The manufacturer of ZCA Stack claims it has been designed specifically to promote fat loss. ZCA Stack was developed from the original ECA Stack formula which contained the now banned Ephedra. ZCA Stack is a stimulant heavy pill containing just three active ingredients. To replace Ephedra, the manufacturer has used Advantra Z, and the product also contains caffeine and white willow bark extract often known as ‘nature’s aspirin’. ZCA Stack is stated to be suitable for both women and men aged 18 and older. Some users have reported side effects. The official website gives no indication of the country where ZCA Stack is manufactured or the quality control procedures. Additionally, at the time of writing there is no contact address or telephone number for the manufacturer on the website – always a cause for concern.

How does ZCA Stack work?

Back in the days when ephedra was legal, the most effective fat burners were based on what was known as the ECA stack. This stack was a combination of ephedra, caffeine and aspirin, usually combined in the ratio of 20 mg of ephedra to 200 mg of caffeine to 300 mg salicin (1:10:15). ZCA stack is a derivative of the ECA stack. Instead of combining ephedra with caffeine and aspirin, it combines synephrine (from Advantra Z) with these two ingredients. However there is no clinical evidence to indicate that the combination of synephrine, caffeine, and aspirin is particularly effective in promoting weight or fat loss. In fact synephrine appears to be largely ineffective for weight loss (e.g. Am J Cardiol. 2004; 94(10): 1359-1361).

ZCA Stack pros

• ZCA Stack comes with a 30-day money back guarantee

ZCA Stack cons

• ZCA Stack has received mixed reviews on independent consumer sites
• ZCA Stack is a stimulant heavy diet pill and can cause side effects
• Some of the claims made on the ZCA Stack website appear exaggerated
• No details of the manufacturer, the country where ZCA Stack is made, product quality control and purity or a contact address are given on the website – always a red flag

ZCA Stack side effects

Reported ZCA Stack side effects include headaches, jitteriness, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, high blood pressure and an elevated heartbeat. The manufacturer recommends that ZCA Stack should not be taken if pregnant or breast feeding. ZCA Stack should not be used by anyone under the age of 18. Individuals with a history of heart problems or high blood pressure should consult a physician before using ZCA Stack. Certain supplements or medications may interact with ZCA Stack. Inform a doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter products before taking ZCA Stack.

ZCA Stack dosage

ZCA Stack is sold as micro-gel capsules and it is recommended to be taken at a dose of 2 capsules per day, one before breakfast and the other before the afternoon meal. The manufacturer suggests starting by taking just one capsule per day to assess tolerance levels, due to the high stimulant content. There are 60 servings (120 capsules) per container.

ZCA Stack ingredients

One capsule of ZCA Stack contains Advantra Z (standardized for 25mg synephrine), 250mg caffeine and 250mg white willow. Other ingredients: Magnesium stearate.

Looking at the ingredients in greater detail:

Advantra-Z: This is a patented form of synephrine, an alkaloid that is derived from Citrus aurantium. It is considered as a safe alternative to the now banned ephedra and is believed to promote thermogenesis. Synephrine has replaced ephedra in many popular fat burners. Manufacturers claim that synephrine provides the “fat burning” effects of ephedra, but without side effects such as sleeplessness, jitters, elevated blood pressure, etc. There are studies, however, that indicate that Synephrine can elevate blood pressure and heart rate (e.g. Ann. Pharmacother. [2006] 40(1):53-7). Advantra Z has failed to demonstrate any significant weight loss effects.

Caffeine: A recognized fatburner with clinically proven benefits for weight loss (e.g. Am J Clin Nutr. 1989;49(1):44-50; Am J Clin Nutr. 1980;33(5):989-97), although there are indications that it offers greater benefits to leaner individuals (Am J Physiol. 1995;269(4 Pt 1):E671-678).

White willow bark: In traditional medicine, white willow bark was used for hundreds of years as the herbal form of aspirin. It was included in ECA (ephedra/caffeine /aspirin) fat burners, although there is limited evidence that it enhanced this stack in any way. In non-ephedra fat burners it is unlikely to have any value, except as an anti-inflammatory, a fever reducer, an analgesic, an anti-rheumatic and an astringent. There are some possible side effects due to the active ingredient salicin. This is known to cause ulcers, and overdoses will lead to side effects such as skin rash, nausea, vomiting, tinnitus and kidney inflammation. Individuals with a known allergy to asprin or have blood clotting issues should avoid white willow bark.

ZCA Stack guarantee

All orders come with our 30 day money back guarantee. If after using an entire bottle of ZCA Stack you are unsatisfied with your results, your empty bottle can be returned for a full refund less shipping and handling. If you ordered multiple bottles, you can return your one empty bottle and all other bottles in sealed and resalable condition for your full refund less shipping and handling.

ZCA Stack conclusion

Although ZCA Stack may work for some users, particularly if combined with diet and exercise, it is unlikely to be particularly effective as a stand-alone diet pill. There certainly is no evidence, as the manufacturer claims, that the ZCA Stack “not only matched the results of the ECA Stack but superseded it!” On their own, the ingredients promote modest results – combined together, there is no evidence to indicate that the effectiveness of sum of the whole is greater than the individual ingredients. In addition, no details of the manufacturer, the country where ZCA Stack is made, product quality control and purity, or a contact address are given on the website – always a cause for concern.

ZCA Stack contact details

Website: http://www.zcastack.com/