Side Effects of Hydroxycut Advanced

What is it?: Hydroxycut's newest--and reportedly safer--weight loss supplement, which claims to promote weight loss by increasing the metabolism, helping you burn more calories throughout the day. They cite cissus quadrangularis as its main ingredient, which they claim accelerates weight loss four times faster than with diet and exercise alone. Their previous main ingredient, citrus aurantium, is noticeably absent from this formula.

What are Hydroxycut Advanced's side effects?: Surprisingly enough, Hydroxycut Advanced contains few side effects. Most side effects are minimal to moderate and include:

- Cissus quadrangularis: According to WebMD.com, cissus quadrangularis may cause diarrhea, insomnia, dry mouth, increased gas and headache. Because this extract has not been extensively studied, any long term side effects or contraindications are not known.

- Acerola extract: Moderate use of acerola extract is associated with increased nausea, stomach cramps, insomnia and tiredness. Excessive amounts of acerola extract are also associated with loose stools or diarrhea, but this shouldn't be an issue if you take Hydroxycut Advanced as prescribed. Its high vitamin C can also aggravate gout symptoms by increasing uric acid levels.

Acerola extract is contraindicated with the drugs fluphenazine, warfarin, and estrogen pills contains conjugated equine estrogen, ethinyl estradiol or estradiol. Its long term side effects are not known.

- Caffeine anhydrous: Unfortunately, this may be Hydroxycut Advanced's most dangerous ingredient. According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), side effects of caffeine include rapid heart rate, nausea, vomiting, restlessness, anxiety, depression, tremors, insomnia and increased urination.

Pregnant women should not take Hydroxycut Advanced--you can easily take in too much caffeine, which can increase your risk of miscarriage and stillbirth. If you have heart disease or peptic ulcers you are strongly advised to speak with your health care provider prior to using Hydroxycut Advanced.

Is Hydroxycut Advanced safe?: It is possibly safe for short term use. Most of Hydroxycut Advanced's side effects are moderate and primarily affect your sleeping patterns, gastrointestinal tract and your heart rate. If you have any medical conditions affected by these side effects, you should seek medical approval prior to use. If you are pregnant or expecting, you are highly recommended to eat a healthy diet instead of using any weight loss pills, including Hydroxycut Advanced.

Sources:
"Cissus Quadrangularis" (WebMD.com; accessed July 13, 2010)
"Caffeine in the diet" (nlm.nih.gov; accessed June 13, 2010)