Side Effects Of Swanson Fat Burner

Swanson Health Products' Best Weight-Control Formulas Fat Burner is a pill containing multiple dietary nutrients in significant doses per serving. Fat Burner pills will not literally burn away existing fat, but the company claims the pills can increase your metabolism and help you to develop lean muscle tissue -- both of which may result in increased calorie burning and weight loss. While the pill may be safe at its recommended dosage of two pills before meals, exceeding this amount may lead to negative side effects. Ask your doctor before beginning any dietary supplement regimen.

Vitamin B-6 Reaction

Vitamin B-6 is a water-soluble vitamin, which means you excrete it with your bodily fluids and must replace it daily in your diet. Swanson's Fat Burner contains 22 mg of vitamin B-6 in a single dose, nearly 13 times the recommended daily dose for adults. The University of Maryland reports that consuming vitamin B-6 in your diet through foods and supplements in excess of 200 mg per day can lead to neurological dysfunction, including numbness in your legs and difficulty balancing.

Chromium Effects

In addition to vitamin B-6, the other main ingredient in Swanson's Fat Burner is chromium. Chromium is a relatively safe mineral that can aid in carbohydrate metabolism, and has been shown in some cases to increase insulin sensitivity. However, studies examining chromium for weight loss showed the mineral is of no benefit, according to the Linus Pauling Institute. In rare cases, consuming 600 mcg of chromium a day for six weeks led to kidney failure. If you take Swanson's Fat Burner three times per day, you are consuming around 400 mcg of chromium.

Lowered Blood Pressure

A single dose of Swanson's Fat Burner provides 333 mg of choline bitartrate, meaning you get roughly 1 g of choline bitartrate daily if you take the supplement with your breakfast, lunch and dinner. This is a safe amount of choline to consume, though it is around double the adequate intake value set by the Food and Nutrition Board. The Linus Pauling Institute notes that a daily intake of choline exceeding 7.5 g from food and supplements can lead to a dangerous drop in blood pressure, as well as fishy body odor, vomiting and salivation.

Methionine Toxicity

Methionine is an amino acid you must consume on a daily basis for normal metabolic function and protein synthesis. Swanson's Fat Burner has 133 mg of methionine per serving. The World Health Organization states that most adults already consume enough essential amino acids, including methionine, in their daily diet through food sources. Consuming additional methionine may lead to significant side effects, including oxidative damage to your cells, lessened nitric oxide production in your body and the hardening of your arteries over time.