Matrix Hyper Cutz Review

Matrix Hyper Cutz – Pre Workout Fat Burner is a powdered fat loss product from UK Based company matrix-nutrition.co.uk which is designed to be taken before workout. The product description states that this product gives the recipient energy and focus whilst accelerating adipose tissue oxidation. This review will aim to understand if and how these ingredients work with the use of current research.

CLA

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA) has been shown to have weight loss properties (1); there are several reasons for this which includes an increase in energy metabolism (2), insulin resistance (3), stimulation of lipolysis, which is due to an impaired signalling which reduces triglyceride synthesis and releases free fatty acid which normally occurs when energy demand rises (4). Other mechanisms include a suppression of appetite (5), induced adipocyte apoptosis which decreases body fat mass and increased energy expenditure (6).

L-Carnitine

The main functions of L-Carnitine include the transport of fatty acids (7) and the reduction of lactate production (8). The 3 main benefits to carnitine includes; supporting the role of fat oxidation (9), an increase in carnitine stores in the muscle and an increase in the rate of oxidation of fatty acids and triglycerides.

Endurance athletes use l-carnitine to increase the oxidation of fat during exercise and spare muscle glycogen which will help them perform for longer. Supplementation when performing high intensity exercise has shown an increase in exercise performance and maximum oxygen consumption when it’s supplemented for longer periods

L-Glycine

Glycine is one of the components of creatine which helps increase muscle growth and energy during exercise (10). When metabolised it acts as an amino acid and regulates blood sugar levels which can also control that amount of sugar released into the blood (11).

Guarana

A main ingredient of guarana is caffeine; there have been several studies that have shown a significant increase weight loss with caffeine (12), but there have been few studies that have looked at the nutritional supplement on weight loss. Other studies of guarana have shown an increase of energy expenditure and fat oxidation of short periods of time which suggest that this could be due to a reduction in respiratory quotient and an increase in lipid oxidation (13).

Beta-Alanine

Beta – Alanine is a non-essential amino acid. In a wide range of studies beta – alanine has been shown to have benefits to high intensity exercise (14). The reason behind this is that it has been found to increase muscle carnosine concentrations (15). Carnosine is key to the intracellular PH buffering of skeletal muscle (16). With an increase in clearance of H+ ions, it leads to high intensity exercise lasting for longer.

Alpha-Keto-Glutarate

Alpha- keto – glutarate is a non-essential amino acid that is produced naturally in the citric acid cycle. The effects of these ingredients that have been found includes aiding in the breakdown of ammonia (17), playing a key role in the oxidation of glutamine and suggested to increase protein synthesis (18). It doesn’t however affect body composition, fat free mass or aerobic capacity (17). More research needs to be taken to fully determine its effects as the mechanisms are poorly understood (19).

Taurine

Taurine is a semi essential amino acid that has been found to increase endurance performance; this has been attributed to an increase in blood flow (20). Taurine has also been found to help protect against cell damage which will help recovery after exercise, decreased oxidative stress in cardiac tissue (21) and increased fat oxidation (22).

Citrulline Malate

Citrulline malate is a combination of an amino acid (citrulline) and an organic salt (malate) which is a tricarboxylic acid cycle intermediate. Its noted effects include an increase in lactate metabolism and an antiasthenic effect (23). A major effect is an increase in aerobic capacity during exercise and greater recovery after exercise; this is due to the rate of muscle oxidative ATP production during exercise and the rate of PCr recovery after exercise (23).

Caffeine

For many years caffeine has been a widely used as an ergogenic aid. There have been many studies of caffeine’s effect of both the aerobic system, (24), and the anaerobic system, (25) on sporting performance. The suggested benefits of caffeine supplementation include the ability to attain greater use of fats as an energy source and sparing of muscle glycogen, (26). It has also been suggested that there is an increase of calcium release from the sarcoplasmic reticulum, which can create a greater muscle force production, (27). It has also been theorised that the effects of caffeine are probably exerted through effects upon the central nervous system or skeletal muscle by greater motor unit recruitment and alterations in neurotransmitter function (28).

Niacin

Niacin is otherwise known as vitamin B3 and in an antioxidant. Research studies have shown that niacin supplementation increases growth hormones in response to anaerobic exercise (29) as well as a reduction in fasting triglycerides (30). An increase in fasting insulin has been found due to a decrease in insulin sensitivity (31). Further research is needed for this supplement in order to understand the mechanisms.

Citrus Aurantium

Citrus Aurantium is otherwise known as bitter orange. One suggested effect is due to the active component of synephrine which can augment thermogenesis (32). There is little evidence however to support the claims that citrus aurantium is effective for weight loss, this is due to research studies not using citrus aurantium alone and instead including it with substances such as caffeine which is how changes in participants fat mass can be attributed (33).

This supplement have been found to enable fat oxidation when combined with exercise. It also contains other ingredients which enables it to be an antioxidant and help increase muscle mass. The ideal time to take this supplement would be pre workout as some of the ingredients will give you the energy and focus to enhance exercise. This supplement is best for someone who wants to lose weight. This product has no banned substances in reference to the WADA prohibited list when observing the label/ ingredients posted on the website.

*NOTE – This product has not been tested in a laboratory and may contain other substances that may not appear on the label

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2 – House, R. L., Cassady, J. P., Eisen, E. J., McIntosh, M. K., & Odle, J. (2005). Conjugated linoleic acid evokes de‐lipidation through the regulation of genes controlling lipid metabolism in adipose and liver tissue. obesity reviews, 6(3), 247-258.

3 – Chung, S., Brown, J. M., Provo, J. N., Hopkins, R., & McIntosh, M. K. (2005). Conjugated linoleic acid promotes human adipocyte insulin resistance through NFκB-dependent cytokine production. Journal of Biological Chemistry, 280(46), 38445-38456.

4 – Evans, M., Lin, X., Odle, J., & McIntosh, M. (2002). Trans-10, cis-12 conjugated linoleic acid increases fatty acid oxidation in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The Journal of nutrition, 132(3), 450-455.

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7 – Opie, L. H. (1979). Role of carnitine in fatty acid metabolism of normal and ischemic myocardium. American heart journal, 97(3), 375-388.

8 – Wall, B. T., Stephens, F. B., Constantin-Teodosiu, D., Marimuthu, K., Macdonald, I. A., & Greenhaff, P. L. (2011). Chronic oral ingestion of L-carnitine and carbohydrate increases muscle carnitine content and alters muscle fuel metabolism during exercise in humans. The Journal of Physiology, 589(4), 963-973.

9 – Hultman, E., Soderlund, K., Timmons, J. A., Cederblad, G., & Greenhaff, P. L. (1996). Muscle creatine loading in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 81(1), 232-237.

10 – Felig, P., & Wahren, J. (1971). Influence of endogenous insulin secretion on splanchnic glucose and amino acid metabolism in man. Journal of Clinical Investigation, 50(8), 1702.

11 – White, LM,, Gardner, SF, Gurley, BJ, Marx, MA, Wang, PL, Estes, M. (1997). Pharmacokinetics and cardiovascular effects of Ma huang (ephedra sinica) in normotensive adults. Journal of clinical pharmacology. 37, 116-122.

12 – Be´rube´-Parent S, St-Pierre S, Prud’homme D, Doucet E, Tremblay A. (2001). Obesity treatment with a progressive clinical tri-therapy combining sibutramine and a supervised diet–exercise intervention. International Journal of Obesity. 25, 1144–1153.

13 – Baguet, A., Koppo, K., Pottier, A., & Derave, W. (2010). β-Alanine supplementation reduces acidosis but not oxygen uptake response during high-intensity cycling exercise. European journal of applied physiology, 108(3), 495-503.

14 – Sale, C., Saunders, B., & Harris, R. C. (2010). Effect of beta-alanine supplementation on muscle carnosine concentrations and exercise performance. Amino acids, 39(2), 321-333.

15 – Parkhouse, W. S., McKenzie, D. C., Hochachka, P. W., & Ovalle, W. K. (1985). Buffering capacity of deproteinized human vastus lateralis muscle. J Appl Physiol, 58(1), 14-7.

16 – Campbell, B., Roberts, M., Kerksick, C., Wilborn, C., Marcello, B., Taylor, L., … & Kreider, R. (2006). Pharmacokinetics, safety, and effects on exercise performance of L-arginine α-ketoglutarate in trained adult men. Nutrition, 22(9), 872-881.

17 – Hammarqvist, F., Wernerman, J., Von der Decken, A., & Vinnars, E. (1991). Alpha-ketoglutarate preserves protein synthesis and free glutamine in skeletal muscle after surgery. Surgery, 109(1), 28-36.

18 – Goodman, C., Peeling, P., Ranchordas, M. K., Burke, L. M., Stear, S. J., & Castell, L. M. (2011). A to Z of nutritional supplements: dietary supplements, sports nutrition foods and ergogenic aids for health and performance—Part 21. British journal of sports medicine, 45(8), 677-679.

19 – Kingston, R., Kelly, C. J., & Murray, P. (2004). The therapeutic role of taurine in ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Current pharmaceutical design, 10(19), 2401-2410.

20 –  Zhang, M., Izumi, I., Kagamimori, S., Sokejima, S., Yamagami, T., Liu, Z., & Qi, B. (2004). Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. Amino acids, 26(2), 203-207.

21 – Bendahan, D., Mattei, J. P., Ghattas, B., Confort-Gouny, S., Le Guern, M. E., & Cozzone, P. J. (2002). Citrulline/malate promotes aerobic energy production in human exercising muscle. British journal of sports medicine, 36(4), 282-289.

22 – Rutherford, J. A., Spriet, L. L., & Stellingwerff, T. (2010). The effect of acute taurine ingestion on endurance performance and metabolism in well-trained cyclists. International journal of sport nutrition, 20(4), 322.

23 – Kingston, R., Kelly, C. J., & Murray, P. (2004). The therapeutic role of taurine in ischaemia-reperfusion injury. Current pharmaceutical design, 10(19), 2401-2410.

24 –  Zhang, M., Izumi, I., Kagamimori, S., Sokejima, S., Yamagami, T., Liu, Z., & Qi, B. (2004). Role of taurine supplementation to prevent exercise-induced oxidative stress in healthy young men. Amino acids, 26(2), 203-207.

25 – Stokes, K. A., Tyler, C., & Gilbert, K. L. (2008). The growth hormone response to repeated bouts of sprint exercise with and without suppression of lipolysis in men. Journal of Applied Physiology, 104(3), 724-728.

26  – Plaisance, E. P., Mestek, M. L., Mahurin, A. J., Taylor, J. K., Moncada-Jimenez, J., & Grandjean, P. W. (2008). Postprandial triglyceride responses to aerobic exercise and extended-release niacin. The American journal of clinical nutrition, 88(1), 30-37.

27 – Vega, G. L., Cater, N. B., Meguro, S., & Grundy, S. M. (2005). Influence of extended-release nicotinic acid on nonesterified fatty acid flux in the metabolic syndrome with atherogenic dyslipidemia. The American journal of cardiology, 95(11), 1309-1313.

28 – Preuss, H. G., DiFerdinando, D., Bagchi, M., & Bagchi, D. (2002). Citrus aurantium as a thermogenic, weight-reduction replacement for ephedra: an overview. Journal of medicine, 33(1-4), 247-264.

29 – Colker, C. M., Kaiman, D. S., Torina, G. C., Perlis, T., & Street, C. (1999). Effects of< i> Citrus aurantium extract, caffeine, and St. John’s Wort on body fat loss, lipid levels, and mood states in overweight healthy adults. Current Therapeutic Research, 60(3), 145-153.