Update 9/4/20. Zantrex is said to be “the first and only non-ephedra diet pill with a kick.” It's website also boasts an impressive statistic that the Zantrex-3 fat burner will promote “546% more weight loss than the leading ephedra based diet pill.” Let's put that aside for now and get to the real question: Does Zantrex 3 really work? Let's look at these and other questions in this Zantrex 3 review.
The Zantrex 3 Website
I was disappointed with the Zantrex3.com website because it did not show me the ingredients of either Zantrex3, Zantrex 3 Fat Burner or Zantrex 3 Power Crystals when I wrote this review.
Zantrex-3 Ingredients
Two capsules of Zantrex 3 has about 300 mg of caffeine and the following ingredients. I copied this list directly from the label of the bottle I saw at the store.
Niacin 30 mg (150% Daily Value for Niacin). Since niacin is known to cause a skin flushing to occur, I wonder if niacin is included in Zantrex3, so people can “feel” it working? 
A proprietary blend (1160 mg) made of:
- Yerba Mate extract
- Guarana extract
- Trimethylxanthine
- Damiana extract
- Green tea extract
- Kola extract
- Schizonepeta
- Black pepper
- Rhodiola crenulata extract
- Asian ginseng extract
- Maca extract
- Cacao extract
- Black Tea extract
One problem is that we are not told how much each of these ingredients contributes to the total 1160 mg contained 2 pills of Zantrex 3. We are told that 2 casuals has “about 300 mg of caffeine ” (I think that’s a lot). But what about the other 860 mg? They don't tell us.
Here is a brief breakdown of each of the ingredients in Zantrex-3.
Yerba Mate
contains caffeine.
Guarana
contains caffeine.
Damiana
This is sometimes used as an aphrodisiac. That research is mostly in rats.
I have reversed the order of damina and trimethylxanthine in this list for a reason. Yerba Mate, Guarana and Damina are said to be the “Active Weight Loss Compound” in Zantrex-3. I believe these three ingredients are called this because of a weight-loss study of these ingredients published in the Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics.
Researchers noted that the combination of Yerba Mate, Guarana and Damina, made people full longer (because it slowed stomach emptying) and helped weight loss in 47 adults. As far as I can tell, this is the only human study on these three ingredients so far.
Trimethylxanthine
This is caffeine
Green tea
This contains caffeine
Kola extract
The extract is probably caffeine
Schizonepeta
I'm not sure why this herb is in Zantrex 3 because I can't find any weight loss or stimulant properties. There is some research that links Schizonepeta to liver damage when used in large amounts. This is due to a compound called pulegone that is in Schizonepeta. I'm not aware of any liver issues associated with Zantrex 3.
Rhodiola Crenulata
This herb is likely in Zantrex-3 because of some research noting that doses of 50mg – 340 mg of Rhodiola might help depression, reduce fatigue and improveexercise performance. It should be noted that each of these claims appear to be based on, at most, one study and, in the case for exercise, another study, using 1500 mg per day noted that rhodiola does not work.
Still, the research on Rhodiola is interesting.
My big question when it comes to Rhodiola crenulata extract is what “extract” is in Zantrex-3? They don't tell us. Given the scantiness amount of research on Rhodiola, I'm not sure what “extract” would be the correct extract to use.
Rhodiola is also found in the weight loss supplement SlimQuick.
Asian Ginseng
Researchers also call this herb “Panax” ginseng. I see no good proof that Asian ginseng improves energy levels or helps with weight loss. There is some interest in Asian ginseng for erectile dysfunction, which is why this herb is also found in the male enhancement supplement Triverex.
Maca Extract
Another name for Maca is Lepidium meyenii. Again, what extract of Maca is in Zantrex-3? I can't find any weight loss evidence for this herb, however one study noted that it improved desire for sex in men when 1500-3000 mg were given to 57 men over a 12 week period.
Maca did not raise testosterone levels however. Maca is also found in Triverex, a sex supplement for men.
Cacao Extract
Zantrex-3 calls this stuff “Cacao” but you know it by its other name —cocoa or better yet, chocolate! Cocoa is a stimulant because it has caffeine. Is caffeine the “extract” used in Zantrex3?
Zantrex 3 Caffeine Ingredients
On the label of Zantrex-3, it's said that ” Trimethylxanthine, and guarana form the “Active Energy Compound. As I've said, Trimethylxanthine is caffeine and guarana contains caffeine. So caffeine is the active energy compound. After looking at the ingredients in Zantrex-3, I'd say all of these are the ingredients that have caffeine.
- Yerba Mate
- Guarana
- Trimethylxanthine
- green tea
- Kola
- Cacao
- Black tea
How Much Caffeine in Zantrex 3?
Two capsules contain about 300 mg of caffeine.
Either way, I believe any weight loss effect of Zantrex 3 is likely due to it's heavy concentration of the stimulant, caffeine. People who have more energy, are likely to do more physical activity and hence, burn more calories.
Is Zantrex-3 FDA Approved?
The website for Zantrex-3 displays that it's made in America. It really is, but I thought this might give some people the idea that Zantrex-3 has been approved by the FDA or some other US government agency. This is not so. The FDA does not test supplements for safety—or to test if they even really work— before they are sold.
Yes, supplements do have regulations, but they are not “approved” by the FDA before they are sold. Read my Supplement Questions page for more on supplement laws.
546% More Weight Loss?
The Zantrex-3 website makes the claim that it will promote “546% more weight loss than the leading ephedrine-based weight loss diet pill.” It also says “…and that’s a fact.” Let's set aside the fact that in America there are no ephedrine-based diet pills because ephedrine is banned from weight loss supplements.
When you click on the 546% more weight loss statement, you are taken to a pdf file that reads at the top “Published Clinical Studies Do Not Lie.”
But, the study is not a published clinical study. I say this because they do not tell us where this study was “published.” What we see in this pdf file is a comparison between Zantrex 3 and an unknown product, called “America's Best Seller” which they say contains ephedrine.
This “study” does not even appear to be a head-to-head comparison of these products. Rather, what we see seems to be two different vague summaries two different products with the results tilting in favor of Zantrex-3.
But, since I can't see where the studies were published, I'm not even sure either of these “studies” are real. There is an asterisk next to both “studies” but when I look for what that asterisk refers to, nothing can be found.
At the bottom of the pdf —in small print —we read that “the 546% more weight loss claim is based on Zantrex-3's active weight loss component.”
The ingredients they are referring to are Yerba Mate, Guarana, and Damina. I have linked to the study of these ingredients, which was published in 2001. This was the only study of these 3 ingredients I could find, so I believe this is the study that is the basis for using Yerba Mate, Guarana and Damina in Zantrex 3 as their “active weight loss compound.”
But, in the summary of this study, I didn't see any claim that these ingredients promoted 546% more weight loss. In fact, the study was only of these 3 ingredients and weight loss. There was no comparison to any other weight loss product. If this is the study they are referencing, I'd like to know where the “546% more weight loss” claim came from.
Zantrex 3 Fat Burner & Power Crystals
When I first heard that there was a Zantrex 3 Fat Burner and Zantrex-3 Power Crystals I wondered, “If Zantrex 3 is so great, why would anyone need these other products?” If I review these products in the future I will link to it here. Zantrex 3 is in a blue bottle. Zantrex 3 Fat Burner is in a red bottle.
The Zantrex-3 bottle does warn that people should not take the Red bottle at the same time as taking the blue bottle. This may be because of overloading on caffeine and other stimulants.
Who Makes ZanTrex 3?
Zantrex 3 is made by Zoller© Laboratories. On the Zantrex 3 website, they list their address as 5742 West Harold Gatty Drive Salt Lake City, UT 84116.
They list a phone number of (800) 392-3689.
When I looked up this address on Google, the street view shows a sign that says “Basic Research.” Google also notes this address as having the name Klein-Becker Strivectin. The Better Business Bureau gives Zollar laboratories a rating of A+. They also give Basic Research has an A + too
Zantrex 3 and Snooki
The Zantrex-3 website used to show pictures of Snooki (of the Jersey Shore fame) in what “looks like” a papazari photo and a picture apparently taken in her bedroom. Zantrex-3 was seen sticking out from her purse and on her nightstand. The caption says “Another celebrity caught cheating with a controversial diet pill.”
Maybe she used Zantrex 3 or maybe she didn’t. Let's assume Snookie would not allow her picture to be used on the Zantrex 3 website if she was not being reimbursed for it.
Zantrex-3 “As Seen in” Magazines
Zantrex 3 “As seen in” various magazines like Shape, Glamour and Cosmopolitan is also mentioned on the Zantrex 3 website. But, what does “As seen in” really mean? Well, it doesn’t necessarily mean that those magazines wrote glowing reviews on Zantrex 3. Maybe they did or didn’t. I don't know. I will point out that technically, “As seen in” could even mean that Zantrex 3 took out an ad in those magazines. People who read those magazines probably saw the ad.
Zantrex 3 Side Effects
The following side effects are based on what might happen in some people, given its ingredients.
- The box of Zantrex-3 does contain this warning” “Do not take Zantrex-3 fat burner (red bottle) and Zantrex-3 (blue bottle) at the same time.”
- Zantrex 3 has a LOT of stimulants (about 300 mg of caffeine according to the bottle). I believe it should be avoided by anyone who has heart or blood pressure problems.
- Black pepper may increase levels of some seizure medications. Black pepper may increase the absorption of other medications also.
- In one report a 38-year-old woman who took Zantrex 3 for two months developed grand mall seizures and blurry vision. After stopping, her problems went away.
- Asian ginseng. Animal research suggests that Asian ginseng may increase blood clotting and as such may be inappropriate for people who take blood thinner medications.
- Asian ginseng might interact with MANY medications, including insulin. On the plus side, some evidence suggests that Asian ginseng may prevent some types of cancer. That doesn’t mean Zantrex-3 prevents cancer.
- Some warn that Yerba Mate may increase the risk of some types of cancer. That doesn't mean Zantrex-3 causes cancer though.
- Schizonepeta is linked to liver damage when taken in large amounts. I don't know if that means Zantrex 3 would also cause liver damage. I could not find any direct proof that Zantrex 3 caused liver failure. Still, talk to your doctor especially if you have liver problems.
Does Zantrex 3 Work?
Zantrex 3 appears to be a bunch of stimulants. Based on that it cant be recommended. There are safer things out there such as this supplement:
What do you think?
well i started taking the fat burning pills in the red bottle about 3 days ago and i just finished my period on the 24th of last month n today is only the 5th and im on my period again.. could this be a bad side effect or maybe my body getting used to the change?
Sarah, honestly I am not sure.
Joe thank you for all of your honest and non-judgmental advice sir. I have just started taking Zan-3. This is my 4th day using it and I take two pills about 30 mins before I workout and I do not feel jittery but when i do my cardio, I really use a lot of energy. My diet consist of a lot of protein including shakes. Do you think I should continue to take 2 pills before workouts and not take 6 throughout the day? Thanks.
Hi Kevin, is your weight changing ? Id say if you are losing weight than stick to what you are doing. I think 6 pills a day is a lot if you ask me.
yes Joe I havent weighed myself, I was gon wait about two weeks to see if there is any change. I did take 3 pills this morning and felt a lil light headed. i just wanted to gauge my tolerance level and two pills a day is good for me. thank you so much for responding so quickly.
Hi, I just found your site and I want to say thank you so much! I just bought some Zantrex-3 blue version from a “very popular discount store” They are selling samples? of the them, like on cards. They are sealed, not expired until 2015, and legit. I bought a few.
Then, going home and seeing how much a bottle of 84ct is, I went back and bought a whole bunch. I ended up spending 25cents per pill ($4 for almost a dollar). This is cheaper than on any website/store. I took 2 this morning around 10am as directed and then had my breakfast 15 min prior. I had a burst of energy,then my tummy felt funny.
It has been feeling funny all day. I could eat, but I just didn’t want too. I did not eat again until almost 7pm. I had packed lunch with me and I ate my regular sized homemade sandwich and pickle. I felt better, but that feeling still remained. I still feel a weird sensation in my tummy. It’s not a pain, it’s just a lingering discomfort.
What is this? Irritation? Indigestion? I have used the restroom today… I don’t know what is going on. Should I just take 1? I saw comments on drug store website saying to start of taking 1 and work up to two. Should I try that, or stop altogether? Please feel free to email me. Thank you so much fr you site and all that you do.
Chris O, Id stop taking Zantrix 3 until those strange feelings go away. I honestly wouldn’t take it myself but if you are going to I think starting with 1 – or even 1/2 pill if possible -is best for starters to see how you respond. I always recommend people start with less than the manufacturers “recommended amount” at first no matter what the supplement is.
I hope that helps Chris. let me know how things turn out for you.
you pointed out some great pointers about zantrex ,I contacted the company based on their side effects and the question that i asked was does the product cause hair loss or balding. unfortunately, they did not reply back Does this product cause that affect ? cause most weight loss supplements do but is it based on the individual, The reason I am asking is my friend used this product for sometime and her hair thinned out
hi Rani, Ive never heard of hair loss with Zantrex 3. One thing that can cause hair loss is eating too few calories. lack of calories and a very low fat diet might cause hair loss. Another thing that can cause hair loss is a low thyroid level. Have your friend get their thyroid level checked.
HI joe , thank you for responding back and clearing that the supplement does not cause balding. I will mention that to her as well. Your time has been appreciated thank you once again
Are we suppose to work out regularly with zantrex-3?????? Can I just take the pills and not work out?? Thx
Karen, Research shows that if you just lose weight without working out then about 50% of the weight you lose is fat – the other 50% is muscle. once that muscle is lost it wont come back. You need that muscle esp as you get older because it will help keep you out of a nursing home! Im not kidding Karen, we lost muscle at an accelerated rate after 40. Exercise helps you hold onto that muscle. You dont want to be that lady on tv who says “Help Ive fallen and cant get it!” personally I’d rather you just worked out and not take zantrex 3. But if you are going to take Zantrex 3 I say start with less than is recommended at first (first week or two) to see how you respond – and do some exercise too. even walking will help. You don’t have to lift super heavy weights or workout like a monster either – in fact I don’t want you to do that if you are just starting out. Anything is better than nothing.
I hope that helps Karen 🙂
Your great joe! Thank you much appreciated
You’re very welcome 🙂
I’m a beginner with Zantrex-3 (blue bottle) today would be my 3rd day, Obviously I want to loose weight..Soo my question is will taking 1 capsule a day work? Or will it be pointless? Since I’m alittle scared of taking 6 capsules a day. What do you recommend?
Jovana, for me, I would not start out with 6 capsules of zantrex 3. I always feel its best to start with less to see how you respond before increases the dosage.
Very well, Thank you (:
Ive been taking zantrex 3 the fat burner(red bottle) for about 8 months and I have lost around 4 inches off my waist and lots more everywhere else. I do not exercise very often, and the only kind I get is at work. Ive lost about 20 pounds in all. I love the energy it gives me without being too much. Everyone i have recommended it to has lost significant weight also using zantrex 3. It really DOES WORK!
Hello,
I just took two of the zantrex 3 pills this morning. It said to take them 15 minutes before having a meal. I did just that and my body just feels off. I am feeling light headed and shaking. I am not sure if this is my body saying don’t take these again or if this is what the pill does. As a first time user for any kind of fat burner pill this is a scary feeling.
I really would like more information on this before I keep taking these. It would be grateful if you could email me.
Thank you,
Nichole
Nichole, I will email you.
I wrote early but I didn’t use the right email. Ok, so I just started using the product today combine with relacore extra. I took 3 relocore plus 2 zantanex -3,is that safe.even tho that was the instructions. I am 141pounds, 4″7,aged 27!!my tummy looks like a 3month pregnant woman.so I am trying to drop 20 pounds.
Sally I just replied to you. I would not combine them. If you are going to do this, its safest to begin by taking less than each bottle recommended, to see how you respond to it. Of the two products, Im more concerned with zantrex 3 because of its stimulant content.
I took the dose around 11ish, no side effects so far..so can I combine both if I take one dose in the morning,lunch,and dinner time?will you suggest that.also, do I have to take 6 zantrex per day???
I would take less of the zantrex 3 than is recommended to see how you respond. Im not aware of any studies that combined zantrex 3 and lipozene, its hard for me to make recommendations on what is ok. This is why I am suggesting caution.
Hi. Joe I was 240 and now 230 lost 10 pounds doing INSANITY. But I am looking into increasing my weight lost and energy. Do you know any pills I should take doing this INSANE program to lose more weight faster and more energy to go further?
Sharmane, I recommend you just eat well, cut back on calories a little bit (use MyFitnesspal.com) and give it some time. Faster weight loss does not mean better weight loss. we dont want your metabolism dropping do we? We also dont want skin sagging from weight lost too fast. Stay the course sharmane. I think this is best. Also work at your own pace with Insanity (or any other high intensity exercise program).
so would you suggest not using the pill at all?
My opinion, I wouldn’t.
Hi i was wondering i had two kids one dec 2010 and one in January 2012 i had two csections i am 20 years old i gained alot during my pregnancy wit my second an right after my first son i didnt gain i losted weight i took zantrex 3 blue bottle today my first time an this eve i been suffering wit weight gain when i was little st age 12 i weighed 278 pounds i felt bad an embarrased im 29 an two kids now i way 225 i havent had no side effects but i do feel full since today of taking it twice today 4capsules total 15 minutes before main meals do you think i can lose weight cause i feel ashamed an unhappy in big chested an big legged an big bones wit hangin muffin tops an rolls any advice how will i noticed i losted weight i have no scale and when can i tell in loosing weight an when should i begin checkin my weight or pounds losted an does it work that u know of please help
monique, do you do any exercise? I suggest starting a walking program, starting with 15 min a day and increasing 5 minutes every week. I also suggest you start writing down what you eat. research shows that if you write down in a book what you eat, that you eat less. Have you ever seen this website http://www.nwcr.ws/ It has tips that other people have used to lose weight and keep it off.
Are there and weight lost products you suggest
Gman, I’m usually skeptical of a lot of them. Ive written about this on my personal site. Here’s the link. I Hope it helps
http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
Joe,
which is the best diet pill that will work?
Yasmin, I get asked this a lot and Ive written about it on my personal site http://www.joe-cannon.com/what-weight-loss-supplements-work/
I hope some of that helps.
Thanks for the heads-up on this site, Joe – you weren’t kidding either – there’s a lot to keep me reading here! 🙂
The lack of ingredients for the Zantrex3, Zantrex 3 Fat Burner or Zantrex 3 Power Crystals would have been an instantly disapointment for me too.
Even if a product/service is great, when it comes to something I’m going to put into my body, I want 110% transparency involving what it’s made up of! I’ll be referring to this site a lot more in that regard – I hope you don’t mind if I fire across a question or two in the future about certain supplements you may not have covered, do you? 🙂
BJ
Hey BJ, sure thing and Ill try to help.
I’ve been taking Zantrex 3 for about 6 months and lost over 35 lbs on it. It helped with the appetite suppressant a lot, the first couple of weeks I was a bit nauseous in fact. I’m still taking it but it find the effects not as pronounced.
I’m currently looking into Liporexall as I’ve heard good reviews on it. There was quite a bit of information on Lance Armstrong’s website on this stuff as well … anyway, that’s my 2 cents worth.
Inertia, I looked up Liporexall for you. it looks like a combination of CLA and garcinia cambogia (citramax) also called HCA. Search my site for those and the products that have them will pop up. then you can see the evidence, side effects ect.
About 8 years ago, when I was 26ish, I made the mistake of taking two of these capsules before lifting weights. Somehow the confluence of ‘extracts’ produced both heart-pounding jitteriness, as well as an “out of it,” dazed sense of malaise. Not to mention lots of sweating.
ctual speed…produces much less negative side effects (if any at all at therapeutic doses) and is regulated into oblivion. This is the upside down world of medicine and supplements we live in.
Im getting the same effects after lifting weights. I then went to work lifted a box and felt as my vein in my bottom of my arm was about to burst. My Heart rate skyrocketed , blood pressure skyrocketed, and i wasn’t even in a constant motion. Thank you all for this insightful perspective.
Charly, yes I would be worried if I had those symptoms. While I did not review zantrex 3, the black bottle – my feelings are that all zantrex 3 bottles are just a bunch of stimulants. thats probably the reason you are having those bad symptoms. I recommend you stop taking zantrex 3 and never take it again. return it to the store you got it from and get a refund.
If you are feeling the same way right now or if you feel like your symptoms are getting worse, I recommend you go to your doctor. The symptoms you mentioned are very serious. They could be signs of a stroke or heart attack. Honestly, if I had your symptoms, I would go to the doctor even if I felt like I was feeling was better. I would rather be safe than sorry.
which ingredient causes it to be banned
David if you check the supplement 411 site they tell what it was. i think its a stimulant
Joe,
i would really like to know what you find on Oxyelite by USPlabs. I have to be honest i lost 65 pounds in a little more than 3 months taking it, so I hope you don’t find something horrible in it.
brandon, i have not yet looked at but i think its been banned in college sports. check supplement 411 website for a list of banned supplements
I just read that there were 29 cases of liver failure in Hawaii from the oxyelite pro.
Here is a review of the issues for those who have not heard about this:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/01/28/aegeline-oxyelite-pro_n_4683990.html
Susan, yes Oxyeite Pro has been implicated. I’ve read the liver failure has been linked to an ingredient in that product called Aegeline. Thankfully, that ingredient is not in Zantrex 3.
Joe,
Have you done a review on the weightloss pill, Oxyelite?
Chelsea
not yet chelsea but its on my list
Joe ism in a 650 calories I only drink around 120oz of water I do .500c in protein 150 in calories andno more 10 in carbs a day and they got me in half pill off phentermine of 37.5. And don’t get energy I want . I loose 3lb a week I exercise 2x a week what else I could do . I being in this diet for a month
Lissie, If I understand you correct, you are only eating 650 calories per day. that explains why you dont have the energy you need. In stead of a diet I do recommend you speak to a registered dietitian (RD) who can help you understand calories and give you the energy you are looking for.
I was taking relacore maximum strength and doing well on it. Then I switched to the 30 day diet pill. I fell for the loose 30 lbs in 30 days. My question now is, can I take relacore along with the 30 day diet pills.
Kim, Ive never heard of the “30 day diet pill” who makes it? Let me know so I can take a look at it
Here is my review of Relacore.