This is an independent and impartial review of Active PK. It has been updated for 2022 with some interesting new feedback, testimonials and reviews from customers.
I will explain what the benefits of Active-PK are and what they mean to you and also provide credible sources for any claims made with regard to ingredients used.
Positives
- Manufactured by a reputable company
- The formulation should be capable of providing the alleged benefits
- Money back guarantee
Negatives
- More expensive than many competing products
- Lack of independent sources of customer feedback
- May not provide 24-hour support
- Unlikely to be as strong as some alternative products
Summary
The average person who buys a product like this is probably interested in losing weight. Although the formulation has not been scientifically evaluated, it seems likely that it will help with this. That being said, when it comes to supporting weight loss, the three ingredients that power the formulation are unlikely to deliver the same level as support as any of the leading diet pill brands.
OTHERS PREFERRED
Editors Recommendation
Our preferred weight loss product is PhenQ – it is a focused diet supplement that targets existing body fat and reduces appetite.
PhenQ has a clinically proven formula and great customer feedback. You can read the full review here
Content Table
What is Active PK
Active PK is a supplement made in America. It’s designed to fight fatigue and reduce abdominal fat.
The product is produced in capsule format and contains only three active ingredients. All of them are plant extracts.
It’s not a particularly cheap supplement to buy. Nor does it have much of a wow factor compared to many competing supplements.
Having said that, there’s not a lot of hype in evidence with this product. That, at least, is quite refreshing.
However, Active PK is marketed with some claims that make it sound more complicated than it possibly is. So many potential customers may find it a baffling product right from the start.
What are the Benefits
- Boosts energy
- Helps combat abdominal fat
- Helps minimize cravings
- Promotes clearer thinking
- Supports a strong, thinner-feeling body
Who Makes Active PK?
Active PK is manufactured by LCR Health. There’s not a lot of information available about the company. The “About Us” page on the LCR Website only provides details about the Chief Medical Officer, Dr Rand McClain.
I did some checks and he is a real doctor. He’s quite high-profile as well and owns multiple clinics.
Dr Rand earned his medical doctorate at Western University of Health Sciences and is an early pioneer in AMPK Activation.
As for LCR Health, the company is based in California and is accredited with the Better Business Bureau (BBB).
At the time of this review, 16 customers had lodged complaints with the BBB, but most of the complaints had been resolved and LCR Health still had BBB rating of A+. With the BBB, it doesn’t get any better than that.
Recommended Reading: Which weight loss pills are most popular – Click to find out which products are everyone using now?
How Does it Work
Some supplements work in a way that’s reasonably easy to explain. Active PK is not one of them. LCR Health claims the product works by activating an enzyme called AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK).
AMPK is sometimes referred to as a “metabolic master switch”. It’s present in every cell in the body.
Research suggests AMPK may be effective for correcting insulin resistance in people with type 2 diabetes.
Insulin has a role in governing fat storage in the body, so AMPK could have an influence on body weight as well.
However, it’s important to be aware exercise also boosts AMPK signalling. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/10409121]
In addition to this, AMPK is an important energy sensor. When energy levels drop, it activates AMPK, which then triggers the production of Adenosine triphosphate (ATP).
ATP is sometimes called the molecular currency of intercellular energy transfer. Putting it in simply, ATP provides energy at the cellular levels.
Influencing AMPK
Additionally, AMPK also plays a role in cognitive function. It’s important. There’s no getting away from that.
It’s a fact, but that does not necessarily mean Active PK will be able to influence AMPK is a way that is sufficient to make Active PK do the things LCR Health says it will do.
There are any number of competing products that aim to provide a similar combination of benefits without trying to go about it in such a complicated way.
However, in the end, it’s the results that count. The exact biological mechanisms involved have lesser importance.
Usage Guidelines
How to take Active PK
- Dosage
The dose is two capsules per day
- Should It Be Taken With Or Without Food?
They can be taken with or without food but should always be taken with water
Unfortunately, LCR Health fails to make it clear if both capsules are taken together or as two individual doses. The label states a bottle provides 30 doses though, so it would seem it must be two capsules, once per day.
There are plenty of health and wellness products that are only taken once per day, but they are in the minority. A supplement taken once per day is unlikely to provide 24-hour support.
Ingredient Profile and Value
- Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf Extract – 450mg
- Quercetin Dihydrate – 100mg
- Berberine HCI – 100mg
Gynostemma Pentaphyllum Leaf Extract
Gynostemma pentaphyllum has a number of different names. A few examples include southern ginseng, fairy herb, and jiaogulan.
It’s a plant that grows wild in certain parts of Asia. The name southern ginseng reflects the fact that it is especially abundant in Southern China and Chinese herbalists use it in a similar way to ginseng.
People use gynostemma pentaphyllum for treating a variety of ailments, including diabetes and high cholesterol.
Practitioners of traditional Chinese medicine usually distribute it as a herbal tea.
Unfortunately, there is a lack of scientific evidence to support its value in most areas.
However, there is a limited amount of evidence that suggests 450 mg per day may support fat loss. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23804546]
Quercetin Dihydrate
Quercetin is a flavonol that’s naturally-occurring in many plants including red onions, kale, and cranberries. Capers are a particularly good source.
“Dihydrate” refers to the way the extract has been prepared. Anhydrous ingredients do not contain any water molecules at all. Each hydrate of a dihydrate ingredient contains two water molecules.
Quercetin is an antioxidant. That alone allows it to be beneficial for the health.
Unfortunately, quercetin has very poor oral bioavailability. [https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5331542/]
Experts say the best way to top-up levels of quercin is to consume foods that provide it.
LCR Health has added it to provide energy, optimize brain function, and contribute to weight loss. There is research that suggests quercetin may have value in these areas, but there are other ingredients that pack a lot more power.
Berberine HCI
Berberine is a form of ammonium salt that is found in some plants including barberries, tree turmeric, and goldenseal.
Chinese herbalists have been using berberine for thousands of years. It’s sometimes used for treating high cholesterol and diabetes and research suggests it may have value in these and many other areas.
However, although berberine may also support weight loss, the amount of supportive evidence is very limited.
It’s also worth noting the amount of berberine included in Active PK is unlikely to be enough to support fat loss.
The participants who lost weight in one study did so by taking 1,500 mg per day (3×500 mg doses).
The people who lost weight in a second study took 900 mg per day (3×300 mg doses).
A single dose of only 100 mg per day is significantly lower. [https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/berberine-powerful-supplement#section4]
Scientific Evidence
In theory, the virtues of the three individual ingredients may combine to provide some worthwhile benefits.
However, the efficiency of this formulation as a whole has not been subjected to clinical trials.
Known Side Effects
LCR Health states all its products undergo rigorous third-party safety testing. No further details are provided.
Nor does the company mention if side effects are a possibility. However, it does state the ingredients are free from heavy metals of biological contaminants. That’s good to know.
However, Gynostemma pentaphyllum may not be suitable for long-term use. The ingredient may also have the potential to cause minor side effects for certain individuals.
None of the ingredients are normally deemed suitable for women who are pregnant or nursing a child.
People who have existing health problems will need to check with a doctor before using this or any other brand of supplement. Anyone who would need to use Active PK alongside medication will need to take a similar degree of caution.
Active PK Customer Reviews
The LCR Health website provides a few pages of customer reviews. Collectively, they suggest the product does the things it is meant to do, but reviews posted at a less biased source would carry more weight.
Here are a few comments, opinions and reviews from customers taken from our comment section and found on third party websites. These reflect both positives and negatives.
I have been taking active pk for 6 months. I lose 75 pounds so far. I was also on the Scarsdale Diet. I am wondering if it was the active pk or the diet? I still want to lose 45 more pounds and trying to decide to order another six months worth????
I’m not entirely sure if Active-PK is working. I have not lost any weight but I do feel better. I guess I would say it is worth the money
Three months in and I have not lost a single pound. It has been an absolute waste of money for me.
Yippee I have lost 3 lbs in one month. I consider this a success.
I wish I started this sooner I feel great and it is definitely working. I haven’t lost any weight as such but my stomach feels flatter and less bloated
Pah… rubbish, expensive and did nothing for me
Where to Buy Active PK
Active PK is only available via the manufacturer’s website. Each bottle contains 60 capsules. That’s a 30 day supply.
At a cost of $69 per bottle, Active PK is a little more expensive than competing brands, but shipping is free.
It’s also possible to pick up reasonable discounts by placing a larger order (3 or 6 bottles).
Guarantee
LCR Health offers a 90-day money back guarantee. The guarantee period begins on the date the shipment leaves the fulfillment center. Before making a return, customers will need to contact the company and request a returns tracking number.
Active PK Pros & Cons
Pros
- Manufactured by a reputable company
- The formulation should be capable of providing the alleged benefits
- Money back guarantee
Cons
- More expensive than many competing products
- Lack of independent sources of customer feedback
- May not provide 24-hour support
- Unlikely to be as strong as some alternative products
The Bottom Line
The average person who buys a product like this is probably interested in losing weight. Although the formulation has not been scientifically evaluated, it seems likely that it will help with this.
Unfortunately, when it comes to supporting weight loss, the three ingredients that power the formulation are unlikely to deliver the same level as support as any of the leading diet pill brands.
It seems likely the level of appetite support provided will be particularly poor. Especially at only one dose per day. When hunger strikes it can be hard to resist. It’s one of the biggest reasons so many diets fail. This a point that needs to be a major consideration when deciding whether to use this product or not.
Active PK FAQ
AMPK stands for AMP-activated protein kinase. It’s an energy that governs cellular metabolism.
When the body experiences a lack of nutrients, AMPK acts like a metabolic switch that encourages the take up of glucose and fatty acids to help restore energy levels by replenishing ATP.
Although the formulation has not been scientifically evaluated, it seems likely that it will help with this.
One bottle costs $69. There are 3 bottle options at $186.30 and 6 bottle options at $330.15 also. Shipping is free
The official website www.LCRHealth.com is sole stockist
People who have existing medical conditions should always seek medical advice before using any brand of supplement. Active PK activates AMPK, which can improve insulin sensitivity. Diabetics need to be especially careful about using supplements of this nature or ones that affect blood glucose levels. In reality, some research shows AMPK activation may be therapeutic for type 2 diabetics, but your doctor is the best person to advise on the benefits and/or safety issues a product like this may present.
All of the ingredients are taken from botanical sources and the capsule casing is made from hypromellose. Hypromellose is a semi-synthetic inert polymer that’s often used as an alternative to animal gelatin.
Although the formulation does not contain caffeine or any of the other popular stimulants, quercetin has caffeine-like psycho-stimulant effects.
It’s always wise to seek professional medical advice before using two or more supplements alongside each other. Certain ingredients can interact in unfavorable ways or cause other problems.
Yes. The formulation does not contain any ingredients that will interfere with concentration or coordination. It will not affect your ability to drive a vehicle or operate machinery.
Although the formulation may provide an energy boost, powering up a workout is not it’s primary function. There are specialist products that have been created especially for this purpose.
Recommended Reading: Which weight loss pills are most popular – Click to find out which products are everyone using now?
I have been using this Active PK now for 4 months consistently 2 capsules a day first thing in the morning with water on a empty stomach . I have not gained any more weight nor have I lost any weight. But my energy and food intake has changed. Loosing weight comes with proper dietary which is my down fall . In my opinion I have never felt better. I do exercise daily at the gym to keep healthy just need to be more selective on my choice of dietary.
My wife and I were very much impressed in your article depicting the validity of the product Ampk-1. We thought that , to put it simply, it seems that you describe it simply how it is formulated and what to expect from it.
Thank you for your honest appraisal of the product. Having said that , we will now be looking at the other product which you have mentioned herein.