AN USA (Applied Nutrition USA) is building its brand on quality and transparency. They are also creating a lineup of active nutritional supplements that are banned substance free across all their categories (AN Performance and AN Black). A big category that consumers seek out is the fat burning category. This category has traditionally included gray area ingredients that may or may not get users into trouble. AN Black Shred-X capsules is a fat burner that is banned substance free.
AN Black Shred-X is a thermogenic capsule formulated to improve metabolism, boost energy, curb cravings and aid in glucose management. This easy on-the-go capsule based formula is not filled with a plethora of stimulants, but a well balanced selection of ingredients that will work well together to help you manage your weight.
AN Black Shred-X Capsules
Fat burners are a major money making category in sports and active nutrition. Transparently the major issue is many are under formulated and overpriced. AN Black Shred-X capsules are formulated for weight management (increased energy/metabolism, appetite control, etc), increased focus, improved mood and more.
Green Tea Extract – 400mg
Green Tea Extract is quite common in fat burners. AN Black uses it at 400mg in AN Black Shred-X capsules. EGCG, Epigallocatechin Gallate, is derived from Green Tea Extract. Users will get 180mg of EGCG in this dosage.
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.
Caffeine – 200mg
Total caffeine in Shred-X capsules in 200mg. Green Tea Extract contains caffeine. This is an adequate amount of caffeine to help battle fatigue. Caffeine has also been shown to improve metabolism to aid in fat loss. Caffeine can also help manage appetite and cravings.
Cayenne Pepper Extract – 200mg
Cayenne Pepper Extract is exactly what you’d think. It is known for its active component capsaicin. Capsaicin is beneficial for fat loss. Benefits of capsaicin include increased thermogenesis (increasing body temperature), reduces appetite, enhances fat oxidation, activates brown fat and improves blood sugar.
Olive Leaf Extract – 200mg
Olive Leaf Extract is not new to fat burners. It contains Oleuropein which has been studied for its ability to impact metabolism. Oleuropein has been shown to enhance the breakdown of fat, promoting lipolysis (burning of fat). This prevents the accumulation of fat. Oleuropein has also been shown to help regulate blood sugar levels. Other minor benefits include thermogenesis, gut health improvement, and cardiovasculare support. Dosing varies on Olive Leaf Extract up to as much as 1,000mg per serving,
Choline Bitartrate – 183mg
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 Bitartrate is used at 183mg which yields 75mg active Choline to help improve focus and attention. This can be beneficial to help keep you focused and alert versus busy and boredom eating.
L-Tyrosine – 150mg
Tyrosine in a non-essential amino acid that may help aid in improving focus. This dosage of 150mg 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 – 150mg
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 150mg dosage is sufficient.
Acetyl L-Carnitine – 25mg
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 be beneficial at low dosages such as 250mg, but the benefits are subtle. At 25mg you wouldn’t expect much of an impact of ALCAR in this formula.
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.
Chromium Picolinate – 116mg
Chromium Picolinate yields 14.4mcg of Chromium. Chromium is a trace mineral that plays a key role in regulating blood glucose levels by improving insulin sensitivity and enhancing glucose metabolism. Chromium works by improving insulin sensitivity, reduces blood sugar spikes (and thus prevents fat storage), supports healthy metabolism, and reduces cravings and feelings of hunger. A general user will look to take 200mcg per day. At two servings (a recommendation for advanced users) you get over that threshold.
Overall AN Black from AN USA formulated an easy, on-the-go solution to aid in weight management, fat loss, hunger control and blood sugar regulation. Users should get a sense of improved energy levels, reduced fatigue, improved cognition and improved thermogenesis and fat oxidation and loss.
Final Takeaway AN Black Shred-X Capsules
I personally like powders more (AN Black makes a powdered version of Shred-X as well) but this is solid for an on-the-go solution. There's nothing too crazy about the formula. AN Black used key ingredients backed by science to obtain a nice level of effort from the ingredients being used here.
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 Black Shred-X Capsules: Manage Weight and Control Cravings Easy
AN Black Shred-X capsules are an easy on-the-go solution to help you manage weight and cravings.
AN Performance Hybrid Protein: Multiple Digestion and Absorption Rates for Better Recovery
AN Performance Hybrid Protein contains 50% whey protein isolate, 25% whey protein concentrate and 25% milk protein isolate for different rates of absorption.
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.
