Hydroxycut is a line of dietary supplements marketed by Iovate Health Sciences, which claims they promote weight loss and boost users' energy level. After the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning in 2009 that the original Hydroxycut formula put users at risk of liver damage, Iovate voluntarily recalled those products and came out with a new formula.
Ingredients
According to a 2008 paper in the "World Journal of Gastroenterology," the key ingredients in the original Hydroxycut formula were Garcinia cambogia, Gymnema sylvestre, Camellia sinensis, Rhodiola rosea extract, caffeine and chromium. At one point, the formula also included ephedra, but the federal government banned the use of ephedra in weight-loss products in 2004.
Effects
According to the "World Journal of Gastroenterology," Garcinia cambogia is an exotic fruit that contains hydroxycitric acid, which helps create a feeling of fullness and thus can decrease appetite. The Hydroxycut name is derived from this acid. Gymnema sylvestre has been found in animal tests to control hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, and hyperlipidemia, or high cholesterol. Camellia sinensis is simply green tea, a common ingredient is weight-loss supplements, though one that has been banned in France and Spain because high doses may cause liver damage. Rhodiola rosea decreases fatigue, while caffeine increases alertness. Chromium is another common ingredient in weight-loss products, but the "World Journal of Gastroenterology" says scientific studies have not backed up claims that chromium accelerates fat burning or boosts metabolic rate.
Danger
Researchers concluded the combination of ingredients in the original Hydroxycut formula increased the risk of hepatoxicity, or liver damage. The authors of the 2008 paper in the gastroenterology journal -- Lily Dara of Griffin Hospital in Derby, Connecticut, and Jennifer Hewett and Joseph Kartaik Lim of the Yale University School of Medicine -- said the most likely culprits were Garcinia cambogia, chromium and green tea. They noted, for example, that the amount of chromium in a day's worth of Hydroxycut capsules was more than twice the amount deemed safe by the National Academy of Sciences.
Warning
In May 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a warning that advised all users of Hydroxycut-branded products to stop using them immediately. Its warning cited 23 cases of "serious health problems" indicating liver damage, including one death from liver failure. The FDA also mentioned the possibility of seizures, cardiovascular disorders and rhabdomyolysis, a muscle ailment. FDA medical officer Linda Katz noted the problems are "rare, but do exist." The FDA's warning was the most it could do. It couldn't ban the products or order them recalled because the agency has no regulatory power over dietary supplements.
Recall
After the FDA warning, Iovate began a voluntary recall of all original Hydroxycut products. It didn't say the FDA was right, only that it was acting out of "an abundance of caution" and because consumer safety was a top priority for the company. Iovate later introduced a completely new formula under the brand name "Pro Clinical Hydroxycut."
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