Flat Tummy Plus Review – chewable slimming pill but is it just a laxative

Flat Tummy Plus 20% FOSElifexir Flat Tummy Plus is a food supplement that has a laxative effect. It therefore aids digestion and as a result means that food is digested quicker keeping the stomach flat.

Laxatives are usually marketed as effective treatment for constipation or digestion problems; however Flat Tummy Plus is marketed as its name describes – to help flatten the stomach area.

A familiar sight in Holland and Barrett stores – but is it worth trying?

Flat Tummy Plus at Holland and BarrettClaims:  Pleasant tasting chewable tablets to help flatten your stomach

Positives: Reputable company. Affordable

Negatives: Not really a weight loss product, others preferred

Diet pills not to buy

What Is Flat Tummy Plus And How Does It Work

Flat Tummy with Flat Tummy PlusFlat Tummy Plus is a chewable tablet containing ingredients that aid digestion and encourage bowel movement including magnesium and prebiotics (see below for ingredients). Two – four tablets a day for at least 30 days are recommended after meals, and are taken by dissolving them in the mouth. Clinical studies have not been undertaken for this product.

As a laxative it encourages speedy digestion of food and makes the digestive system more susceptible to bowel movements, which subsequently result in allowing for the attainment of a flat belly.

However, it does not aid in actually weight loss, Flat Tummy Plus does not burn fat, increase metabolism or suppress appetite. It is a chewable prebiotic food supplement which stimulates bacteria growth and activity. Prebiotics enable increased activity of bifidobacteria and lactic acid bacteria, which encourage digestion.

Key Ingredients

Flat Tummy Plus contains Fructo-oligosaccharides, Sweetners, Anti-caking agent, Magnesium Stearate and Mint Flavouring.

FOS or Fructo-oligosaccharides are special sugars similar to fibre, which feed the bacteria in the digestive system helping to stimulate the digestive process.

Magnesium Stearate is a laxative. Magnesium relaxes the muscles in the intestines allowing for better movement in the intestines. Secondly, magnesium encourages the intake of water, which subsequently allows for stool to pass out of the body more easily. Both these actions are believed to assist in the attainment of a flat belly.

Sorbitol, the sweetener, helps to stimulate bowel movements.

Peppermint essential oil – it is thought that peppermint essential oil allows for enhanced bowel movement and has anti-spasmodic properties, smoothing muscles along the intestines and the digestive tract to aid digestion.

Interesting Flat Tummy Plus Fact

The tablets contain fructo-oligosaccharides (soluble fibre) which contribute to dietary fibre and enhance the taste and sweetness of artificial sweeteners. Naturally these are found in vegetables, fruit and pulses, so really by simply eating a healthy balance diet with these elements can give you the same levels of good bacteria and thus stimulating your digestive system.

Flat Tummy Plus Media Focus

Flat Tummy Plus has absolutely no media attention. Having been on the market for many years, without weight loss outcomes it is not a high-profile product that media could recommend for weight management.

Any Success Stories

Since the product is not for weight management there are no positive experiences of using the product from a diet management perspective. As a digestive product, there are few success stories overall, except for a few that state it tastes pleasant and has stimulated their digestion.

Any Side Effects

As a food supplement there are no severe side effects, however you may experience stomach upset and nausea, as well as vomiting and diarrhoea. Large doses of magnesium or sorbitol can result in causing an irregular heartbeat and drop in blood pressure. Excessive diarrhoea can lead to dehydration and will also result in depletion of valuable nutrients the body needs.

Taking the supplement long term is not recommended but although the warnings indicate that long term use will cause laxative effects, it provides no information as to the dangers and health risks.

Bottom Line… Is It Recommended

Elifexir Flat Tummy Plus is £9.99 for 32 tablets so makes an affordable supplement and Elifexir is a well reputed company. The product is probably more useful to those suffering with constipation and digestion problems rather than those trying to seek weight loss solutions. It would be unrealistic to take this tablet and expect a flat stomach as its name suggests.

If dieting it is better to change eating and lifestyle habits in order to lose weight. This supplement is more of a laxative than it is a supportive supplement for healthy digestive function.

The use of laxatives for dieting has never been recommended and it is indeed one of the methods used by those with eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa.

Weight loss is best when it is achieved by a healthy eating plan and a well balanced diet covering all food groups which will deliver all the nutrients a body needs in fewer calories than had been previously consumed. If dieters need assistance in the form of a supplement, one that merely has a laxative effect is certainly not recommended.

Diet pills not to buy

Recommended Slimming Product

PhenQ Phentermine alternativeFat burners and appetite suppressants are the most effective genres of slimming pills. One of the strongest available without prescription is PhenQ.

PhenQ has been available for many years and is best seller in the UK, The US, Canada, Australia and several other European countries

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XLS Medical Carb Blocker – Cut the effect of carbohydrates

XLS Carb Blocker boxXLS Medical Carb Blocker is a weight loss supplement designed to meet the weight loss needs of people who have become overweight or obese due to their love of high carbohydrate foods such as bread, pasta, and rice.

The product is manufactured by Omega Pharma and the company’s corporate headquarters is located in Belgium, so it is possible that the tablets are also of Belgian origin. But it is hard to say for sure where they are manufactured because Omega Pharma are a leading supplier of  over-the-counter health and personal care products and the company has offices in 35 countries.

XLS Medical WebsiteClaims:  To help users reduce weight and reduce body fat by preventing carbohydrate absorption

Positives: Natural ingredients, Omega Pharma are a respected company within the industry

Negatives: Not as effective as some of its counterparts

Diet pills not to buy

XLS Medical – A Thoroughbred Company

There can be no doubt about the integrity of the company. Omega Pharma have been trading since 1987 and many of their products such as TCP,  Nytol, and Buttercup Syrup, are household names.

XLS Medical Carb Blocker is one of three weight loss products that the company market under the XLS Medical brand name. The other two products are XLS Medical Fat Binder and XLS Medical Appetite Reducer.

The main promises made for XLS Carb Blocker are:

  • Reduces calories absorbed from dietary carbohydrates
  • Gentle on your system
  • Made with naturally derived active ingredients
  • Can reduce your waist circumference by 8 cm in 4 weeks.

What Is XLS Medical Carb Blocker and How Does it Work?

foods high in carbohydratesLike any carb blocker, XLS Medical’s product is designed to assist weight loss by restricting the amount of calories absorbed from ingested carbohydrates and promises to allow the user to continue their love affair with starchy foods without the risk of further weight gains.

XLS Medical say their carb blocker achieves this by “reducing alpha-amylase enzyme activity in the carbohydrate digestion process” and promise the tablets can block up to two thirds of carbohydrate calories.

Alpha-amylase is a protein enzyme found in many forms of plant and animal life, including humans, and the enzyme plays a crucial role in the digestion of starchy carbohydrates; so in theory any product that can block the production of alpha amylase can cause an increased amount of carbohydrates to pass through the body without being digested. It is a sound theory and many experts believe it to have merit, but there is consensus of opinion that further testing is required.

How to take – Dosage

Two tablets should be taken with water, three times a day, before meals. Use of the tablets should be continued for one month, or longer, depending on individual weight loss targets.

Key Ingredients – Whats in it

According to the XLS Medical website “every XLS Medical Carb Blocker tablet contains PhaseLite, a standardized complex of glycoproteins from a GM free vegetable source”.

Phaselite in XLS Medical Carb BlockerIn simple terms this means the blend is reliant on a patent-protected ingredient called PhaseLite.

PhaseLite is natural fiber derived from some beans, including haricot and French beans. The ingredient is manufactured by the pharmaceutical company InQpharm and is only made available to other companies within the pharmaceutical industry.

The results of a study conducted in Berlin, Germany, by Barbara Grube, M.D, and published in the journal Obesity, showed test subjects using PhaseLite lost considerably more weight than the members of the placebo group.

Media Focus and attention from the Press

XLS Medical’s carb blocker has benefitted from a TV advertising campaign in the UK and, bearing in mind the far-reaching interests of Omega Pharma, it seems likely that similar campaigns will have been utilized in many other European countries.

Customer Feedback

Consumer opinions of the product are mixed. A typical positive comment states:

“Great product! I’ve been using it for over 2 months now and have lost weight steadily. I would definitely recommend this product!”

And an example from the other side of the coin:

“Didn’t work for me, felt no different with controlled diet and plenty of water as suggested. Wouldn’t bother again. Rubbish.”

Side Effects and Health Issues

Given the nature of the main ingredient side effects would seem unlikely, but PhaseLite’s patent-protected status means that a full ingredient profile is not available and some consumers report adverse reactions to XLS Medical Carb Blocker:

“Did not work and created in me awful tummy pains, bloating, cramp and made me feel really unwell.”

Such reactions are admittedly rare though, and could possibly be attributed to another cause.

Pregnant and nursing mothers are advised to seek medical advice before using XLS Medical Carb Blocker or any other form of dieting supplement. The same advice is offered to anyone who has known health issues or any concerns about their health or fitness.

Is there a Money Back Guarantee?

Product purchases are protected by a guarantee.

Where To Buy XLS Medical Carb Blocker

XLS Medical Carb Blocker is readily available all over Europe and UK customers will probably have to look no further than their local pharmacy. The product can also be purchased online from Amazon, eBay, and many other online stores; but prices vary. It pays to but from highly reputable stockists that will offer a money back guarantee.

The XLS Medical website does not have an online store, but it does provide a useful online tool for calculating BMI and lots of weight loss tips and advice.

Alternative Diet Pills

PhenQA product we highly recommend is PhenQ, a fat burner that is available to buy without prescription that is said to help users burn around 280 calories per serving – equivalent to cycling to 40 minutes.

PhenQ can offers its users multiple benefits: fat burning, fat blocking and appetite suppressing. It has also ingredients to help prevent fatigue

PhenQ full report with customer comments here

Bio-Synergy Body Perfect – Does it work, customer feedback and side effects

Bio-Synergy Body Perfect slimming pillsBio-Synergy Body Perfect is marketed as an “award-winning and unique fat loss formula to support weight loss and a healthy metabolism”.

The product is produced in the UK by Bio-Synergy Ltd. The company produces several other weight loss products and offer international shipping, but results are not guaranteed.

Body Perfect is arguably the flagship product, lets examine a little closer.

Body Perfect Official websiteClaims:  To be the award winning number one fat burner voted for by women

Positives: Reputable company. Shown some good results

Negatives: Contains bitter orange, associated with side effects

Diet pills not to buy

Boy Perfect Proposed Benefits

  • Helps burn fat
  • Results in one month
  • Ideal for quick results
  • Helps shift stubborn pounds
  • Helps reduce hunger and sugar cravings

Bio-Synergy also claims their “unique” formulation contains scientifically proven ingredients, so let’s take a look at that next.

Recommended Usage

The recommended dose is two to four capsules spread out over the day. Capsules should be taken on an empty stomach and washed down with a glass of water. The capsules contain caffeine, so Bio-Synergy advise against taking capsules after 4pm. For best results the capsules should be used as part of an overall weight management program that includes a healthy diet and regular exercise.

Whats In It – Key Ingredients

  • L-Tyrosine (165mg): An amino acid that is believed to speed up the metabolism but clinical evidence of this is lacking.
  • Green Tea Standardized Extract (400mg): Green tea has a good reputation for encouraging fat burning, but scientific studies offer conflicting results.
  • Citrus Aurantium (82.5mg): Also called Bitter Orange, Citrus Aurantium is reputed to assist fat burning, but this has never been scientifically proven and side effects can be severe.
  • Naringin (66mg):  A flavonoid that is usually sourced from grapefruit. The so called “grapefruit diet” has been largely disproven by science. Tests show any weight lost will more likely be attributable to loss of water from the body rather than fat.
  • Caffeine (50mg): A proven stimulant that may offer some weight loss benefits, but the inclusion rate here is far too low. A typical cup of coffee would provide over twice this amount.
  • Alpha Lipoic Acid (33mg): An antioxidant manufactured in the body. It appears to have the power to lower blood sugar levels, but most healthy people produce a sufficient amount of Alpha-lipoic acid without any need for supplementation
  • Hypromellose:  Generally used in the food industry as a thickening and suspending agent. Its purpose here is unclear, but it has probably been incorporated as a filler ingredient.

Media Focus

Bio-Synergy say their products are favored by many professional customers including:

  • Commonwealth games
  • British and Irish Lions
  • Premier rugby
  • McClaren F1
  • Tottenham Hotspur Football Club
  • Arsenal Football Club

The list goes on and on, and the claims may be true, but no specific names are mentioned and nobody of note has publically endorsed either the company or their products.

Bio-Synergy also say their Body Perfect the capsules were “voted no. 1” by the readers of Women’s Fitness, but no evidence can be found online to support this claim.

The Body Perfect sales page also boasts the Daily Mail voted the capsules no.1, and another one of their pages states the Mail gave them a 4/5 rating, but, once again, supporting evidence has been impossible to find.

Customer Feedback

The Bio-Synergy website has a few five star reviews, but independent reviews are predominantly poor.

“I’ve only tried one month’s worth of these fat burning capsules and considering that one of their selling points is “results in one month” I was disappointed to notice no discernible difference.”

Bio-Synergy Body Perfect Possible Side Effects

Bitter Orange Side EffectsBio-Synergy state their capsules are “safe and effective” but several of the ingredients have known side effects.

The caffeine content is probably too low to be an issue, but Narangin and Alpha-lipoic acid can prevent some prescription medications from working correctly. Alpha-lipoic acid may also cause skin irritations and rashes.

Citrus Aurantium is, however, the most worrying inclusion of all because it speeds up the heart and its use has been linked to heart attacks and strokes. [source]

This supplement should not be used by pregnant or nursing mothers and all other potential users are advised to seek medical advice before using Bio-Synergy Body Perfect capsules.

Is Bio-Synergy Body Perfect Worth Buying

Bio-Synergy Body Perfect appears to be just another product being sold on the back of big promises that have very little to back them up, and the absence of a guarantee suggests Bio-Synergy may not have as much faith in their product as they say. Independent feedback indicates the product fails more users than it helps, so any potential the blend may have would appear to be very limited.

The use of citrus aurantium is particularly worrying, and the fact the product is touted as being “safe and effective” suggests Bio-Synergy are either ignorant about their chosen ingredients or consider product sales more important than the consumers’ health. Bio-Synergy Body Perfect is not a recommended product. Many better options are available.

Where To Buy, Stockists

A bottle of 60 Body Perfect capsules costs £19.99 from their official website. While this is not the cheapest weight loss formulation on the market, it is, at least, reasonably priced. Customers who decide to buy 180 capsules can do so for an additional £20 (£39.99). That’s a significant saving, but without the benefit of a money back guarantee, it is also a bigger gamble for the consumer.

Bio-Synergy Body Perfect capsules are also available on the Amazon website, and a bottle of 60 capsules can be purchased for about £11.99, so this may be a better option for a first-time buyer.

Recommended Slimming Pill

Garcinia Cambogia CapsulesWe recommend Garcinia Cambogia, a natural fat burner that can also help stop the production of new fat cells as well as suppress appetite.

Garcinia Extra is a premium brand that also contains raspberry ketone. Together these two ingredients (garcinia and raspberry ketone) are enjoying unprecedented popularity and success on a worldwide basis.

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