AN USA is Applied Nutrition's USA arm. Applied Nutrition is a publicly traded company in the UK and one of the largest dietary supplement brands on the planet. Under AN USA lives three sub-brands, if you will, in AN Performance (Vitamin Shoppe exclusive brand), AN Black (formerly known as ABE Nation), and AN Essentials. AN Black is geared more for the bodybuilding crowd than the other two.
AN Black Shred-X thermogenic powder is well formulated fat burner that is banned substance free. In a category filled with exotic ingredients and unknowns, it is nice for users to know that this "extreme thermogenic" will not get them in "hot" water with testing agencies. You can take AN Black Shred-X (both the powder and the capsules) with confidence.
AN Black Shred-X Powder
AN Black formulated the powder differently from the capsules. As you can imagine, in a capsule you have limited space. In a scoop/powder, you can go a bit bigger and beyond with your formula. Shred-X powder from AN Black is a 10g serving size and contains 30-servings per tub. It is available in two flavors: Lemon Ice Tea and Sour Gummy Bear.
B-Vitamins
B-Vitamins are critical to fat loss. When you are deficient in B-Vitamins, it becomes very difficult to lost weight and burn fat. While they don’t directly burn fat, deficiencies in these vitamins can impair metabolism, energy levels, and exercise performance, making weight loss more difficult. Users get Vitamin B3, Vitamin B6 and Vitamin B12 to help replenish these levels.
Acetyl L-Carnitine – 3g
ALCAR or Acetyl L-Carnitine is a great ingredient for elevating energy and mood. When connected to fat loss, users typically look for 1,500-3,000mg per serving. ALCAR can help transport fatty acids to be burned as fuel. This improves energy levels and may aid in fat loss.
Betaine Anhydrous – 1.5g
Betaine has been used for a long time in pre-workouts for it’s performance boosting benefits (strength and power output). By improving performance, Betaine can aid in fat loss. Betaine has been shown to aid in fat metabolization. However, much research doesn’t connect Betaine directly to fat loss, only to body composition improvement. The 1.5g dosage is sufficient.
Green Tea Extract – 450mg
Green Tea Extract is quite common in fat burners. AN Black uses it at 450mg in AN Black Shred-X powder. EGCG, Epigallocatechin Gallate, is derived from Green Tea Extract. EGCG is derived from Green Tea Extract.
The benefits of EGCG are many. Green Tea Extract contains caffeine and EGCG works synergistically with it to help improve fat loss. EGCG may also aid in insulin sensitivity. EGCG may helps regulate blood sugar levels and reduces the likelihood of storing excess calories as fat. EGCG has been shown to boost fat oxidation, particularly during exercise. Lastly, EGCG may increase body temperature (thermogenesis) to aid in fat loss. A dosage of 100-500mg per day is sufficient.
Choline – 300mg
Fat burners are not typically disguised as nootropics. Getting cognitive enhancing ingredients in fat burners doesn’t directly relate to increased metabolism, but they may help prevent busy and boredom eating. Managing your cravings through proper focus and attention is a big deal to fat loss. Choline is used at 300mg to help improve focus and attention. This can be beneficial to help keep you focused and alert versus busy and boredom eating.
Gymnema Sylvestre Extract – 250mg
Sugar cravings are a big reason why people gain weight. They dive in and over indulge in sweets and treats. Gymnema Sylvestre Extract has been shown to help reduce sugar cravings and help regulate blood sugar levels.
Gymnema contains active compounds called gymnemic acids, which can suppress the sweet taste on your tongue by temporarily blocking sugar receptors. This makes sugar taste off-putting and not great.
Gymnema helps regulate blood sugar levels in several ways. The first is it may aid in increasing insulin secretion in the pancreas. Then it may improve insulin sensitivity (ability to metabolize glucose). Lastly, it could reduce sugar absorption in the gut. The combination of all this helps users maintain healthy blood sugar levels.
The typical dosage is 200-400mg per day.
L-Tyrosine – 250mg
Tyrosine in a non-essential amino acid that may help aid in improving focus. This dosage of 250mg is not crazy high or at levels you will find in a pre-workout, but it may be enough to help improve attention and focus (especially when combined with caffeine and Choline). Tyrosine can also elevate mood and alertness as well.
L-Theanine – 250mg
Theanine is used to elevate mood and manage stress and anxiety. Elevated cortisol levels can impact weight loss. Managing cortisol, and external stressors can help improve weight loss. Theanine may also help level out the impact of caffeine from a “jitter” standpoint if you are sensitive to caffeine. Other studies have indicated that due to the calming effect of Theanine, it may actually help control feelings of hunger. The 250mg dosage is sufficient.
Taurine – 200mg
Taurine does not directly lead to fat loss, but it can help improve output and performance which may aid in improving body composition. Taurine can help regulate electrolytes which can improve performance. By increasing and improving output, users may experience better weight loss and management.
Some research suggests that Taurine may also aid in improving insulin sensitivity to ensure we are not increasing our fat stores with glucose.
Caffeine Anhydrous – 200mg
Caffeine Anhydrous is the fast acting caffeine that can go into effect within 10-15 minutes. Caffeine can aid in improving metabolism by stimulating the central nervous system. Caffeine also plays a part in appetite suppression. Caffeine can also elevate mood and attention.
L-Carnitine – 30mg
Another version of L-Carnitine exists in this formula at 30mg. Generic L-Carnitine is not as beneficial as the 3,000mg Acetyl-L-Carnitine talked about earlier, but it serves the same purpose. At 30mg you don’t expect a lot from this.
AN Black powdered Shred-X is a good choice for those looking to help increase metabolism, energy expenditure, potential fat loss and control cravings and blood sugar levels. With two flavors to choose from, AN Black Shred-X might be a good option for you.
Final Takeaway AN Black Shred-X Powder
I do like this formula more than the capsules but you can typically put more in powders than caps, so it isn't a surprise. They call this an "Extreme Thermogenic" but understand this is banned substance free so you won't get any gray or black market ingredients. For what it is and at the price point, this is a good option for those who especially participate in tested organizations.
Recent All Black Everything News & Reviews
AN Black Shred-X Powder: Thermogenic Fat Loss Powder for Weight Management
AN Black Shred-X powder was formulated to improve thermogenesis and manage weight through improved fat loss.
AN Supps Black Series Shred-X Capsules: Manage Weight and Control Cravings Easy
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AN Performance Hybrid Protein: Multiple Digestion and Absorption Rates for Better Recovery
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AN Performance Hydration +Electrolytes: Fuel Your Moment All Day
AN Performance Electrolytes Hydration formula is an all-in-one hydration formula designed to improve your output throughout the day with proper electrolyte replenishment.
AN Performance Non-Stim Pre-Workout: Formulated For Any Part of the Day
AN Performance non-stimulant pre-workout replaces caffeine with Peak ATP to give you a well-rounded non-stimulant pre-workout.
AN Performance Pre-Workout: A Pre-Workout for a Variety of Occasions
AN Performance Pre-Workout is formulated for the athlete in you to help reduce fatigue, improve energy, elevate mood and memory and increase performance.
