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?
Hi Joe,
Today I spook with a lady that is a distributor for lean and fab. I contact her after seeing her on Instagram. So I called her in the Philippines. She ask my weight 150 and my height 5’2. Two years ago I was 110. Then I got married. In two years I put on 40 pounds. She told me that based on my bmi is 27.44 overweight of 20 pounds for my height but if I want to lose 40 pounds it would take approximately 3-4 months.
My intake would 3 times a day everyday 7am/noon/7pm. It has to be the exact time everyday. No cold food or cold water and capsule must be taken with before meals. It’s $58 usd per bottle. My 1st month consumption will be 3 bottles and since it would approximately 3 months She told me to order 6 bottles at $58 usd totaling $348 usd.
Now don’t get me wrong I really want to lose the weight and I’ve tried everything and not works. I even try not eating and only juicing. That didn’t work either. But after reading all you reviews I’m also scared and I don’t want to lose $348! Can you help?
Thank you,
Michele
Hi Michelle, I think $348 is a lot of money to pay for weight loss supplements – especially when the ingredients are a lot less expensive if purchased individually. I highlighted the ingredients that I felt were the active ingredients and they cost a lot less. The Even if you Amazon Link.” target=”_blank”>purchased lean and Fab on Amazon, it would still cost less than $348.
I’m not sure what the lady is talking about when she recommended not to drink cold water or eat any foods that were cold. The temperature of water or food has no bearing on gaining weight.
My advice is not not spend that much money. If you want to try it, start with just a bottle to see what happens. It won’t take more than a month for you to know if its working or not. If it doesn’t, at least you wont be out all that money.
Thanks Joe,
I did what you said so I got three bottle for $90. I went with someone else. They told me to take it everyday same time. 2 pills a day twice a day. Also told me to drink 1liter to 2 liter a day. I’m only on my second day so I’ll keep you a dated. Thanks again.
Michele, I hope it helps you and your friend. for what its worth, I feel its wise to start any new supplement taking less than the maker recommends at first.
Hi Joe, thanks for this informative blog site. I think loosing weight is not an instant thing. We also have to consider the food that we have been eating for the past years. The food that we had accumulated to build the unwanted fats in our body. and some people thought that if they take a lot of the dosage of the products that they bought they will get the results that they wanted immediately and get disappointed if they don’t.
I think loosing weight will take effect if we also do our part, right attitude and discipline,, taking the right products and following the instructions correctly and researching. thanks!
Mags, you’re welcome. Happy you were able to find me out there!
hi, Michelle, it’s been 3 months since you have started taking the product are you still taking it? How is the result? I told my friend about this product.. and one of the distributor of this product said that you have to go into a program to see good results. He said to combine with something that will detoxify you first for better results. like their green tea product or use other products that will help you take out some of the toxins in your body.
I think it is important to talk to the person who knows how their products work before trying it. this distributor had been selling this product for a year and he was able to sold more than a hundred bottles in other parts of the globe.
I mean more than a year. Hope to here your updates. Thanks
Hello Joe, have you had the chance to review the Brazilian Slimming Coffee?
Bubbles, I have heard of Brazilian slimming coffee but so far have not looked at it. If you know the ingredients in it and put them in the search box of my site, they should pop up as parts of other reviews.
You don’t need to take any supplements to lose weight. All you need is dedication. You have to be sure of what you wanna do with your body. Set a goal. Plan on how are you going to lose the excess weight. Do it one at a time. Don’t rush. Its gonna cause saggy skin if you lose weight too quickly. Instead of wasting your money buying all this weight loss supplements, I suggest change your lifestyle. Start by doing exercise. Go to the gym or if you don’t have money for gym membership you can turn on the radio and start dancing in your living room.
I had the same problem last year. I was also thinking about taking pills but I ended up going to Zumba Classes. After going for 3 months I lose 16 lbs. After 6 months, I went down from 170 lbs to 142lbs. But I’m still tryna be 130lbs. But overall, IT was amazing.
EXERCISE AND EATING right is the key. SO GOOD LUCK TO ALL OF YOU. 🙂
Personally, I would not recommend taking diet pills. Losing weight is an everyday battle for me but with dedication and a change in lifestyle, I lost 30lbs in just 2 months. I have 20lbs more to go in order for me to reach my weight goal. I have to agree with the comment on top- it’s important to count calories. I’m using an app called myfitnesspal on my phone for about 4 months now.
thanks Joe! you save my life… i was about to buy the product lean and fab but i also want to know the side effects. Luckily, i saw all the reviews here and decided not to buy at all. Thanks so much.
JAM, you are very welcome 🙂
can u have review about the slimming program of Forever Living Clean 9.
JAM I looked up Forever Living Clean 9. Its basically a laxative -and an expensive laxative too. It contains aloe vera gel (laxative). It also has bee pollen which does nothing for weight loss (see my reviews on Slim Trim U, ZXT Gold and Zi Xiu Tang for more info on bee pollen).
It also has garcinia cambogia which is in several other products I’ve reviewed. Here is my whole review on garcina cambogia for more info.
I wouldn’t recommend Lean and Fab. I got hypertension after taking this product.
Jnine, how long did you take Lean and Fab before high blood pressure showed up?
This makes me think a lot… a few minutes ago i was so excited as i ordered 5 bottles and hopefully will get it next week. After reading all these comments, i don’t feel comfortable anymore 🙁 I’m an active person, i play sports but few months i just gained weight and i really want to lose at least 5kg. I go to gym everyday before but stopped and i have been eating like its my last day on earth. I Think the reason why I gained is bec of me being lazy, i need to start doing my part. I was so against these supplements before especially when i heard about HYDROXYCUT. Thanks so much! I think you enlightened me 🙂 Good Luck!!!
Mickey, glad to help!
Hi joe,
As you can see im still very much confused. In your honest opinion, does the product work? You said in your statement that taking the pills alone will not help, can you say with proper exercise and diet this will work? Or even matter? Pls advise as I’m about to cancel my order, I need someone who can enlighten me. Thanks
Hi Michelle, when I said I didnt think it worked, I meant I didn’t think Lean and Fab would work if people didn’t also eat fewer calories. I think the active ingredient in Lean and fab is garcinia cambogia. Here is my review of Garcinia cambogia
http://supplementclarity.com/garcinia-cambigoa-hca-review-weight-loss-research/
Also take a look at my review of wt loss products also :
http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
Does this help?
i guess the best way to lose weight really is a healthy lifestyle. i guess i do not have to be an expert to know this. for joe, your blog may help and may not. readers choice. the same goes with lean and fab. i see nothing wrong with how the blog about your product was constructed. but anyway, everyone’s opinion matters. and please do not direct the ire to the author instead, give more proof about your product that people will be convinced to buy it. right?
I don’t know what to say..I’m planning to buy 2 bottles tomorrow, but after reading comments here…i’m actually thinking, should I or shouldn’t I? i really wanted to lose excess fats around me….what will I do Joe?
Id say, that there is no magic pill that Ive ever found. If people only take lean and fab and dont do anything else, I really dont think it will work. If people combine it with eating less food and exercise, then it might be a good crutch, something that can be seen, tasted etc. If lean and fab realy works, I think its the garcinia cambogia that is the real active ingredient. If I am right, garcina cambogia is a lot cheaper by itself. See my review of garcina cambogia for more info on this supplement.
Hi Joe! In 2010, I decided to lose weight because I felt that if I don’t my blood sugar will shoot up. i was 160 that time and my ht is 5’3″, in short I was overweight. I exercised and ate three times a day. Eating just normally but with 5 hrs exercise in 1 wk and voila! I lost 20lbs in four Months! I just followed some exercise videos and some dancing at home.
I think that lean and fab will work for some and not for some but my point is how can one be sure that your previous wt will not come back after stopping lean and fab? I think putting the wt off is a first step but keeping it off is the harder thing to do. We couldn’t take lean and fab forever, can we?
Cel, thats a good point. Nobody wants to take weight loss supplements forever. congrats on losing 20 pounds! 🙂
Hi Joe,
[Im not convinced that this was the cause of your symptoms but Im not an expert so I cant be sure]…
As per your statement that your not an expert, my question is, how can u prove the readers that all you have written here are base on fact? However, thanks to your effort in doing this review.
Larfreak, If you look closely at the links I provide in my reviews, you’ll see that 99% of them are to real scientific studies on the ingredients or the products. I do this so people know I’m not making things up. As for me “not being an expert”, I say that because its true that nobody knows everything and its difficult to get an idea of what is going on from just a comment on a website. That said, I’ve been investigating supplements for over 10 years and have written a book on them. My book is called Nutritional Supplements What Works and why
Hope that helps clear things up 🙂
Lean n Fab’s ingredients are from US company Sabinsa.
THIS REVIEW IS NOT THOROUGHLY DONE AS USUAL.
i see so many prejudiced statements from this review. I don’t see why you have to point out location. It doesn’t matter if it’s located on a strip mall. has it ever occur to you to research GFI? it’s partnered w/ multiply.com and therefore majority of it’s sales comes from online transactions why would you need an extravagant office for?
Supplements are supplements. They are STILL much safer than DRUGS. EXCESS OF ANYTHING IS BAD and therefore same goes with supplements. Tell me that you’d recommend fried chicken to these people instead? LOL
i laughed at this:
“My question is how did they arrive at these dosages? Where is the proof that these dosages are correct?” — you asked this after pointing out that Lean n Fab lacks dosage as certain ingredients e.g “This study used 500 mg of coleus forskohlii. Lean and Fab only has 100 mg.”
if you are going to bash the product, bash Sabinsa and slap them head on w/ your blog w/ their numerous awards on each ingredient.
Hello Jess, Can I assume you are a person who sells lean and fab? If what you say is true and the company gets their supplements from the US then this is good. I don’t remember seeing Sabinsa, anywhere when I reviewed the company. You say supplements are supplements but this is not necessarily true esp when dealing with companies outside of the US. I believe it does matter where a company is located because I feel people have the right to know where their supplement are being assembled or shipped from. I see no problem with this.
Hi Joe,
I think this is a bias, I made a fair comments on this post, providing more resources about the product so people will have enough information. I’ve never seen my comments live. Please let the people know what website are you referring to. I can easily construct a negative comment about you. How would I know if you were get paid doing this stuff in favor to other diet pill?
Hi Ella, you linked to several websites for supplements and that is why you went to my spam. I try to keep the comments free from enticements from supplement companies so I would have blocked that anyway.
As I said in my “about page”, no supplement company pays me to write my reviews. If you read my reviews you will not see any links to supplements. I have no financial connection to ANY supplement company.
Let me know what you want me to to do with your comment.
Hi Joe,
thank you for this detailed eye opener write ups as it opens up my mind. I’m about to buy it next week.. I got curious about the models were mostly or all of ’em were Asians.. or is it just because of the market of this product are only here in Philippines ?
Dale its possible it is. I went to the website again and didnt see an address. Also the contact phone numbers looked like they were to areas outside the US.
I’ve lost 46lbs in 5 months, you want to know the secret?
Actually its no secret at all, just the good old exercise and proper diet. No pills!
No fad diet!no gym!
What i did was logged what i ate at myfitnesspal.com its a free website so no worries, it helps you keep track with ur calorie intake, and theres a lot of exercise u can find on youtube… Good luck to all! Hope it helps!
hi anne, Zen de Shou can cause kidney falure. stop using it.
as for joe, big tnx 2 ur blog. it really help a lot. could u have a blog about herbalife products. thnx!
Jason, Herbalife Here is my review of the Herbalif Formula 1 Shake http://supplementclarity.com/herbalife-formula-1-meal-replacement-shake-review/
Hi! I was interested in buying Lean and Fab before but got curious on what side effects it could give one’s health/body. I want to know if it will have a negative effect on a female’s reproductive health. I’m worried that most diet pills might cause a female to have a hard time when trying to have an offspring.
Also based on my experience of taking Chinese diet herbal pills (Zen de Shou, Ballerina, etc.), my menstrual cycle becomes irregular, so this has lead me to this concern.
Anne, Ive never heard that weight loss supplements might make it hard to get pregnant in the future. I would however be cautious of any weight loss product that comes from China etc. because I dont trust their purity.
Three of my colleagues tried it and it’s working for all of them. They differ though in the number of lbs lost after a month. Asked about side effect, they all said, it’s like they aren’t taking any weight loss supplement at all. The person who sold told them the product told them to religiously take it on the same time everyday, otherwise, it won’t work.
Jane, I dont buy that “take it at the same time of the day or it wont work stuff.” Either way, glad its helping your colleagues.
Hi there ,
One of my friend informed me abut this product and said “Billy Crawford” used this product to loose weight .
Is that true ?
Alex, honestly I dont know billy crawford is so Im not sure.
I’ve been searching the net about reviews on lean and fab and I think this is the only legit site Ive found. A friend was trying to sell me use Lean and Fab. I’m a pre nursing student, looking at the evidences you presented my “liver” says ouch! don’t take it.
Chrissie, thanks for writing and Im glad you found me! Pass me along to your friends. I have a LOT of other reviews planned.
Good luck in Nursing school 🙂