Hydroxycut

I just brought some. I was recomended it by my Nutrisionist. Whats your opion ablout using it? I just saw that on the internet theres lots of people getting liver damage from it.

Original Post by nbrugger:

Number of people who have died from using Hydroxycut: 1

Number of people who died from heart disease in the US in 2008: 652,091

Original Post by viyahn:

I used this product once a year or so ago and threw out half the bottle. I found that it caused irregular heart beats, made me extremely emotional and actually INCREASED my hunger.

So if somebody is using Hydroxycut and dies from heart disease under what statistic would that person fall? What could be the root cause for the heart disease?

Original Post by nbrugger:

Number of people who have died from who's deaths are being blamed on using Hydroxycut: 1

Ok, I've seen a couple Hydroxycut posts, and I really feel like I must cut in and comment.

Some of you are saying that Hydroxycut is basically caffeine and green tea extract, and it's basically like drinking coffee/taking a caffeine pill/whatever. There is a flaw in logic here. I have not looked up what else there is in Hydroxycut, but I am pretty sure there are other chemicals in there as well. Just because it is MOSTLY caffeine and green tea, does not mean the minute amount of other chemicals there will not affect your body drastically. Case in point, is botulism in canned food. The classic example is, the amount of botulism in the dot above the "i" in poorly canned food can kill you, but guess what, the entire can of corn must constitute over 99% of what's in there. That 0.001% can still render you a dead man. This is the same for drugs. In addition to that, whatever kooky combination of drugs are in Hydroxycut may be a detrimental combo. Biochemical pathways are complicated matters, even in pharmaceutical clinical studies (much more tightly regulated than dietary supplements), where many effects (i.e. teratogenic) are simply HYPOTHESIZED and not even tested thoroughly. 

Second, causality is very difficult to prove in science. Think about the concept of causality, really. Think about it in criminal cases, where we can only discuss it in levels of doubt. This is a seldom achieved feat. That is the reason why we get so many studies which show correlation, and everyone gets all riled up because it's only a correlation. Scientists are not blind to this fact that two things happening simultaneously =/= cause and effect. It is, however, cause for concern. The increased usage of HFCS correlating with increased prevalence of diabetes? Isn't that the reason why so many of you are cutting out HFCS, and other things? One fatality, and multiple cases of liver damage. A correlation, a warning. You want to take the chance, that's your decision, but do not base it on poor reasoning. 

P.S. Get a new nutritionist. The recall of Hydroxycut has been pretty big news for a while. As a nutritionist, he/she has the responsibility to keep up with this type of news. Recommending a recalled diet supplement is ridiculous. 

One of the reasons I value CC is the abundance of people who believe in losing weight and being healthy "the old fashioned way", i.e., through healthy diet and sane physical activity.  I think it is sad that I am considered a bizarre anomaly at my work because I lost nearly 100 pounds this way - the couple other formerly big girls used surgery, and I have no idea how many acquaintances are taking Hydroxycut or other supplements in desperate attempts to juice their weight loss.

To me, it is somewhat irrelevant whether or not Hydroxycut will hurt me physically.  Even if it is 100% harmless, if I do not learn how to make food and exercise choices that support my health and happiness, then I continue to live in the problem which is:  "I want it all and I want it now!"  This is the kind of thinking that led me to compulsively overeat in the first place.

I think the bottom line about diet supplements comes from that weight-loss guru Albert Einstein:  "We can't solve problems by using the same kind of thinking we used when we created them."

So if somebody is using Hydroxycut and dies from heart disease under what statistic would that person fall? What could be the root cause for the heart disease?

 There are clearly going to be overlapping statistics, but I highly doubt anywhere near a number of over 600,000. I'm not saying that anyone should consider taking a recalled product, I'm simply pointing out a vast over-reaction to a relatively minor health concern.

Original Post by nbrugger:

So if somebody is using Hydroxycut and dies from heart disease under what statistic would that person fall? What could be the root cause for the heart disease?

 There are clearly going to be overlapping statistics, but I highly doubt anywhere near a number of over 600,000. I'm not saying that anyone should consider taking a recalled product, I'm simply pointing out a vast over-reaction to a relatively minor health concern.

 

What's the overreaction? People have been posting that they are thinking about using Hydroxycut, or have tried it and have had some bad side effects come here asking for opinions. Has any poster responded with "you're going to die"? Most have replied with the facts that have been released to the press, with a spattering of "I wouldn't use diet pills" or "I tried it before, it worked/didn't." We are sharing information they should know before they proceed further. 

The way I see it, it seems like you are downplaying the effects. People who are considering Hydroxycut, should understand that there is new information available on the side effects, more than what is printed on the side of the box. Here's a question that clinical studies face regularly: How many deaths/cases of liver damage constitute a correlation? When is it appropriate to recall something, even if the correlation is weak? As the FDA, or as the clinician, would you feel better pulling the drug after...5, 50, or 100 people died who happened to use Hydroxycut? Do you personally prefer 600,000? Also, liver damage is a minor health concern? If the side effect was something like, bloating, maybe I'd be inclined to agree, but liver damage?

My comments weren't in reaction to people's personal experiences, they were just a reaction to judgemental comments about people who take such products. It was the "serves them right" attitudes which got my attention, and comments about the pills being "shortcuts". I just wanted to point out that a large portion of people take these products in addition to a healthy diet and exercise, and millions of people have been doing so for many years without any negative side effect whatsoever.

I come from a small country called New Zealand where we have not heard about any of these warnings. the only way i have become aware of them is by researching on the internet.

makes sense, the FDA is (obviously) American only and other countries have differing bodies keeping an eye on this sort of thing. Also, the makeup of Hydroxycut in NZ may be different to the one in the USA, different countries warrant different ingredients due to restrictions etc.

I tried Hydroxycut yesterday and turned into an emotional wreck who couldnt sleep! No thanks!

Original Post by nbrugger:

My comments weren't in reaction to people's personal experiences, they were just a reaction to judgemental comments about people who take such products. It was the "serves them right" attitudes which got my attention, and comments about the pills being "shortcuts". I just wanted to point out that a large portion of people take these products in addition to a healthy diet and exercise, and millions of people have been doing so for many years without any negative side effect whatsoever.

 

 No side effects that we know of yet.  Alot of people thought the same thing about ephedra.  Most didn't see any side effects and felt perfectly fine.   That was until about half of the people I personally know (including me) that took it have had further testing done and now have wacky resting heart rates.  No, it's not a certainty that it was the ephedra that caused it, but there has been a pretty strong case made for it in recent studies.  These diet pills have some crazy stuff in them.  Sometimes it takes years and years after a pill comes out to find out how bad the side effects can truly be.  We are still finding out side effects from ephedra intake.  And years down the road, we might still be finding out the side effects of Hydroxycut.

My question is why would people risk it just to try to lose weight a tad faster than the norm?  It's like playing russian roulette with your health.

Yea. I think i might give it a go. The one i brought is different from any of the ones on the recall list.

It worked really nicely for me, but no more is going to pass my lips now.  I agree with the people who say that it's so hard to PROVE what caused a death or illness, hydroxycut could be the culprit for many more than have been yet proven.

I'm thinking about starting up green tea, but not sure yet.  Caffiene tends to give me jitters.

To everyone saying why don't you just eat well and exercise, I say, why don't I lose 3 lbs per week doing that instead of 2 lbs per week?  Obviously because it's killing my liver >__<.

ok i did some more research. The stuff that i got is reformulated stuff. And Is not on the recall list. It has the numbers "AUST L 154647" on the bottom. It has been tested in Australia and is safe to use.

Original Post by patrick_nh:

Original Post by bigguy_88:

Ive got 70lbs left to lose before i get to my goal weight which i would love to achieve before my birthday.

Just curious, why do you need to lose 70lbs by your birthday and why not losing weight fast (3 lbs a month which is safe) without pills?

Personally, I have no admiration for people who lost weight on diet pills.

 

 Zing! Patrick lol

Personally I have been taking Hydroxycut hardcore for about a month, and have noticed no side affects.. but ppl don't be fooled it is not a miracle weight loss pill sorry to tell you but there is no such thing! I only take it before i work out as an added boost and i have had really positive results.. but if your gonna take it make sure you don't EVER exceed the recommended dose and you'll be fine!

Original Post by ekc123:

Personally I have been taking Hydroxycut hardcore for about a month, and have noticed no side affects.. but ppl don't be fooled it is not a miracle weight loss pill sorry to tell you but there is no such thing! I only take it before i work out as an added boost and i have had really positive results.. but if your gonna take it make sure you don't EVER exceed the recommended dose and you'll be fine!

 You don't know that, eck.  Just because people aren't dropping dead after popping the pills, does not mean that it's not causing long term damage.  I always took the recommended dosage when I was taking ephedra (before it was banned).  Now, years later, my heart rate is messed up.  years later alot of people's heart rates are messed up.  The truth is that we don't know yet what all of the side effects from people taking weight loss pills will be.

I said it earlier on this thread, and I'll say it again...WHY are you people risking your health for a stupid pill?  There is absolutely no need for this.