*Update: Hydroxycut Recall

On May 1, 2009 the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop taking Hydroxycut-branded products. Over more than 7 years they have received 23 reports of health related issues with those taking Hydroxycut-branded products. The main health concern appears to be serious liver-related problems. Iovate Health Sciences Inc., the makers of Hydroxcut, have voluntarily recalled all of the products under question in the FDA’s report. In light of this new report, Hydroxycut-branded products are no longer recommended on this site.

Considering the millions of people who have taken Hydroxycut products, 23 accounts of health complications is a relatively low number. Nevertheless, you should never place yourself in any unnecessary risk. Symptoms of liver problems include: jaundice (yellowing of the skin), brown urine, light colored stools, unusual tiredness, stomach pain, itching, loss of appetite, weakness, and vomiting. You can see the full FDA report here.

The products that are currently being recalled by Iovate include:

• 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

You can also see Hydroxycut’s informational page about the recall for more information.

Also, according to the FDA, “The agency has not yet determined which ingredients, dosages, or other health-related factors may be associated with risks related to these Hydroxycut products. The products contain a variety of ingredients and herbal extracts.” Some believe, however, that the health problems stem from the ingredient Hydroxycitric Acid, also known as HCA. Further study and research is needed to confirm this theory, but until proven otherwise any products that contain HCA are no longer recommended on this website.

What are the ingredients in Hydroxycut Max?

Here is a list of ingredients found in Hydroxycut Max

• Max! Liqui-Burn 868mg
• Green Tea Extract
• Caffein anhydrous
• Xanthinol nicotinate
• Yohimbine HCl
• Black tea extract
• Wu Long tea extract
• Rooibos tea extract
• Max! Weight-Loss Matrix 424mg
  • Cissus Quadrangularis extract
  • Aralia mandschurica powder
  • Soy isoflavones
  • Rose hips powder
  • Hibiscus powder
  • Garcina cambogia extract
  • L-lysine HCl
  • Diacylglycerol
  • Dandelion powder
  • Juniper powder
  • Terminalia chebula powder
  • Angelica keiskei powder
  • Mangosteen extract
  • Chaste extract
  • Citrus complex
  • Bitter melon powder
  • Black plum powder
  • Soy phospholipids
  • Rasberry extract
  • Policosanol

Caffeine has been shown to increase metabolic function and we support it as a diet pill ingredient.  Don’t be impressed when they say caffeine anhydrous (here’s why).

Green tea is one of our favorite diet pill ingredients; it has been proven to contribute to weight loss by increasing your metabolic rate.

Xanthinol Nicotinate has been shown to increase brain glucose metabolism, improve brain ATP levels. and improve brain blood flow.  Weight loss though? It’s anyone’s guess.

Black tea has been shown to contribute to weight loss in combination with other ingredients, but not on its own. (source: http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/druginfo/natural/patient-black_tea.html)

Wu Long tea (also known as Oolong tea) has been shown to increase metabolism. (source: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/13678386?dopt=AbstractPlus)

Rooibos tea is full of antioxidants, but does nothing for weight loss.

Cissus Quadrangularis extract has been shown to contribute to weight loss, but only when combined with other ingredients. There have been no studies done on the weight loss effects of Cissus Quadrangularis alone.

Aralia mandschurica powder is said lead to increased memory, vigor, and faster mental processing.

Garcinia Cambogia%u2019s primary active compound is Hydroxycitric acid (HCA). The long and short of it is that HCA has research backing it as an effective weight loss ingredient.

Well, here we are again with another product that uses several proven ingredients but fails to disclose exactly how much of each ingredient is included. This is usually (okay, always) because they don’t want you to know how little of the key ingredients are actually included. It’s funny that they can add just a little of an ingredient and charge you through the roof for it! Without knowing exactly how much of each ingredient is included, it is impossible for this Hydroxycut Max review, or for any consumer, to determine how effective this product is.

How much does Hydroxycut Max cost?

A bottle of Hydroxycut Max diet pills will cost you $59.99. Each bottle contains 120 liquicaps. If you take 6 liquicaps per day, the maximum recommended dose, it will cost you $3 per day. This is extremely expensive, especially considering you don’t know how much of the proven ingredients are included in the formula.

What are the side effects of Hydroxycut Max?

The side effects of Hydroxycut Max diet pills include heartburn, gas, nausea, increased bowel movements, headaches, hot flashes, sleeplessness, and dizziness. I don’t know about you, but forking out $3 a day for the opportunity to have these side effects with the remote possibility of weight loss doesn’t sound especially appealing.

Hydroxycut Max Conclusion

This Hydroxycut Max review finds that the product is really no different from most other fat burners. They fail to disclose the amount of each ingredient and charge you through the roof for it. We recommend finding a diet pill that is forthcoming about their ingredient amounts. Look through our recommended products.

***Update: Please see the Hydroxycut review update at the top of the page for recent information about Hydroxycut.