Those who have been struggling to lose weight, and those who have sought out weight management pills and various other diet products to help them achieve their fitness goals, have likely heard a lot about Hydroxycut and the fact that Hydroxycut was banned by the FDA.
The manufacturer of Hydroxycut, Iovate Health Sciences, makes a lot of bold claims about its ability to help people lose weight quickly and easily. That said, you should know that Hydroxycut was banned at one point in the past.
Today, the product is still available, but is it safe to take? Continue reading to learn more about Hydroxycut, including why Hydroxycut was banned, and why it is still on the market despite the fact that it was pulled from shelves in the past.
What Is Hydroxycut?
According to WebMD, Hydroxycut is actually a mix of dietary supplements, rather than being a single product. It has been sold to consumers without the need for a prescription from a doctor, and it is marketed as a weight loss aid.
While this all sounds great at first, the truth is that Hydroxycut was banned because it caused some serious side effects, including death.
Why Was Hydroxycut Banned?
Hydroxycut has been associated with a number of serious side effects ever since it hit the market. Experts found that the product was too dangerous to take, so Hydroxycut was banned and the product was pulled from shelves in an effort to protect the public.
In order to understand why Hydroxycut was banned, you need to have an understanding of the ingredients that were used in the formulation, and the side effects that the product was causing. The information below will give you a brief outline of the many different formulations that Hydroxycut’s manufacturer has used in recent years in an attempt to keep the product on the market.
What Are the Ingredients in Hydroxycut?
Even though Hydroxycut was banned, it didn’t ever really go away. Instead, over the years, the Hydroxycut ingredients list was changed in order to make the product safer for those who wanted to try it to lose weight with greater ease. However, as you will see, new challenges came with every formulation change, and Hydroxycut was banned and recalled more than once.
The Original Formula
Let’s start with the original formula that was used to create Hydroxycut. This particular formula contained an ingredient known as ephedra. This ingredient promised amazing weight loss results, but it basically boosts your blood pressure, which isn’t a good thing. It also places a lot of stress on your circulatory system, which is also dangerous.
Overall, ephedra was found to increase the risk of stroke and heart attack, so it was banned by the FDA back in 2004, which was when Hydroxycut was banned.
Note: Hydroxycut wasn’t the only product banned from the weight loss products market, as all products containing ephedra were no longer allowed because they were deemed too dangerous.
The First Reformulation
In an effort to get back on the market as soon as possible after Hydroxycut was banned, Iovate Health Sciences wanted to reformulate it as quickly as possible. This new formulation would include an ingredient known as hydroxycitric acid. This is a chemical constituent that is found in Garcinia cambogia, which is a plant, so you would think that it would be a lot safer. Another ingredient included in this formulation was caffeine, which is commonly found in a wide range of diet pills today.
Despite the changes that were made in 2004 after Hydroxycut was banned, the product was continually linked to various health problems, including liver toxicity. This means that the manufacturer’s problems didn’t just go away after they reformulated the original Hydroxycut product.
The Second Formulation After Hydroxycut Was Banned
After Hydroxycut was banned, it was pulled from shelves again when it was recalled in 2009. That was when the FDA collected more than 20 reports of the side effects that this weight loss product was causing amongst consumers.
Many reports included serious illnesses related to the liver, and researchers determined that taking Hydroxycut can lead to liver failure and potentially even death, so the product was still too dangerous to take for weight loss.
However, the specific ingredients that were problematic in the 2009 formulation remain unclear, according to University Health News. Perhaps it was the high dose of green tea extract, the Cissus quadrangularis, or the hydroxycitric acid. On the other hand, maybe it was the particular combination of those ingredients, along with the caffeine, that caused the problems. Experts can only speculate, as there were also concerns that the ingredients were contaminated with heavy metals that might have included lead, cadmium, and arsenic.
Following this recall, several lawsuits were also brought against Iovate Health Sciences, and it took until 2014 for a settlement to be reached, which included paying a whopping $14 million.
Yes, Another Formulation After Hydroxycut was Banned and Recalled!
That’s right: just when you thought that Iovate Health Sciences would just give up, they came up with yet another formulation after Hydroxycut was banned, recalled, and sued.
In the latest formulation, hydroxycitric acid was removed, along with green tea extract. In fact, just about every ingredient was swapped out for something else, except for the caffeine, which is still in there.
What might be even more surprising, however, is the fact that, even though Hydroxycut was banned and received so much bad publicity, it is still selling quite well in stores and online today.
What Makes Hydroxycut Dangerous?
The simple fact that Iovate Health Sciences has had so much trouble coming up with a safe formulation for their Hydroxycut weight loss product is enough to make you skeptical about the current safety of this product. After all, Hydroxycut was banned in the past because it was deemed too dangerous to take, whether it was because the ingredients were associated with cardiovascular problems, liver problems, or even death.
Even with the product’s latest formulation, there are still problems associated with its use. Serious side effects might include muscle injury, gastrointestinal problems, and liver issues. Individuals who stop taking the product typically find that their symptoms improve, so this provides more proof that Hydroxycut is potentially still dangerous.
Is It Still Available Today, Even Though Hydroxycut Was Banned?
As mentioned above, yes, Hydroxycut is still available today, even though Hydroxycut was banned so many times in the past.
If you visit the Hydroxycut website, you will also notice that there are a range of products available today. For example, you could choose from Pro Clinical Hydroxycut, which is their new formula for helping you shed pounds, or you could go with a non-stimulant version of the product.
There are even Hydroxycut gummies, drops, and a drink mix, along with a product called Hydroxycut Organic. Beyond that, there are still other products, such as Hydroxycut HD, Hydroxycut Black, Hydroxycut Platinum, Hydroxycut Max for Women, and several Hydroxycut Hardcore options. Wow, talk about an overload of choices!
Remember, because Hydroxycut was banned, so many shoppers are still reluctant to purchase any of these options. So, even though the brand is trying to make a comeback by offering different products for just about everyone out there and their specific preferences and needs, it’s still struggling to clear itself of its bad reputation. After all, it’s pretty hard to forget that Hydroxycut was banned from the market, recalled, and sued.
What Are the Ingredients in Hydroxycut Today?
To give you an idea of what Hydroxycut’s formula looks like today, we’ll check out the ingredients in the Pro Clinical product. The active ingredients include:
• Vitamins: Thiamin, Niacin, Riboflavin, Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, and Vitamin B6
• Robusta coffee extract
• Apple cider vinegar
• Plum
• Baobab extract
• Cardamom
• 200 mg of caffeine
Whether or not these ingredients will cause side effects is unclear, even though the manufacturer claims that the product is now safe when taken as directed. Even after Hydroxycut was banned, there is a lot of skepticism surrounding these manufacturer claims. Many people seeking a safe dietary supplement have avoided this product due to its hazardous history.
Better Alternatives to Hydroxycut Are Available
With so many reports of people becoming seriously ill, and others even dying, from the use of Hydroxycut, it is no surprise that informed consumers are now seeking alternatives to this weight loss product. Thankfully, there are a lot of other options out there, and you can talk to your doctor about prescription diet pills and over-the-counter weight loss supplements that you can try if you want to slim down safely.
Today, many people are opting to avoid the Hydroxycut brand because of its negative past, and with so many other products on the market, there is no reason to have to settle for a formulation that might potentially be dangerous or cause unpleasant side effects.
Hydroxycut: A Weight Loss Product That Is Best Avoided
Ultimately, Hydroxycut was banned for a reason, and the product has been reformulated so many times because the manufacturer simply can’t get it right. Therefore, when it comes to safe and effective weight loss supplements that you can purchase without a prescription from your doctor, Hydroxycut likely is not the best choice.
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