What we have here is the classic example of how these nutritional supplements are designed and marketed. Hydroxycut is a supplement that combines ingredients with dubious pedigrees with ingredients that may prove to be beneficial in some regard other than weight loss, topped off with stimulants.
On the Hydroxycut web site, we are able to look at only the abstracts of the two studies offered as proof. If you look at the details - nothing more than a one-paragraph summary of the results of two different studies - you’ll see that a total of only 90 “moderately obese subjects” were studied. This is an insufficient sample size to reach any kind of valid conclusion.
In one of the abstracts we’re told, “all subjects were placed on a 2000 kcal/day diet.” Well, for some people, 2000 calories a day can be a feast, for others it’s famine. So, to put people on a fixed calorie diet without regards for what their basic needs are is indicative of a huge flaw in methodology, and calls into question everything about this “study".
For the “moderately obese” person, to consume 2000 calories a day would result in significant weight loss regardless of the amount of exercise a person performs or the supplements that they take.
If you come across a print ad for Hydroxycut you’ll see all the supplement marketers’ tricks of the trade. Fantastic anecdotal evidence of impressive weight loss, the “results may vary” and “exercise/proper diet are a must in order to lose weight” disclaimer and vague, scientific-sounding language are all on display in a typical one-page ad.
There is no better place to apply the phrase “buyer beware” than to Hydroxycut.
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Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Joanie
Love the series and look forward to more. As a nurse, you have no idea how many times I've had patients in need of kidney transplant because they fell prey to the supplement industry.
People assume that supplements are safe. Vitamins, herbs, etc - dangerous when their use is not reported to doctors, dangerous when taking certain medications, and dangerous as hell with pre-existing conditions. There are many instances when no pre-existing condition is present and patients still end up with renal or hepatic failure. You never know what can trigger such a response.
It's scary stuff out there that continues to be under-reported. (Sure, let's sue over Bextra and every other FDA approved medication under the sun, but heaven forbid we examine an unregulated industry!)
2 - Mark Saleski
i'm just amazed at how gullible people are. i suppose it's just part of the culture these days. take a pill for everything.
3 - Clubhouse Cancer
You're wrong. I ate nothing but 10 Hydroxycuts a day for two weeks, and I lost ten pounds.
___
Fool-proof weight-loss formula: Eat less, move more.
Anyone who thinks there is another way to lose weight is wrong.
4 - Mike
Hydorxycut is my pre-contest bodybuilding cutting agent. My calorie intake is very very high, but it's all about a great, clean diet and proper training. Train hard, eat clean and hit up a great fat burner like Hydroxycut. I'm not spamming the board or anything. I just know from experience and a substantial run in the fitness world that it works!
5 - sal m
mike:
there's no such thing as a fat burner...hydroxycut uses stimulants to increase people's energy level so that they will use that energy to train longer, and as a result lose weight. pills don't "burn fat," exercise burns fat.
with all due respect, body builders are the last group of people that should be dispensing fitness advice.
6 - Joe
Actually, I'd like to disagree. Most serious bodybuilders are far more knowledgeable about supplements than the lay person, since it affects them directly in terms of their sport, and they surely regard their health as tantamount to success. I'm not talking your average male high-school steroid junkie; you have to be smart and do your homework to make it as a bodybuilder.
As for Hydroxycut, I'm not in a position to comment.
7 - sal m
99% of the supplements touted by body builders have no clinically proven effects. combine this remarkable lack of real data with the reality that any pro body builder who endorses a supplement also uses steroids, and you see why - demonstrably - body builders have no business telling anybody anything legit about supplements.
with regards to "gym science" - the anecdotal BS that passes for real knowlege in the gym - body builders are well versed. but this info has nothing to do with the real world.
8 - john doe
Hydroxycuts worked for me, taking the tabs before eating led to less pounds being put on, i constantly monitored my weight. I have lost 1 and a half stone from 14.4 to 12.8 in 1 month. It helps you burn of energy faster with all that caffine, 2 tabs in morning and 2 afternoon, there is no need to take 6 tabs. Use weight traning and cardio excercises with this diet and plenty of water.
9 - sal m
give me a break...weight training and cardio alone can make you lose that amount of weight without spending money on this stimulant and without introducing this foreign substance into your system.
10 - Heather
I completely disagree with your comment that "For the "moderately obese" person, to consume 2000 calories a day would result in significant weight loss regardless of the amount of exercise a person performs or the supplements that they take."
I was considered extremely obese. I am a 33 year old female who started a well-rounded diet with the help of a registered dietician. My intake of calories was limited to 1650 per day, and I did cardio and strength training 3-5 days per week to lose the 2.5 pounds per week that was my goal. I did this for five months, lost 50 pounds, then took a break. I've gained back a few pounds, and wasn't nearly done reaching my goal, so I'm back at it, on the same plan, and seeing results.
I would not want to lose more than 2-2.5 pounds per week as I know I'd be losing muscle mass and not fat, but I was advised that I was doing all the right things, and this was a safe rate of weight loss considering how much I had to lose.
My point: There is NO WAY I could consume a 2000 calorie diet and not exercise and see "signifiant weight loss". I'm not sure what your definition of that is, maybe a half pound a month? For people who are morbidly obese, so long as you are exercising, strength training, and creating a diet that spreads your caloric/sugar intake throughout the day and are eating the proper ratio of carbs/protein/fat, losing 2-3 pounds per week is healthy. And there is no way to do that on a 2000 calorie diet with no exercise.
As far as hydroxycut goes, I can only see it as a benefit if people are using it as a psychological supplement to a good diet and exercise- something to help motivate them to keep going. But at the price they want, you could almost do an occasional consult with a life coach or personal trainer instead!
That was HARD WORK, both the exercise and keeping track of everything I ate. There is no way I would have experienced the weight loss and fitness gain any other way.
By the way, you also don't mention in your article that Hydroxycut does offer a caffeine-free version of their product.
11 - sal m
you are operating under the incorrect impression that extremely low levels of calories will result in greater weight loss...this is clearly not the case, as the when you cut back calories too much you actually slow your metabolism down and as a result burn less calories and lose less weight.
so in the appropriate program, 2000 calories in a day for someone who has 70+ pounds to lose will result in significant weight loss.
12 - dave davey
hydroxycut is a motivator to get people started that is not linked with dangerous side effects. If that is what it takes to get people off the gd couch and on the track and gym then a mere 50 dollar investment is fine. Good diet and exercise is the only true way of being healthy. Knowledge is power!!!!!! Lets educate people about proper lifestyle!!!!
13 - sal m
uh yea...well first of all this product isn't marketed as a "motivator" but as a weight loss supplement.
furthermore, educating people about a "proper lifestyle" doesn't include telling them how a pill can help them to get started on their way to a better lifestyle.
14 - faisal
hii,
i used to train 1 hour daily ( mainly running and some gym work) and I couldnt loose weight at all. My heart rate was above 145. The trainer adviced me to have HydrxoCut. I found my self having more power to do sports, but I gained more weight . Because of Hydroxocut. So, I stopped it.
The MOST EFFECTIVE solution that I found is to run or train hard for 90 minutes. I mostly used the Eleptical Device or trend mail and loose 2-3 Kg per day.
15 - Parag Aurora
Well I have been using Lipo-6 for the past one month. Yes i could feel the boost in my energy levels and ran like Tom Hanks in Forset Gump. Post one month I got feedback from people that I have lost weight. which is good shit considering the amount of work out i put in. What baffels me though is that I have only lost 2.2 pounds and only lost one inch on my tummy. What am i doing different from people who claim that they lost frikkin 16 pounds in one month. I have been doing weight training and control my diet very well but I couldve lost this weight without spending on Lipo. I know that I have gained muscle therefore there is no substancial weight loss. But I wana loose weight with gaining decent lean mass.
Any tips anyone wana gime?
P
16 - Deon
Hey, just bought some hydroxycut wanted to try it out for myself after hearing all the hype. im no stranger to training but have been off it for a while resulting in a bit of unwanted extra weight. Just wanted to dump some fat whilst getting back into weight training so will keep you posted i guess on how it goes,although some of the ingredients do raise some questions,i agree. Also A comment for Parag, are you keeping your heart rate at the desired level for fat loss for your age group?
17 - Melinda
so...does it work, or doesn't it? how about just drinking green tea and running 10 miles a day for a month?, willthat help me lose weight?
18 - Heart Watch Rx
Weight Loss is serious, make sure you consult a doctor before going on any major diet.
19 - Parag Aurora
Deon,
Yes buddy im working out like an ass. Im well inside the 140 -160 heart beats per minute. which is good for my age. But im on it and will keep u guys posted. and Melinda leme tell u that i lost the first 24 pounds just running and going on a proper diet. If that clarifies ur doubt. Suppliments just increase your heart beat and increase ur metabolism. It also increases energy levels so u can run for more time and kills ur appetite too. With suppliments or without two things are imperative - Patience and consistency. Fat takes time to burn. So just be on it.
20 - Deon
Parag,
I think what you say is good way of looking at it.
Just be on it. See what happens.
21 - sal m
supplements that "increase your heart beat" because they contain stimulants do not contribute to weight loss. and having an elevated resting heart rate is not good for anybody.
and the placebo effect is quite strong....
22 - Zanthur
ZANTHUR WISHES FOR THE HYDROXYCUT TO REMOVE THE FAT FROM MY STEAK. ZANTHUR DOES NOT LIKE REMOVING THE FAT, SO ZANTHUR PUTS A PILL IN THE MARINADE AND THEN ZANTHUR PEELS THE FAT OFF WITH A MERE FLICK OF THE WRIST. ZANTHUR APPROVES.
GO TO CHURCH AND PRAISE O'THELWASJILEK!
23 - Flood
Hi Sal, thanks for the info on Hydroxycut. I wish I read your article before wasting my money. I was already getting a decent weekly loss of 2 lbs from just exercise and watching my food intake (quality and portions). I'm not into supplements much but I bought Hydroxycut because of some articles I read from contestants in the fitness industry that look good and swear by it. I wanted to add an extra boost to my weight loss. All I have noticed in the last week since I started taking it is a minor headache and heartburn with no added weight loss. Not worth it at all. Keep up the good work.
24 - sal m
it's just a stimulant, and you're probably having a reaction to it...at least now you know better!
25 - molly
Hydroxycut is a joke. I had a baby 3 months ago and I have 5 pounds left until I reach my preprenancy weight. I am 5'8 and weigh 130. I have been running, strenth traing, and watching what goes into my body. I thought Hydroxycut would help me take the rest of the weight off fast. All it has done was give me headaches and cause me to stay up way too late when I am already sleep deprived! It did not curb my appeite at all! Do not buy it! It is a rip off. I was stupid to become one of those idiots who buys into these products