Dangers of GNC Burn 60

GNC Burn 60 is an over-the-counter diet pill that promises to help you burn more calories after each dose. In this way, the GNC thermogenics product targets consumers who are working on their diets, but want to see results more quickly.

The marketing on the GNC product page and elsewhere on the internet touts the clinical research backing the pills, and promises an "all-natural" solution to your personal weight loss needs. However, within this blitz of big promises, there are dangers to consider when debating whether or not to try GNC Burn 60.

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GNC.com advertises the GNC Burn 60 as being "clinically proven." Digging into the site's own details about the clinical studies, it becomes clear that the claims being made are based on limited research. GNC Burn 60 promises are based on a single study using only 22 participants.

Each participant did two exercise sets on a treadmill after taking a pill. One pill was GNC Burn 60, and the other a placebo. The 22 participants were an unspecified blend of "healthy" men and women doing a limited amount of testing. No long-term studies of GNC Burn 60 exist, and side effects were not mentioned.

GNC Burn 60 contains guarana seed extract which acts as a stimulant. Though different in chemical make up, the substance in guarana seed extract known as guaranine has the same stimulatory effects on the central nervous system, according to an April 2015 article published by ‌PLOS One. ‌

While guarana seed extract is considered safe for daily consumption, it may cause insomnia, complicate depression and be harmful for people who are pregnant. Individuals who have high blood pressure or a history of heart disease might also be more sensitive to stimulants, according to the International Food Information Council Foundation.

Another ingredient in GNC Burn 60 is ginger, with each dose containing 200 milligrams. Ginger can cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort in some people, such as cramps, diarrhea heartburn and gas. Ginger might interact with some medications, such as blood thinners, however more research is needed in this area, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

Another danger for those taking GNC Burn 60 is the potential for allergic reactions. GNC.com notes that GNC Burn 60 contains 210 mg of grape skin and grape seed extract per dose. In addition to mild scalp itching, the National Center for Alternative and Complementary Medicine, notes that grape seed extract can cause hives and rare but severe allergic responses.

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It is important to note that dietary supplements such as GNC Burn 60 are not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration — the supplement safety and accuracy of label information are not double-checked before going to market.

In addition, athletes who choose to use dietary supplements should make sure that they are certified by a third-party program, as recommended by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency, to check for banned substances.