Liquid Shredding Complex
Also known as: Liquid Shredding Complex, OxyShred, Fat Burner Supplement, Thermogenic Fat Burner Complex
Overview
The 'Liquid Shredding Complex' is a proprietary blend of thermogenic and metabolic-boosting compounds, typically including caffeine, p-synephrine (from bitter orange), acetyl L-carnitine, Garcinia cambogia extract, and conjugated linoleic acid (CLA). It is classified as a thermogenic dietary supplement or fat burner, designed to increase metabolic rate and promote fat loss. The ingredients are derived from natural sources. Its primary uses are to increase resting energy expenditure (REE), enhance fat oxidation, improve focus, and support weight/fat loss efforts. While individual ingredients have been extensively studied, the combined effects of such proprietary blends are less well-established, with moderate research maturity and limited high-quality randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the blend itself.
Benefits
This complex has been shown to acutely increase resting metabolic rate, with a significant sustained increase observed over 3 hours post-ingestion compared to placebo. It also leads to increased circulating free fatty acids, indicating enhanced lipolysis. Improved focus and cognitive alertness are also noted, likely attributable to its caffeine content. These effects have been observed primarily in healthy adults. While potential fat loss and weight management benefits are hypothesized, long-term efficacy for these outcomes has not been confirmed in RCTs. The cited RCT reported statistically significant increases in metabolic rate and free fatty acids (p < 0.05), but specific effect sizes for weight loss or fat mass reduction are not yet available.
How it works
The complex primarily acts on the sympathetic nervous system to increase metabolic rate and mobilize fat stores. Caffeine and p-synephrine stimulate adrenergic receptors, leading to increased thermogenesis and lipolysis. Acetyl L-carnitine facilitates the transport of fatty acids into mitochondria for oxidation, enhancing fat burning. Garcinia cambogia, through its active component hydroxycitric acid, may inhibit fat synthesis. CLA modulates lipid metabolism and could reduce fat accumulation. Key molecular targets include beta-3 adrenergic receptors (p-synephrine), adenosine receptors (caffeine), and mitochondrial enzymes (acetyl L-carnitine). Ingredients are generally well-absorbed orally, with caffeine having high bioavailability.
Side effects
The complex is generally considered safe for healthy adults at recommended doses, with no significant adverse hemodynamic effects reported in acute studies. Common side effects, affecting more than 5% of users, may include jitteriness, increased heart rate, and mild gastrointestinal discomfort, primarily due to stimulant content. Uncommon side effects (1-5%) can include headache and nausea. Rare side effects (<1%) such as cardiovascular events may occur in sensitive individuals or in cases of overdose. Potential drug interactions exist with other stimulants, monoamine oxidase inhibitors, and medications affecting heart rate or blood pressure. Contraindications include cardiovascular disease, hypertension, pregnancy, breastfeeding, and stimulant sensitivity. Safety has not been established for children, pregnant women, or individuals with chronic diseases.
Dosage
The minimum effective dose for the blend is not well-defined, but studies have used caffeine doses around 150 mg. An optimal dosage range observed in research included 150 mg of caffeine combined with 2003 mg of the overall fat-burning matrix. Users should not exceed the maximum safe caffeine intake, generally around 400 mg per day for healthy adults. For best results, the complex is typically taken prior to exercise or during the day to leverage its acute effects and avoid sleep disruption. Liquid formulations may offer faster absorption. Food intake might delay absorption, while caffeine absorption is generally rapid. No specific cofactors are required for its efficacy.
FAQs
Does it cause weight loss?
While acute metabolic increases are documented, there is no conclusive evidence from long-term studies for sustained weight or fat loss from the blend alone.
Is it safe to take daily?
Short-term use appears safe for healthy adults; however, long-term safety data for daily use of the complex is currently lacking.
When should it be taken?
It is best taken prior to exercise or during the day to maximize its metabolic and cognitive benefits and to avoid potential sleep disruption.
Will it cause jitters?
Yes, due to the presence of stimulants like caffeine and p-synephrine, it is possible to experience jitters or increased heart rate.
Are all ingredients effective?
Individual ingredients have some evidence for their effects, but the combined efficacy of all ingredients in the blend requires more specific research.
Research Sources
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9987759/ – This randomized controlled trial (RCT) investigated a thermogenic blend in healthy adults, demonstrating a significant acute increase in resting metabolic rate and circulating free fatty acids over 3 hours compared to placebo. The study found no adverse hemodynamic effects, but its short duration limits conclusions on long-term weight loss. The research was funded by a supplement grant, which could introduce potential bias.
- https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-024-84359-3 – This systematic review and Bayesian meta-analysis, encompassing 1026 elite combat athletes across 67 RCTs, focused on the performance-enhancing effects of caffeine and its combinations. It confirmed that caffeine and certain combinations improve performance markers, but it did not provide direct outcomes related to fat loss. The study is considered high quality due to its large sample size and rigorous methodology.
- https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC7071459/ – This systematic review examined the cognitive effects of various supplements, concluding that caffeine is the most consistently effective herbal supplement for cognitive enhancement. The review noted high heterogeneity among studies and did not perform a meta-analysis due to poor study quality, indicating a moderate quality assessment for its narrative synthesis.
