You can tell by the name that Lean and Fab is supposed to help you, get lean and look “fabulous” . But, does it work? The website sure gives the impression it does but what are the real facts? Is it a scam? Let’s now review Lean and Fab and its ingredients and potential side effects and try to help you see if it might be right for you.
Lean And Fab Website
When I went to the Lean and Fab website on 9/20/11 a few things jumped out at me. The first thing was that most of the pictures of the women on the Lean and Fab website were of Asian /Polynesian decent. This made me think that Lean and Fab might be made outside of the US, maybe the Philippines.
The other thing about the Lean and Fab website is that it’s very difficult to find the address for the company that makes this product. It’s only after I asked a Lean and Fab distributor that I learn that this product is made by a company called Global Fusion (GFI-Force.com) a company that markets several dietary supplements.
When I go to the GFI-Force website, I see that the address of the Global Fusion Company is “Unit 12, 2/F Madison Square Ortigas, Ortigas Ave., cor. Madison St., San Juan Metro Manila 1503 Philippines”
Lean and Fab Ingredients
Lean and Fab contains the following ingredients according to the product website:
- Forslean 100 mg
- Citrin 300 mg
- Fabenol 95 mg
- Bioperine 5 mg
There is also a “synergy of ingredients” picture on the website to give people an idea of what these ingredients are supposed to do. According to the picture:
- Forslean is a “fat breaker and lean body mass enhancer”
- Citrin is a “fat burner and appetite suppressant”
- Fabenol is a “carbohydrate and fat blocker”
- Bioperine “enhances thermogenic activity”
Let’s look at each ingredient and see if these statements have any proof.
Forslean
You may have seen Forslean listed in other supplements as forskolin or Coleus Forskohlii. Forskolin finds itself in many weight loss supplements despite much proof that it works.
One small study from 2005 (15 men got forskolin and 15 got a placebo) noted that 500 mg of coleus forskohlii reduced body fat after 3 months of use. There was also a non significant increase in testosterone levels also.
This is probably the study behind the claim that Forslean is a “lean body mass enhancer.”
This study used 500 mg of coleus forskohlii. Lean and Fab only has 100 mg.
Another study on forskolin from 2005 found that coleus forskohliii might reduce the re-gaining of weight but it had no effect on weight loss.
As for the claim that forslean is a fat blocker, I don’t know where they get this information from. I can’t find any proof that forslean blocks fat or carbs.
For more on Forslean also see my review of Forslean and weight loss.
Citrin
The word “citrin” is a very vague name. It’s only after I go to the Lean and Fab website that I discover that this ingredient is actually Garcinia Cambogia, a supplement that is found in many weight loss supplements. Here is my review of Garcinia Cambogia for more info
This is why citrin is also called “GarCitrin” on the Lean and Fab website. Another name for this ingredient is HCA or hydroxycitric acid.
I think they call this ingredient “Citrin” to try to make people think it’s different from other supplements that call it garcinia cambogia.
There are all sorts of scientific diagrams on the Lean and Fab website to show you how good GarCitrin is, but contrary to these claims, the research currently is mixed as to whether it works or not. Some research has noted that garcinia cambogia may reduce appetite.
Contrary to the Lean and Fab website, the claim about garcinia cambigia and fat oxidation (fat burning) does not seem to be based in good proof.
Citrin has actually been in used several other weight loss supplements that I’ve already looked at including HealtheTrim, SlimFuel and the diabetes supplement, DiabX.
There are many Garcina cambogia products on online. Here is Garcinia cambogia supplement on Amazon that has gotten several good reviews.
Fabenol
The Lean and Fab website says this is an “alpha amylase inhibitor” but that’s just fancy talk for a carb blocker that is derived from kidney beans (also called Phaseolus vulgaris). In other supplements this product is sometimes called “bean pod extract” or Phaseolium.
I think Fabenol is the ingredient behind the “Fab” in Lean and Fab. Either way, Fabenol is an invented name and is not scientifically valid.
Tip. Whenever you see the prefix “phas” or “phase” in a supplement name, it usually refers to a carbohydrate blocker supplement (Phaseolus vulgaris)
Alpha amylase is an enzyme that breaks down carbs. If you inhibit this enzyme, in theory, you prevent carbs from being digested and stored as fat. At least that’s the theory behind carb blocker supplements.
When it comes to this carb blocker and weight loss, it’s a toss-up. some studies find it did help weight loss but others noted that it didn’t help.
A supplement that has shown up in weight loss research is a product called Phase 2. Here is Phase 2 on Amazon for those who want to compare prices.
The study finding that the carb blocker helped weight loss used over 400 mg – which is a LOT more than the 95 mg that Lean and Fab has.
Interestingly, the study that found Phaseolus vulgaris did not help weight loss used even more – 1500 mg!
Personally, I don’t think the tiny amount of Fabenol in Lean and Fab will have any effect on weight loss.
I’ve always found it funny / ironic that this carb blocker comes from beans – which are themselves a carbohydrate!
Bioperine
This is another name for an extract from Black Pepper (Piper longum) and is also called Indian Long Pepper. This extract is known to increase the absorption of other supplements as well as drugs.
So, the hope is that bioperine increases the absorption – and the effectiveness – of the other ingredients in Lean and Fab.
Bioperine is also included in the weight loss supplement, Apidexin that I've already reviewed, for the same reason.
The Thrive Patch, which is used for weight loss and energy also contains derivative of black pepper. See that review for a run down on its evidence.
Recommended Lean And Fab Intake
The website of Lean and Fab gives people an idea of how many Lean and Fab capsules to take depending on how much weight people want to lose. This ranges from 1-2 capsules a day for those who want to lose 5-10 pounds to 4-6 capsules for those needing to lose 30-40 pounds.
My question is how did they arrive at these dosages? Where is the proof that these dosages are correct?
Lean And Fab Side Effects
As far as I can tell Lean and Fab has never been tested clinically in a published study to see if it has any side effects. Therefore, we will have to look at its ingredients to get an idea. These are worse case scenarios based on what might happen with these ingredients. I don’t know if the same things would occur if you take Lean and Fab itself. For all I know, Lean and Fab is likely safe in healthy people.
Forslean might have a blood thinner effect so be careful if you take blood thinners. Forslean might also cause a drop in blood pressure which may be dangerous if people take drugs for heart disease or high blood pressure.
Citrin (garcinia cambogia). This supplement does concern me a little because of several case reports of liver failure associated with supplements that have contained garcinia cambogia.
In one case report from 2007, a 45 year old overweight woman died from liver failure after 1 week of using a supplement that contained garcinia cambogia. In the past HydroxyCut has also been associated with liver failure.
HydroxyCut was said to contain garcinia cambogia (also called hydroxy citric acid or HCA). I checked the HydroxyCut website just prior to posting this review and garcinia cambogia is no longer listed as an ingredient in HydroxyCut.
To be fair, because supplements contain many ingredients it’s hard to say what caused liver problems. Also, not all researchers think that hydroxycitric acid causes liver failure.
In my review of garcinia cambogia, I listed the research on liver failure and noted that they all have one thing in common. All the research mentions Hydroxycut specifically. So was it garcinia cambogia or Hydroxycut that caused the problems? See my review for more information
Fabenol. In healthy people Fabenol (bean pod extract, AKA Phaseolus vulgaris) is probably safe. Diabetics should keep a close eye on their blood sugar levels because in theory, Fabenol might lower blood sugar.
Bioperine. While not much is known about Bioperine side effects, this compound might – in theory – increase the absorption of medications you are taking. I’m guessing on this based on what they say about Bioperine enhancing the absorption of other supplements. I wish people would do more research Bioperine side effects.
Does Lean And Fab Work?
If you don’t reduce the amount of calories you eat, I don’t think Lean and Fab will work. On the other hand if you do reduce your calories, there may be something to the ingredient, Citrin –hydroxy citric acid. Even though the evidence on hydroxycitric acid is mixed and there are only a few studies, this ingredient does has more evidence than the other ingredients in Lean and Fab. I think Lean and Fab is a crab shoot at best but… Here it is on Amazon if you want to read the comments from others.
What do you think?