Written by Steve Theunissen | ISSA: CPT & Fitness Nutrition
Fact checked by Robert Iafelice, MS, RD, LDN
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The never-ending obsession with ridding fat from the human body sees a constant stream of 'magic' weight loss pills entering the market. Though they often make all sorts of outrageous claims about how they help you lose weight, many of them turn out to be expensive duds that lighten your bank account but do virtually nothing for that stubborn belly fat. Among the rip-offs, though, there are a few gems.
Zotrim is one of the most established weight loss supplements, being on the market since 2001. It's been getting some pretty good reviews from verified customers and professional reviewers alike, so it's a worthy contender for further investigation. In this article, we put Zotrim under the spotlight to find out whether you should invest in it to help you on your weight loss journey.
In this article you can expect:
- What is Zotrim?
- Zotrim: Pass or Fail?
- Zotrim Ingredients
- Zotrim Claimed Benefits
- Zotrim Side Effects
- Real Customer Zotrim Reviews
- How To Take Zotrim?
- When To Take Zotrim?
- Who Should Take Zotrim?
- Where To Buy Zotrim?
- Zotrim Alternatives
- Zotrim FAQs
- Summary
By helping you break bad eating habits like overeating and snacking between meals, Zotrim enables you to cut your daily calorie intake with ease...
What is Zotrim?
Zotrim is a natural, herbally-based supplement for losing weight. It is manufactured and marketed by a UK-based company called Health Nutrition. On the official website, Health Nutrition claims that Zotrim is the most researched weight loss supplement on the current market.
Zotrim acts as both a fat burner and an appetite suppressant. It is designed and marketed mainly for women, containing a low amount of caffeine. It is also claimed that this product will increase energy levels, and it includes some ingredients aimed at boosting cognitive functioning.
Zotrim Review: Pass or Fail?
Zotrim is an interesting female-centered weight loss supplement that contains six active ingredients. Its main practical benefits appear to be boosting energy rather than helping to lose weight. That's because most of the ingredients have a research-backed track record of increasing energy levels.
The main problem when it comes to stimulating weight loss or even reducing appetite is that the ingredients seem to be underdosed. A prime example is caffeine. Each dosage of Zotrim provides you with 13.8 mg of caffeine. That's far less than you get in a cup of coffee!
Overall Verdict: PASS
We give Zotrim a qualified pass. It will help boost your energy levels, which may, in turn, help you burn more calories to lose weight. Regarding stimulating weight loss, however, there are better options (see our three alternatives later on in this review).
Pros
- Research-backed ingredients
- Increases energy levels
- May reduce appetite
Cons
- Generally low dosed
6 Zotrim Ingredients
Unlike many weight loss supplements, Zotrim does not contain a huge list of ingredients. There are, in fact, just six ingredients in this product. Here's an overview of each one, including the research that supports its inclusion.
1. Yerba Mate Leaf Extract - 112mg
Since ancient times, Yerba Mate, a South American shrub, has been consumed as a tea. The extract is made from the plant's leaves and is said to have a number of possible health advantages, such as weight loss, an increase in energy, and better mental focus.
Caffeine and a class of polyphenols known as xanthines are the two main active ingredients in yerba mate leaf extract. It is thought that these substances combine to speed up metabolism, boost energy levels, and reduce appetite. According to studies, Yerba Mate Leaf Extract's polyphenols and caffeine may aid in weight loss by boosting metabolic rate and lowering appetite.¹
Yerba Mate Leaf Extract has been demonstrated to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory qualities and possible weight loss advantages.² Reducing inflammation and oxidative stress in the body may help lower the probability of developing chronic diseases, including cancer and heart disease.
Although Yerba Mate Leaf Extract is typically regarded as harmless, it does contain caffeine, which in some people can have negative side effects like jitteriness, sleeplessness, and an accelerated heart rate.
2. Guarana Seed Extract - 95mg
Guarana seed extract comes from the seeds of the climbing plant guarana, which is native to Brazil's Amazon region. It is known to be highly stimulant- and caffeine-rich.
It is thought that guarana seed extract can help lose weight faster by boosting metabolism and suppressing hunger. Guarana's caffeine and other stimulants have been demonstrated to boost energy expenditure, which can aid in calorie burning and weight loss. Guarana is also believed to aid with appetite suppression by boosting feelings of fullness and decreasing cravings for high-calorie foods.³
Guarana seed extract has been demonstrated to have a number of other health advantages in addition to its effects on weight loss.⁴ For instance, it has been connected to greater physical performance, reduced fatigue, and improved cognitive function. It has also been found to possess antioxidant capabilities, which can lessen inflammation and shield cells from injury.
3. Damiana Leaf Extract - 36mg
Damiana Leaf Extract is made from the leaves of a tiny shrub that is native to Central and South America. The use of damiana leaf extract is thought to have a host of possible health advantages, including enhanced attention, higher energy, and weight loss.
Similar to caffeine, the active ingredients in Damiana Leaf Extract are thought to stimulate the central nervous system and speed up metabolism. Through higher calorie burn and decreased food intake, this increased metabolic rate may aid in promoting weight loss. Damiana Leaf Extract is also thought to have mood-enhancing and stress-relieving properties, which may assist in lessening emotional eating and enhance the results of weight reduction.
Damiana Leaf Extract has been traditionally used as an aphrodisiac, as well as for its possible anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects and potential weight loss advantages.
There is sparse scientific research on the effectiveness of damiana leaf as a weight loss promoter. However, several rodent studies indicate that it may have the potential to improve energy output, thus indirectly helping to burn calories and lose weight.⁵ More research is needed before damiana leaf extract can be conclusively claimed to be a weight loss supplement.
4. Caffeine - 13.8mg
It is believed that caffeine stimulates the central nervous system and raises metabolic rate, which may help weight loss by increasing calorie burn and decreasing food intake. As a mild appetite suppressant, caffeine is also believed to help with cravings.
There are four key mechanisms by which caffeine is thought to help with weight loss⁶:
- Boosted metabolism
- Appetite suppression
- Increased fat oxidation
- Thermogenesis
Caffeine is recognized to have a number of other health advantages outside its potential role in weight loss. It is thought to boost mental performance, give people more energy, and make them feel less tired. Several chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, and Alzheimer's disease, may have a lower risk thanks to it.
While caffeine is mostly considered harmless when ingested in moderation, some people may experience negative effects such as jitteriness, anxiety, and insomnia. The low dosage of caffeine in Zotrim will not bring on these effects.
If you're interested in adding your own caffeine, check out the best caffeine supplements.
5. Vitamin B3 - 2.9mg
Vitamin B3, or niacin, is needed for several body processes, including the transformation of food into energy. It is also known to play a variety of other health-related roles aside from its function in energy metabolism. It may help in lowering cholesterol levels, enhancing blood sugar regulation, and reducing inflammation. It has also been connected to better brain health and a lower chance of Alzheimer's disease development.
Vitamin B3 may help in controlling hunger and boosting energy levels, both of which may contribute to weight loss.⁷
6. Vitamin B6 - .4mg
Vitamin B6, also known as pyridoxine, is an essential nutrient for the metabolism of proteins, carbohydrates, and fats. It is also necessary to can maintain a healthy immune system, lessen inflammation, and enhance cognitive function.
Vitamin B6 may contribute to weight loss by increasing energy and helping to control hunger.⁸
Claimed Benefits of Zotrim
The manufacturers of Zotrim claim that this product will when combined with exercise and healthy nutrition, provide the following benefits.
1. Appetite Suppression
It is claimed that Zotrim has the ability to bring on a feeling of hunger and satisfaction that will ward off hunger pangs and suppress the appetite. The website claims that Zotrim will reduce your appetite, curb your cravings, resist snacking, and cut your daily caloric intake. A study is referenced where participants on Zotrim ate an average of 112 fewer calories, consumed fewer high-fat foods, and stopped eating three minutes earlier than those who didn't take Zotrim.⁹
2. Elevated energy levels
The combination of caffeine, yerba mate, and guarana enhances energy levels, helping you to stay alert longer, offset training, and push harder through your workouts. The Zotrim website references a study where people who take caffeine improved their performance by 12%.¹⁰
By helping you break bad eating habits like overeating and snacking between meals, Zotrim enables you to cut your daily calorie intake with ease...
Side Effects of Zotrim
When used according to instructions, Zotrim is promoted as a natural dietary supplement derived from natural ingredients. However, just like any supplement, Zotrim may have adverse effects on some people.
The following are a few possible Zotrim adverse effects:
- Nausea or a stomachache
- Headache
- Insomnia
- Increased blood pressure or heart rate
Real Customer Zotrim Reviews
Zotrim has a rating of 3 out of 5 stars on Amazon. Here is a typical review from a verified Amazon user:
There are also reviews from verified users on the official Zotrim website. These are overwhelmingly positive, as you would expect:
How to take Zotrim?
Health Nutrition recommends taking 3 Zotrim capsules per day.
When to take Zotrim?
Zotrim should be taken with a glass of water about 30 minutes before breakfast.
Who should take Zotrim?
While primarily designed for women who are trying to lose weight, Zotrim can be taken by both men and women. It should be taken by people who are already exercising regularly to lose weight and follow a calorie-reduced balanced diet designed to achieve a daily caloric deficit (energy intake should be lower than expended energy). If taken on its own, absent of diet and exercise, Zotrim will not achieve the desired results.
Zotrim should not be taken by women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Health Nutrition also advises that people under the age of 18 do not take this product. If you are currently taking any medications, you should consult with your doctor before taking Zotrim.
Where to buy Zotrim?
Zotrim can be purchased from the official website. It can also be found on a number of 3rd party sellers, including Amazon.
2 Zotrim Alternatives
The fat loss supplement industry is extremely competitive, so there are plenty of alternatives to Zotrim. Here are three top contenders:
1. Hourglass Fit
Hourglass Fit is another dietary supplement specifically designed for women. It has 3000mg of glucomannan for appetite suppression. It is also a stimulant-free product, so users don't have to worry about any jittery side effects from taking the supplement.
Hourglass Fit also contains cayenne pepper, with its active ingredient, capsaicinoids. These compounds increase the body's internal temperature to produce a thermogenic effect. It requires energy to increase and then decrease the temperature, all of which burns calories.
Another key ingredient in Hourglass Fit is 5-HTP, which has anti-stress and mood-enhancing benefits. 5-HTP may also help reduce food cravings. The dosage for Hourglass Fit is one capsule taken three times daily.
For a full breakdown, read our full Hourglass Fit Review.
Pros
- Contains glucomannan
- 5-HTP for mood enhancement
- Thermogenic effect
Cons
- Quite expensive
Hourglass Fit melts away fat revealing a toned, shaped, sexy physique. Get the flat stomach and Hourglass waist you’ve always wanted...
2. PhenQ
PhenQ is a dietary supplement for weight loss that works to reduce body fat by increasing metabolism, reducing hunger, and preventing the growth of fat cells. It is advertised as a potent and successful weight-loss supplement that is appropriate for both men and women.
PhenQ's main ingredients are as follows:
- Capsimax Powder: This powder is a concoction of caffeine, niacin (vitamin B3), capsicum, and piperine. Caffeine and niacin serve to improve energy levels and minimize fatigue, while capsicum and piperine offer thermogenic qualities that aid in boosting the body's metabolic rate.
- Chromium Picolinate: Blood sugar levels can be controlled with the mineral chromium picolinate, which helps lessen the desire for sweets and helps stop overeating.
- Nopal: This cactus extract is rich in fiber and works to reduce appetite by prolonging feelings of fullness.
- L-carnitine fumarate: L-carnitine fumarate is an amino acid that aids in the transformation of fat into energy, which can assist in boosting energy and lessen weariness.
- A-Lacy's Reset: Alpha-lipoic acid and cysteine are combined in the proprietary supplement Lacys Reset, which boosts metabolism and lowers oxidative stress.
The recommended dosage of PhenQ is two capsules per day, with one taken before breakfast and the other before lunch. This product has thousands of positive reviews and has established itself as one of the top-selling dietary supplements on the market.
Read our full review of PhenQ here.
Pros
- Thousands of positive reviews online
- Contains research-backed ingredients
- 60-day money-back guarantee
Cons
- Only available from the official website
PhenQ is a natural weight management system that targets 5 key areas of metabolic health to help shed excess fat, crush cravings, and support natural energy...
Zotrim FAQs
Does Zotrim actually work?
Zotrim appears to be more effective as an energy booster than a promoter of weight loss. The increased energy may help with calorie burn and result in weight loss. Zotrim's limited ability to directly impact weight loss is due to its low-dose ingredients and the absence of such proven fat-loss boosters and appetite suppressants as fenugreek extract and glucomannan.
Can you buy Zotrim over the counter?
No, you cannot buy Zotrim over the counter. It can only be purchased from the official Zotrim website.
What are the active ingredients in Zotrim?
The six active ingredients are yerba mate, caffeine, guarana seed extract, damiana leaf extract, vitamin B3, and vitamin B6.
Is Zotrim the same as Phentermine?
No, Phentermine and Zotrim are not the same. While Phentermine is a prescription drug used to treat obesity, Zotrim is a natural dietary supplement promoted as a help with weight loss and hunger control.
Phentermine works by reducing hunger and boosting metabolism, which may aid with weight loss. It is often used in conjunction with a good diet and exercise to assist people in achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
On the other hand, Zotrim is a natural supplement that combines plant extracts and fibers in an effort to suppress appetite, boost energy, and encourage sensations of fullness. It is a non-prescription, safe weight loss pill that is sold without a prescription.
While Phentermine and Zotrim can both be taken to promote weight loss attempts, their modes of action and possible adverse effects differ.
Summary
The Zotrim weight loss supplement seems to do a pretty effective job at helping people increase their energy levels to help ward off fatigue and get more active. In this way, it may help you on your weight loss journey by increasing calorie burn. However, the dosages of such key ingredients as caffeine and guarana are simply too low to produce any significant weight loss benefits. We recommend going with diet pills that are higher dosed in their appetite-suppressing compounds, like PhenQ or Hourglass Fit.
By helping you break bad eating habits like overeating and snacking between meals, Zotrim enables you to cut your daily calorie intake with ease...
Interested in other full reviews of fat burners? Check out our reviews on Hunter Burn and PhenGold.
References
Andersen, T., and J. Fogh. "Weight Loss and Delayed Gastric Emptying Following a South American Herbal Preparation in Overweight Patients." Journal of Human Nutrition and Dietetics: The Official Journal of the British Dietetic Association, vol. 14, no. 3, 1 June 2001, pp. 243–250
Gambero, Alessandra, and Marcelo Ribeiro. "The Positive Effects of Yerba Maté (Ilex Paraguariensis) in Obesity." Nutrients, vol. 7, no. 2, 22 Jan. 2015, pp. 730–750
Schimpl, Flávia Camila, et al. "Guarana: Revisiting a Highly Caffeinated Plant from the Amazon." Journal of Ethnopharmacology, vol. 150, no. 1, 28 Oct. 2013, pp. 14–31
Alkhatib, Ahmad, et al. "Acute Effectiveness of a "Fat-Loss" Product on Substrate Utilization, Perception of Hunger, Mood State and Rate of Perceived Exertion at Rest and during Exercise." Journal of the International Society of Sports Nutrition, vol. 12, no. 1, 25 Nov. 2015
Kim, Minseon, et al. "Antiphotoaging Effects of Damiana (Turnera Diffusa) Leaves Extract via Regulation AP-1 and Nrf2/ARE Signaling Pathways." Plants, vol. 11, no. 11, 31 May 2022, p. 1486
Tabrizi, Reza, et al. "The Effects of Caffeine Intake on Weight Loss: A Systematic Review and Dos-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials." Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, vol. 59, no. 16, 2019, pp. 2688–2696
Gasperi, Valeria, et al. "Niacin in the Central Nervous System: An Update of Biological Aspects and Clinical Applications." International Journal of Molecular Sciences, vol. 20, no. 4, 23 Feb. 2019
Zemel, Michael, and Bruckbauer. "Effects of a Leucine and Pyridoxine-Containing Nutraceutical on Body Weight and Composition in Obese Subjects." Diabetes, Metabolic Syndrome and Obesity: Targets and Therapy, Aug. 2013, p. 309
Ruxton, C. H. S., et al. "Effectiveness of a Herbal Supplement (Zotrim) for Weight Management." British Food Journal, 2007
Doherty, Mike, and Paul M. Smith. "Effects of Caffeine Ingestion on Exercise Testing: A Meta-Analysis." International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, vol. 14, no. 6, Dec. 2004, pp. 626–646
Maia-Landim, Andrea, et al. "Long-Term Effects of Garcinia Cambogia/Glucomannan on Weight Loss in People with Obesity, PLIN4, FTO and Trp64Arg Polymorphisms." BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine, vol. 18, no. 1, 24 Jan. 2018
Steve Theunissen
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