ZCA Stack was developed from the original ECA Stack formula which contained the now banned ephedra. It is a stimulant heavy pill containing Advantra Z, caffeine and white willow bark extract. Some users have reported side effects including headaches, jitteriness, nervousness, irritability, insomnia, high blood pressure and an elevated heartbeat.

See also: ZCA Stack Review

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 bark. Other ingredients: Magnesium stearate.

Looking at the ingredients in greater detail:

Advantra-Z: Advantra-Z 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. 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).

Caffeine: This compound is incorporated into many weight loss supplements available today. Caffeine can cause anxiety, headaches, diarrhea, insomnia and increased heart rate. ZCA Stack does contain other stimulants such as Advantra-Z that can cause jitters and other caffeine-type side effects.

White willow bark: White willow was used 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 such as ZCA Stack, 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 aspirin or have blood clotting issues should avoid white willow bark.