Will Endurox help you burn more fat?
In short? No.
Researchers from Florida State University tested the effects of
Endurox on ten male subjects. They monitored heart rate, oxygen
consumption, heart rate and respiratory exchange ratio (the respiratory
exchange ratio estimates how much fat the body is using for fuel).
Subjects were assigned to either a placebo or Endurox group for
seven days. To eliminate bias, neither the subjects nor the researchers
knew who was taking what supplement. Following the seven-day supplementation
period, subjects were tested on a stationary cycle for 40 minutes.
According to its manufacturers (Pacific Health Laboratories, Inc.),
Endurox can increase fat burning by 43%, increase oxygen consumption
by 13%, reduce lactate accumulation by 32% and accelerate heart
rate recovery by 22% following exercise.
Sounds quite impressive, doesn't it? And it would be - if the stuff
actually worked. The research group, led by Samuel Cheuvront, found
no evidence to support the claims made by Pacific Health Laboratories,
Inc.
The table below gives you a brief summary of the results.
|
Variable
|
Placebo
|
Endurox
|
|
Fat oxidation (grams per minute)
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
|
Lactate (mmol per liter)
|
3.3
|
3.8
|
|
Oxygen consumption (liters per minute)
|
1.0
|
1.0
|
|
Heart rate 50 minutes after exercise
|
103bpm
|
105bpm
|
As you can see, there was no real difference between Endurox and
the placebo. That is, apart from Endurox leaving your wallet around
£11 (US $16) lighter.
The "active" ingredient in Endurox is known as ciwujia,
which is taken from a plant in the same family as Panax Ginseng.
Although numerous studies have been performed using Panax Ginseng,
results have been inconsistent - possibly due to the wide variety
in supplement quality.
In fact, a report published in the Lancet found some ginseng
products actually contained no ginseng at all!
If you want to try Endurox for yourself, visit the Endurox
home page for more information. However, the few independent studies
performed on Endurox to date have failed to demonstrate that supplementation
offers any real benefit.
Related Articles
Reference
Cheuvront, S.N., Moffatt, R.J., Biggerstaff, K.D., Bearden,
S., & McDonough, P. (1999). Effect of ENDUROX on metabolic responses
to submaximal exercise. International
Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, 9,
434-442
|
