Vinpocetine

An extract from the periwinkle plant, vinpocetine’s claim to fame is that is increased blood flow to the brain.  While most believe it to help in memory loss, it is used in weighlifting to increase physical performance.

Research

It’s interesting to note that while it is used by some as an performance enhancer for weightlifting, there have no clinical studies on whether or not vinpocetine aids in workouts at all.  It looks like some have fallen prey to some good marketing of supplement producers.

As for weight loss, the story is the same.  No research has been performed, let alone been supportive, of vinpocetines claims to aid in weight loss.1

Conclusion

Vinpocetine has yet to be proven (or even studied for that matter) to aid in weight loss.  It may help in memory retention, but that’s about it.  Thumbs down for vinpocetine as a diet pill ingredient.

  1. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vinpocetine [↩]