Hydroxycut: Difference between revisions
pardon me? this isn't encyclopedic information; it's not sourced; and it's basically marketing material. Removing this is good editing, not "vandalism" |
→Background: only one source - statement needs to be attributed to |
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'''Hydroxycut''' is the brand name of a series of [[Dietary supplement|nutritional supplements]] marketed as an aid to [[weight loss]]. According to a 2009 paper in the ''[[World Journal of Gastroenterology]]'', Hydroxycut is the most popular brand of weight-loss supplement, selling approximately 1 million units per year.<ref name="Chain Drug Rev.">{{cite journal|title=Weight control a high priority |journal=Chain Drug Review |year=2008 |volume=30 |page=30 |issn=0164-9914}}</ref><ref name=Lobb>{{cite journal|unused_data=DUPLICATE DATA: journal=World Journal of Gastroenterology|author=Ano Lobb | pmc=2668789 |title=Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: A case for better post-marketing surveillance|pmid=19360927 |journal=World J Gastroenterol |date=2009-04-14|volume=15|issue=14|pages=1786–7 | doi=10.3748/wjg.15.1786}}</ref> |
'''Hydroxycut''' is the brand name of a series of [[Dietary supplement|nutritional supplements]] marketed as an aid to [[weight loss]]. According to a 2009 paper in the ''[[World Journal of Gastroenterology]]'', Hydroxycut is the most popular brand of weight-loss supplement, selling approximately 1 million units per year.<ref name="Chain Drug Rev.">{{cite journal|title=Weight control a high priority |journal=Chain Drug Review |year=2008 |volume=30 |page=30 |issn=0164-9914}}</ref><ref name=Lobb>{{cite journal|unused_data=DUPLICATE DATA: journal=World Journal of Gastroenterology|author=Ano Lobb | pmc=2668789 |title=Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: A case for better post-marketing surveillance|pmid=19360927 |journal=World J Gastroenterol |date=2009-04-14|volume=15|issue=14|pages=1786–7 | doi=10.3748/wjg.15.1786}}</ref> On May 1, 2009, the [[Food and Drug Administration (United States)|U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) issued a warning after some Hydroxycut products were linked to liver damage, [[rhabdomyolysis]], and at least one death. The manufacturer then recalled the products.<ref>{{cite news | author=Associated Press | title=FDA warns dieters: Stop Hydroxycut use now | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30518843 | publisher=MSNBC | date=May 1, 2009 | accessdate=2009-05-02}}</ref> In September 2009, Hydroxycut was reformulated. Large retailers in the United States placed Hydroxycut back on their shelves after Iovate provided certificates of analysis.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/Reformulated-Hydroxycut-back-on-shelves |title=Reformulated Hydroxycut back on shelves |publisher=Nutra Ingredients-USA}}</ref> |
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| ⚫ | The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported in 2003 that internal documents from the manufacturer of Hydroxycut indicated that the company buried studies showing that Hydroxycut was ineffective, covered up evidence of cardiac side effects, and even tampered with the documents it submitted as evidence in the lawsuit.<ref name=NYT_2003>{{cite news | author= | title=Studies of Dietary Supplements Come Under Growing Scrutiny | work=The New York Times| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE2D6143BF930A15755C0A9659C8B63&pagewanted=print | date=June 23, 2003 | accessdate=2009-05-02 | first=Ford | last=Fessenden}}</ref> An accurate assessment of the safety of Hydroxycut was also hampered by a lack of oversight and regulation of the supplement industry in the US.<ref name="Lobb"/> |
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| ⚫ | Ultimately, scientific evidence accumulated of serious side effects from Hydroxycut products, including liver failure (requiring [[liver transplantation]] in some cases), [[rhabdomyolysis]], and at least one death, of a 19-year-old |
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== Background == |
== Background == |
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Hydroxycut is sold at conventional retailers, [[online retailers]], and through direct television marketing |
Hydroxycut is sold at conventional retailers, [[online retailers]], and through direct television marketing. Prior to May 2009, its primary ingredients included ''[[Gambooge|Garcinia cambogia]]'', ''[[Gymnema sylvestre]]'', [[chromium polynicotinate]], [[caffeine]], and [[green tea]]. Like many [[nutraceutical]]s, according to the ''New York Times'', its efficacy has been questioned and not well-supported by [[Clinical trial|research]].<ref name=NYT_2003/> |
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Hydroxycut was promoted as being created and endorsed by [[physician|doctors]]. [[Television]] [[Advertising|advertisements]] for Hydroxycut featured Jon Marshall, a graduate of [[Midwestern University]]'s [[Osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic]] medical school, and still in [[Residency (medicine)|residency]]. Hydroxycut was also endorsed by its formulator, Marvin Heuer, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the [[University of Florida]], and Former Chief Scientific Officer of Iovate Health Sciences, the company that markets the product. |
Hydroxycut was promoted as being created and endorsed by [[physician|doctors]]. [[Television]] [[Advertising|advertisements]] for Hydroxycut featured Jon Marshall, a graduate of [[Midwestern University]]'s [[Osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic]] medical school, and still in [[Residency (medicine)|residency]]. Hydroxycut was also endorsed by its formulator, Marvin Heuer, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the [[University of Florida]], and Former Chief Scientific Officer of Iovate Health Sciences, the company that markets the product. |
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| ⚫ | The ''[[New York Times]]'' reported in 2003 that internal documents from the manufacturer of Hydroxycut indicated that the company buried studies showing that Hydroxycut was ineffective, covered up evidence of cardiac side effects, and even tampered with the documents it submitted as evidence in the lawsuit.<ref name=NYT_2003>{{cite news | author= | title=Studies of Dietary Supplements Come Under Growing Scrutiny | work=The New York Times| url=http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=940CE2D6143BF930A15755C0A9659C8B63&pagewanted=print | date=June 23, 2003 | accessdate=2009-05-02 | first=Ford | last=Fessenden}}</ref> An accurate assessment of the safety of Hydroxycut was also hampered by a lack of oversight and regulation of the supplement industry in the US.<ref name="Lobb"/>{{dubious}} |
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| ⚫ | Ultimately, scientific evidence accumulated of serious side effects from Hydroxycut products, including liver failure (requiring [[liver transplantation]] in some cases) , [[rhabdomyolysis]] , and at least one death, of a 19-year-old man who used the product. On May 1, 2009, the [[Food and Drug Administration (United States)|U.S. Food and Drug Administration]] (FDA) issued a warning to consumers to stop using Hydroxycut immediately because of the risk of serious side effects or death. The manufacturer then recalled the products,<ref>{{cite news | author=Associated Press | title=FDA warns dieters: Stop Hydroxycut use now | url=http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/30518843 | publisher=MSNBC | date=May 1, 2009 | accessdate=2009-05-02}}</ref> although a "new formulation" of Hydroxycut weight loss products continues to be advertised. |
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== 2003 lawsuit for false advertising == |
== 2003 lawsuit for false advertising == |
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== FDA warning and subsequent recall == |
== FDA warning and subsequent recall == |
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On May 1, 2009, the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products, due to 23 reports of serious health problems associated with the use of Hydroxycut, and at least one death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm152152.htm |title=FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}</ref> |
On May 1, 2009, the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products, due to 23 reports of serious health problems associated with the use of Hydroxycut, and at least one death.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm152152.htm |title=FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products |publisher=U.S. Food and Drug Administration}}</ref>. |
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In one study, reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers analyzed 17 cases of liver damage among Hydroxycut users that had not yet appeared in the medical literature. Nine of the cases had been reported to the FDA, while eight were seen by the authors of the study. Looking at factors like patients' risk factors for liver disease and the timing of their Hydroxycut use, the researchers found that for eight of the liver-damage cases, there was a greater than 95 percent likelihood that the weight-loss aid was to blame.<ref name="Fong2010">{{cite journal|last1=Fong|first1=TL|last2=Klontz|first2=KC|last3=Canas-Coto|first3=A|last4=Casper|first4=SJ|last5=Durazo|first5=FA|last6=Davern Tj|first6=2nd|last7=Hayashi|first7=P|last8=Lee|first8=WM|last9=Seeff|first9=LB|title=Hepatotoxicity due to hydroxycut: a case series.|journal=The American journal of gastroenterology|volume=105|issue=7|pages=1561–6|year=2010|pmid=20104221|doi=10.1038/ajg.2010.5}}</ref> |
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According the ''Nutrition Business Journal'', numerous sources including direct competitors of Hydroxycut — came to the defense of Iovate Health Sciences, pointing out that considering the millions of people who have used the product over the years, the number of adverse events was relatively small. They say the media over-hyped the Hydroxycut story.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://subscribers.nutritionbusinessjournal.com/supplements/0901-weightloss-supplement-sales-down/wall.html?return=http://subscribers.nutritionbusinessjournal.com/supplements/0901-weightloss-supplement-sales-down/index.html|title=Weight-Loss Supplement Sales Plummet Following Iovate's Hydroxycut Recall |publisher=Nutrition Business Journal}}</ref>. |
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In September 2009, Hydroxycut was reformulated. The FDA said it has still not identified the potentially problematic components, but said that the product’s manufacturer has "removed most of the ingredients that were in the original formula" and that "the only ingredient left in from the original formulation is caffeine. We do not have any evidence that caffeine causes liver toxicity". Large retailers in the United States placed Hydroxycut back on their shelves after Iovate provided certificates of analysis to confirm the products’ safety.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nutraingredients-usa.com/Industry/Reformulated-Hydroxycut-back-on-shelves |title=Reformulated Hydroxycut back on shelves |publisher=Nutra Ingredients-USA}}</ref>. |
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== References == |
== References == |
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{{Reflist|2}} |
{{Reflist|2}} |
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== External links == |
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* [http://www.hydroxycutadvanced.com/ Official site] |
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* [http://www.ironmanmagazine.com/blogs/jerrybrainum/?p=66 Is Hydroxycut really dangerously toxic?] |
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[[Category:Dietary supplements]] |
[[Category:Dietary supplements]] |
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Revision as of 15:14, 8 December 2010
Hydroxycut is the brand name of a series of nutritional supplements marketed as an aid to weight loss. According to a 2009 paper in the World Journal of Gastroenterology, Hydroxycut is the most popular brand of weight-loss supplement, selling approximately 1 million units per year.[1][2] On May 1, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning after some Hydroxycut products were linked to liver damage, rhabdomyolysis, and at least one death. The manufacturer then recalled the products.[3] In September 2009, Hydroxycut was reformulated. Large retailers in the United States placed Hydroxycut back on their shelves after Iovate provided certificates of analysis.[4]
Background
Hydroxycut is sold at conventional retailers, online retailers, and through direct television marketing. Prior to May 2009, its primary ingredients included Garcinia cambogia, Gymnema sylvestre, chromium polynicotinate, caffeine, and green tea. Like many nutraceuticals, according to the New York Times, its efficacy has been questioned and not well-supported by research.[5]
Hydroxycut was promoted as being created and endorsed by doctors. Television advertisements for Hydroxycut featured Jon Marshall, a graduate of Midwestern University's osteopathic medical school, and still in residency. Hydroxycut was also endorsed by its formulator, Marvin Heuer, Associate Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine and Community Health at the University of Florida, and Former Chief Scientific Officer of Iovate Health Sciences, the company that markets the product.
The New York Times reported in 2003 that internal documents from the manufacturer of Hydroxycut indicated that the company buried studies showing that Hydroxycut was ineffective, covered up evidence of cardiac side effects, and even tampered with the documents it submitted as evidence in the lawsuit.[5] An accurate assessment of the safety of Hydroxycut was also hampered by a lack of oversight and regulation of the supplement industry in the US.[2][dubious ]
Ultimately, scientific evidence accumulated of serious side effects from Hydroxycut products, including liver failure (requiring liver transplantation in some cases) , rhabdomyolysis , and at least one death, of a 19-year-old man who used the product. On May 1, 2009, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a warning to consumers to stop using Hydroxycut immediately because of the risk of serious side effects or death. The manufacturer then recalled the products,[6] although a "new formulation" of Hydroxycut weight loss products continues to be advertised.
2003 lawsuit for false advertising
On March 27, 2003, Missouri Attorney General Jay Nixon filed a lawsuit in St. Louis against Hydroxycut's manufacturer MuscleTech Research and Development, Inc stating that claims Hydroxycut was "clinically proven" to be a "fat-burner" were false, specifically:[7]
- "The product is not "clinically proven" to be a "fat-burner," as MuscleTech claims. MuscleTech's own study showed that Hydroxycut has no efficacy as compared to placebo with the possible exception of an appetite-suppressing effect. Moreover, the serious adverse health risks of Hydroxycut with ephedra – including death – were not adequately described or disclosed in marketing and labelling of the product."
Nixon also alleged that the "before" and "after" photographs were misleading, and that one woman's "before" photo was deceptive because she was recently pregnant.[8] MuscleTech paid $100,000 to settle the case while denying any wrongdoing.[9]
FDA warning and subsequent recall
On May 1, 2009, the FDA issued a warning to consumers to stop using Hydroxycut products, due to 23 reports of serious health problems associated with the use of Hydroxycut, and at least one death.[10].
In one study, reported in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, researchers analyzed 17 cases of liver damage among Hydroxycut users that had not yet appeared in the medical literature. Nine of the cases had been reported to the FDA, while eight were seen by the authors of the study. Looking at factors like patients' risk factors for liver disease and the timing of their Hydroxycut use, the researchers found that for eight of the liver-damage cases, there was a greater than 95 percent likelihood that the weight-loss aid was to blame.[11]
According the Nutrition Business Journal, numerous sources including direct competitors of Hydroxycut — came to the defense of Iovate Health Sciences, pointing out that considering the millions of people who have used the product over the years, the number of adverse events was relatively small. They say the media over-hyped the Hydroxycut story.[12].
In September 2009, Hydroxycut was reformulated. The FDA said it has still not identified the potentially problematic components, but said that the product’s manufacturer has "removed most of the ingredients that were in the original formula" and that "the only ingredient left in from the original formulation is caffeine. We do not have any evidence that caffeine causes liver toxicity". Large retailers in the United States placed Hydroxycut back on their shelves after Iovate provided certificates of analysis to confirm the products’ safety.[13].
References
- ^ "Weight control a high priority". Chain Drug Review. 30: 30. 2008. ISSN 0164-9914.
- ^ a b Ano Lobb (2009-04-14). "Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: A case for better post-marketing surveillance". World J Gastroenterol. 15 (14): 1786–7. doi:10.3748/wjg.15.1786. PMC 2668789. PMID 19360927.
{{cite journal}}: Unknown parameter|unused_data=ignored (help)CS1 maint: unflagged free DOI (link) - ^ Associated Press (May 1, 2009). "FDA warns dieters: Stop Hydroxycut use now". MSNBC. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ "Reformulated Hydroxycut back on shelves". Nutra Ingredients-USA.
- ^ a b Fessenden, Ford (June 23, 2003). "Studies of Dietary Supplements Come Under Growing Scrutiny". The New York Times. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ Associated Press (May 1, 2009). "FDA warns dieters: Stop Hydroxycut use now". MSNBC. Retrieved 2009-05-02.
- ^ "Nixon sues maker of Hydroxycut for misrepresenting safety concerns of ephedra, weight loss effectiveness" (Press release). Missouri Attorney General's office. March 27, 2003.
- ^ "Nixon vs. Muscletech" (PDF). Missouri Attorney General's office. Archived from the original (PDF) on 2006-10-26., Circuit Court of the City of St. Louis, State of Missouri
- ^ "Distributor of diet supplement that contained ephedra pays Missouri $100,000 under agreement with Attorney General Nixon" (Press release). Missouri Attorney General's office. May 4, 2004.
- ^ "FDA Warns Consumers to Stop Using Hydroxycut Products". U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
- ^ Fong, TL; Klontz, KC; Canas-Coto, A; Casper, SJ; Durazo, FA; Davern Tj, 2nd; Hayashi, P; Lee, WM; Seeff, LB (2010). "Hepatotoxicity due to hydroxycut: a case series". The American journal of gastroenterology. 105 (7): 1561–6. doi:10.1038/ajg.2010.5. PMID 20104221.
{{cite journal}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link) - ^ "Weight-Loss Supplement Sales Plummet Following Iovate's Hydroxycut Recall". Nutrition Business Journal.
- ^ "Reformulated Hydroxycut back on shelves". Nutra Ingredients-USA.