Stacker 3 is a thermogenic weight loss pill, based on the ECA stack, working to speed up your metabolism and thus make you burn calories faster.
It is similar to Stacker 2, but with several additional ingredients such as: chitosan and grapefruit extract.
The primary ingredients in Stacker 3 are Ephedrine, Caffeine and Aspirin (ECA). Like other ECA-based products, Stacker 2 works by inducing thermogenesis (the production of heat), which speeds up your metabolism and burns calories. Stacker 2 also has an appetite-suppressing effect, so you feel less hungry and therefore eat less.
has been shown to increase the effectiveness of thermogenesis (fat burning) in the body, and this is the purpose for which Stacker 3 uses it. It has powerful effects on the cellular mechanisms that control fat release from fat cells. Some of these effects include contributing to the release and blocking the re-uptake of the neurotransmitter norepinephrine. This gives norepinephrine the ability to continuously stimulate receptors in your body, causing fat cell "flood gates" to open and facilitate fat loss. The Chinese herb ma huang (Ephdra sinica, the active component of Ephedrine) is the chief natural source of the ephedrine family of compounds, although there are other minor sources, such as Sida cordifolia.
The second key thermogenic ingredient caffeine is a methylxanthine that stimulates hormone-induced fat burning. The caffeine in Stacker 3 comes from kola nut and green tea extract. Caffeine works by increasing free fatty-acid concentrations and adrenaline levels. This results in greater lipolysis (oxidation of fats for energy), which can drain your fat stores over time. This change in a muscle's utilization of energy substrates can have a profound effect on fat loss. Caffeine also heightens mental alertness, which can positively affect your motivation to exercise and create the caloric deficit needed to lose body fat.
Aspirin is the popular name for acetysalicylic acid. It raises the body's internal "thermostat," so that the increased production of heat, which is typical of ECA products, does not set off alarms in the body. This allows the ephedrine and caffeine to work in your body for a longer period of time, giving you the maximum fat-burning potential.
Several studies have shown that aspirin contributes to energy expenditure, particularly in obese individuals. It appears to do this by raising the body's internal "thermostat," so that the increased production of heat produced by E/C products does not trigger a response by the body. This allows fat burning to continue longer than it otherwise would. Although no study has compared the benefits of the E/C stack with and without willow bark, the effects are probably similar to those of aspirin.
The studies on chromium are all over the board. While it can be very helpful for diabetics, the demonstrated benefits (or lack thereof) for nondiabetics depend on the nutritional status of the participants and the amount and length of the supplementation program. One study that did show a benefit from the use of chromium picolinate was presented at the national meeting of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology in 2000. This study found a 40% increase in glucose uptake into muscle tissue compared to the placebo group.
Since insulin can also transport glucose to the fat cells for storage, these results suggest that chromium helps to shunt the glucose towards the active working tissues where it can be burned for energy. The end result could well be a loss in body fat, although this benefit was not measured. The bottom line is that chromium is an essential nutrient that is often deficient in most people's diets. Eliminating this deficiency should at a minimum increase your adherence to your diet by improving your energy levels and reducing mood swings.
Chitosan, the new ingredient in Stacker 3 is, at the pH of the gastrointestinal tract, a positively charged polymer and can bind to negatively charged substances. It is believed that chitosan, similar to cholestryamine, has bile acid sequestration activity and that this may be the mechanism for its hypocholesterolemic effect. There is some evidence that chitosan binds to bile acids and some evidence that the polymer affects the metabolism of intestinal bile acids. However, in contrast to cholestyramine, chitosan does not have consistent hypocholesterolemic activity. There is also evidence that chitosan binds to fats in the intestine, blocking their absorption.
The mechanism of action of chitosan's possible beneficial effects on renal disease in some is unknown. Chitosan can absorb urea and ammonia, but it is unclear whether this mechanism has anything to do with its putative renal effects.
As with any ECA Stack or Ephedra based product, you should be careful not to increase the dosage over the manufacturer's recommendations.
Consult your doctor before taking Stacker 3.
Like many other ECA-based products on the market, Stacker 3 will induce thermogenesis (raise your body's temperature) and cause you to burn more calories. Other Stacker 3 results include: suppressing your appetite, preserving lean muscle mass, and increasing your energy levels. Stacker 3 now has the additional benefit of new active ingredients: Chitosan and grapefruit extract, which the manufacturer claims will increase the overall efficiency of the formula. The market reaction to Stacker 3 have been positive.