This study also tested whether HCG treatment helped people maintain their weight loss better. This was accomplished by giving people 6 weeks of no HCG injections coupled with education about how to eat properly.

Results. At the end of the study, researchers found that HCG injections did not lead to any greater weight loss or weight maintenance than those who did not get HCG injections. In the words of the researchers:

“… we could not demonstrate by any objective indicator that HCG was beneficial in promoting weight loss, nor was there any significant difference in fat loss or body circumference measurements”

 

In 1977, Shetty and Kalkhoff did a small study of HCG in 6 hospitalized obese women. The women were only given 500 calories a day and injected daily with 125 units of HCG for 30 days.  Another 5 women were given the exact same diet yet injected with a placebo.

Results. According to the authors, weight loss between groups was “nearly identical”. Measurements of the circumferences of the chest, waist, hips or thighs also showed no differences between the HCG and placebo groups. Any changes observed, the authors noted, was consistent with “semi-starvation” and weight loss”.

 

Also in 1977, Greenway and associates tested the HCG diet for 6 weeks in 40 healthy women (age 20-40) who were randomly divided into 2 groups:

  • One group received HCG
  • The other group got a placebo

Both groups received injections 6 days a week for 6 weeks. Greenway did not specify how much HCG women received in their investigation (I’ll assume it was 125 units but I cannot prove this).

Results. People getting daily HCG injections did not lose any more weight than women who received a placebo. Likewise, there were no differences in body circumferences or mood in those who received HCG injections.  The Greenway study was concluded with these words (note these words were written in 1977):

“We feel that the 20 year history of the use of HCG in the treatment of obesity should come to an end because injections of placebo appear to be equally effective in all respects.”

In 1983 Birmingham and Smith reviewed 6 of double-blind studies of the HCG diet conducted at that time.

Results. They concluded that only one study (the Asher and Harper study mentioned above) found that HCG injections caused weight loss more than placebo. The other 5 studies found that HCG injections do not cause weight loss.

In 1990, Venter and associates tested the HCG diet in 40 obese women for 6 weeks. In this double-blind placebo-controlled study, women were either given daily HCG injections or injections of a placebo. All women were put on the same diet that supplied 1200 calories a day.

Before and after the study, they tested body weight, body circumferences, and hunger level.

Results. The HCG diet “showed no advantages over those on placebo in respect any of the variables recorded”. So HCG didn’t work.

In 1995, Lijesen and colleagues performed a meta-analysis of 24 previously published HCG diet studies.

A meta analysis basically means that the researchers added together the results of a bunch of studies, to see if they could find “the big picture”.

Results. They concluded that “there is no scientific evidence that HCG is effective in the treatment of obesity”

and that:

“it [HCG] does not bring about weigh loss or fat redistribution nor does it reduce hunger or induce a feeling of well being.”

Summary Of HCG Weight Loss Studies

StudyPeople in studyStudy designResults
Craig (1963)20Double-blind placebo controlledHCG doesn’t work
Asher/Harper (1973)40Randomized double-blindHCG works
Stein (1976)51Randomized double-blindHCG doesn't work
Young (1976)202Randomized double blind cross overHCG doesn't work
Sheety (1977)6Randomized double-blindHCG doesn't work
Greenway (1977)40Randomized double-blindHCG doesn't work
Birmingham (1983)358Meta-analysis of 6 HCG studiesHCG doesn't work
Lijesen (1995)?Meta-analysis of 24 HCG studiesHCG doesn’t work

[Read more…] about HCG Diet: Does It Really Work? Evidence Based Review

Weight Loss ·

BioTrust CraveFix 96 Review: Can It Curb Cravings and Help Weight Loss?

Update 2/28/20. “Most weight loss and health supplements are not founded on science and backed by research.” So says the website for the company that makes a product called CraveFix 96, which is touted to be back by research. The product is advertised as “A quality, science-backed formula based on peer-reviewed research, containing honest, effective levels of each ingredient.” Sounds good so far. So, does CraveFix 96 really work? There is research on the ingredients. Let's look at this weight loss supplement- and research – and see what we can figure out. Update. I'm told this supplement is no longer offered.

 

What Does The Name Mean?

The name CraveFix says to me the supplement is supposed to fix your cravings. Reducing cravings, in theory, should help people lose weight. As to what the 96 in the name means, I cannot say.

 

CraveFix 96 Research

Does the product have any evidence to show it actually works? When I performed an online search for:

  • CraveFix 96 research
  • CraveFix 96 clinical research

I did not see any studies showing up.

Searcing clinical databases for “CraveFix 96,” nothing showed up either. That leads me to believe that at this time, the product – itself –  might not be supported by published clinical evidence. A lack of clinical evidence doesn't always mean something doesn't work. It might just mean nobody has taken a look at it yet.

With that in mind, let's now look at the ingredients in CraveFix 96 and see what we can discover.

 

CraveFix 96 Ingredients

According to the product label, each capsule of CraveFix96 contains the following ingredients:

Amount Per ServingPercent Daily Value
Vitamin D (cholicalciferol)1000 IU250 % DV
SaffaTrim Saffron (Crosus sativus) (stigma extract)89 mgN/A
ZestaSorb Narigin (from citrus paradasi) (whole fruit)50 mgN/A

The label indicates to take 1 gelcap with your two largest meals of the day. So, that's 2 capsules per day total. Taking 2 capsules would provide:

  • Vitamin D: 2000 IU
  • Saffron: 178 mg
  • Narigin: 100 mg

I'll consider these amounts when looking at the research below.

The label also lists several other ingredients. They are, in order as they appear on the label:

  • Sunflower seed oil
  • Gelatin
  • Glycerin
  • Yellow beeswax
  • Sunflower lecithin

These other ingredients likely play no role in any hunger-suppressing or weight loss effects of the product.

Let's now look at the weight loss evidence for each of the 3 ingredients in CraveFix 96.

 

Vitamin D

Every two capsules of CraveFix96 has 2000 IU of vitamin D. Does that help weight loss?

Several studies have noted that people who are overweight tend to have lower vitamin D levels. But does that mean those people became overweight because they were lacking vitamin D? And if yes, would giving overweight people vitamin D supplements reverse the condition and promote weight loss?

In a 2014 study, titled Vitamin D3 supplementation during weight loss: a double-blind randomized controlled trial, 2000 IU of vitamin D, given to women along with a reduced-calorie diet, did not appear to enhance weight or fat loss.

Vitamin D was also shown to have no weight loss effects in this 2016 study titled Vitamin D3 supplementation and body composition in persons with obesity and type 2 diabetes in the UAE: A randomized controlled double-blinded clinical trial. In this study, people were given 6000 IU of vitamin for 3 months.

It is true that weight loss increases vitamin D levels, but as for vitamin D fostering weight loss, I think the evidence is lacking for now.

 

Low levels of vitamin D appear to play a role in depression. People often overeat when they are depressed. Might the use of vitamin D in the product be used not to reduce cravings but rather to combat depression? I'm speculating, but given the use of the next ingredient in the product, I wonder if that might be the reason.

 

Saffron

Saffron is a spice. Its scientific name is Crocus Sativus.  Two capsules of CraveFix96 contain 178 mg of saffron.

Saffron was shown to decrease snacking in this 2010 study titled Satiereal, a Crocus sativus L extract, reduces snacking and increases satiety in a randomized placebo-controlled study of mildly overweight, healthy women. The study involved 60 overweight women who were randomly given either a placebo or 2 capsules (176.5 mg/day total) of saffron (called Satiereal) per day for eight weeks.

 

The women were allowed to eat as much as they wanted. Those women getting the saffron supplement showed significant reductions in snacking frequency and weight loss compared to those getting the placebo.

Satiereal, the trademarked brand of saffron used in this study is from a French company called Inoreal (Inoreal.com). This is the same company that makes SaffaTrim, the saffron brand in CraveFix96. While I'm not positive, since they come from the same company, I think both SaffaTrim and Satiereal might be the same thing, with different names.

 

People overeat for many reasons, depression being one of them. In a review published in 2015, researchers noted evidence that saffron seemed to help depression.  Might this be why the study above noted saffron reduced snacking? More research is  needed.

 

The supplements previously reviewed also contained saffron:

See those reviews for more on those products.

 

Naringin

Naringin is a phytonutrient is found in citrus fruits such as oranges and grapefruits and other fruits like grapes. Naringin is responsible for grapefruits bitter taste. Naringin is a member of a large family of nutrients called flavonoids that are common to many fruits and vegetables.

Naringin, like other flavonoids, is an antioxidant and helps reduce free radical damage. Naringin has been studied for many issues and for those who want to know more, see this review. But what about cravings and reduced appetite?

Searching for clinical databases for:

  • Naringin appetite
  • Naringin hunger
  • Naringin craving
  • Naringin snacking
  • Naringin weight loss

This revealed no human studies, although animal investigations do exist. One study noted that naringin in food did not reduce hunger in people or slow the rate that food left the stomach (called gastric emptying).

One human study noted that naringin prevented the increased metabolic rate caused by caffeine. That might not be good. This study included only 10 people so it was very small. Let's see what other studies show. If this is confirmed by other investigations, companies may want to rethink their use of narigin in weight loss supplements.

 

Other weight loss products reviewed that also contained naringin include:

See those reviews for more information on those supplements.

 

Ingredients With Evidence

Based on the research I could locate, here are the ingredients in CraveFix 96 that might reduce cravings:

  • Saffron

This is the only ingredient I could locate human evidence for when it comes to reducing cravings. Is it possible the other ingredients in the product work together to produce a better effect? Of course.  CraveFix 96 uses the same amount of saffron as the study summarized above. That's good.

Here's saffron on Amazon

 

Who Makes CraveFix 96?

The company is called BioTrust (BioTrust.com). They are located at  111 Congress Ave Ste 400 Austin, TX 78701-4143. Their contact phone number is: (800) 766-5086. BioTrust had a BBB rating of “A+” at the time this review was updated. See the BBB file for updates and further information.

 

How Long Until It Works?

According to the product's website, people should notice effects after about a month of use. Because we are all different, and without specific research on the product itself, it is possible some might notice the effects sooner or a bit later than this.

CraveFix 96 Side Effects

Based on the ingredients, I think CraveFix 96 is safe and not likely to be an issue for healthy people. Those who take medications should or have health problems should speak to their pharmacist and doctor first. There is evidence that naringin might interfere with the way some medications are processed in the body. Stop taking CraveFix 96 at least 2 weeks before having surgery. Women who are pregnant or nursing should speak to their doctors first.

 

Does It Work?

CraveFix 96 contains an interesting spice – saffron- that has been studied to have many health benefits. Preliminary evidence suggests saffron might curb appetite. CraveFix 96 contains the same amount of saffron as the study summarized above does. That's good. While the product itself appears to lack published proof, I wonder if some people might notice benefits because of this spice. Did it help you?

What Do You Think?

Super Foods ·

Joe Cross Reboot Protein Review

Update 3/2/20. One of my favorite documentaries of all time is Fat Sick and Nearly Dead. It's the story of Joe Cross, who travels the US, getting healthy by juicing and along the way, helping others do the same. It's truly an inspiring documentary that, in my opinion, bolstered a rebirth of juicing in America. Since the documentary, Joe has gone on to write a variety of books and has become an international celebrity. Recently, I became aware of Reboot With Joe Plant Protein, a pow dered supplement that can be added to the juices you make. In this review, let's look at this Reboot Protein and along the way hopefully help you decide if it's right for you.  Also see the Breville Juicer Review. 

 

What Does Reboot Mean?

As most know rebooting is the process of turning your computer (phone, tablet, etc.) off and back on again. It's meant to clear the short term memory and hopefully remove anything- applications, etc – that might be making your computer slow or causing problems.

Joe Cross was the first person I ever heard use the word reboot with respect to nutrition. As I understand it, to reboot – nutritional speaking –

is to refresh and re-train the body to get accustomed again to consuming more healthy foods. In the documentary, Joe's reboot was accomplished by juicing.

Performance ·

Protein Bar Review. Which Protein Bar Is Best?

Update 3/3/20. Protein bars. There are a LOT of them out there. While all of them contain protein, others are high in fiber, gluten-free, non-GMO, vegan, and organic. Which protein bar is best? Better yet, which one is best for you? I think the idea of which one is best goes beyond how much protein they contain. I also think all those fancy claims on the wrappers (gluten-free, no trans fat, etc.) make understanding which bar is best for you to difficult because it diverts your attention from how much fat, saturated fat, sugar, etc. it has. So, let me try to cut through the hype and impressive-sounding food label claims. The protein bar table below focuses on what you should be paying attention to calories, fat, saturated fat, fiber, and sugar. My hope is this review will help you more easily decide which protein bar is best for you.

 

How Did I Pick The Bars?

My criteria for which bars to include in the table below is pretty straight forward. If the front of the wrapper makes a specific reference about how much protein it contains (like “15g” or “high protein,” etc.) I  call it a protein bar. This allows me to cast the widest net possible.

For example, the original Cliff Bar is not listed in the table because it does no prominently reference protein on the front of the wrapper, but the Cliff Builders Bar is listed because it does.

See any I missed? Let me know in the comments below, and I'll update this review.

How To Read The Table

In the table below, here are some things to take notice of:

What does the “H” mean? When you see “H” in a cell of the table, it means the bar is high in the nutrient in question. For example, if you see “H” in the saturated fat box, it means the bar is high in saturated fat. I base this on the FDA guidelines for understanding daily values. When you see 5% or less, it's “low” and 20% or more means “high.”

See the next point about “%” for more information.

 

What does the “%” mean?  When you see a percentage (%), it refers to the Percent of Daily Value. This refers to the percentage of a nutrient that we are allowed to have per day. For example, if you see 30% in parentheses for saturated fat, it means the bar provides 30% of our daily value (daily allowance) for saturated fat.

When it comes to the Daily Values, you want low numbers for, saturated fat and sodium and high numbers for fiber.

For more on the Percent Daily Values, see this page of the FDA website.

The percent Daily Values are based on eating 2000 calories per day. If you eat more or less than this, the % DV may be different for you.

 

 

What About Sugars? I've listed sugars in the table so you can compare how much each bar has to the others.  According to the American Heart Association, men should consume no more than 36 grams of added sugars per day. Women should consume no more than 24 grams of added sugars per day.

Sugar contributes to heart disease and people, generally, eat way too much sugar.

The sugar industry has suppressed this information for decades.

 

Trans fat. The table does not include trans fat because of most bars list “zero trans fat” on their Nutrition Facts Labels. Information on trans fat and other nutrients is listed in the additional information section below.

 

What's up with the grams? In the table below, I've told you how much each protein bar weighs in grams (50g, 60g, etc.) so that you can compare how much each weight to the amounts of protein, calories, saturated fat, etc.  Because not everybody likes the metric system, just remember that 28 grams = 1 ounce. So if a bar, weighs 60g, that is about 2 ounces.

 

What about vitamins? In this review, I've decided not to list the amounts of vitamins and minerals in the protein bars and the reason because is most people are not lacking in vitamins or minerals. Also, extra vitamins do not improve exercise performance in those who already get them in the diet. Those who are indeed deficient in vitamins and minerals should get them from food or a simple multi-vitamin supplement and not rely on protein bars.

What's The Best Protein Bar?

The table below lists Nutrition Facts information for the various protein bars. To make the table easier to read, it contains information on calories, total fat, saturated fat, sugar, fiber, as well as protein. This is important stuff most people need to know.  Below the table, is additional information on sugar alcohols, potassium, etc., for those who want to know more.

For greater insights, don't forget to read the ingredients lists too. While I did not cover all the ingredients in this review, scanning the ingredients of a product you are interested in can often provide useful information.

If you discover a protein bar that is not listed, leave a comment below so I can try to locate it and update this review.

 

NameCaloriesTotal FatSat FatSugarsFiberProtein
22 Days (walnut fudge brownie) 1 bar (75g)29011g (17%)1.5g(8%)12g13g (52%)20g
Arnold Muscle Bar (Muscle Pharm) (chocolate brownie). 1 bar (90g)37016g (25%) H9g (45%) H7g2g (8%)30g
Best Protein Bar (BPI Sports). Apple crunch cake. 1 bar (65g)2206g (9%)1g (5%)2g17g(68%) H20g
BHU Fit. Primal Protein 1 bar (45g)20013g (20%) H5g (25%) H1g8g (32%) H14g
Cliff Bar: Builders Bar (chocolate peanut butter). 1 bar (68g)28010g (15%)5g (27%) H21g2g (8%)20g
Combat Crunch (Muscle Pharm). Chocolate chip cookie dough. 1 bar (63g)2107g (11%)4g (20%) H5g12g (48%) H20g
Come Ready Bar (caramel pretzel crunch) 1 bar (50g)1957.5g4.5g (H)9g3g15g
Complete Cookie (chocolate chip). 1 cookie (56.5g)1806g (9%)1.5g (8%)14g4g (16%)8g
Detour Simple (salted caramel cookie dough). 1 bar (60g)2308g(12%)4g (20%) H7g6g (24%) H20g
Fit Crunch Bar (Robert Irving) (peanut butter). 1 bar (88g)38816g (25%) H8g (40%) H6g2g (8%)30g
Fit Elite Bar (Robert Irvine's) (birthday cake). 1 bar (60g)1805g (8%)2g (10%)2g15g (60%DV)20
Fit Joy bar (frosted cinnamon roll). 1 bar (60g)2308g (12%)3.5g (18%)3g11g (44%)20g
Gatorade Whey Protein Bar (chocolate chip). 1 bar (80g)36013g (19%)10g (50%) H29g2g (7%)20g
Gourmet Cheesecake Bar (Ansi) (chocolate peanut butter).1 bar (68g)2209g (14%)2.5g (15%)4g20g (80%) H20g
JERF Bar (Cinnamon Raisin) 1 Bar (50g)22010g (15%)1g (5%DV)6g12g (48%) H13g
Luna Bar (caramel walnut brownie). 1 bar (48g)2008g (12%)3.5g (18%)10g3g (12%)8g
Muscle Foods Muscle Sandwich (peanut butter graham cracker). 1 bar (57g)29016g (24%) H5g (25%) H15g2g (4%)13g
Muscle Tech Mission 1 (cookies & cream).1 bar (60g)2007g (11%)2.5g (13%)1g17g (68%)21g
Natures Valley Protein Chew Bars (peanut butter dark chocolate). 1 bar (40g)19012g (18%)3.5g (17%)6g5g (20%) H10g
No Cow Bar by Ds Naturals. (Mint Coaco Chip). 1 bar (60g)1605g (8%)2g (10%)1g19g (76%)20g
NoGii (Elizabeth Hasselbeck) (chocolate coconut). 1 bar (54g)2308g (12%)5g(25%) H14g2g (8%)17g
Oatmega (chocolate coconut chrisp). 1 bar (50g)1907g (11%)2g (10%)5g7g(28% ) H14g
Oh Yeah! (Chocolate Carmel) 1 bar 85g38019g (30%) H7g (33%) H8g4g(15%)26g
Oh Yeah! Almond Fudge Browne. 1 bar (45g)1909g (14%)3g (15% )4g3g (12%)14g
Oh Yeah! One (chocolate chip cookie dough). 1 bar (60g)2108g (12%)5g (25%) H1g10g (40%) H21g
ON Opti-bar (chocolate chip cookie dough). 1 bar (60g)2307g (11%)2g (10%)4g9g (36%)20g
Orgain Organic Protein (peanut butter chocolate chunk). 1 bar (40g)1506g (9%)1.5g (8%)5g6g(24%) H10g
ON Protein Cake Bites (chocolate dipped cherry). 3 bites (63g)2407g4g (20%) H4g0g20g
Power Crunch Protein Energy (french vanilla ice cream). 1 Bar (40g)20013g (20%) H6g (30%) H5g1g (4%)14g
Promax Protein Bar (cookies n cream). 1 bar (75g)2704.5g (7%)3g (15%)30g1g (4%)20g
Pure Protein Bar (Dark chocolate coconut). 1 bar (50g)1905g (8%)4.5g (23%) H1g2g (8%)19g
Quest Bar (Chocolate chip cookie dough) 1 bar (60g)1909g(14%)2.5g(13%)<1g14g (56%) H21g
RXBAR Whole Food Protein Bar (chocolate sea salt). 1 bar (52g)2109g (13%)2g (10%)15g6g (24%)12g
Think Thin (chocolate fudge) 1 bar (60g)2308g (12%)3g(15%)0g1g (4%)20g
Vega Sport (Chocolate Coconut). 1 bar (60g)2509g (14%)4.5g (23%) H19g4g (16%)15g

Additional Protein Bar Information

Here is additional information about the protein bars mentioned in this review.

22 Days (walnut fudge brownie) by Co-Exist Nutrition is USDA organic and contains 34g total carbs (11%DV), 0g trans fat, 0mg sodium and is Plant-Based.

Arnold Muscle Bar (Arnold Schwarzenegger) (Muscle Pharm) (Chocolate brownie) has 5g of monounsaturated fat, 2g of polyunsaturated fat, 0g trans fat, 25mg cholesterol (8%DV), 355mg of sodium (15%DV), 85mg potassium (2%DV), 30g of total carbs (10%DV).

Best Protein Bar Apple crunch cake  (BPI Sports) has 10 mg of cholesterol, 29g of total carbs (10%DV),  zero trans fat, 105mg sodium (4%DV) and 6g of sugar alcohols. The Best bar is also gluten-free, has 6g of net carbs and contains stevia.

BHU Fit Bar (BHU Foods) has 0 mg of cholesterol, 250mg of potassium, 14g of total carbs (5%DV) and 75mg sodium (3%DV). The BHU Fit bar is also non-GMO, gluten-free and “grass-fed whey.”

Cliff Bar Builders Bar (chocolate peanut butter). The bar has 0g cholesterol, 340mg sodium (14%DV), 180mg potassium (5%DV), 29g total carbs (10%DV), 2g soluble fiber and 6g of “other carbs.”

Combat Crunch Bar (Muscle Pharm, chocolate chip cookie dough) is gluten-free and has 2g monounsaturated fat, 1g polyunsaturated fat, 18mg cholesterol (6%DV), 160 mg sodium (7%DV), 25g of total carbs (8%DV), 100mg of potassium (2%DV), and 1g sugar alcohols.

Complete Cookie (Lenny & Larry's) chocolate chip flavor.  The cookie contains no eggs, no dairy, no soy, is non-GMO, vegan and kosher. It contains 1g of monounsaturated fat, zero trans fat, 0mg cholesterol 220mg of sodium (9%DV) and has 24g of to total carbs (8%DV).

Detour Simple (salted caramel cookie dough) has 15mg cholesterol (5%DV), zero trans fat, 100mg of potassium (3%DV), 22g of total carbs (7%DV) and 210mg sodium (9% DV). This bar is also gluten-free and non-GMO.

Fit Crunch Bar (Chef Robert Irvine) (Peanut butter flavor).  See the Fit Crunch Bar review for more info.

Fit Elite Bar (Chef Robert Irvine) (birthday cake) also1g polyunsaturated fat, 2g monounsaturated fat,  zero-g trans fat, 10mg cholesterol (3%DV), 250mg sodium  (10%DV), 50mg potassium (1%DV), 24g of total carbs (8%DV) and 5g sugar alcohols.

Fit Joy bar (frosted cinnamon roll) has 10mg cholesterol (3%DV), 170mg sodium (7%DV), 105mg of potassium (3%DV), and 23mg of total carbs (8%DV). The Fit Joy bar is gluten-free, GMO-Free and has no artificial flavors, colors or sweeteners.

Gatorade Whey Protein Bar (chocolate chip). See the Gatorade Protein Bar review for more info.

Gourmet Cheesecake Protein Bar (Ansi) (chocolate peanut butter cheesecake) is naturally flavored, “100% clean,” non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, zero sugar alcohols and is hormone-free (rBST/rBGH). It has zero trans fat, 10mg cholesterol (3%DV), 210mg sodium (9%DV), 115mg potassium (3%DV) and 26g total carbs (9%DV).

JERF (Just Eat Real Food) Bar is non-GMO, gluten-free, soy-free, dairy-free, vegan, kosher and USDA certified organic. It has zero trans fat, zero cholesterol and 40 mg of sodium (2%DV).

Luna Bar is non-GMO, made with organic chocolate and has 1.5g  polyunsaturated fat, 2.5g monounsaturated fat, zero trans fat, 150mg of potassium, 26g of total carbs (9%DV), 125mg sodium (5%DV), 1g of insoluble fiber and 13g of “other carbohydrate.”

Muscle Sandwich by Muscle Foods (peanut butter graham cracker) has 5 mg of cholesterol (2%DV), zero trans fat, 210 mg of potassium (6%DV), 25 g of total carbs (11%DV) and 140mg sodium (6% DV). The Muscle Sandwich bar is made with 100% real peanut butter.

Muscle Tech Mission 1 (cookies & cream) has zero trans fat, 5 mg cholesterol (2%DV), 180mg sodium (8%DV), 22g of total carbs (7%DV), zero sugar alcohols and is gluten-free with no artificial flavors or colors.

No Cow Bar by D's Nutritionals is all-natural, non-GMO, vegan, high fiber has no sugar added, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, lactose-free and “guilt-free.” It has zero cholesterol, zero trans fat, 27g total carbs (9%DV), 210mg sodium (9%DV)  and 4g sugar alcohols.

Nogii Bar (Elizabeth Hasselbeck) is gluten-free and has 0mg cholesterol, zero trans fat, 24g total carbs (8%DV) and 150mg sodium (6%DV).

Oatmega (chocolate coconut crisp) has 300mg of EPA and DHA (fish oils), 20mg cholesterol  (7%DV), zero trans fat, 21g of total carbs (7%DV) and 120mg sodium (5%DV). The oatmega bar is also gluten-free and non-GMO.

Oh Yeah! Bar (chocolate caramel) 31g of total carbs (10%DV), 3.5g of polyunsaturated fat, 7g of monounsaturated fat, zero trans fat, 130mg sodium (5%DV), 15 grams of sugar alcohols, 5mg of cholesterol (1% DV) and 76mg of potassium (2% DV).

Oh Yeah! (Almond Fudge Brownie) has 1g of polyunsaturated fat, 2g of monounsaturated fat, 0 mg cholesterol, zero trans fat, 80mg of potassium 2% DV, 18g of total carbs (9% DV), 45mg sodium (2%DV) and 9g of sugar alcohols. This bar is also gluten-free.

Oh Yeah! One (chocolate chip cookie dough) has 1g of polyunsaturated fat, 2g of monounsaturated fat, zero trans fat, 110g of potassium 3% DV), 125 mg sodium (5%DV) and 11 g of sugar alcohols. This Oh Yeah! the bar is also gluten-free.

Opti-bar by ON (chocolate chip cookie dough) has 5mg cholesterol (2%DV), 190 mg sodium (8%DV), 23 g of total carbs (8%DV) and 3g of sugar alcohols.

Orgain Organic Protein Bar (peanut butter chocolate chunk) has 0mg of cholesterol, zero trans fat, 60mg of potassium (2%DV), 18g total carbs (6%DV) 115mg sodium (5%DV) and 3 grams of sugar alcohols. The Orgain bar also is a “plant-based” bar.

Natures Valley Protein Chew Bars (peanut butter dark chocolate) is gluten-free and has zero trans fat, 1g polyunsaturated fat, 7g monounsaturated fat, 0g cholesterol, 180mg sodium (7%DV), and 14g of total carbs (5%DV).

Power Crunch Protein Energy Bar by BioNutritionals (french vanilla cream) has 10 mg cholesterol (4%DV),  zero trans fat, 160mg of potassium (5%DV), 100 mg sodium (4%DV) and 8g of total carbs.

Promax Protein Bar (cookies n cream) is gluten-free and has zero cholesterol, 240mg of sodium (10%DV), 250 mg of potassium (7%DV), and 40g of total carbs (13%DV).

Pure Protein Bar (Dark chocolate coconut) is gluten-free and has zero cholesterol, 160mg of sodium (7%DV), 19 g of total carbs (6%DV) and 6 grams of sugar alcohols.

Quest Bar (chocolate chip cookie dough) has zero trans fat, 5mg of cholesterol (2%DV), 115mg of potassium (3%DV), 20g of total carbs (7%DV), 210mg sodium (9%DV) and 2g of sugar alcohols. The Quest bar is also gluten-free, has no sugar added and has 4 net carbs.

RXBAR Whole Food Protein Bar (chocolate sea salt) is gluten-free, soy-free has no GMO ingredients and is dairy-free. It also has zero cholesterol, 240mg sodium (10%DV), 350mg potassium (10%DV) and 22g total carbs (8%DV).

Think Thin Bar (chocolate fudge) has less than 5mg of cholesterol (o%DV),  zero trans fat, 24g of total carbs, 210mg sodium (9%DV)  and 12g of sugar alcohols. The Think Thin bar is also gluten-free, non-GMO and has a low glycemic index.

Vega Sport Bar (chocolate coconut) has 0 mg of cholesterol, zero trans fat, 29g of total carbs, and 40mg sodium (2%DV). The Vega Sport bar also contains 2.6g of BCAAs, 2 g of glutamine and 1g of omega 3 fatty acids. It's non-GMO verified too.

Sugar Alcohols

Several protein bars reviewed above-listed sugar alcohols on their Nutrition Facts labels. What are they? Sugar alcohols are sugars but they have fewer calories than other carbohydrates.   This is often used to reduce the calorie content of foods.  While sugar has 4 calories per gram, sugar alcohols have less. According to this Fact Sheet, here are the calories in common sugar alcohols:

  • Sorbitol  : 2.6 calories/ gram
  • Xylitol: 2.4 calories /gram
  • Maltitol: 2.1 calories /gram
  • Erythritol: 0-.02 calories/gram

Sugar alcohols can also be used to help food taste better or have a better texture.  They also tend to have a lower glycemic index compared to table sugar, so they don't raise blood sugar as fast. That can be good for those with diabetes and pre-diabetes. Despite the name, sugar alcohols are not alcohol so they won't cause people to fail a Breathalyzer test or become impaired while driving, etc.

Sugar alcohols can also be classified as a prebiotic because our bacteria can eat them for energy. This can cause some types to increase gas production. While they might have some health benefits, sugar alcohols might not mesh well with people with digestion issues like irritable bowel syndrome.

Aren't Protein Bars Just Candy Bars?

Protein bars are not all candy bars because. For one thing, they do, tend to have more protein than your typical piece of junk food. Many protein bars have added vitamins and minerals too.

That said, I can understand why some would make the comparison.  For example, here is the nutrition information for a Hershey's Milk Chocolate Bar (43g):

  • Calories: 210
  • Total Fat: 13g (20% H)
  • Saturated fat: 8g (40% H)
  • Sugars: 24g
  • Fiber: 1g
  • Protein: 3g

Protein bars tend to weigh a bit more than candy bars (43 grams in this example. Some bars weigh are over 60g) but this can give readers a rough idea when comparing protein bars to a basic candy bar. In the bullet list, “H” means it's high in the respective nutrient.

Some of the protein bars in the table above have almost as much – if not more – sugar than a candy bar.  Several protein bars summarized above have more calories than a candy bar too.

Readers should judge for themselves if the protein is worth the added calories and fat some bars contain.

What The Bars Have In Common

Many protein bars – although not all – claim that they are gluten-free and contain no genetically modified organisms (Non-GMO). Those with allergies to nuts, wheat, soy and wheat, should check the wrappers.  Many bars alert consumers that they are made in factories that contain ingredients that some may be allergic to.

Most protein bars have very little sodium, containing for the most part, less than 10% of one's daily value for this nutrient. That is good for those watching their salt intake because of high blood pressure.

Generally, the majority of protein bars are lacking in the mineral, potassium. While sodium can raise blood pressure, potassium lowers blood pressure. Fruits and vegetables are good sources of potassium.

While the majority of protein bars make the claim of containing “Zero Trans Fat,” some still contain high amounts of saturated fat.

Some bars have lots of sugar.

 

Who Needs Extra Protein?

While I'm sure the typical person who buys a protein bar is someone who works out a lot, I think a case can also be made for some older adults. After the age of 50, we tend to start losing muscle tissue at a rate of about 1% to 2% per year. This is due to a condition called sarcopenia. Sarcopenia is defined as muscle loss as we get older and it can actually start in our 30s.

Some things that can contribute to sarcopenia include:

  • lower calorie intake
  • lower protein intake
  • digestion issues
  • wearing dentures
  • lower anabolic hormone levels
  • lack of appropriate types of exercise (strength training)

Because protein bars provide both protein and calories, I think they might be useful to some older adults. That said, remember, some protein bars may be dense and hard to bite into and chew. This can be a challenge for folks who use dentures. In this instance, a protein shake might be preferable.

Most Protein. Fewest Calories

From the table above, the protein bars that have at least 20g of protein, less than 200 calories and are low in fat and saturated fat include:

 

Protein Bar Side Effects

For those who are healthy, I don't think there are any really bad side effects. Some protein bars contain sugar alcohols and fiber which might make people gassy. Bars that are dense and hard to bite into can be an issue for those with dentures. Bars that are high in saturated fat should be avoided by those with heart disease.

While protein -as its normally consumed – won't hurt healthy kidneys, those with unhealthy kidneys should seek guidance from a health professional such as an RD. Many bars contain a lot of calories. This can contribute to weight gain in those who are not working out enough.

Which Protein Bar Is Best?

It would be easy to say, grab the bar that has the most protein, but that might not always be best.  Some high bars might also be high in fat, saturated fat and calories, making them basically high protein candy bars. Also, different people may have different needs or wants; some might prefer soy protein while others might look for whey protein. Looking at the ingredients and nutrition facts labels is important.

Don't choose a bar just by what you see displayed on the wrapper. Food label claims can divert your attention from what's important. When you see special claims being made (non-GMO, trans-fat-free, how much protein, etc.) ask yourself “what aren't they telling me?” Checking the Nutrition Facts label (and ingredients list) can often provide insights that could be missed if only looking at the front of the wrapper or box.

If weight loss is the goal look for a protein bar, that has 200 or fewer calories, and at least 15g to 20g of protein some fiber like this one.

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Performance ·

Robert Irvine Fit Crunch Bar Is It Healthy?

Update: 9/10/22. I was checking out at a local convenience store when my eyes caught a glimpse of Chef Robert Irving's Fit Crunch Bar. While I didn't know who chef Robert Irving was (I live under a rock), the word “Fit” caught my attention as did the fact that this bar contained whey protein and was “baked.” So I became curious and purchased it for this review. Is the Fit Crunch bar healthy? Would it be good for someone who wants to stay fit and healthy? Let's look at the ingredients and see what we can discover. See the Gatorade Way Protein Bar review and the FoodBabe TruVani Only Bar review for more insights.

 

Fit Crunch Protein Bar Nutrition Information

According to the label of the product I purchased (Peanut Butter flavor), each Fit Crunch Bar (88 grams) has 388 calories. Of those, 140 calories come from fat. Here is a breakdown of the nutrition information in each bar:

NutrientAmount Per ServingPercent Daily Value
Total Fat16 grams25% DV
Saturated Fat8 grams40% DV
Polyunsaturated Fat2 grams
Monounsaturated Fat6 grams
Trans Fat0 grams
Cholesterol30 milligrams10% DV
Sodium490 milligrams20% DV
Potassium100 milligrams2% DV
Total Carbohydrate27 grams9% DV
Dietary Fiber2 grams8% DV
Sugars6 grams
Sugar Alcohols16 grams
Protein30 grams
Vitamin A8% DV
Vitamin C2% DV
Calcium8% DV
Iron10% DV

In the table above, where you don't see a percent daily value (empty box), it means no percent DV has been established.

 

So what does this table tell us? Here is a quick summary of what I noticed:

1. The Fit Crunch bar has a lot of calories

The Fit Crunch protein bar has 388 calories in just 3 oz (88 grams). That is a lot. Mind you, that's not necessarily a bad thing. It just depends on who you are. For someone who works out a lot (more than 1 hour a day, every day), extra calories can make a positive difference in the gym or on the playing field.

For the person who is on the run occasionally, I could overlook this also. But, for those who sit at a desk 8 hours a day and do minimal exercise activities, there are much better options available.

 

2. The Fit Crunch bar is high in fat

We know this because each bar has 388 calories and of those, 140 calories come from fat. If we do a little bit of math (140 ÷ 388), we discover that the Fit bar gets 36% of its calories from fat.

The Nutrition Label also tells us it's high in fat too. If you look at the table above (or the bar itself if you have one with you) and look at “Total Fat,” you can see it has 16 grams of fat. Just to the right of that, you also see that those 16 grams contribute 25% of your daily value for fat.

The Daily Value represents the amount of a nutrient you are allowed to consume daily. According to the FDA, anything that is at least 20% is considered “high” in that nutrient. Since the Fit Crunch Bar comes in at 25%, it's also considered a “high fat” product.

Original Fit Crunch Bar Supplement Facts Label

This is the original nutrition facts label for the bar. As you can see, the protein bar originally was 88 grams and had 380 calories.

3. The Fit Crunch Bar is high in saturated fat

The nutrition label above shows that each protein bar contains 8 grams of saturated fat. Remember that whenever you see “20% or more” in the Daily Value column, it means “high.” The Fit Crunch Bar provides a whopping 40% of our daily value for fat. This means it's high in saturated fat.

 

4. The Fit Crunch Bar is high in sodium

From the nutrition label, we see that this protein bar provides 490 mg of sodium, representing 20% of the amount of sodium we should aim for per day. Anything that is 20% or more is “high” so the Fit Crunch  Bar is high in sodium too.

While athletes might benefit from some extra sodium, the facts are clear that most people in the US (and likely other developed countries too) eat too much sodium already. As I pointed out in my review of how to lower blood pressure naturally, sodium is in a LOT of foods you probably already eat.

Sure, athletes might need more sodium (to offset what they lose in sweat) but if you are not working out for a few hours a day in the heat, odds are you already eat too much sodium.

Most people eat too much sodium and not enough foods that have potassium.

 

5. The Fit Crunch Bar is low in potassium

The nutrition label above tells us that each bar only has 100 mg of potassium. That gives us only 2% of what we should be getting per day. This lack of potassium in the diet is such a problem, that when the new Food Label rolls out in the US, potassium will be listed. Potassium is a very important mineral. Aim for 4700 mg of potassium per day. Most people don't get this much.

A lot of fitness people are concerned with nitric oxide (NO) which causes vasodilation (opening up) of blood vessels. Potassium causes vasodilation by increasing nitric oxide release. That is one-way potassium helps our blood vessels and blood pressure stay healthy.

To be fair, most fitness and protein bars don't have much potassium.

 

How Much Protein?

Each Fit Crunch bar provides 30 grams of protein. That's a good amount. The protein comes from a combination of whey protein isolate and whey protein concentrate. This forms what is called a “FortiFX” proprietary blend.  The word “FortiFX” is a trademarked word that is owned by Perich Investments LLC.  That means little to most people. I provide it for those who might be interested.

The Fit Crunch Bar also contains soy protein isolate, although not as much as whey. See the ingredients list below.

 

Fit Crunch Protein Bar Ingredients

Here are the ingredients in order as they appeared on the product I purchased:

Whey Protein IsolateWhey Protein ConcentrateSoy Protein Isolate
Palm OilVegetable GlycerinSugar
SorbitolGelatinPalm Oil
Brown Rice FlowerMaltitolWater
Corn SyrupCocoa (processed with Alkali)Salt
Sunflower OilMonoglyceridesDextrose
MaltodextrinCarmel ColorVanilla
Sodium CaseinatePropylene Glycol MonoestersSoy Lecithin
Natural FlavorsTapioca StearchSucralose
Acetylated MonoglyceridesMono and DiblyceridesNatural Tocopherols
Beta CaroteneVitamin A PalmitateCitric Acid
WheyPotassium SorbateSilicon Dioxide
AlmondsBaking Soda

Read the table from left to right. Ingredients listed first are present the most. Those at the bottom of the table are present the least. For example, since baking soda is the last ingredient, it's present in the least amount.

As can be seen, soy protein isolate is the 3rd ingredient on the list. While that means it's present prominently, how much soy makes up the 30 grams of protein in the bar, I can't say.

I don't mention soy to disparage it. While I know soy has its detractors, I'll point out that at least one study noted that while both soy and whey produced similar gains in muscle mass, soy appeared better at maintaining antioxidant levels.

 

What Are The Sweeteners?

From the ingredients listed above, it looks like the sweeteners in the bar may come primarily from the following ingredients, which I list in order as they appear on the label:

  • Sugar
  • Sorbitol
  • Maltitol
  • Corn syrup
  • Cocoa
  • Dextrose
  • Vanilla
  • Natural flavors (maybe. It depends on what these are)
  • Sucralose (Splenda)

New Improved Robert Irving Fit Crunch Bar

The company may have been listening to criticisms by me and others because the protein bar has been reformulated (sort of). Basically, they decreased the size of the bar from 88 grams to 46 grams (less than 2 oz). Reducing the size of the bar effectively cuts in half the fat, saturated fat etc that it has. Here is the new Nutrition Facts Label

1 bar 46 gramsAmountPercent Daily Value
Calories 190190
Total Fat8g10%
Saturated Fat4g20%
Monounsaturated fat3g
Polyunsaturated fat1g
trans fat0g
Cholesterol10 mg3%
Sodium200 mg9%
Total Carbs14 g5%
Dietary Fiber1 g4%
Total Sugars3 g
Added sugars2 g4%
Sugar alcohols8 g
Protein16 g24%
Vitamin D 0 g
Calcium40 mg4%
Iron0.8 mg4%
Potassium140 mg2%

What Does The New Fit Crunch Nutrition Facts Label Tell Us?

The daily values tell us if a food is high or low in key nutrients. If you see 5% or less, it means it's low in nutrients. If you see 20% or more, it means it's high in that nutrient. From the Nutrition Facts label, we can see that this smaller version of the Fit Crunch Bar is:

Still calorie dense with 190 calories in less than 2 oz (46 grams)

  • High in saturated fat
  • High in protein
  • It contains a moderate amount of sodium
  • Low in fiber
  • Low in potassium
  • Low in total carbs

For the average person who does not eat well, to begin with, how is a high calorie/high saturated fat bar qualify as “fit?”Most Americans do not eat enough potassium-rich foods. Potassium is a key electrolyte If Mr. Irving was looking to improve fitness and health, why not add a bit more potassium to the bar?

What About Allergies?

The ingredients list table above also tells us that the product “contains milk, soy, peanut, and almond products and that it was “manufactured in a plant that processes milk, soy, whey, tree nut, peanut and egg products.

 

Fit Crunch vs. Fit Elite

Chef Robert Irving also has a “Fit Elite” protein bar too. From what I can determine, the Fit Elite Bar tends to have fewer calories and fat than the Fit Crunch Bar.  Here's a quick summary of how they compare to each other:

Fit Crunch Bar. 1 Bar (88g) Peanut butterFit Elite Bar. 1 bar (60g) Birthday cake
Calories388180
Fat16g (25%DV)5g (8%DV)
Saturated Fat8g (40%DV)2g (10%DV)
Sodium490mg (20%DV)250mg (10%DV)
Fiber2g (8%DV)15g (60%DV)
Protein30g20g

As can be seen, the Fit Elite bar has significantly fewer calories, fat, saturated fat, and sodium than the Fit Crunch bar. It's a better choice as I see it. Update. The Fit Elite bar no longer appears on FitCrunch.com so it may have been discontinued. The current version of the Fit Crunch bar, however does share some similarities with the Fit Elite bar.

See the Protein Bar Comparison Review for more on many other protein bars.

Who Makes The Fit Crunch Bar?

The product label tells us that the protein bar is “carefully  manufactured by Bakery Barn for Pervine Foods LLC.”  Bakery Barn (Bakery-Barn.com) is located at 111 Terence Drive, Pittsburgh, PA 15236 USA. The Bakery Barn website was registered in 2000 by Sean Perich. Chef Robert Irvine's name also is on the label. Therefore, it's possible the company name Per-vine is a combination of last names Mr. Perich and Mr. Irvine. 

As a side note – basically trivia at this point – in 2015 Nestle, the maker of the Nestle Crunch Bar sued Pervine Foods because they said the labels of both items looked similar. Nestle alleged people would confuse the Fit Crunch Bar for the Nestle Crunch Bar. That sounds frivolous to me. I don't think the wrappers look anything like each other, but that's my opinion. Take it for what it's worth.

 

How Does It Taste?

The Fit Crunch protein bar is crunchy on the outside and had a dry taste on the inside. Overall, I really wasn't wowed by the taste. It didn't taste bad, although I didn't think it tasted good either. Except for the crunch, I thought it tasted kind of bland. Taste is a personal thing and I respect those who feel differently.

Where Can You Buy Fit Crunch Snak Bars

This is a popular product so you can likely get it at local shops such as Walmart, Target, 7-11, WaWa, Sam's Club, Costco, Krogers, Vitamin Shoppe, GNC, Vitamin World, Dollar General, Publix, Giant supermarket, Safeway and at gas stations like Exton and Hess. You Can also purchase it on Amazon and directly from Mr. Irving on his FitCrunch.com website.

Fit Crunch Bar Side Effects

I think the only people who might have immediate side effects would be those who have allergies to the ingredients mentioned above in the Allergies Section. For people watching their weight, eating too many Fit Crunch bars, without limiting other calories and/or exercise could lead to weight gain. Remember this bar is marked to people who are “fit” and that implies those who work out a lot. The fat content could temporarily raise cholesterol and triglyceride levels which may be an issue for some people.

Other Protein Bar Reviews

Here are reviews on other nutrition bars worth looking at

Is The Fit Crunch Bar Healthy?

It's my opinion that most protein bars that make claims about how much protein they have, often contain higher amounts of fat and saturated fat. That is what I've seen before although I'm sure there are exceptions to that rule. While my guess is that most people probably get more than enough protein already, if you think you need more, then the Fit Crunch Bar might suit your needs – once in a while.

I don't feel this is a good bar to eat on a regular basis because it's high in calories, and saturated fat, both of which are things most people already eat too much. Once in a while like on a road trip is fine, but don't eat it every day.

What Do You Think?

Weight Loss ·

XLS Medical Review Max Strength Review: Does It Work? Detailed Review Of Ingredients

Updated 1/14/20. “Reach your weight loss goal even faster.” That's what they say on the website for XLS Medical Max Strength, a weight loss supplement that's popular in Great Britain and the European Union. The supplement claims to be the “First slimming aid to reduce calorie intake  from carbohydrates, sugar and fat” that is also “clinically proven.” In this review, I'll look at the active ingredient in XLS Max Strength (called Clavitanol) as well as the research I could locate. Hopefully, by the end of this review, you will have a better idea of whether XLS Medical Max Strength is right for you.

 

XLS Medical Max Strength Ingredients

From what I was able to discover, the active ingredient in XLS Max Strength is something called “Clavitanol.” The supplement also contains other ingredients (called excipients) that are present as binders and fillers and have no known weight loss effects. Those other are ingredients are as follows:

  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC)
  • Tricalcium phosphate
  • Magnesium stearate

I won't cover these in the review because I don't feel they contribute to any weight loss effects. I know some feel strongly about some of these ingredients and that is why I've listed them here.

Let's next discuss the product's active ingredient- Clavitanol and its research.

 

What Is Clavitanol?

The active ingredient in XLS Medical Max Strength is something called “Clavitanol” (cla-vit-an-ol). The term Clavitanol is a made-up word (it's trademarked) and is a product of a pharmaceutical company called InQpharm, which is based in Malaysia. InQpharm, in turn, is owned by another company, called Zaluvida.

At Clavitanol.com, we are told that this product is a“plant-based polyphenol complex.” There are many different types of polyphenols. I'm not

sure what polyphenols are in Clavitanol.

We are also told that Clavitanol has -as its “active ingredient” – something called IQP VV 102. Whether or not Clavitanol is the same thing as IQP-VV-102 or if this is just part of the Clavitanol compound. I'm not sure. The company websites I saw were quite vague about this.

 

Nevertheless, from the research I found (which I'll cover below), IQP-VV-102 is composed of a proprietary blend of:

  • 600 mg Arabinose (a type of sugar)
  • 45 mg Grape marc extract

 

According to this study, Arabinose is said to work by inhibiting the breakdown of glucose.

According to Wikipedia, grape mark -also called pomace – refers to the solid remains of grapes and includes the pulp, seeds, skins and stems of grapes. This substance contains a variety of healthy compounds, some of which are said to inhibit carbohydrate breakdown. By inhibiting carb breakdown, it also reduces the calories absorbed from that breakdown.

Grape marc also contains fiber. How much fiber is in Clavitanol? I don't know. Clavianol contains an extract of grape marc, but exactly what that extract is, I also do not know.

 

XLS Medical Max Strength Research

While I cannot locate any peer-reviewed clinical studies on XLS  Medical Max Strength – itself -there is some research on its active ingredient, called, Clavitanol (IQP-VV-102).

 

In a study, published in 2015, entitled IQP-VV-102, a Novel Proprietary Composition for Weight Reduction: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial for Evaluation of Efficacy and Safety, researchers gave randomly gave 120 overweight Caucasian men and women (18-60 years of age) either a placebo or IQP-VV-102 for 14 weeks.

During the study, people took either:

  • 2 tablets of IQP-VV-102 twice a day (4 tablets per day)
  • 2 placebo tablets, twice a day

before the two biggest meals of the day.

 

The study tells us that each tablet of IQP-VV-102 contained 600 mg of Arabinose and 45 mg of grape marc extract. Since the people were

taking 4 tablets per day, this equals 2400 mg of arabinose and 180 mg of grape mark extract.

The people were told to eat a mildly low calorie diet (20% less than normal) during the study. The people kept diaries of what they ate and were also encouraged to perform moderate exercise like walking.

Body fat was determined using bioelectric impedance analysis. The researchers used the TanitaBC-420 SMA body fat analyzer.

 

After the study, it was found that those who took IQP-VV-102 (Clavitanol) lost an average of 3.29 kg (about 7.2 pounds) while those who took the placebo lost an average of only 0.83 kg (about 1.8 pounds).

Those getting IQP VV 102 also saw significantly more fat loss and lower waist circumferences.

 

Overall, this study appears to be well done (although I wished the researchers also included a group who just took IQP VV 102 without modifying diet and exercise). In other words, how much did eating less and exercise play a role in the observed weight loss?

This appears to the only human study published on Clavitanol (IQP VV 102). I'll update this part of the review as I become aware of more research.

 

Max Strength vs. XLS Medical Fat Binder

It appears that XLS Medical Max Strength is supposed to be a more efficient weight loss product than, the other flagship product the company has, called simply XLS Medical Fat Binder.

What is the difference?

Well, for one thing, the Max Strength supplement is a carb blocker. XLS Medical Fat binder, is, well, a fat blocker. Whether something blocks fat or blocks carbs, remember this means it's really blocking the calories in those foods.

In addition, the XLS Fat Binder (as well as another product called XLS Direct Fat Binder) contains an ingredient called Litramine (lit-tra-mean), which is derived from a type of cactus called Opuntia ficus-indica. In the research, Litramine is called “IQP G-002AS.”

One study on Litramine, titled: A Natural Fiber Complex Reduces Body Weight in the Overweight and Obese: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Study, was published in 2013 and involved 125 overweight adults and lasted 12 weeks.

The people were randomly given either a placebo or 3 grams of Litramine (IQP G-002AS) per day for 12 weeks.

The people were instructed to reduce their calories by 500 calories per day and have no more than 30% of their diet come from fat and add in 30 minutes of moderate exercise like walking or cycling.

This study was conducted very similarly to the Clavitanol study summarized above.

At the end of 12 weeks, those taking 3 grams of Litramine per day lost significantly more weight than those taking the placebo. Specifically, those taking Litraminie lost 3.8 kg (8.4 pounds) compared to a loss of 1.4 kg (3 pounds) in the placebo group. Those taking Litraminie also saw significantly greater losses in BMI and waist circumferences too.

It's worth mentioning that the cactus Opuntia ficus-indica  – from which Litraminie is derived – also has weight loss research. I covered that research in more detail in these studies:

See those reviews for additional information.

The XLS Medical website provides a comparison (see picture) that appears to show that XLS Medical Max Strength provides 33% more weight loss than regular XLS Medical.

But, at the bottom of the picture, it says “data on file.” That probably means the company has the results in their files. It might also mean the evidence that one is better than another has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed medical journal.

If the data of the head-to-head comparison between Litraminie and Clavitanol become published, I'll update this portion of the review.

 

Does Clavitanol Block Fat?

XLS Medical Max Strength is said to block carbs, sugar, AND fat. But, I see no good evidence that Clavitanol blocks fat. The research study summarized above on Clavitanol does not mention it blocking fat from people. Clavitanol only appears to block carbs (sugar too because carbs are basically sugar molecules).

By blocking carbs (and sugar), the supplement helps people reduce calorie intake, especially when combined with eating fewer calories and some exercise.

I freely admit that when this review was written, I did not have access to an actual bottle of XLS Medical Max Strength to see exactly what was in it. As such, it's possible there may be other ingredients that I was not aware of. If I am incorrect and there are other ingredients present (such as the fat blocker, Litramine), I hope someone will let me know so I can update this review if needed.

 

Does It Contain Stimulants?

As far as I can tell XLS Medical supplements contain no stimulants like caffeine, bitter orange, higenamine, etc. As a rule, always read the labels of supplements (or contact the maker of the products you take) to make sure.

 

Who Makes XLS Medical?

The company is called Omega Pharma. This is the company which registered the website in 2012. Omega Pharma is a Belgium-based company. Their website is Omega-Pharma.com. According to their website, they are a maker of “prescription-free health and personal care products.”

Omega Pharm was founded in 1987. According to this Forbes article, the company was sold in 2014 to the pharmaceutical company, Perrigo. Omega Pharm is a subsidiary of Perrigo.

Therefore, Perrigo is the parent company of Omega Pharma and thus, XLS Medical supplements.

Omega Pharma is located at Industrial Zoning De Prijkels Venecoweg 26 9810 Nazareth Belgium. Their contact phone number is  +32 9 381 04 81. Their contact email is info@omega-pharma.com.

Perrigo corporate headquarters is located at this address: Treasury Building, Lower Grand Canal St., Dublin 2, Ireland.

Their phone number is +353 1 709 4000.

 

XLS Medical Side Effects

Based on what I can see, the supplement appears safe for most people. At the time this review was written, no side effects in clinical studies have been reported for Clavitanol. Likewise, for those taking Litramine, the active ingredient in XLS Medical (the non-max strength supplement), no side effects have been reported either.

With respect to Litramine, some bring up that this fat blocker might deplete the body of fat-soluble vitamins (A,E, D, and K). I think for the most part, this is a worst-case scenario. Most people in industrialized countries are not lacking in these vitamins (except maybe vitamin D which many are lacking).

If fat blockers, like Litraminie do reduce fat-soluble vitamin absorption, my guess is they would take several months before those effects would become significant. Supplements often add in these vitamins to offset any deficiency.

One person has reported excess gas (farting) after starting XLS Medical. See the comments below.

For those who are under age 18, pregnant, nursing or who are within 2-3 weeks of having surgery, or take any medications, speak to your doctor and pharmacist first.

 

Did I try XLS Medical?

I did not experiment with XLS medical as part of this review to see if it really worked or not. I usually don't try the supplements I review. Some may call this a limitation to my review (in other words, “how do you know if it works if you didn't try it?”) but I prefer, instead, to show people the research I uncovered to help them better understand the products they take.

If you tried XLS Medical supplements, let me know below if it worked – or didn't – by leaving a comment below.

 

Does XLS Medical Work?

The research on the active ingredient in XLS Medical Max Strength (Clavitanol) appears to be well done and does seem to show those taking it lost more weight than those taking a placebo. Remember though, that the people in the study also ate fewer calories and exercised too.

What Do You Think?

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