Fitness or Health Risk? The Side Effects of Hydroxycut

The initial composition of Hydroxycut contained multiple ingredients that potentially led to multiple health-related concerns, like liver and kidney damage. While the company recalled its products and relaunched them with a safer composition, the risk of these health concerns persists.

Some of the most common Hydroxycut side effects include:

Cardiac Side Effects

One of Hydroxycut’s most troublesome and particularly worrying side effects is a fast heart rate. Experts believed this side effect was a consequence of ephedra, an ingredient in the older composition. However, since the new Hydroxycut formula lacks this ingredient, caffeine is likely the culprit behind a racing heart. Some other potential side effects this supplement can exert on the heart include increased blood pressure, lowered blood pressure, and skipping beats. Numerous individuals who experienced these cardiac side effects reported relief as soon as they stopped taking Hydroxycut, further confirming the association.

Headache

Hydroxycut headache is a common and noticeable side effect of using this supplement. People especially sensitive to caffeine may experience headaches more often while using Hydroxycut hardcore. If you are experiencing this side effect consistently and it fail to go away, discontinue using Hydroxycut and seek immediate medical help.

Ischemic Colitis

Although rare, people have reported developing ischemic colitis due to using Hydroxycut as a part of their daily routine. Ischemic colitis is when the blood flow to a part of the large intestine drastically reduces due to blockage or narrowing of the arteries supplying it. Researchers have speculated caffeine as one of the possible causes of this side effect.

Caffeine Overdose

Different Hydroxycut products vary depending on the amount of caffeine they contain. While some may have no caffeine, others, like Hydroxycut Max Advanced for Women, may contain high 400 mg of caffeine, equivalent to drinking up to three cups of coffee. Since the daily limit for caffeine in most people is up to 300 mg, using certain Hydroxycut products may potentially trigger side effects similar to a caffeine overdose. These side effects include nervousness, irregular heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

Rhabdomyolysis

The high caffeine levels in Hydroxycut can also lead to rhabdomyolysis, a condition in which the muscles in the body start breaking down. The byproducts released due to muscle breakdown can cause problems with the liver, metabolism, and blood circulation.

Seizures

Seizures are another problem reported to the FDA by people taking Hydroxycut. Seizures refer to excessive jitteriness due to abnormal and sudden electrical activity in the brain, leading to brain damage and potential death due to airway blockage in the middle of an attack.

Restlessness

According to the information on the Hydroxycut product label, the supplement contains high levels of green coffee and caffeine. Both ingredients may induce restlessness and agitation in certain people, especially those who are sensitive to them or are not used to consuming them in significant amounts. The problem is likely to exacerbate for people who consume additional caffeine while taking Hydroxycut.

While some people may find this extra energy beneficial for weight loss during the daytime, it can become extremely problematic during the night. Restlessness due to Hydroxycut can even mess with the regular sleep cycles and induce nighttime wakefulness.

Liver Damage

As reported by the FDA, people consuming Hydroxycut, even as recommended, are at a high risk of injuring their liver. Some common signs of an underlying liver injury include elevated liver enzymes and jaundice, which means yellowing skin, urine, and whites of the eyes. Other symptoms of this supplement damaging the liver include excessive weakness, fatigue, unexplained itching, etc. Additionally, certain digestive symptoms, like nausea, abdominal pain, light-colored tools, vomiting, and loss of appetite, may also indicate deteriorating liver health.

The FDA has reported that Hydroxycut is capable of causing liver damage so severe that the victims required liver transplants to save their lives. While many of these patients have survived and recovered after withdrawing this supplement, one death has been reported due to liver damage secondary to Hydroxycut use. Experts are yet to figure out the exact ingredient perpetuating this side effect.