Overview
If you are struggling to lose weight, you may be interested in boosting your diet and exercise regimen with a weight loss supplement. One popular and widely available supplement option is Hydroxycut, which is manufactured and marketed by Iovate Health Sciences Inc. Before you decide to put a bottle of Hydroxycut in your grocery cart, though, consider whether the benefits and potential risks of this supplement are worth your money and effort.
Overview
Hydroxycut products are advertised as weight loss supplements as well as energy enhancers, water reducers, fat burners, appetite suppressants and metabolism boosters. According to a 2003 article in The New York Times, such claims made by weight loss dietary supplement companies are likely unrealistic as they aren’t thoroughly backed by scientific research.
Ingredients
Ingredients commonly found in Hydroxycut supplements include calcium, chromium, green tea extract, hydroxycitric acid, hydroxygen, potassium, soy, white tea extract and caffeine. Prior to 2004, many Hydroxycut supplements contained ephedra (a Chinese plant known as “ma huang”) as an ingredient. In April 2004, however, the Food and Drug Administration banned the use of ephedra in all supplements in the United States.
Function
When Hydroxycut contained ephedra, it worked primarily by boosting the process of thermogenesis, thereby causing the body to generate more heat and stimulating the metabolism to rise. However, since 2004, Hydroxycut primarily relies on the stimulants such as guarana and green tea extract to aid in fat burning, metabolism boosting and appetite suppressing.
Complications
In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration received 23 reports of Hydroxycut-related liver injuries that ranged from jaundice to death by liver failure. Those afflicted by liver damage reportedly took doses recommended by the directions on their Hydroxycut products. Symptoms of liver damage include nausea, vomiting, brown urine, excessive fatigue, weakness, stomach pain and appetite loss. Other health problems linked to use of Hydroxycut include cardiovascular problems, seizures and muscle damage.
Official Warning and Recall
In May 2009, the Food and Drug Administration warned consumers to stop using 14 Hydroxycut products to avoid “any undue risk.” It also recommended that consumers with symptoms of liver problems consult a doctor for medical advice. Hydroxycut manufacturer Iovate Health Sciences subsequently agreed to recall all 14 products linked to health problems.
About this Author
Christa Miller has been writing since the day she was able to pick up a pen. She attended San Francisco State University to earn her Bachelor’s degree in creative writing with a minor in journalism. Her web articles can be found on such sites as eHow, Travels and LIVESTRONG. When she’s not writing, Miller works as a therapeutic massage therapist in Phoenix, Ariz.
