Skald

Skald is a dietary supplement alleged to provide fat-burning benefits in its proprietary blend of ingredients.

The term fat burner is typically used to describe nutrition supplements like Skald, which provide short-term effects of burning fat.

Fat burners have increased in popularity due to helping users lose weight when traditional exercise and diet methods have become difficult.

This article will review the available studies to determine if there is any merit to Skald's proposed benefits in its proprietary blend of ingredients.

Ingredients

By taking one capsule of Skald, you will receive their proprietary blend of ingredients:

• Caffeine Anhydrous (110 mg)
• N-Acetyl-Tyrosine
• Green Tea Leaf Extract
• Bitter Orange Fruit Extract
• White Willow Bark Extract
• Verbascum Thapsus Leaf Powder
• Theobromine
• Elecampane Root Powder
• Bioperine® Black Pepper Fruit Extract

Does Skald Aid in Fat Loss?

Skald contains the ingredient Caffeine anhydrous, which is a stimulant, just like caffeine. However, caffeine anhydrous is highly concentrated; 1tsp, or 5000mg, is equivalent to roughly 28 cups of coffee.

Caffeine has been well studied for its proposed effects on improving fat burning.

Caffeine at 3mg/kg doses given before exercise increased fat burning when compared to the caffeine-free regimens.

Skald uses green tea that is found in fat-burning supplements and may contribute to benefits that enhance metabolism.

It was found that when green tea was combined with 200 mg of caffeine, green tea doses that ranged from 100 mg to 400 mg as many as three times daily were able to increase energy expenditure regardless of the dose.

The addition of exercise performed daily with green tea supplementation of 500 mg reduced body weight effectively, body mass index, waist to hip ratio, and body fat compared to exercise alone.

Skald utilizes green tea and caffeine anhydrous to promote fat burning in their supplement.

However, the dose of caffeine anhydrous is much higher than what was used in the reference study. The dosage of green tea is not disclosed, therefore making a comparison on efficacy difficult.

Black pepper is a popular spice. It is included in Skald and is intended to boost metabolism for its suspected role in weight loss.

In overweight individuals randomized to treatment with 6mg of black pepper daily, supplementation reduced BMI and body fat.

Skald likely selected black pepper fruit extract primarily to aid in improving an individual's body composition.

Skald contains the ingredient bitter orange extract and is used in weight management products.

A study where products containing Bitter orange extracts were given for six to 12 weeks led to modest increases in a weight loss of 10–53 mg per day.

However, these benefits were in conjunction with the study subjects ingesting 530 mg of caffeine per day.

Does It Support Respiratory Rate?

Skald alleges to provide improvements of respiratory support by taking their supplement.

Caffeine has been well studied for its proposed performance-boosting effects. 3mg/kg doses given before exercise enhanced performance in endurance exercise.

When compared directly to caffeine, 4.45 mg/kg doses of caffeine anhydrous was found to be superior. Subjects that consumed caffeine anhydrous experienced significant increases in their running time to exhaustion.

While there is data showing caffeine's efficacy to improve performance with activities, a review of studies found that caffeine did not directly affect the respiratory exchange and oxygen consumption.

Does It Improve Energy?

Skald also offers Theobromine, an antioxidant that acts very similar to caffeine and has less of a stimulating effect on the central nervous system.

However, there are limited studies that are available to compare the overall efficacy to enhance energy.

L-tyrosine, an ingredient in Skald, may benefit mental performance, mood, and alertness. Two grams of tyrosine was shown to improve performance on mental exams.

A majority of improved energy benefits will likely come from Skald's caffeine ingredient in its proprietary blend.

Does It Decrease Appetite?

Caffeine supplementation may also play a role in being able to curb appetite.

A 4-week study in women provided evidence showing an increased effect of satisfaction from a calorie shifting diet. It decreased reports of feeling hunger with 5 mg of caffeine per day.

Caffeine may be the only supplement supported by research to support Skald's alleged benefits to control appetite.

Is Skald Safe to Take?

Skald, like any stimulant-containing supplement, can have harmful side effects, even when used correctly.

Those sensitive to caffeine and individuals with pre-existing heart conditions or those taking medications that support the heart function may be at even greater risk.

The FDA states that rapidly consuming 1,200mg of caffeine can cause seizures. While you'll fall under this number when taking Skald as directed, the addition to your typical coffee, soda, or tea intake can put you in an unsafe range.

Also, 400mg daily is considered the safest use of caffeine.

Consuming too much caffeine often results in restlessness, nausea, agitation, rapid heart rate, and unsafe blood pressure increases.

For these reasons, it's best to avoid Skald or similar stimulant-containing supplements. Always ask a physician before use and never consume them in ways other than what is recommended.

How Much Does Skald Cost?

Skald is available for purchase on its website Beldt.com. One container of Skald contains 60 capsules, with one capsule being one serving size.

Skald has many purchasing options that will allow you to save with bundled subscription options.

• One bottle: $49.00
• Three bottle bundle: $124.95
• Six bottle bundle: $235.20

With Skald's subscription option, you will save 10% with each bundle:

• One bottle: $44.10
• Three bottle bundle: $112.47
• Six bottle bundle: $211.68

Skald also features a 60-day money-back guarantee. You will have to send their product back within those 60 days to receive a full refund.

The Bottom Line

Skald does contain ingredients that provide support to aid in weight loss, improve performance, and decrease appetite.

However, caffeine may be the only supplement that is backed by research to support the claim on controlling appetite.

Skald contains a highly concentrated form of caffeine and could be potentially harmful even if it is taken appropriately. While it is also true that the dose of caffeine anhydrous in Skald is below the FDA guidelines, caution should still be exercised.

Weight loss should not be just limited to supplements alone. A well-balanced diet and performance of exercise are just as effective.

It is still best practice to consult with your physician regarding the appropriate steps to take to lose weight and if it is appropriate for you to begin oral supplementation of Skald fat burner.