Recently, the FDA recalled Hydroxycut products, the popular line of weight-loss supplements that have been on the market since 2002. Consumers were warned to immediately stop using the product after it was associated with 23 reports of serious health problems, including the death of a 19-year-old male due to liver failure.

This is not the first instance of a weight-loss supplement being removed from the market as a result of its serious health consequences. (Remember the recalls on Fen-Phen and Ephedra?) However, many consumers were still surprised to hear the news; the popularity and wide availability of Hydroxycut products for the past seven years have provided a false representation of the products’ safety.

It’s important to realize that unlike pharmaceutical drugs, manufacturers of dietary supplements do not need FDA approval before putting their products on the market. Instead, the FDA will step in to identify harmful products after they are already on sale. The problem with this system is that it can be difficult to identify isolated incidents, especially since the FDA depends on voluntary reports which can often come late or not at all. Case in point: the death of the 19-year-old male from his use of Hydroxycut occurred in 2007, but was not reported until March of 2009.

We here at The Center for Eating Disorders at Sheppard Pratt, would like to take this opportunity to remind you about the dangers of using any type of dietary supplements, which have the potential to become addictive and affect your health. Seizures, cardiovascular disorders, and rhabdomyolysis were just a few of the reported health problems associated with Hydroxycut. Additionally, there were reports of liver damage from those who took the doses recommended on the bottle, which goes to show that you do not have to abuse these popular supplements to be a victim of their harmful side effects.

In the often constant focus by society and individuals on the pursuit of thinness, the thought to the cost associated with this pursuit is often lost. This recall sheds light on just some of the tremendous dangers associated with this desire to change ones body through this type of “quick fix” via a pill. The list of consequences and of unhealthy schemes are too numerous to list here, but before embarking on another weight loss plan, give some thought – are the risks REALLY worth it?