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Home 
Diets
Diet Supplements
How Does
Hydroxycut Compare?
QUICK FACTS
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BACKGROUND
PRO
CON
INGREDIENTS
ADMINISTRATION
DIET and NUTRITION
EXERCISE
CONCLUSION
Common Misspellings
Whats better than
Hydroxycut?
Diets
Diet Supplements
Hydroxycut Review (UPDATED 2024): Don't Buy Before You Read This!
One of the leading diet and weight loss supplements
Top Rated Diet Pills of 2024What is it?
Hydroxycut is a weight loss brand that’s available in different forms, with common ingredients such as green coffee bean. They often use this ingredient to show that within 60 days, people lost 10.95 pounds versus a placebo.
The intended benefits of this brand are increased fat loss, energy, and enhanced metabolism. For their caffeine brands, they advise to start with just 1 capsule a day, then eventually building up to 2 capsules twice a day. Their Hydroxycut blend is a proprietary formula featuring fruit, green coffee, and saffron. In this review you’ll learn about the surprising company history, what customers have to say about it, and whether or not it’s a good weight loss supplement. The top 10 diet pills are featured in this comprehensive list.
Do You Know the Best Weight Loss Pills of 2024?
Hydroxycut Ingredients and Side Effects
|
Robusta Coffee Extract (45% (Chlorogenic Acid) |
Papaya |
Blackberry |
Saffron Extract |
Caffeine Anhydrous |
|
Maqui |
Amla Extract |
Microcrystalline Cellulose |
Dicalcium Phosphate Dihydrate |
Pre-gelatinized Starch |
|
Stearic Acid |
Titanium Dioxide |
Polyethylene Glycol |
Talc |
Croscarmellose Sodium |
|
Magnesium Stearate |
Silicon Dioxide |
|
||
Robusta Coffee Extract (45% Chlorogenic Acid): Unroasted Robusta coffee, which is a species of coffee bean known for its higher bitterness and acidity.
It’s intended to help improve metabolism and control blood sugar. It can potentially cause side effects that include:
- Insomnia, nausea, and agitation.
- Anxiety, rapid heart rate, and difficulty concentrating.
- Restlessness, ringing in the ears, and headaches.
A study is provided by the manufacturers to show how effective this ingredient is versus a placebo.
The study was funded by a company who sells this extract, so there’s a potential for bias. In this study they took 50 volunteers and made them follow a low calorie diet.
Other unbiased studies have shown this ingredient to be ineffective for weight loss. Examine.com adds:
“seems weakly to moderately effective (on fat loss)”
It’s possible the only reason for fat loss is due to the caffeine.
Saffron Extract: Plant extract that’s used in cooking, as well as a way to improve mood and reduce sickness. Though there isn’t sufficient studies about its use. Web MD adds:
“There isn’t enough information to know how saffron might work”
“Taking large amounts of saffron by mough is POSSIBLY UNSAFE”
Possible side effects include:
- Yellowing of the skin and eyes.
- Poisoning.
- Vomiting, bloody diarrhea, and numbness.
- Death.
When taken at large amounts there have been cases of people dying from this.
Caffeine Anhydrous: Dehydrated form of caffeine that stimulates the central nervous system, it increaseses energy and metabolism.
A full serving of Hydroxycut Pro Clinical, their flagship brand, has 400 mg per daily serving. This is the maximum allowed limit for caffeine, and due to this, the company mentions:
“Do not take within 5 hours of bedtime”
“Consume 8 to 10 glasses of water per day”
This is to avoid both insomnia and dehydration. They also advise to not take any other stimulants, since it would likely raise the risk for serious side effects. Though on its own, it can potentially cause:
- Anxiety, agitation, and pain in the chest.
- Rapid heart rate, tremors, and jitters.
- Cardiovascular damage, insomnia, and restlessness.
- Dehydration, headaches, and mood swings.
Caffeine also has limitations, as Examine.com adds:
“Habitual caffeine use leads to tolerance. This means the effects of caffeine will be diminished… where the only benefit a user experiences is caffeine’s anti-sleep effect”
Therefore, caffeine must be only taken for short periods before it loses its potential weight loss effects.
Certain people are much more sensitive to caffeine, and that’s why it’s advised to slowly introduce this brand, and to not take more than just 1 pill to start with.
Maqui: A berry found in parts of Latin America, it’s used to help with weight loss. However, Web MD adds:
“There isn’t enough information to know if maqui is safe”
The possible side effects are also not known.
Amla Extract: This fruit has been used to lower bad cholesterol, and to provide antioxidant support. Though Examine.com adds:
“there is not enough evidence to recommend Amla for any particular purpose”
There have also been cases of people experiencing liver damage.
For better options for weight loss, you can find the very best diet pills brands by clicking here.
EDITOR’S TIP: Combine this supplement with a proven fat burner such as Sletrokor for better results.
Hydroxycut Quality of Ingredients
Ingredients like amla, maqui, and saffron have not been thoroughly studied and it’s unknown if they would affect weight loss.
Then there’s the added caffeine and green coffee bean which are the key active ingredients. Caffeine can be replaced with coffee or tea for cheaper and green coffee bean hasn’t shown any valuable weight loss effects. Studies have shown it to be either ineffective, or weak in its possible weight loss effects.
For the kinds of ingredients used, the lack of clinical studies for some ingredients, and the unknown side effects of certain additives, this mixture is a poor choice for weight loss. There are far too many unanswered questions to determine what the formula might do.
The Price and Quality of Hydroxycut
Sales are not offered via the manfaucturer, but they do suggest multiple online and in store 3rd party retailers.
Amazon.com sells one 150 capsule bottle for $28.56. At the maximum dosage of 4 capsules a day, this lasts for a total of 37.5 days. This makes the daily cost for supplementation 76 cents.
Though inexpensive, many of the ingredinets in this are either innefective for weight loss, not yet proven, or can be replaced.
There’s a high amount of caffeine in this which isn’t a long lasting source for weight loss. It may also provide side effects. Stimulant free options for long lasting weight loss are available if you click here.
Caffeine at 400 mg is roughly 4 cups of coffee. That’s why special considerations must be put in place to help protect against side effects. Still, the key active ingredients in caffeine and green coffee bean extract aren’t enough to suggest both reliable and safe effects. These two ingredients can also be replaced for much cheaper.
Business of Hydroxycut
The owners of this brand are Iovate Health Sciences Inc. They can be reached via the following:
Phone Number: (888) 334-4448
Address: 381 North Service Road West
Oakville, ON, L6M 0H4 Canada
Email: [email protected]
The company has been in trouble with both the FDA and FTC.
The FTC fined them $5.5 million dollars for making false advertising claims about their supplements. This included stating that their brands had positive health benefits, and because of this, they were required to refund customers who bought supplements from them.
The FDA also sent them a warning letter due to:
“liver toxicity associated with the use of multiple versions of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut”
“Agency has concluded that the ingestion of the dietary supplement Hydroxycut presents a severe potentially life-threatening hazard to some users”
This forced the company to schedule a mandatory recall on all Hydroxycut on the market. There were 23 reports of severe health problems due to this supplement, and one person died from it.
After this, in 2024 and 2024 there were still incidents of heart problems and ulcers associated the use of Hydroxycut.
They currently have 6 complaints on their Better Business Bureau website. This is due to issues with service, the products, and a lack of communication from the company.
EDITOR’S TIP: For the best results, our experts recommend using weight loss pills for at least 3 months. Save your money by buying a few bottles at once.
Customer Opinions of Hydroxycut
Here are select reviews from online customers:
“I really don’t have any effect using this product”
“Made me feel super sick and dizzy”
“It’s mostly a glorified caffeine pill”
“I had severe nausea, abdominal pain and felt like my stomach was on fire”
Amazon.com currently features 535 complaints. It’s often mentioned from customers that they experienced side effects, as well as a lack of weight loss.
Common side effects experienced by users include nausea, stomach pain, anxiety, rapid heart rate, restlessness, anxiousness, agitation, and some experienced difficulty breathing.
Many also said this is basically just a caffeine pill, and that it had no noticeable weight loss effects.
Conclusion - Does Hydroxycut Work?
The key features to notice about this brand are the company history, and the kinds of ingredients used. Many customers have failed to see any weight loss benefits, and people describe it as a caffeine pill. This is likely because the only ingredeints in this that might have a weight loss effect are caffeine and green coffee extract. There’s not enough in this to suggest it would help benefit people. The company has also had to recall Hydroxycut due to serious health concerns. There’s also a lot of caffeine added to this, with a full serving providing the maximum recommended dosage strength for caffeine.
Stimulant free options are available, and the 2024 supplement of the year is called Sletrokor.
There’s only natural ingredients added to this blend, with the ability to suppress appetite, increase metabolism, and improve mood. Many users have left great testimonials showcasing how effective and safe it is. This supplement has no artificial ingredients, preservatives, or stimulants of any kind.
You can try Sletrokor risk free since they offer a 30 day money back guarantee. Anyone can see for themselves what this brand has to offer.
- Product Name
- User Rating
- Has Good Appetite Suppressant
- Has Only Natural Components
- Contains No Coffee
- Sletrokor
(Editor’s Choice) - 94/100
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-
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Wikipedia
Hydroxycut is a nutritional supplement marketed by Iovate Health Sciences Inc., designed to help consumers lose weight. It is sold at conventional retailers, such as GNC and Wal-Mart, online retailers such as and , and through direct television marketing.
QUICK FACTS
Start the Diet Now Advertisement
- Founder: Muscle Tech Research and Development
- Headquarters: Mississauga Ontario Canada
- Accessibility: Online and major retailers
- Diet Type: Supplement taken with diet and exercise
- Gender: Male, Female
Do You Know the Best Diet Pills of 2024?
BACKGROUND
Hydroxycut Recall after FDA Warning to Stop Using the Diet Pill
Once making headlines for containing a controversial herb, Ephedra, banned by the FDA, Hydroxycut now offers an Ephedra-free product that claims to increase metabolism and energy while curbing your appetite, cutting calories and maintaining blood sugar.
When Hydroxycut is combined with a diet and exercise regimen, the product claims to help users shed two-to-three times more weight that without. When taking Hydroxycut, it is suggested that users commit to consistent exercise and a low-calorie diet. Take Hydroxycut half-to-one hour prior to meals with eight ounces of water.
PRO
- Increases energy
- Control appetite
- Burn calories
- Lose up to 4.5 times more weight than with diet and exercise alone
- Recipes and exercises available
- Research studies available
CON
Hydroxycut Recall due to product association with death and liver damage
Must diet and exercise for Hydroxycut to work
Pills must be taken 30-60 minutes before meals which can be difficult if you don’t always eat at the same time
Contains caffeine
INGREDIENTS
- Hydroxycitric Acid, extracted from tropical fruit and linked with liver problems
- Calcium
- Chromium
- Potassium
- Hydroxagen Plus
- HydroxyTea
- Caffeine
- Green Tea extract
- White Tea extract
- Soy
ADMINISTRATION
Take two caplets with eight ounce of water as a dietary supplement 3 times per day approximately 30-60 minutes before each meal. Do not snack after dinner. Consume 10 eight ounce glasses of water per day. Do not take within five hours of bedtime. For best results, use Hydroxycut for eight weeks with a low-calorie diet and exercise program. For the first three days of the program, take one capsule three times per day. From day four beyond, take two capsules three times per day.
DIET and NUTRITION
There is no clear advice from Hydroxycut on an eating plan. You are encouraged to sticky to a healthy diet while taking the supplement. This kind of flexibility allows you to choose a plan of your liking.
For those with food allergies- Hydroxycut is a gluten-free product.
EXERCISE
No guidance provided.
CONCLUSION
ConsumerHealthDigest.com conducted research of 30 dietary supplements. Scoring 3 on a scale of 1-5 for metabolism enhancement, weight-loss potential and ingredient control and 4 on a scale of 1-5 for appetite suppression, Hydroxycut ranked number 11.
Common Misspellings
Hydroxy Cut, Hydroxicut, hydroxcut, hydroxycut.com, hydroxy-cut, hydrox-cut,
Featured Diets and Supplements
Hydroxycut?
User Feedback
(Page 31 of 41, 802 total comments)BOO YAH!
Hey Folks! Today is 04/29/08. I am at 209... See you on next week.
posted Apr 30th, 2008 8:46 pmMarc
I've been using Hydroxycut for two days and have lost 4 pounds already. I added it to my plateauing diet and workout routine and can notice a diffence already. Only bummer, with all the water you have to drink, I have to pee constantly :).
posted Apr 30th, 2008 8:46 pmCynthia
Just started taking HC today. I have taken it before and I went from 174 to 140 in 5 months. I did cycle on and off and then like most people. I got off the diet, quit working out so much and over the last 5 years gained it all back. I just ran a 1/2 marathon. In the 3 months I trained for it...I lost a total of "0." Couldn't believe it. My workouts are great, my eating is good and so I'm taking HC again because I know it works. It's April 29, 08. I'll keep updating you of my progress. My starting weight this morning - 174. Bathing suit season is just about 60 days away. My goal is t be at least at 140 and I know I can do it. Good luck to everyone! Take Care:)
posted Apr 29th, 2008 7:33 amKris
I just started taking Hydroxycut hardcore and I am pinging. I am a no caffeine type of guy and getting on this stuff made my chest sore the first day and it's starting to subside. I am 24 and very active for my age, plus I sort of blame falling off my mountain bike yesterday for the sore chest. I have only taken three pills so far and my body is losing a ton of water weight. I have drank five nalgene bottles at 32 ounces each. So yeah, drink a lot of water. I am planning to take this until July 1st. (8 week cycle) I am going to give some updates on this as I go. Wish me luck and hopefully my heart doesn't explode. (Joking) I think it's a good formula but something I don't want to stay on forever. Mix it up on some other things after this cycle. That's the plan.
posted Apr 29th, 2008 7:33 amAnita
YOU NEED TO KNOW HYDROXICUT HAS ALOT OF ASPRIN WHICH AFFECTS THE LIVER. TAKE PLENTY !!!!!!! OF WATER. REALLY...PLENTY OF WATER.
posted Apr 28th, 2008 1:12 pmAnonymous
I started Nutri-System and was not losing any weight (.5 pound in 1 week). So I added Hydroxycut Hardcore and since the first day started losing .5 pound per day - every day. Feel some side effects the first day and the first day of each increase in dosage, but fine the next day. I love it.
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amDJ
I have been taking Hydroxycut for about 2 weeks now. I haven't changed anything as far as diet or exercise, and have lost 5 lbs. I started at 185. Just looking for another 5 lbs or so. So far, so good! I have not experienced any side effects to this point. The biggest thing so far is that it has really curbed my appetite, and I seem to have more energy than before. Good luck to everybody!!
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amcathy
I've used it in th epast but did not have great results
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amElise
I just started caffeine-free hydroxycut yesterday (4/27/08). i'm a bit confused on how much calories I should eat since I usually burned about 400-500 cal/day at the gym. I go about 5-6 days a week. I eat very healthy and I am also a vegetarian. I am about 5'5 and my current weight was 129, but today it seems to be 128 (after i ate lunch). I just want to lose enough to get to my goal weight, which is about 115. Tried for 3 weeks to lose it on my own but something was off and it just wasn't working.I started getting mad and decided to go with this product. I guess since I'm already quite small it's a lot harder for me to lose the weight. Just wanted to give a little background for you guys. I will keep posted. I'll write again in about another 4 days, unless i'm losing like a pound a day, like some people claim to have lost.
posted Apr 28th, 2008 8:31 amilovemesomehim
I've been using Hydroxycut since Tuesday 4/22/08 and I have lost pounds so far! (4/25/08) Since I have a very busy life and not that much weight to take of (15 pounds), I would walk everyday. I do a little cardio as soon as I get up so that I can get it out the way. I've cut of all liquids with the exception of water of course. I'm a HUGE sweet eater and since I started taking Hydroxycut Tuesday, I haven't eaten any sweets. Only natural sugars that come in fruit. I stick to a strickly fruit, veggie, protein "diet" it's just a better eating habit than I had before. I will post again on every Friday to give you guys an update! Best of luck to all!
posted Apr 25th, 2008 2:53 pmlauren
i've been on it since Monday (4/21/08) i've done 1hr cardio a day and have not noticed an increase in energy. Plus I am hungier than usual. I don't think this product is for me. Best of luck to you all.
posted Apr 25th, 2008 9:15 amJames Oh
Wanted to post an update on my Hydroycut experience. I'm gonna post every couple weeks. It helps me keep track and stick to my exercise and dieting plan. I did notice a couple things about the pill. Yes. It does work. But, you got to put some effort into it. If you pop a bunch a pills and sit on your put it won't do much. I also noticed that to drop max weight you need to do major cardo. I was lifting the first week and did not lose much weight. I started kickboxing and jogging and the weight has really started to drop off. If you just start off with Hydroycut and are out of shape, just start walking after you take the pill. It will help greatly! I've made some adjustments using this product. Before you work out, take a pill. Have a very small bite to eat(will settle your stomach) and then exercise. Good luck. Will post again in 2 weeks.
posted Apr 25th, 2008 9:15 amGreg
I've been working out since November (weights 3x/week) and just trained for a 10k race, and still did not lose any weight. The gut is particularly troublesome for me. 34. So I bought the regular Hydroxy cut and will start tomorrow. I am terrible with a diet and love to snack so I'm hoping this is just what I need. Side effects posted here make me nervous, but it is worth a shot. Will post in a week with results.
posted Apr 24th, 2008 8:14 pmallie
Does hydroxycut really work? my husband is currently deployed and to help dealing with him being gone i ate. i saw him a few months ago for leave and he mentioned my weight, he'll be home in a few months and i want to loose like 20-30 lbs. will this really help me?
posted Apr 24th, 2008 8:14 pmAnonomys
Does anyone know if you gain the weight back if you stop taking hydroxycut? Or if you get side effects from not having as much caffine in your diet? I am just looking to get back to my normal weight, and then I want to stop. Any advice?
posted Apr 24th, 2008 9:21 amKiwi
I want to see how much i can lose in 23 days. I'm in the Navy and will be out to sea from 4/24-5/16. I'll post my results when i get back...wish me luck
posted Apr 24th, 2008 9:21 amMarcus
I don't know about Hyroxycut beieng a miracle pill but it boosts my energy enough to go workout when I never had they energy to begin with. Anything that gets me off the counch is a good thing. As with everything, just keep it in moderation. Excersize and a healthy diet are must haves in life weather your loosing wieght or not. I think hydroxycut just kicks it up a notch.
posted Apr 24th, 2008 9:21 amshade
Ok so i am finally goin to startin usein hydroxycut today 4/22/08. i'm a 22 year old mom with a 10 month old baby. i gaint 50 pounds throught out my pregancy and have only lost 18 of it, so now i'm on a mission to lose 30 pounds hope this thin works. wish me luck? p.s any good advise some one with experience please help.
posted Apr 23rd, 2008 9:59 amJames Oh
This stuff works great as long as you do not abuse it!!! Follow the instructions. Most people tend to overtake it at first. Try taking 1 pill 2 times a day. And it works awesome. I take 1 pill in the morning. Wait half an hour. Then eat breakfast. Then I take 1 before lunch. The days I work out I take 1 before 5-6pm. Then work out. I noticed that if you workout after it most of the caffine effect wears off and you can sleep fine. Maybe after 2 weeks you can slowly increase the dosage. I have lost about 15 pounds in 2 weeks using HH and exercising 5 days a week. Good luck!
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 4:49 pmduke
his works....one side effect that occurred to me is that the first 3 days i had diarrhea but after the 4th day it stopped and i lost already 5lbs. awesome! i did started to run a lot at least 2 miles a day for 5 days.
posted Apr 22nd, 2008 4:48 pm