SlimDown Pills...do they work?

Cristina · 26th June 2003, 10:15 AM

Has anyone tried the Jamieson Slim down diet supplements?

I have about 10 pounds to lose that I put on during a bad break up and subsequent depression.

I found this link but seem unable to find more detailed information.

Thanks

clinical study

Deadbeat · 26th June 2003, 10:32 AM

Um, not to nitpick, but as a professional writer, I know a press release when I see one.

That's about as far from a "clinical study" as you're likely to get, I'm afraid.

Quote:

Ultra Slim Down ingredients have been clinically proven to reduce weight by burning fat more effectively and helping eliminate carbohydrates efficiently. It is the combination of ingredients and the way they are taken that provides an effective means for weight loss.

Which ingredients, taken how? Where are the methodologies used in the clinical studies?

Sorry, but I get a little apprehensive whenever I see "Naturopath" attached to a miraculous new product.

Have you checked Quackwatch yet?

Edited to add:

Here's an interesting article on the active ingredient in the "Carb targeting" portion of the supplement:

http://www.hcrc.org/contrib/wheeler/hydroxyc.html

Cristina · 26th June 2003, 10:40 AM

Thanks
You said it much more clearly than I. I can't find the clincial study and so don't know what if anything to make of this product.

Thanks for the link.

Luke T. · 26th June 2003, 11:04 AM

Ah. A magic pill. To lose a mere ten pounds.

I am totally guessing here, but after this breakup, I assume you were quite depressed. Some people eat more when they are depressed.

Once you get over your depression, you will go back to your normal eating pattern I hope, and the ten pounds will go away naturally. If you are taking a magic pill during this time, you might attribute your weight loss to it instead of the real reasons.

John Harrison · 26th June 2003, 01:36 PM

According to their website, Slim Down Carb & Fat Burner contains : CitraMax 50% HCA (Hydroxycitric acid) 125mg, Advantra Z Citrus Aurantium 125mg, Kola Nut JKN-10 5mg.

From
PDR health

Hydroxycitric acid - A suggestion from animal work that hydroxycitric acid might be an effective antiobesity agent has not been confirmed in human studies. A recent well-controlled trial of hydroxycitric acid failed to produce any significant weight loss compared with placebo. This was a 12-week double-blind study in which overweight subjects were randomized to receive 1500 milligrams of hydroxycitric acid daily or placebo.

In another recent study, also conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized, researchers sought to see whether hydroxycitric acid supplementation could increase fat oxidation in human subject. The researchers found no significant effect.

Advantra Z Citrus Aurantium - Vitamin C

Kola Nut - Basically caffeine, which does suppress hunger. I suspect this is the main effective ingredient in this product.

Genghis Pwn · 26th June 2003, 02:30 PM

Don't take pills. Do Atkins.

Hazelip · 26th June 2003, 05:09 PM

Don't take pills, don't do Atkins. Eat right, moderately, and exercise.

Burn more calories than you take in, and you will lose weight. There is no magic bullet, pill, diet, or fad to make this happen.

Thumper · 26th June 2003, 08:07 PM

Wait, caffeine supresses hunger? Then why am I hungrier after drinking iced tea than after drinking water?

Hazelip · 27th June 2003, 03:29 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Thumper
Wait, caffeine supresses hunger? Then why am I hungrier after drinking iced tea than after drinking water?

Have you traditionally consumed iced tea with meals, thusly training yourself to associate food with the beverage, perhaps?

voidx · 27th June 2003, 09:45 AM

Quote:

Don't take pills, don't do Atkins. Eat right, moderately, and exercise.
Burn more calories than you take in, and you will lose weight. There is no magic bullet, pill, diet, or fad to make this happen.

This is the only LONGTERM solution to healthy weightloss. You'd be wise to heed it. Get out and go for a jog or ride a bike or something to help you lose that 10 pounds. Knowing the average fitness levels of North American's you should probably be out doing it anyway.

Cristina · 27th June 2003, 10:34 AM

Thank you all for your input.

I appreciate your recommendations to exercise more but am not able to engage in anything high impact due to a health condition. I try to swim on good days.

I think Luke T got it right - let me explain. At pre-breakup baseline, I was 115 lbs.

When he left, I became depressed and so less active (days spent in bed) although I also went days without eating. In the first month or so after he left me, I lost a good twenty pounds.

My diet has returned to normal or a bit less than before but my weight keeps increasing past baseline - 123 lbs now. It seems to be some sort of rebound effect.

Vanity of course kicks in with summer. None of my summer clothes fit and so in a panic I was seeking a fast fix. I hesitate to diet because of this odd rebound effect I am experiencing.

Is it possible that the starvation time I went through completely screwed up my metabolism?

Thanks again for your help.

roger · 27th June 2003, 10:48 AM

Yes, you probably experienced a few things due to not eating for a few months.

First, your baseline metabolism was slowed, so now when you eat normally you need less to maintain weight.

Second, your body goes into "survivial" mode, and it piles the fat back on you when you begin to eat normally.

Third, if you lose more than a lb or two a week (variable depending on body size), you were losing muscle as well as fat. Muscle burns calories, so w/ fewer muscle you need fewer calories now. If you started at 115, you were probably already pretty thin, so if you lost 20 lbs you probably lost a lot of muscle.

Low impact exercise options - find some hills, and wear a backpack with weights. This is very low impact, and it will allow you to elevate your heart rate to anything you want.

If your knees are bad, walking downhill w/ a lot of weight is bad. In this case, the weights should be water filled jugs. When you get to the top and are ready to return, dump out much or all of the water to reduce the extra mass. This requires a big hill of course to get sufficient workout time.

Some weight training will add muscles back, giving you the double benefits of burning more calories by exercising, and then continuing to burn more calories because you have more muscle mass.

Do not seek to lose more than 1 lb a week, or you are 'dieting', and you will rebound again.

Hazelip · 27th June 2003, 03:10 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by roger
Some weight training will add muscles back, giving you the double benefits of burning more calories by exercising, and then continuing to burn more calories because you have more muscle mass.

This is true, and yet another reason to toss out your scale.

You see, muscle weighs more than fat. Take one chunk of fat, and an identically-sized chunk of muscle, and the muscle will be more dense and weigh more.

Which is healthier? The muscle.

So, don't pay attention to your weight, that is a false goal. Pay attention to your fitness level. Can you take the stairs without gasping for breath? Can you walk ten miles and feel fine? Can you ben over and touch your toes? Can you notice that you have lost inches in your waistline? Do you jiggle less?

These are your indicators. The scale is only to be used as a rough guide as best, and looking to "lose another ten pounds" is stupid. Get fit, eat right, and you'll be healthier.

Oh, and to get fit, you have to stop making excuses. There are plenty of low-impact options available, and they don't even require a gym membership. Get off your butt and do something about it.

BillyJoe · 29th June 2003, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Hazelip
Can you take the stairs without gasping for breath?

I used to run up 22 steps to my front door.
I could hold my breath, run up and not feel breathless in the slightest. However, at the end of last year, we moved and there is not even a single step to the front door of our new house.
What do I do now?

Badger · 29th June 2003, 06:13 AM

With regard to your metabolism, a good way to speed it up again is to eat a bunch of small meals through the day (typically 6). It's akin to snacking all day, but make sure they're healthy meals/snacks high in protien/fibre and low in simple carbohydrates. Don't skip breakfast, whatever you do. If you're going to cut back, do so WRT your evening meals.

Also, do weight training that involves your large muscle groups (squats or deadlifts for legs, benchpress/pushups for chest, chinups/rowing type exercise for back). Working these muscle groups provides the quickest bang for the buck as they're large in size and putting stress on them makes them want to grow. Weights can be as simple as identified above.....a couple of gallon milk jugs filled with water. Or you can go buy dumbells or weights and a bench really cheaply from the classifieds in the paper. And weight training is low impact.

Best of luck!

Hazelip · 29th June 2003, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by BillyJoe
What do I do now?

Take the stairs at school/work, maybe? Go to your local high school track/stadium and climb the stairs there every morning or evening? Go for nice and long uphill walks?

Why can't you think of these things on your own?

BillyJoe · 30th June 2003, 03:55 AM

(Actually, I run every morning and at the 4 km mark there is a rather steep section which really tries out my quads and calves. I don't think I'll miss those stairs)

Hazelip · 30th June 2003, 05:34 PM

Sorry, BJ. I guess you were being sarcastic and I just didn't pick up on it. My mistake.

BillyJoe · 1st July 2003, 05:28 AM

Yeah, I was just foolin' around.

HarryKeogh · 1st July 2003, 05:57 AM

if youre intent on taking a pill have a friend in europe smuggle you in some Clenbuterol. great stuff. it's over the counter there.

but it's only 10 lbs. so if i were you i'd just cut the carbs.

26th June 2003, 10:15 AM	#1
Cristina Student Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 49	SlimDown Pills...do they work? Has anyone tried the Jamieson Slim down diet supplements? I have about 10 pounds to lose that I put on during a bad break up and subsequent depression. I found this link but seem unable to find more detailed information. Thanks clinical study
Cristina Student Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 49

26th June 2003, 10:32 AM	#2
Deadbeat Scholar Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 96	Um, not to nitpick, but as a professional writer, I know a press release when I see one. That's about as far from a "clinical study" as you're likely to get, I'm afraid. Quote: Ultra Slim Down ingredients have been clinically proven to reduce weight by burning fat more effectively and helping eliminate carbohydrates efficiently. It is the combination of ingredients and the way they are taken that provides an effective means for weight loss. Which ingredients, taken how? Where are the methodologies used in the clinical studies? Sorry, but I get a little apprehensive whenever I see "Naturopath" attached to a miraculous new product. Have you checked Quackwatch yet? Edited to add: Here's an interesting article on the active ingredient in the "Carb targeting" portion of the supplement: http://www.hcrc.org/contrib/wheeler/hydroxyc.html
Deadbeat Scholar Join Date: Aug 2001 Posts: 96

26th June 2003, 10:40 AM	#3
Cristina Student Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 49	Thanks You said it much more clearly than I. I can't find the clincial study and so don't know what if anything to make of this product. Thanks for the link.
Cristina Student Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 49

26th June 2003, 11:04 AM	#4
Luke T. Guest Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 14,759	Ah. A magic pill. To lose a mere ten pounds. I am totally guessing here, but after this breakup, I assume you were quite depressed. Some people eat more when they are depressed. Once you get over your depression, you will go back to your normal eating pattern I hope, and the ten pounds will go away naturally. If you are taking a magic pill during this time, you might attribute your weight loss to it instead of the real reasons.
Luke T. Guest Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 14,759

26th June 2003, 01:36 PM	#5
John Harrison Thinker Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 136	According to their website, Slim Down Carb & Fat Burner contains : CitraMax 50% HCA (Hydroxycitric acid) 125mg, Advantra Z Citrus Aurantium 125mg, Kola Nut JKN-10 5mg. From PDR health Hydroxycitric acid - A suggestion from animal work that hydroxycitric acid might be an effective antiobesity agent has not been confirmed in human studies. A recent well-controlled trial of hydroxycitric acid failed to produce any significant weight loss compared with placebo. This was a 12-week double-blind study in which overweight subjects were randomized to receive 1500 milligrams of hydroxycitric acid daily or placebo. In another recent study, also conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled and randomized, researchers sought to see whether hydroxycitric acid supplementation could increase fat oxidation in human subject. The researchers found no significant effect. Advantra Z Citrus Aurantium - Vitamin C Kola Nut - Basically caffeine, which does suppress hunger. I suspect this is the main effective ingredient in this product.
John Harrison Thinker Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 136

26th June 2003, 02:30 PM	#6
Genghis Pwn Banned Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 559	Don't take pills. Do Atkins.
Genghis Pwn Banned Join Date: May 2003 Posts: 559

26th June 2003, 05:09 PM	#7
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	Don't take pills, don't do Atkins. Eat right, moderately, and exercise. Burn more calories than you take in, and you will lose weight. There is no magic bullet, pill, diet, or fad to make this happen.
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	__________________ Boring blog: http://www.Hazelip.com/

26th June 2003, 08:07 PM	#8
Thumper Thinker Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 234	Wait, caffeine supresses hunger? Then why am I hungrier after drinking iced tea than after drinking water?
Thumper Thinker Join Date: Feb 2003 Posts: 234	__________________ Two cents from Tennessee.

27th June 2003, 03:29 AM	#9
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	Quote: Originally posted by Thumper Wait, caffeine supresses hunger? Then why am I hungrier after drinking iced tea than after drinking water? Have you traditionally consumed iced tea with meals, thusly training yourself to associate food with the beverage, perhaps?
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	__________________ Boring blog: http://www.Hazelip.com/

27th June 2003, 09:45 AM	#10
voidx Graduate Poster Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canuckistan Posts: 1,480	Quote: Don't take pills, don't do Atkins. Eat right, moderately, and exercise. Burn more calories than you take in, and you will lose weight. There is no magic bullet, pill, diet, or fad to make this happen. This is the only LONGTERM solution to healthy weightloss. You'd be wise to heed it. Get out and go for a jog or ride a bike or something to help you lose that 10 pounds. Knowing the average fitness levels of North American's you should probably be out doing it anyway.
	__________________ V O I D X ' S S I G N A T U R E

27th June 2003, 10:34 AM	#11
Cristina Student Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 49	Thank you all for your input. I appreciate your recommendations to exercise more but am not able to engage in anything high impact due to a health condition. I try to swim on good days. I think Luke T got it right - let me explain. At pre-breakup baseline, I was 115 lbs. When he left, I became depressed and so less active (days spent in bed) although I also went days without eating. In the first month or so after he left me, I lost a good twenty pounds. My diet has returned to normal or a bit less than before but my weight keeps increasing past baseline - 123 lbs now. It seems to be some sort of rebound effect. Vanity of course kicks in with summer. None of my summer clothes fit and so in a panic I was seeking a fast fix. I hesitate to diet because of this odd rebound effect I am experiencing. Is it possible that the starvation time I went through completely screwed up my metabolism? Thanks again for your help.
Cristina Student Join Date: Mar 2003 Posts: 49

27th June 2003, 10:48 AM	#12
roger Penultimate Amazing Join Date: May 2002 Location: Mountain View, CA Posts: 11,021	Yes, you probably experienced a few things due to not eating for a few months. First, your baseline metabolism was slowed, so now when you eat normally you need less to maintain weight. Second, your body goes into "survivial" mode, and it piles the fat back on you when you begin to eat normally. Third, if you lose more than a lb or two a week (variable depending on body size), you were losing muscle as well as fat. Muscle burns calories, so w/ fewer muscle you need fewer calories now. If you started at 115, you were probably already pretty thin, so if you lost 20 lbs you probably lost a lot of muscle. Low impact exercise options - find some hills, and wear a backpack with weights. This is very low impact, and it will allow you to elevate your heart rate to anything you want. If your knees are bad, walking downhill w/ a lot of weight is bad. In this case, the weights should be water filled jugs. When you get to the top and are ready to return, dump out much or all of the water to reduce the extra mass. This requires a big hill of course to get sufficient workout time. Some weight training will add muscles back, giving you the double benefits of burning more calories by exercising, and then continuing to burn more calories because you have more muscle mass. Do not seek to lose more than 1 lb a week, or you are 'dieting', and you will rebound again.

27th June 2003, 03:10 PM	#13
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	Quote: Originally posted by roger Some weight training will add muscles back, giving you the double benefits of burning more calories by exercising, and then continuing to burn more calories because you have more muscle mass. This is true, and yet another reason to toss out your scale. You see, muscle weighs more than fat. Take one chunk of fat, and an identically-sized chunk of muscle, and the muscle will be more dense and weigh more. Which is healthier? The muscle. So, don't pay attention to your weight, that is a false goal. Pay attention to your fitness level. Can you take the stairs without gasping for breath? Can you walk ten miles and feel fine? Can you ben over and touch your toes? Can you notice that you have lost inches in your waistline? Do you jiggle less? These are your indicators. The scale is only to be used as a rough guide as best, and looking to "lose another ten pounds" is stupid. Get fit, eat right, and you'll be healthier. Oh, and to get fit, you have to stop making excuses. There are plenty of low-impact options available, and they don't even require a gym membership. Get off your butt and do something about it.
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	__________________ Boring blog: http://www.Hazelip.com/

29th June 2003, 05:43 AM	#14
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	Quote: Originally posted by Hazelip Can you take the stairs without gasping for breath? I used to run up 22 steps to my front door. I could hold my breath, run up and not feel breathless in the slightest. However, at the end of last year, we moved and there is not even a single step to the front door of our new house. What do I do now?
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.

29th June 2003, 06:13 AM	#15
Badger Member of the Peanut Gallery Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: In the country Posts: 3,441	With regard to your metabolism, a good way to speed it up again is to eat a bunch of small meals through the day (typically 6). It's akin to snacking all day, but make sure they're healthy meals/snacks high in protien/fibre and low in simple carbohydrates. Don't skip breakfast, whatever you do. If you're going to cut back, do so WRT your evening meals. Also, do weight training that involves your large muscle groups (squats or deadlifts for legs, benchpress/pushups for chest, chinups/rowing type exercise for back). Working these muscle groups provides the quickest bang for the buck as they're large in size and putting stress on them makes them want to grow. Weights can be as simple as identified above.....a couple of gallon milk jugs filled with water. Or you can go buy dumbells or weights and a bench really cheaply from the classifieds in the paper. And weight training is low impact. Best of luck!
	__________________ www.skepticalcommunity.com "You're a soundbite waiting to happen." (Steve Antle) "You are O.D'ing on drama flakes. Please stop." (kookbreaker) "You had me at bamboo worms." - (GeekGoddess) "I power-barfed for so long that I'm pretty sure I lost a few inches in height and maybe even went back in time a little. " (negativ)

29th June 2003, 10:33 AM	#16
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	Quote: Originally posted by BillyJoe What do I do now? Take the stairs at school/work, maybe? Go to your local high school track/stadium and climb the stairs there every morning or evening? Go for nice and long uphill walks? Why can't you think of these things on your own?
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	__________________ Boring blog: http://www.Hazelip.com/

30th June 2003, 03:55 AM	#17
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	(Actually, I run every morning and at the 4 km mark there is a rather steep section which really tries out my quads and calves. I don't think I'll miss those stairs)
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.

30th June 2003, 05:34 PM	#18
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	Sorry, BJ. I guess you were being sarcastic and I just didn't pick up on it. My mistake.
Hazelip Critical Thinker Join Date: Dec 2002 Posts: 497	__________________ Boring blog: http://www.Hazelip.com/

1st July 2003, 05:28 AM	#19
BillyJoe Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: MOOROOLBARK Posts: 12,539	Yeah, I was just foolin' around.
	__________________ A secular society is one in which no one loses any liberty as a consequence of someone else's religious beliefs. NB Allowing yourself to get led around the nose by a person like Craig is a losing strategy. SH Morality is a social coating around a Darwinian core. JC My joke about freewill: There is no basis for it.

1st July 2003, 05:57 AM	#20
HarryKeogh Catholic School Survivor Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: New York, NY Posts: 11,342	if youre intent on taking a pill have a friend in europe smuggle you in some Clenbuterol. great stuff. it's over the counter there. but it's only 10 lbs. so if i were you i'd just cut the carbs.