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Name: Cody McClain Title: The popular weight-loss drug Hydroxycut is claimed to be safe by its manufacturer, but does scientific research about the drugs ingredients provide the same resolution? Target Audience: Consumers who have used or are currently using Hydroxycut as a weight-loss supplement. Review: The publics demand for alternative medicine, such as that of phytomedicine and herbal therapy, has led to the mass production of unregulated herbal supplements and therapies (1). Hydroxycut, which is unregulated by the United States Food and Drug Administration, is a weight-loss supplement that is reportedly made from natural ingredients and claims to result in rapid weight loss as well as increased energy and a lower body mass index (2). In 2009, the United States Food and Drug Administration issued a warning to the public to quit the use of Hydroxycut after several reports of liver damage as well as one death due to liver failure (3). After these claims were made, the producers of Hydroxycut removed the ingredients chromium and green tea from their product, citing these ingredients as the cause of liver dysfunction (2). The following research provides further analysis of the two ingredients and their ability to cause hepatotoxicity. Green tea, also known as Camellia sinensis, is found in weight-loss drugs and is linked to hepatotoxicity (4). In a case study, a 37-year old lady was admitted to the hospital for abdominal pain and jaundice, which is the yellowing of the skin and/or eyes (4). After admitting to taking a weight-loss supplement containing green tea, a blood screening was taken and revealed elevated levels of serum bilirubin, serum aspartate and alanine transferases, and alkaline phosphatase (4). These levels of toxicity, combined with inflammation of the liver, suggested that the green tea present in the weight-loss formula created hepatotoxicity in the patient (5). Chromium, another ingredient previously found in Hydroxycut, can be toxic when present at high levels (1). In fat burners, chromium helps decrease body fat and increase the basal metabolism rate (1). The Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for chromium ranges from 0.2mg to a maximum of 45mg for mothers; In just one Hydroxycut dose, 133mg of chromium is present (1). A high dosage of chromium, such as that was found in Hydroxycut, can lead to liver damage and hepatotoxicity (1). In Hydroxycut, Chromium elevated levels of serum aminotransferases, which had a negative impact on the function of the liver (5). Statement: Based on the research of the effects that Chromium and Green Tea had on liver damage via elevated levels of aminotransferases, hepatotoxicity, and liver inflammation, I believe Hydroxycut made a true claim, that removing these ingredients made their product safe to use.

REFERENCES: 1. Dara, L., Hewett, J., & Lim, J. K. (2008). Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity: A case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements. World Journal of Gastroenterology , 14(45), 6999-7004. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2773866/ Branch, S. (2011, July 07). How safe is the diet drug hydroxycut?. Retrieved from http://www.livestrong.com/article/465051-how-safe-is-the-diet-drug-hydroxycut/ Katz, L. U.S. Food & Drug Administration, (2009). Warning on hydroxycut products. Retrieved from U.S. Food & Drug Administration website: http://www.fda.gov/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/ucm152152.htm Bonkovsky, H. (2006). Hepatotoxicity associated with supplements containing chinese green tea (camellia sinensis) . Annals of Internal Medicine, 144(1), 68-71. Retrieved from http://www.annals.org/content/144/1/68.full Stickel, F., Kessebohm, K., Weimann, R., & Seitz, H. K. (2011). Review of liver injury associated with dietary supplements. Liver International, 31(5), 595-605. Retrieved from http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.14783231.2010.02439.x/full

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