Skill Nutrition Pro Cut

Choline· evidence: Insufficient

Choline is a nutrient the body uses to make cell membranes and the messenger acetylcholine, and to process fats in the liver. Eggs, meat, fish and dairy are good sources, and most people with a varied diet get enough.

Choline is added to 'cutting' products because of its role in normal fat metabolism, but there is no good evidence that extra choline causes fat loss in people who already get enough. The authorised claims below describe normal body functions, not weight loss.

Typical dose: EFSA's adequate intake for adults is 400 mg a day from all sources; supplements usually give 100–500 mg

Safety: Large doses (several grams a day) can cause a fishy body odour, sweating, stomach upset and low blood pressure. Products usually give far less.

Research we looked at:
EFSA NDA Panel (2016). Dietary reference values for choline. EFSA Journal 14(8):4484.
EFSA NDA Panel (2011). Scientific opinion on the substantiation of health claims related to choline. EFSA Journal 9(4):2056.

Chromium· evidence: Limited

Chromium is a trace mineral needed in tiny amounts. Most people get enough from foods such as meat, wholegrains, broccoli and nuts, and true deficiency is rare.

Chromium supplements, especially chromium picolinate, are often sold for appetite, cravings or weight loss. Reviews of the trials have found the effect on body weight to be very small and of doubtful practical value. There is no good evidence that extra chromium helps people who are not short of it.

We make no claims about weight loss or blood sugar conditions. If you have diabetes or take medicine for blood sugar, speak to your GP before taking chromium.

Typical dose: The NRV is 40 µg a day; supplements usually give 50–200 µg

Safety: The NHS says 10 mg or less a day of chromium from supplements is unlikely to cause harm; most products give far less. Speak to your GP first if you have diabetes or take blood sugar medication, or if you have kidney or liver disease.

Research we looked at:
NHS. Vitamins and minerals: others (chromium) (nhs.uk).
Onakpoya I et al. (2013). Chromium supplementation in overweight and obesity: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Obes Rev 14(6):496–507.
EFSA NDA Panel (2014). Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for chromium. EFSA Journal 12(10):3845.

Zinc· evidence: Moderate

Zinc is a trace mineral needed for the immune system, skin, wound healing and many enzymes. Men need about 9.5 mg a day and women 7 mg in the UK, mostly from meat, shellfish, dairy, bread and cereals. Vegans and vegetarians can fall short because plant foods contain phytates that reduce absorption.

Supplements help people whose intake is low. Zinc lozenges taken at the very start of a cold have been studied with mixed results; tablets swallowed every day by well-fed people are not shown to add much.

Long-term high doses cause problems, mainly by blocking copper absorption, so more is not better.

Typical dose: Adults need about 7 mg (women) to 9.5 mg (men) a day from all sources (NRV on labels: 10 mg). Supplements usually give 5 to 25 mg.

Safety: The NHS advises not taking more than 25 mg of zinc a day from supplements unless a doctor advises it. Long-term high doses can cause copper deficiency, anaemia and weakened immunity. Zinc can upset the stomach if taken without food, and it reduces absorption of some antibiotics.

Research we looked at:
NHS. Others: vitamins and minerals (zinc). nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/others
EFSA NDA Panel. Scientific opinion on dietary reference values for zinc. EFSA Journal 2014;12(10):3844.
Hemilä H. Zinc lozenges and the common cold: a meta-analysis comparing zinc acetate and zinc gluconate, and the role of zinc dosage. JRSM Open 2017;8(5):2054270417694291.

Vitamin B complex· evidence: Limited

A B complex combines the eight B vitamins: thiamin (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), B6, biotin, folate and B12. Together they help the body release energy from food and keep the nervous system and blood healthy. Most people who eat a varied diet get enough of all of them, and B vitamins have not been shown to give extra energy to people who are not short of them.

A B complex can make sense for people with restricted diets, older adults who eat little, heavy drinkers, or vegans who want B12 covered. Vegans mainly need B12, which a single B12 product covers more cheaply.

Products vary a lot. "B-50" and "B-100" formulas give 25 to 100 times the daily need of some B vitamins, which brings no proven extra benefit and can push vitamin B6 well above the UK's 10 mg safety advice. Bright yellow urine is harmless and comes from riboflavin.

Typical dose: Around 100% of the NRV of each B vitamin covers daily needs. Many products give far more; there is no proven benefit to higher doses for people who are not deficient.

Safety: Check the vitamin B6 content: the Food Standards Agency advises no more than 10 mg a day from supplements long term, because higher doses can damage nerves. Nicotinic acid (a form of B3) can cause flushing. More than 1 mg of folic acid a day can hide B12 deficiency. High-dose biotin can distort some blood test results (including thyroid and heart tests), so tell your doctor you take it.

Research we looked at:
NHS. Vitamins and minerals: B vitamins and folic acid. nhs.uk/conditions/vitamins-and-minerals/vitamin-b
Expert Group on Vitamins and Minerals (2003). Safe Upper Levels for Vitamins and Minerals. Food Standards Agency.
Kennedy DO. B vitamins and the brain: mechanisms, dose and efficacy – a review. Nutrients 2016;8(2):68.

Cost per daily dose lets you compare packs of different sizes fairly.Worked out from our current prices.