Abdominal Cuts is a weight loss supplement manufactured by Revolution and endorsed by celebrities including Trista Sutter. Abdominal Cuts is available in four different formulations that all promise to reduce body fat and increase lean muscle mass, and each formula makes other claims specific to its target market. Depending upon the formulation, the pills sell for $47.99 to $55.99 for a 13- to 20-day supply, as of 2010. The product's website does not list any cautions or possible side effects, but the ingredients are unregulated. Consult your doctor before use to avoid potential interactions with other medications or underlying health conditions.
CLA
The one ingredient every Abdominal Cuts formula has in common is CLA, or conjugated linoleic acid. A popular ingredient in many bodybuilding supplements, CLA is purported to play an important role in enhancing fat burn and muscle growth. Animal research has conclusively proven that CLA does, in fact, reduce body fat, but the results of human trials have been inconclusive. According to a 2008 study published in Nutrition Reviews, this may be due to differences in the subjects, experimental design or even CLA dose. As of 2010, there is no hard evidence that CLA lives up to its promises in humans.
Original Formula
Besides CLA, the original Abdominal Cuts formula contains alpha- and gamma-linolenic acids, which Revolution claims have an effect on body composition. Alpha-linolenic acid is found in fish oil, which is also listed as a separate ingredient, and gamma-linolenic acid is an omega-6 fatty acid found in nut and seed oils. While gamma-linolenic acid has been found to alleviate respiratory problems and alpha-linolenic acid has been been shown to lower blood triglycerides, according to MedlinePlus, there is no concrete evidence that either substance is an effective weight-loss tool.
Active for Women
The Abdominal Cuts Active for Women formula claims to relieve stress that causes the accumulation of belly fat, and it includes phosphatidylserine, which the company claims prevents muscle soreness and promotes excess calorie burn. The company claims that this formula contains ingredients that block the production of cortisol, which is thought to contribute to excess abdominal fat, but it does not specify which ingredient this is -- an examination of the ingredients list does not reveal any substance that has been proven to block cortisol formation. Derivatives of phosphatidylserine have been studied in patients with ulcerative colitis and atherosclerosis, but the ingredient has not been definitively linked to weight loss.
Sport Formula
The Sport formula targets the male market, promising to increase testosterone levels and decrease estrogen levels. Along with the ingredients found in the original formula, the Sport formula also contains 7-Keto and gamma oryzanol. Gamma oryzanol has been studied in relation to improving menopause symptoms, cholesterol levels and hypothyroidism, but no evidence has been found that it enhances testosterone production as Revolution claims. The 7-Keto is a type of DHEA hormone that is naturally made by the body. It has been used to increase strength, muscle mass and energy, but according to MedlinePlus, it has been banned by the National Collegiate Athletic Association as a performance-enhancing drug.
Green Formula
According to Revolution, the Green formula increases your metabolism without the use of stimulants -- the key ingredients is fucoxanthin, a chemical derived from seaweed that the company claims burns fat thermogenically. The National Library of Medicine has no information regarding the effectiveness or safety of fucoxanthin, as of 2010. The Green formula also lists safflower oil as a separate ingredient, but it is simply another form of CLA. Most of the ingredients in the Green formula are organically grown.
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