Shredding Matrix is a meal-replacement supplement by Elemental Nutrition.
It is designed to improve mood and fat loss while dieting, while preserving muscle.
Elemental Nutrition was created in 2003, and is an all-Australian supplement company.
Ingredients Label
Active Ingredients
Hydroxycitric Acid
Hydroxycitric Acid is a compound found in the Garcinia Cambogia plant and fruit.
It has been shown to have a small but unreliable effect on weight loss in humans (1).
L-Tyrosine
L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that can decrease the production of cortisol, the stress hormone.
It can improve both mood and performance under stressful conditions (2).
An effective dose is 500-2,000mg.
Chromium
Chromium is an essential mineral that may help with fat loss.
It has been shown to regulate blood sugar levels and supress appetite (3, 4).
The effective dose is 500-1,000mg.
L-Carnitine
L-Carnitine is a compound used in energy metabolism, and appears to only be effective for fat-loss in people with a Carnitine deficiency.
In normal people, it can increase insulin sensitivity which could improve fat loss and muscle gain (5).
A standard dose is 500-2,000mg.
Caffeine
Caffeine is a stimulant that increases metabolic rate, leading to faster fat loss (6).
It has also been shown to improve power output and athletic performance at higher doses (7).
The effective amount for fat loss is about 200mg.
Citrus Aurantium
Citrus Aurantium is another name for the hybrid fruit called Bitter Orange.
It contains a compound called Synephrine, which can boost weight loss and suppress appetite.
Best results with Bitter Orange are seen in the long term (6-12 weeks), with studies showing increases in metabolic rate and energy expenditure (8).
The recommended dose is 10-20mg of Synephrine, 3 times per day.
Green Tea Extract
Green Tea is commonly used for its fat loss effects.
Research has shown that it can improve insulin sensitivity and increase fat oxidation by 17% (9).
The effective dose is 400-500mg.
BCAAs
BCAA stands for Branched Chain Amino Acid. It is the name given to Leucine, Isoleucine, and Valine.
These key amino acids are used in muscle growth and repair, and have been shown to decrease cortisol levels and prevent muscle breakdown (10).
Whey Protein
Whey Protein is one of the two proteins found in milk.
It notably increases muscle protein synthesis, and is absorbed faster than most other protein sources (11).
Who Takes It?
Athletes who want to boost their fat loss and preserve muscle while dieting will benefit from Elemental Shredding Matrix.
How to Take
Take 2 level scoops in 300mL of water or milk 3-4 times daily.
On workout days take one of these servings 45 minutes before your workout, and another within 45 minutes after your workout.
Side Effects
Whey protein can sometimes worsen existing kidney or liver damage. Exercise caution if you already have kidney or liver conditions.
Consuming a high-protein diet without enough fibre can result in digestion issues and constipation.
Pros
- High-protein, low-calorie formula, can be used as a meal replacement
- Contains ingredients to boost fat-loss and improve mood.
Cons
- No fibre included to aid digestion
- Some ingredients, such as Hydroxycitric Acid, are shown by research to not be very effective.
Conclusion
Shredding Matrix is a nice low-calorie meal replacement formula with plenty of protein in it to keep your hard-earned muscle while dieting.
It also includes a bunch of compounds to help boost your fat-loss and keep your mood up.
Using it 3-4 times a day might be excessive though, and you’ll want to include a source of fibre to help digestion.