Hydroxycut Recall Reiterates Dangers of Dietary Supplements

Forget turning to diet pills in an attempt to get a bikini-ready body this summer. The Food and Drug Administration has released a statement warning consumers to stop using the dietary supplement, Hydroxycut. The popular product has apparently been linked to serious cases of liver damage and at least one death.

The creators of the Canadian-made supplement have agreed to recall 14 Hydroxycut products that are available in grocery stores and pharmacies. The FDA has stated that at least 9 million packages of the supplement were sold last year.

According to the FDA's release statement, they received 23 reports of health problems, ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, to liver damage requiring a liver transplant. The one death that occurred was caused by liver failure. Symptoms of liver failure can include jaundice, nausea, vomiting, excessive fatigue, weakness, abdominal pain and loss of appetite. The other health problems reported included seizures, cardiovascular disorders, kidney failure and muscle damage.

The Hydroxycut products that have been recalled are:

Hydroxycut Regular Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Rapid Release Caplets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Max Liquid Caplets
Hydroxycut Regular Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Caffeine-Free Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Hardcore Drink Packets (Ignition Stix)
Hydroxycut Max Drink Packets
Hydroxycut Liquid Shots
Hydroxycut Hardcore RTDs (Ready-to-Drink)
Hydroxycut Max Aqua Shed
Hydroxycut 24
Hydroxycut Carb Control
Hydroxycut Natural

It is unsurprising that Hydroxycut has been proven to be damaging. Inwardly, we know that such a thing is too good to be true. We've all seen the infomercials for it. We've seen the 'drastic changes' and the thin and trim individuals giving their testimonials. And despite our best efforts, we've all thought about giving it a try at least once.

One aspect about Hydroxycut that draws people in is the statement that it is made with "natural" ingredients, leading consumers to believe that something that's natural can't be bad. According to the Wall Street Journal, health officials have yet to figure out which Hydroxycut ingredients are toxic, due to the fact that the formulas have changed over time. One ingredient, hydroxycitric acid (taken from a tropical fruit), led one medical journal to suspect that it could damage the liver.

Nevertheless, Hydroxycut isn't the only supplement being whisked off the shelves. On April 20th, Universal ABC Supply International, Inc. of Brooklyn, NY, recalled over 30 different dietary supplements, some of which were sold as containing natural herbs.

It's unfortunate that the FDA has to reiterate yet again that diet supplements aren't as healthy as we'd like to believe. However, the continued raised awareness may just keep consumers alive and fit so that they can reach their weight goals the natural way.

FDA Announces Recall of Popular Diet Pill, Associated Press

FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products, FDA

Universal ABC Beauty Supply Internationa, Inc. Issues a Voluntary Nationwide Recall of Dietary Supplement Products Found to Contain an Undeclared Drug Ingredient, FDA