Weight loss drinks and weight loss pills are two different means to the same end.  Some people just prefer drinks to pills, and companies are marketing to them.  I like to have something in my hand to sip on during the day.  Whether it’s water, a diet soda, or a weight loss drink, it keep my mouth occupied and keeps food out.  This particular weight loss drink packet, Hydroxycut Max! Advanced, is targeted towards women such as myself.  The ingredients in this product is similar to their Hydroxycut weight loss pills, but because it is in a drink, may be absorbed more quickly into the blood stream, going to work on the benefits right away.

The ingredients in Hydroxycut Max! Advanced

The Hydroxycut proprietary blend consists of

• caffeine anhydrous: Caffeine is often used in weight loss products and fat burners because it has been shown to directly increase energy, increase calories burned, and help facilitate fat metabolism.  Caffeine helps individuals exercise at a higher level and pace as well, thereby indirectly affecting calories burned throughout the day.
• L-alanine: Although this is a non-essential amino acid, getting it through a supplement can have its advantages.  L-alanine is made from branched chained amino acids and pyruvate.  However, if those are in short supply, or being used for other functions, the BCAA and pyruvate can be spared by getting L-alanine in supplement.   Body builders sometimes supplement with this because its function is to use the current supply of glucose in the blood for energy, thus reducing the amount of glucose that gets stored as fat.
• L-serine: Another non-essential amino acid, L-Serine is vital to producing tryptophan.  Tryptophan has a calming, relaxing effect on people.  L-serine has also been shown to help people overcome fatigue and build lean tissue.  The non-essential amino acids are a great to supplement a vegan diet where amino acids may be in short supply.
• Korean Ginseng: This herb has been shown to help people deal with stress and anxiety.   This herb has been clinically shown to relax the muscles in the lungs to help people with symptoms associated with asthma or other lung issues.

Max Plus blend consists of:

• L-Glutamic Acid HCI: Glutamate is another amino acid whose precursor is glutamic acid.  It has been shown to aid in the processing of sugar and fat.  It assists fat burning by using stored fat and turning it into energy.   In addition, glutamic acid has been showing promise as a neurotransmitter that may help with memory and other neurological conditions.
• L-Threonine: This is our first essential amino acid, meaning the body cannot make this on it’s own, it must come through diet or supplements.   This amino acid has been shown to build lean tissue.  Lean tissue is important for fat burning and weight loss, as muscle burns more calories than fat.  The more lean muscle a person has, the better their metabolism burns energy.
• L-isoleucine: This essential amino acid provides energy by regulating blood sugar.  It is popular in body building circles as one of the branched chain amino acids that assist in exercise recovery.
• Co-enzyme Q10: This supplement has become popular by itself as a way to convert nutrients into energy.  The powerhouse of the cells, the mitochondria, uses coenzyme Q10 to synthesis the energy we use.  If there is not enough natural CoQ10 in our cells, the mitochondria cannot do its job.  Supplementing with this is a safe way to use that stored energy.
• L-Cysteine, glutathione: Cysteine, which is synthesized to become glutathione is another amino acid that acts as an antioxidant.  Cysteine can also help detoxify chemicals and heavy metals built up in your tissues. This is helpful in weight loss, as we may carry up to 20lbs of toxins at one time.

Pro’s

• Good source of some essential and non-essential amino acids.
• Convenient in single serving packets to get quick energy or replace a meal.
• May be extremely helpful in fat burning and weight loss.

Con’s

• It claims to be formulated for women, but I don’t see any evidence why it is different than typical fat burners for men.
• Appears to have one flavor, wild berry

Conclusion

Diet pills go through a refining stage to assure they are effective as well as safe.  Hydroxycut is no exception. After a recall and reformulation, their products continue to deliver results.  Hydroxycut Max! Advanced drink packets are a good way to get some fat burning benefits in a convenient drink.  It may be less expensive to get some essential and non-essential amino acids through this drink than purchasing those as a separate supplement.  These drink packets sound like a great solution for busy women.