PAGG stack is a blend of four supplements – policosanol, alpha-lipoic acid, garlic extract, and green tea extract – that was made famous by Tim Ferriss in his book “The 4-Hour Body.”
It’s believed to offer a number of health benefits, such as better cholesterol and cardiovascular health, enhanced weight loss and metabolism, improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, and increased energy and cognitive function. PAGG stack has gained popularity in the biohacking and fitness world, with many people claiming it works wonders. However, it’s important to note that not everyone is convinced of its effectiveness.
Tim Ferriss created PAGG stack as an alternative to the ECA stack, which is a combination of three drugs often used for weight loss and increased energy: ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. When these drugs are taken together, it’s thought that they have a synergistic effect and can help with weight loss and increased energy. However, it’s worth mentioning that the ECA stack can have serious side effects and isn’t without risks.
What is PAGG Stack?
PAGG stack includes policosanol, alpha-lipoic acid, garlic extract, and green tea extract. Let’s take a closer look at each of these ingredients:
- Policosanol: This supplement is made from sugar cane or beeswax and helps with cholesterol and cardiovascular health.
- Alpha-lipoic acid: This is an antioxidant found naturally in the body and also available as a supplement. It has a variety of health benefits, including improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control, and enhanced weight loss and metabolism.
- Garlic extract: Garlic has been used for its health benefits for centuries and has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. It also helps with cholesterol and cardiovascular health.
- Green tea extract: Green tea is a popular drink that is also available in supplement form. It’s high in antioxidants and has various health benefits, including improved metabolism and support for weight loss.”
Tim Ferriss and PAGG Stack
PAGG’s story starts with Tim Ferriss, a young, innovative, athletic, and entrepreneurial thinker. Tim’s philosophy is about cutting unnecessary time and effort to get the desired results in a short period, like the “4 Hours” he’s famous for. Tim’s books show the application of his philosophy in key areas of life – in his first book, “The 4-Hour Work Week,” he explains how to break free from the 9-to-5 routine.
His second book, “The 4-Hour Body,” is all about losing weight, gaining muscle, improving your sex life, and becoming a better athlete. One chapter talks about the PAGG Stack, which Tim discovered through trial and error while working towards a fit, lean body with low body fat.
PAGG Stack Benefits
So what are the benefits of this combo of supplements? Here’s a list of some of the benefits of the PAGG stack as shown by recent scientific research:
- Improved cholesterol levels and cardiovascular health
- A review published in “Phytotherapy Research” in 2022 analyzed the effects of alpha-lipoic acid on metabolic syndrome. Among other beneficial effects, alpha-lipoic acid can decrease cholesterol biosynthesis, fatty acid β-oxidation, and vascular stiffness.
- A Chinese study published in “BMC complementary and alternative medicine” in 2018 researched the effects of green tea extract on obese women. The study demonstrated that green tea extract effectively increases leptin and reduces the “bad cholesterol” (LDL).
- A study conducted on hypercholesterolemic rats, published in “Journal of medicinal food” in 2019 showed that policosanol supplementation reduced liver weight, total triglycerides, total cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol in serum.
- A study published in “Clinical nutrition ESPEN” in 2018 found that aged garlic extract reduced blood LDL (“bad cholesterol”) concentration in adults with obesity.
- Enhanced weight loss and metabolism
- A study on mice published in “Scientific Reports” in 2019 found that policosanol can help with diet-induced obesity and metabolic disorders by increasing the activity of brown fat and improving the way the body processes lipids in the liver.
- A meta-analysis published in “Obesity Reviews” in 2017 demonstrated that the alpha-lipoic acid treatment caused a slight, but meaningful, decrease in weight over the short term.
- Improved insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control
- The already mentioned review published in “Phytotherapy Research” in 2022 showed that alpha-lipoic acid increases insulin secretion, glucose transport, and insulin sensitivity.
- A study published in “Nutrition & Metabolism” in 2011 showed that garlic can help with insulin sensitivity, as well as reducing the symptoms of metabolic syndrome and decreasing oxidative stress.
- The already mentioned study published in “Scientific Reports” in 2019 found that mice treated with policosanol showed lower body weight gain, body fat gain, insulin resistance and hepatic lipid content
- Improved energy and cognitive function
- Antioxidant protection and anti-inflammatory action
How to use PAGG Stack?
To get started on the PAGG stack, take 20-25 mg of policosanol. Tim recommends 300 mg of alpha-lipoic acid with each meal, but if you have acid reflux issues, you can lower the dosage to 100-300 mg. Along with these two supplements, you’ll also take 325 mg of decaffeinated green tea flavanols with at least 325 mg EGCG, and at least 200 mg of garlic extract (although Tim usually takes 650+ mg).
It’s important to follow a specific dosing schedule for the PAGG stack, starting with AGG (PAGG without policosanol) before breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Then, before bed, take PAG (excluding the green tea extract). This schedule should be followed six days a week, with one day off each week and one week off every two months. Tim stresses the importance of taking this week off to ensure optimal results.
Who should use PAGG Stack?
Tim Ferriss originally designed PAGG stack for young men, testing it out on himself in his thirties. But the truth is, anyone looking to lose weight can benefit from PAGG. The ingredients – policosanol, alpha-lipoic acid, garlic, and green tea extract – are generally safe for most healthy individuals. However, pregnant or breastfeeding women, as well as those with high blood pressure, hypoglycemia, diabetes, or hypertension, or taking blood thinning or anti-anxiety medications, should avoid using PAGG. And if you do decide to try it out, just keep in mind that alpha-lipoic acid can cause heartburn, so it’s best to take PAGG with meals or drink more water to prevent any discomfort.
PAGG Stack results
You’ll get the best results if you combine the PAGG stack with a high protein, low carb diet. This diet is similar to the South Beach Diet and includes lean meats, fish, eggs, vegetables, almonds, lentils, and beans. Tim Ferriss uses canned or frozen ingredients and claims they’re just as nutritious as fresh ones, so you don’t have to spend a lot of money on your food.
Of course, adding some physical exercise can also support the effects of the diet and supplements. These three elements work better together than on their own. Tim Ferriss also recommends drinking cold water and taking ice cold baths to burn calories more effectively.
My Experience with PAGG Stack
I lost 10 lbs in the first two weeks thanks to using PAGG stack and following the slow carb diet. If you’re looking for a supplement for weight loss, PAGG stack is worth giving it a shot. Just make sure you follow the instructions for taking it correctly.