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Jillian Michaels Weight Loss Supplements?

By Jim F. on Dec 20, 2009

jillianpills.jpg

I'm not sure what to make of this, but for a number of months now, Jillian Michaels has been pushing her own line of weight loss supplements. She has been riding a wave of success since being the Biggest Loser trainer - which led to her own weight loss program and a series of books and DVDs.

Supplements are whole different thing altogether.

The endorsement seems slightly incongruous as Michaels has generally believed in hard exercise and good diet for fat loss.

Two of her primary products are:

  • Jillian Michaels EXTREME Maximum Strength Calorie Controlâ„¢
  • Jillian Michaels Maximum Strength Fat Burnerâ„¢

A brief look at both of them shows very high amounts of caffeine-based stimulants:
Proprietary Xanthine Complex: 791.00 mg

  • Yerba Mate leaf (llex paraguariensis)
  • Coffee (bean) Extract (Coffea arabica) - standardized to 70% natural caffeine
  • Guarana (seed) Extract (Paullinia cupana) - standardized to 10% caffeine
  • Cocoa (seed) Extract (Theobroma cacao) - standardized to 4% theobromine

Same old same old. While perhaps some people may have found some small benefits from taking these kind of pills, I'm yet to see a long-term success story that featured diet pills.

For those with a long memory, you might remember Dr Phil putting out his own line of supplements. It ended in lawsuits and embarrassment.

Diet Pills

21 Comments

Spectra
on 20 Dec 2009

I was wondering about these supplements as well. She was on some talk show and said that this year on TBL, the contestants were allowed to use them and they lost more weight with them. I think it's BS that Jillian's team uses supplements and Bob's team does it the old-fashioned way. It makes me even madder that Jillian would promote something like this. I can almost forgive Kim Kardashian coming out with her Quicktrim crap because she knows zilch about losing weight, but Jillian KNOWS these things don't work long term and she is just getting money-hungry.

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Nicola on 20 Dec 2009

I agree with you about Jillians diet pills and I feel really strongly that people need to be owning their weight and there loss of weight and really the only way to do that is through knowing what you eat and how you use your body. Being encouraged to understand food and how it works would be so much more productive.

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FitJerk - Flawless Fitness Blog
on 20 Dec 2009

Hmm... not the most potent propriety mixture I've seen but whatever. I don't see what's with the hate and sh*t. As long as she's not marketing it as the "silver bullet" solution, it's all good.

Supplements taken by themselves don't do much. But incorporate the proper ones with a solid workout program and consistent eating habits and you'll see some results and you'll see them faster.

But too many tools don't understand this "double sworded" nature of supplements.

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mdw on 21 Dec 2009

What supplements do you recommend for fat loss? Are there any that you have tried and have had success with?

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FitJerk - Flawless Fitness Blog
on 21 Dec 2009

Caffeine
Ephedrine (use it responsibly)
Green Tea Extract
Flaxseed Oil

Then there are a crap load of others but those aren't promising enough or convincing enough for me to recommend. These are tried and true... with a proper program that is.

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Mike Howard
on 21 Dec 2009

FJ,

Just curious, why flaxseed oil instead of fish oil? Or do you do/recommend both?

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FitJerk - Flawless Fitness Blog
on 22 Dec 2009

@Mike

Both oils should work nicely but I've just heard more personal success stories when flaxseed oil was used in conjunction with weight loss.

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Barry
on 22 Dec 2009

The "EC Stack" is a classic. Ephedrine & Caffine. 25 grams of Ephedrine and 200 grams of caffine, three times a day. Start off with one dose, and work your way up to 3. It will give you maybe a 5% boost in your metabolic rate. Of course, some people don't tolerate it well and feel anxious and have trouble sleeping.

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yesPecan on 21 Dec 2009

I'm an avid listener to Jillian's radio show and heard her talk about her supplements - not that she was promoting it - it wasn't even in the market yet, but her idea is that when caffeine is used 40 mins before a workout, it will stimulate you to work harder and thus burn more calories. I've used the one she recommended, tho no name was mentioned. She just said, go to GNC and get the one with yellow and purple caps that has guarana [caffeine] and white willow bark [aspirin's cousin to help with soreness after]. Now, why did she come up with her own line? Because she wanted to have something that is organic and does not have artificial colors in them - not sure if her dream came true... will have to read the reviews :P I believe they do not allow TBL contestants to use drugs of any sort - there was an issue a few seasons ago and the contestants have to get their urine samples checked weekly, etc, by physicians. Anyway, I think for those who are starting out, it's best NOT to use these supplements yet, but for those who do extreme workouts 5x or more a week, this is great as a boost. I myself have taken something similar prior to my workouts but have not lost the last 6lbs, let alone people who don't workout :P BTW, drink LOTS of water after taking caffeine pills or you'll be sorry.

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B on 21 Dec 2009

The white willow bark is to thin the blood to transport the caffiene, not to help with soreness :)Also caffiene is a thermogenic and speeds up the metabolism (not just to encourage you towork harder!).

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Jody - Fit at 52
on 21 Dec 2009


A lot of people have coffee or something with caffeine before they work out. The thing with Jillian is that she was always talking about not using this stuff so for her to come out now with this is somewhat disappointing to people whether one wants to use it or not. I think it has to do with their perception of her before.

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Mike Howard
on 21 Dec 2009

Caffeine does have an ergogenic effect and anectdotally, I definitely feel more "pumped" for my workouts on a slight caffeine buzz. It depends on the time of day I workout though. In the early am's, sometimes I need that "boost" to power me through heavier things ; )

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Jody - Fit at 52
on 22 Dec 2009

I hear ya! I work out at some very crazy hours when I should be sleeping!

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Erin on 22 Dec 2009

Yes, I am confused...as a fan of the biggest loser, I thought Jillian promoted 100% natural way to weight loss. I guess when you are making bank on endorsements, you may change your tune a little! Kinda sad. Why not just have a cup of coffee or tea?

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Barry
on 22 Dec 2009

Define 'natural'.

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Paul on 22 Dec 2009

There's good reason why the retailers of weight loss supplements have been jamming their products chock-full of caffeine for years...

1) Caffeine is an established thermogenic. While not providing dramatic results, there is some evidence caffeine raises the metabolic rate and increases calorie burn...

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/2912010

2) Caffeine cheaply and effectively address the number one complaint of dieters; fatigue. Many people find products like this helpful, simply for the added "zip" it gives them. If it helps them to get to the gym, it's more likely their weight loss efforts will be successful. Apparently, that's benefit enough for most people.

There is, however, no real benefit to deriving your caffeine content from 4 different herbal sources, other than to make the product appear more "cutting edge" and "sophisticated" than it is.

In regards to the Jillian Michael's offering we reviewed (The Extreme Maximum Strength Fat Burner)...

http://www.ultimatefatburner.com/jillian-michaels-extreme-fat-burner.html

... this is an extremely mediocre product. Any ingredients for which any positive clinical data exists are extremely under-dosed, and are present only as "label dressing." This product is, in essence, an over-priced caffeine pill.

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helpful on 22 Dec 2009

I too am disappointed to see this. It seems very contradictory to what she tells people on the show, and also in her books. But she seems to put out so many books, DVDs, etc. that it's hard to keep track.

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botgurl on 5 Jan 2010

I think Jillian Michaels views herself as a brand now and is riding a wave of popularity. Unlike the other trainer on the TBL, her name is everywhere. Surf the web and you'll see more Jillian Michaels advertising popups than Netflix popups!

All this exposure doesn't necessarily equal good advice in my book, but she will probably motivate a lot of people to do something about their health/weight.

Hopefully there is nothing in the supplements that can make people ill.

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shredded surfer on 19 Jan 2010

I am not sure why so many people have the impression that Jillian did not endorse supplements. She did not ever really speak to them on TBL one way or the other. She does endorse weightloss and fitness that is sustanable and not jumping on some fad. But if you read any of her work I think that she is a strong advocate of suppliments for those that are willing to committ to proper exercise and diet and are looking the edge... whether it be for a quick shred before and event (she talks about this at the end of her books for people that dont just read the first 10 pages).

I'm pretty sure if those of you that think it is a money grab were to look into it you would find when and why Jillian endorses suppliments. But like typical couch potatos people claim suppliments are not sustainable longterm... what makes anyone think any high profile knowledgable trainer is advocating suppliments 3 times a day 365 days a year as the magic potion! Use of suppliments is usually reserved for people that are ready to committ to a active and healthy life style and suppliment their workouts with knowledgable choices. Suppliments can help get an edge!

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VoiceOfReason on 3 Feb 2010

As a certified dietician, I would not trust any certified trainer who advocates any kind of "supplement" or "diet aid". As far as I know, there is nothing beyond a good, balanced diet and exercise to lose weight, tone, and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

IMO, a good multi-vitamin with minerals is just plain common sense. But, to take anything else without fully researching it's effect FIRST, AND, having the product authorized by your doctor (and NOT a "diet doctor") is the safest, smartest, and healthiest way to go.

Just remember, as much as we want there to be, there is NO quick fix. It took years to gain the weight, and it won't (shouldn't) come off in a week or two.
It's the hard work that will pay off... physically, mentally, and spiritually. Please don't discount this method!

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VoiceOfReason on 3 Feb 2010

So Sorry!! What I meant to say in my second paragraph is:

IMO, a good multi-vitamin with minerals is just plain common sense. But, to take anything else without fully researching it's effect FIRST, AND, having the product authorized by your doctor (and NOT a "diet doctor") is definitely NOT the safest, smartest, and healthiest way to go.

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Created / Updated: February 3, 2010

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