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Weight Loss Supplements Review (7-Keto DHEA, Forskolin and Stimulant Blend Supplements)

Choose the Best Weight Loss Supplement. Be Careful With Weight Loss Supplements — Few Pass Quality Testing and Safety Review.

Tod Cooperman, M.D.

Medically reviewed and edited by Tod Cooperman, M.D.

 
Latest Update March 26, 2021 ⓘ
Weight Loss Supplements Tested by ConsumerLab.com
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Here's a look at our independent findings. Become a member for full results for every product, Top Picks, and more.

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Results of ConsumerLab.com Testing of 7-KETO DHEA, STIMULANT, AND FORSKOLII WEIGHT MANAGEMENT SUPPLEMENTS

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Products tested in 2019

Quick Summary

  • Do weight loss pills work?

    There isn't overwhelming evidence that any dietary supplement enables significant, long-term weight loss. However, many small studies — typically funded by supplement companies -- suggest short-term weight loss, slimming (reducing fat but not overall weight), and/or appetite reduction (see What It Does for a summary of the evidence).

    In this Review, CL focused on stimulant blends (which are some of the most popular weight loss supplements and contain caffeine and/or synephrine), as well as supplements with 7-keto DHEA or forskolin (from Coleus forskohlii). CL has separately reviewed many other types of supplements used for weight loss — see the list in What It Is.

  • What did CL's tests of weight loss supplements find?

    Laboratory tests and analyses by ConsumerLab revealed potentially dangerous amounts of caffeine in three products and a potentially dangerous amount of synephrine in another — twice the amount expected from its label. In addition, one Forskohlii supplement contained less than 5% of its expected forskolin. All of the 7-keto DHEA supplements contained their claimed amounts.  

    Across products, the dose of caffeine ranged from 51.6 mg to 270 mg per serving in stimulant blends, 7-keto DHEA ranged from 25 mg to 100 mg, and forskolin ranged from just 1.9 mg to 50 mg. The cost to obtain 100 mg of 7-keto DHEA ranged from 15 cents to $3.00 and the cost for 25 mg of forskolin ranged from 33 cents to $1.40 -- showing huge opportunity for savings when buying these products. For details, see What CL Found and How Products Were Evaluated.

  • Top Picks for 7-Keto DHEA, forskolin, and stimulant blends —

    Among products Approved in testing, ConsumerLab selected a Top Pick for 7-Keto DHEA and a Top Pick for Forskolin, with each providing the clinically tested dosage at relatively low cost. A Top Pick Stimulant Blend was also chosen that provided a safe level of caffeine.

  • How much should I take and when?

    Dosage for 7-Keto DHEA is typically 100 mg twice daily and for Forskohlii it is 25 mg of forskolin (from 250 mg of extract standardized to 10% forskolin) twice daily. For caffeine, there isn't sufficient research to suggest a dose effective for weight loss. See the ConsumerTips™ section for more about dosage and forms.

  • Safety and side effects of weight loss supplements:

    Stimulants and forskolin may affect blood pressure and heart rate and interact with medications. 7-keto DHEA may affect thyroid levels. (For details, see Concerns and Cautions.)

Make sure you're choosing the best weight loss supplements approved in our tests!

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Alphabetical list of 7-keto DHEA, forskolin, and herbal stimulant weight loss supplement brands compared in this review

View Larger Image BioGanix Pure Forskolin Extract

BioGanix Pure Forskolin Extract

View Larger Image Burn XT

Burn XT

View Larger Image Douglas Laboratories 7-Keto

Douglas Laboratories 7-Keto

View Larger Image Herbalife Total Control

Herbalife Total Control

View Larger Image Life Extension 7-Keto DHEA Metabolite 100 mg

Life Extension 7-Keto DHEA Metabolite 100 mg

View Larger Image Muscletech Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite

Muscletech Hydroxycut Hardcore Elite

View Larger Image Nature's Answer Forskohlii Weight Control

Nature's Answer Forskohlii Weight Control

View Larger Image Natures Plus Herbal Actives Coleus Forskohlii

Natures Plus Herbal Actives Coleus Forskohlii

View Larger Image Paradise Coleus Forskolii

Paradise Coleus Forskolii

View Larger Image Premier Research Labs Lean Advantage

Premier Research Labs Lean Advantage

View Larger Image Puritan's Pride 7-Keto DHEA 25 mg

Puritan's Pride 7-Keto DHEA 25 mg

View Larger Image Rock Star Skinny Gal Thermogenic

Rock Star Skinny Gal Thermogenic

View Larger Image Source Naturals 7-Keto

Source Naturals 7-Keto

View Larger Image Xenadrine Ultimate Weight Loss

Xenadrine Ultimate Weight Loss

You must be a member to get the full test results for weight loss supplements along with ConsumerLab.com recommendations, comments, and quality ratings. You will get results for thirteen supplements selected by ConsumerLab.com for testing and for one other that passed voluntary Quality Certification Testing.


In this comprehensive review, you'll discover:
  • Which weight loss supplements failed testing and which passed
  • ConsumerLab's Top Picks among products
  • Direct comparisons, reviews, and quality ratings of weight loss supplements 
  • The pros, cons, and weight loss evidence for bitter orange, calcium, caffeine, Garcinia cambogia, stimulant herbs, chitosan, chromium, diuretics, ephedra, forskolin, green tea, hoodia, L-carnitine, pyruvate, raspberry ketone, 7-keto DHEA, stimulant laxatives like senna, and vitamin C  
  • Dosage for 7-keto DHEA and forskolin
  • Concerns, cautions, and drug interactions for caffeine and many ingredients common in weight loss supplements  

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Latest Clinical Research Updates for Weight Loss Supplements (7-Keto DHEA, Forskolin and Stimulant Blend Supplements)

Stimulant Supplements

June 16, 2013
Have you ever wondered what taking a stimulant supplement for weight management or energy might do to your body? Researchers recently gave Zantrex-3, Xenedrine EFX, Metabolift, or a brand of Guarana to young men while monitoring their heart rates and other vital signs, and recording side effects. The results raise concerns. Get the details, plus test results for 14 other supplements, in the updated Weight Supplements Review >>

Raspberry Ketone

February 12, 2012
Recently touted in the media as a powerful tool for fat reduction, there has been a swell of interest in supplements containing raspberry ketone. Do these supplements really work? Although we have not yet had the time to test these products, we checked the evidence on raspberry ketone and updated our Weight Supplements Review with what we found. If you use raspberry ketone, use it with some caution --and be aware that the quality of supplements can suffer when companies rush to meet a new demand.

Green Tea Extract and Weight Loss

September 25, 2011
A new study using a high dose of green tea extract showed it to help sedentary overweight men lose weight, while those taking placebo gained weight. This is not the first study to show this potential benefit of green tea extract. The effect may be due to the compound EGCG. Get the facts, including how much EGCG was in the product, in the Weight Loss Supplements Review.  More >>

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Additional Information
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.