{"id":604583592242,"title":"PhenGold Review: Does the \"Natural\" Fat Burner Work?","created_at":"2023-01-06T22:42:40-05:00","body_html":"\u003cscript type=\"application\/ld+json\"\u003e\/\/ \u003c![CDATA[\n{\n \"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\",\n \"@type\": \"Article\",\n \"headline\": \"PhenGold Review: Does the 'Natural' Fat Burner Work?\",\n \"keywords\": \"phengold, phengold review, phengold reviews, phengold amazon, phengold fat burner, phengold walmart, phengold weight loss\",\n \"description\": \"Our research team reviews the ingredients in PhenGold based on medical research to give our take on whether it's likely to cause weight loss or if it's a waste of money. We highlight some questionable health claims made by the brand.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/phengold-review\",\n\"author\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Calloway Cook\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/calloway-cook\",\n \"sameAs\": \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/calloway-cook\/\",\n \"jobTitle\": \"President\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"entrepreneurship, dietary supplements, herbal supplements, eCommerce, medical research\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": \"S.I. Newhouse School of Public Communications at Syracuse University\"\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"editor\": {\n \"@type\": \"Person\",\n \"name\": \"Taylor Graber\",\n \"honorificSuffix\": \"M.D.\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/taylor-graber\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/in\/taylor-j-graber-md-81351642\/\",\n \"https:\/\/www.asapivs.com\/\"\n ],\n \"jobTitle\": \"Content Partner\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"medicine, health, anesthesiology, iv therapy, science, drugs, pharmaceutical, medical research, scientific research, medical journals, entrepreneurship, healthcare, orthopedic surgery, biomedical engineering\",\n \"alumniOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"EducationalOrganization\",\n \"name\": [\n \"University of California San Diego\",\n \"Arizona University\",\n \"University of Arizona College of Medicine\"\n ]\n },\n \"memberOf\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n }\n},\n\"image\": {\n\"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n\"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Thumbnail.png?v=1673063354\",\n\"width\": \"2213\",\n\"height\": \"2213\"\n},\n\"citation\": [\n\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8406948\/\", \n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30335479\/\",\n\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/truvy-review\",\n\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/170932\/nutrients\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31174214\/\",\n\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25636220\/\"\n],\n\"mentions\": [{\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Health Nutrition Limited\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Thing\",\n \"name\": \"green tea\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"caffeine\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Brand\",\n \"name\": \"Total Shape\"\n }\n],\n\"datePublished\": \"2023-01-06\",\n\"copyrightHolder\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\"\n},\n\"publisher\": {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Illuminate Labs\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/\",\n \"description\": \"Illuminate Labs is the most transparent supplement company in the U.S., and is a leading publisher of research-based health information.\",\n \"knowsAbout\": \"supplements, science, nutrition, exercise, health, medication, pharmaceutical, wellness, diet, weight loss, medical research\",\n \"publishingPrinciples\": \"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/pages\/editorial-guidelines\",\n \"memberOf\": [\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"U.S. Chamber of Commerce\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.uschamber.com\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Certified B Corp\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.bcorporation.net\/en-us\/\"\n },\n {\n \"@type\": \"Organization\",\n \"name\": \"Natural Products Association\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/www.npanational.org\/\"\n }\n ],\n \"logo\": {\n \"@type\": \"ImageObject\",\n \"url\": \"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Illuminate_Labs_Favicon_48x48_7595c3cc-e27b-47b8-a4fe-edcc7ed9b29a.png?v=1666502785\", \n \"width\": 48,\n \"height\": 48\n},\n \"foundingDate\": \"2019-01-30\",\n \"sameAs\": [\n \"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/twitter.com\/illuminatelabs\",\n \"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/company\/illuminate-labs-supplements\",\n \"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/channel\/UCpgSJAsIPb-fZ25djtTxBEA\"\n ]\n }\n}\n\/\/ ]]\u003e\u003c\/script\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Review_Article_Header_Image_Optimized.png?v=1673063142\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan class=\"dc\"\u003eP\u003c\/span\u003ehenGold is a weight loss supplement manufactured by a brand called Health Nutrition Limited. The brand claims that their supplement “enhances your body’s natural fat-burning abilities” and “reduces cravings” with their “clinically proven ingredients.”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eBut does PhenGold actually have research-backed ingredients for weight loss, or are these just marketing claims? Does the supplement contain any questionable additive ingredients? And how do real users rate and describe its effects?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIn this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review the ingredients in PhenGold based on medical research to give our take on whether the supplement is likely to be effective for weight loss or if it’s a waste of money.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe’ll also publish our thoughts on whether or not PhenGold is likely to cause side effects, highlight some questionable health claims made by the brand, and share real, unsponsored user reviews of PhenGold\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eIngredient Analysis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Supplement_Facts_Label_Optimized.png?v=1673062732\" alt=\"PhenGold Supplement Facts label\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePhenGold contains 11 active ingredients, and some do have research backing for weight loss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGreen tea\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e was shown in a 2012 \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC8406948\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emeta-study\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e to modest weight loss ranging from 0.4 pounds to 7.7 pounds over the course of 12 weeks. The dose in PhenGold is equivalent to the doses used in the lower range of the clinical trials analyzed, so we would expect any weight loss effect to be closer to 0.4 pounds than 7.7 pounds.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCaffeine\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e intake is also associated with weight loss, and the 225 milligrams (mg) in PhenGold is an effective dose. It’s equivalent to slightly more than two cups of coffee.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/30335479\/\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003emedical review\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e published in the \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ci\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCritical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/i\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e journal found that caffeine causes weight loss and fat loss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eGreen coffee\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e may be effective for weight loss. As we documented in our review of another weight loss supplement called \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/illuminatelabs.org\/blogs\/health\/truvy-review\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eTruvy\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e, clinical trials have shown this ingredient to have a dose-dependent effect on weight loss, and the 4:1 extract at a 100 mg dose is effectively dosed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe can’t identify any other ingredients in this supplement that we consider effective for weight loss.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eCayenne pepper\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e is included at what seems to be a strangely low dose of 200 mg. This is 9x less than the amount in one single teaspoon of cayenne pepper, \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/fdc.nal.usda.gov\/fdc-app.html#\/food-details\/170932\/nutrients\"\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eaccording to\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e the USDA.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eOverall we consider PhenGold to be potentially effective for weight loss given that it contains three research-backed ingredients which appear to be effectively dosed.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe don’t recommend the supplement overall. Since only three of the 11 ingredients are effectively dosed for weight loss based on our research review, we don’t believe it’s worth $59.99. That being said, it is a better formulation than the majority of weight loss supplements we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eQuestionable Health Claims on PhenGold Website\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Questionable_Health_Claim_1_Optimized.png?v=1673062755\" alt=\"PhenGold questionable health claim 1\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThere are a number of questionable health claims on the PhenGold website, including the chart above which has no citation. \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003ePhenGold does not appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, so what data is the manufacturer using to create this chart?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eIf this chart is just made up for illustrative purposes, with no data backing, that would be highly fraudulent. We hope that the brand clarifies this.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe brand also makes strange claims about some of the ingredients in their supplement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Questionable_Health_Claim_2_Optimized.png?v=1673062782\" alt=\"PhenGold questionable health claim 2\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eThey claim that the plant \u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003eRhodiola rosea\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cb\u003e burns fat. We have not come across any medical studies suggesting that this plant causes fat loss, and the citation that the brand links to has nothing to do with fat loss – it suggests that rhodiola can reduce feelings of weakness.\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Questionable_Health_Claim_3_Optimized.png?v=1673062806\" alt=\"PhenGold questionable health claim 3\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThe manufacturer also claims that l-theanine, which is an amino acid typically taken for stress reduction, “boosts metabolism.” \u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/PhenGold_Questionable_Health_Claim_4_Optimized.png?v=1673062825\" alt=\"PhenGold questionable health claim 4\" style=\"display: block; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe haven’t come across any clinical evidence of this effect, and there are no citations on their website that prove it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWill PhenGold Cause Side Effects?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eSince PhenGold has not been studied in any clinical trials, it’s impossible to determine for certain whether or not it causes side effects. However, we can make an educated guess based on its active ingredients.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eCaffeine is the only ingredient in this formulation we consider to have a chance to cause side effects. It’s included at a safe dose for healthy adults, but individuals sensitive to caffeine may experience side effects like anxiety from a 225 mg dose, and those individuals should probably avoid this supplement.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThere are no other ingredients in this formulation that we consider likely to have side effects, and there are no ingredients overall that we consider a health risk. It’s also a good thing that the inactive ingredients are entirely safe and non-toxic.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eOverall we do not consider PhenGold likely to cause side effects in most consumers.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eReal, Unsponsored PhenGold User Review\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eA YouTube channel called “Total Shape” published a video on PhenGold that includes a review of the ingredients and their personal experience taking the supplement. The packaging has been since rebranded but this is the same supplement we’ve reviewed in this article:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003ciframe width=\"560\" height=\"315\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/RgnISYEgdA8\" title=\"YouTube video player\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" allowfullscreen=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/iframe\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cmeta charset=\"utf-8\"\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCan Food Supplements Cause Weight Loss?\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0047\/1524\/9737\/files\/Fiber_Powder_Image_Optimized_c891713a-daf9-41c1-b6b7-0085eebd2ef2.png?v=1664683615\" alt=\"\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThere are several food-based weight loss supplements with significant research backing.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003cspan\u003eD\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cb\u003eietary fiber\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is associated with weight loss in clinical trials, especially when combined with caloric restriction.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eA \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/31174214\/\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003elandmark medical study\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e found that moderate caloric restriction (750 calories per day below baseline) combined with dietary fiber intake (a minimum of 20 grams per day) caused an average weight loss of 16.03 pounds over 6 months. That’s a pace of \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003ci\u003e32 pounds per year\u003c\/i\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e of weight loss in overweight individuals simply by adding fiber to a moderately-restricted-calorie diet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe fiber supplement we recommend is \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shareasale.com\/r.cfm?b=2011129\u0026amp;u=3153363\u0026amp;m=124607\u0026amp;urllink=www%2Esupergut%2Ecom%2Fresistant%2Dstarch%2Dfiber%2Dmix%2F%3Fsku%3D300101%2D1\u0026amp;afftrack=\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSuperGut Fiber Mix\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e, which costs $59. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eIt contains a clean and effective formulation: a blend of three different types of unflavored dietary fiber and zero additive ingredients. It can be mixed into liquids or foods. Interested consumers can buy SuperGut fiber \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/shareasale.com\/r.cfm?b=2011129\u0026amp;u=3153363\u0026amp;m=124607\u0026amp;urllink=www%2Esupergut%2Ecom%2Fresistant%2Dstarch%2Dfiber%2Dmix%2F%3Fsku%3D300101%2D1\u0026amp;afftrack=\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eat this link\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e to the product page on the brand's website.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe recommend using two fiber mixes per day, which provides 16 g of fiber. Diet should provide the remaining fiber necessary to meet the 20 g minimum threshold.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003eMCT oil\u003c\/b\u003e\u003cspan\u003e is derived from coconuts, quickly absorbed by the body and increases metabolic rate, which causes fat loss. A \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca href=\"https:\/\/pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/25636220\/\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003emeta-study\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e on MCT oil documented weight loss of 1.12 pounds over 10 weeks. \u003cstrong\u003eThis equates to a potential annualized weight loss of 5.84 pounds with MCT oil supplementation.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eWe recommend \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/bulletproof.fdf2.net\/4eNQ4M\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eBulletproof MCT Oil\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e\u003cspan\u003e as our top MCT oil product, because it has a clean and effective formulation. The only ingredient is MCT oil derived from coconuts, and the product has no questionable additives. Interested consumers can buy Bulletproof MCT Oil \u003c\/span\u003e\u003ca rel=\"sponsored\" href=\"https:\/\/bulletproof.fdf2.net\/4eNQ4M\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eat this link\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/a\u003e to the product page on the brand's website.\u003cspan\u003e \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThis supplement only costs $15.50 for over a month's worth of product.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThe effective dose range of MCT oil for weight loss (based on the medical review) is 1.7 g to 10 g per day. Bulletproof's MCT oil provides 14 g in one tablespoon, so around two-thirds of one tablespoon should be a maximally-effective dosage.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eConclusion\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003ePhenGold may be effective for weight loss because it contains several research-backed ingredients at appropriate doses. It’s free of any harmful or questionable ingredients which is a good sign.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe do not recommend this supplement overall as we don’t consider it to be a cost-effective way to achieve weight loss, but we don’t have any issues with consumers taking it.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eFor those interested in trying PhenGold, you’ll need to purchase it on the official brand’s website because the supplement is not currently sold on third-party retailers like Amazon or Walmart.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eThere are a number of questionable and uncited health claims on the PhenGold website, and we hope that the brand either removes these claims or updates them to include proof.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"font-weight: 400;\"\u003eWe do not believe that PhenGold is likely to cause side effects except for in consumers sensitive to caffeine.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","blog_id":49281925193,"author":"Calloway Cook","user_id":26601750601,"published_at":"2023-01-06T22:53:29-05:00","updated_at":"2023-01-06T22:53:29-05:00","summary_html":"We review the ingredients in PhenGold based on medical research to give our take on whether it's likely to cause weight loss or if it's a waste of money. We highlight some questionable health claims made by the brand.","template_suffix":"","handle":"phengold-review","tags":"_related:weight-loss"}

PhenGold Review: Does the "Natural" Fat Burner Work?

PhenGold Review: Does the "Natural" Fat Burner Work?


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Read our Editorial Guidelines to learn more about what makes our site the premier resource for online health information.

PhenGold is a weight loss supplement manufactured by a brand called Health Nutrition Limited. The brand claims that their supplement “enhances your body’s natural fat-burning abilities” and “reduces cravings” with their “clinically proven ingredients.”

But does PhenGold actually have research-backed ingredients for weight loss, or are these just marketing claims? Does the supplement contain any questionable additive ingredients? And how do real users rate and describe its effects?

In this article we’ll answer all of these questions and more as we review the ingredients in PhenGold based on medical research to give our take on whether the supplement is likely to be effective for weight loss or if it’s a waste of money.

We’ll also publish our thoughts on whether or not PhenGold is likely to cause side effects, highlight some questionable health claims made by the brand, and share real, unsponsored user reviews of PhenGold

Ingredient Analysis

PhenGold Supplement Facts label

PhenGold contains 11 active ingredients, and some do have research backing for weight loss.

Green tea was shown in a 2012 meta-study to modest weight loss ranging from 0.4 pounds to 7.7 pounds over the course of 12 weeks. The dose in PhenGold is equivalent to the doses used in the lower range of the clinical trials analyzed, so we would expect any weight loss effect to be closer to 0.4 pounds than 7.7 pounds.

Caffeine intake is also associated with weight loss, and the 225 milligrams (mg) in PhenGold is an effective dose. It’s equivalent to slightly more than two cups of coffee.

A medical review published in the Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition journal found that caffeine causes weight loss and fat loss.

Green coffee may be effective for weight loss. As we documented in our review of another weight loss supplement called Truvy, clinical trials have shown this ingredient to have a dose-dependent effect on weight loss, and the 4:1 extract at a 100 mg dose is effectively dosed.

We can’t identify any other ingredients in this supplement that we consider effective for weight loss.

Cayenne pepper is included at what seems to be a strangely low dose of 200 mg. This is 9x less than the amount in one single teaspoon of cayenne pepper, according to the USDA.

Overall we consider PhenGold to be potentially effective for weight loss given that it contains three research-backed ingredients which appear to be effectively dosed.

We don’t recommend the supplement overall. Since only three of the 11 ingredients are effectively dosed for weight loss based on our research review, we don’t believe it’s worth $59.99. That being said, it is a better formulation than the majority of weight loss supplements we’ve reviewed on Illuminate Health.

Questionable Health Claims on PhenGold Website

PhenGold questionable health claim 1

There are a number of questionable health claims on the PhenGold website, including the chart above which has no citation. PhenGold does not appear to have been studied in any clinical trials, so what data is the manufacturer using to create this chart?

If this chart is just made up for illustrative purposes, with no data backing, that would be highly fraudulent. We hope that the brand clarifies this.

The brand also makes strange claims about some of the ingredients in their supplement.

PhenGold questionable health claim 2

They claim that the plant Rhodiola rosea burns fat. We have not come across any medical studies suggesting that this plant causes fat loss, and the citation that the brand links to has nothing to do with fat loss – it suggests that rhodiola can reduce feelings of weakness.

PhenGold questionable health claim 3

The manufacturer also claims that l-theanine, which is an amino acid typically taken for stress reduction, “boosts metabolism.” 

PhenGold questionable health claim 4

We haven’t come across any clinical evidence of this effect, and there are no citations on their website that prove it.

Will PhenGold Cause Side Effects?

Since PhenGold has not been studied in any clinical trials, it’s impossible to determine for certain whether or not it causes side effects. However, we can make an educated guess based on its active ingredients.

Caffeine is the only ingredient in this formulation we consider to have a chance to cause side effects. It’s included at a safe dose for healthy adults, but individuals sensitive to caffeine may experience side effects like anxiety from a 225 mg dose, and those individuals should probably avoid this supplement.

There are no other ingredients in this formulation that we consider likely to have side effects, and there are no ingredients overall that we consider a health risk. It’s also a good thing that the inactive ingredients are entirely safe and non-toxic.

Overall we do not consider PhenGold likely to cause side effects in most consumers.

Real, Unsponsored PhenGold User Review

A YouTube channel called “Total Shape” published a video on PhenGold that includes a review of the ingredients and their personal experience taking the supplement. The packaging has been since rebranded but this is the same supplement we’ve reviewed in this article:

Can Food Supplements Cause Weight Loss?

There are several food-based weight loss supplements with significant research backing.

Dietary fiber is associated with weight loss in clinical trials, especially when combined with caloric restriction.

landmark medical study found that moderate caloric restriction (750 calories per day below baseline) combined with dietary fiber intake (a minimum of 20 grams per day) caused an average weight loss of 16.03 pounds over 6 months. That’s a pace of 32 pounds per year of weight loss in overweight individuals simply by adding fiber to a moderately-restricted-calorie diet.

The fiber supplement we recommend is SuperGut Fiber Mix, which costs $59. 

It contains a clean and effective formulation: a blend of three different types of unflavored dietary fiber and zero additive ingredients. It can be mixed into liquids or foods. Interested consumers can buy SuperGut fiber at this link to the product page on the brand's website.

We recommend using two fiber mixes per day, which provides 16 g of fiber. Diet should provide the remaining fiber necessary to meet the 20 g minimum threshold.

MCT oil is derived from coconuts, quickly absorbed by the body and increases metabolic rate, which causes fat loss. A meta-study on MCT oil documented weight loss of 1.12 pounds over 10 weeks. This equates to a potential annualized weight loss of 5.84 pounds with MCT oil supplementation.

We recommend Bulletproof MCT Oil as our top MCT oil product, because it has a clean and effective formulation. The only ingredient is MCT oil derived from coconuts, and the product has no questionable additives. Interested consumers can buy Bulletproof MCT Oil at this link to the product page on the brand's website. This supplement only costs $15.50 for over a month's worth of product.

The effective dose range of MCT oil for weight loss (based on the medical review) is 1.7 g to 10 g per day. Bulletproof's MCT oil provides 14 g in one tablespoon, so around two-thirds of one tablespoon should be a maximally-effective dosage.

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Conclusion

PhenGold may be effective for weight loss because it contains several research-backed ingredients at appropriate doses. It’s free of any harmful or questionable ingredients which is a good sign.

We do not recommend this supplement overall as we don’t consider it to be a cost-effective way to achieve weight loss, but we don’t have any issues with consumers taking it.

For those interested in trying PhenGold, you’ll need to purchase it on the official brand’s website because the supplement is not currently sold on third-party retailers like Amazon or Walmart.

There are a number of questionable and uncited health claims on the PhenGold website, and we hope that the brand either removes these claims or updates them to include proof.

We do not believe that PhenGold is likely to cause side effects except for in consumers sensitive to caffeine.




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