Hydroxycitric Acid Update

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

Common symptoms of liver complications include:

• jaundice (yellowing of the skin)
• brown urine
• light colored stools
• unusual tiredness
• stomach pain
• itching
• loss of appetite
• weakness
• vomiting

In light of the recent FDA warning concerning the possible dangers of Hydroxycut-branded diet pills, many believe that the associated health risks are likely due to the inclusion of the commonly used ingredient Hydroxycitric Acid, or HCA. And while 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.” you can never be too cautious.

So, while further study and research is needed to confirm the link between HCA and the liver problems, until proven otherwise any products that contain HCA are no longer recommended on this website.

Xenadrine Ingredients

The following is a list of the ingredients and amounts found in 2 caplets of Xenadrine RFA-1:

• Vitamin B6
• Folic Acid
• Vitamin B12
• Pantothenic Acid
• Calcium
• Chromium
• Potassium
• Lipocore Blend (1,187 mg)
• Garcinia Cambogia
• Raspberry Ketones
• Willow Bark
• Ginger Root
• L-Tyrosine
• Thermodyne Complex (472 mg)
• Green Tea
• Caffeine Anhydrous
• Theobroma Cacao
• Wasabia Japonica Root
• Capsicum Annum Fruit
• Cytodrine Blend (137 mg)
• Gymnema Sylvestre
• Vitis Vinifera
• Chamomile Flower Extract
• Guarana

Garcinia Cambogia has been shown in studies to suppress appetite.

Raspberry Ketones have been shown in early studies to possibly aid to weight loss.  More research is needed to be difinitive.

Ginger Root, despite many claims, has not been proven to aid to weight loss.

L-Tyrosine is an amino acid that may help to synthesize proteins, hence aiding to weight loss.

Green Tea is one of the few diet pill ingredients that is actually backed up by a good amount of research on its claims to increase the metabolic rate and help burn fat.

Caffeine Anhydrous is a stimulant that also has been shown to significantly aid to weight loss.

Don’t be impressed with the long list of ingredients.  There are some (although not most of them) ingredients that are actually pretty good ingredients.  But the rest aren’t going to do much if anything to help you lose weight.  In addition, they hide the amounts of the ingredients in blends that don’t disclose how much of each ingredient is actually included.  This is becoming more common in the industry, but the fact still remains that without knowing how much is included, we can say if it will be effective.

Research About Xenadrine RFA-1

Cytodyne Industries claims, “Xenadrine RFA-1 is an advanced thermogenic formula based on an extensively studied herbal thermogenic formula. Xenadrine is an ECA stack which means it contains ephedrine, caffeine, and aspirin. This combination of herbal derivatives has been investigated in many independent studies and has been found to increase the rate of weight loss in subjects who have been administered the combination.” What Cytodyne fails to mention is that while individual ingredients and even the combination of ephedra, caffeine, and asprin have been researched, there has not been research done on Xenadrine RFA-1 itself.

Xenadrine Price

You can find it online for around $25.

Xenadrine RFA-1 Review Conclusion

While it touts a long list of ingredients, only a few of them are actually backed by clinical studies.  We also don’t know the amounts that are included.  The price is pretty low, but there’s no guarantee.  It’s also rumored that the company behind (Cytodyne) Xenadrine has had some legal issues with FTC, so make sure you do your homework before buying from this company.  We give it a thumbs down.