MARINE CORPS AIR STATION IWAKUNI, Japan -- According to Hydroxycut’s ads, it’s “America’s number one selling hardcore fat burner.”
Its products have attracted civilian and military members alike who hope to lose weight and gain energy.
Those looking for such results will have to turn to a new supplement, because as of May 1, Hydroxycut has asked businesses to pull 14 of their main products off the shelves due to a warning issued by the Food and Drug Administration.
“This news is kind of unfortunate because it actually worked,” said Staff Sgt. Michael J. Karolewics, the staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge of airfreight at Air Terminal Division, who mainly used the product for its ability to wake him up in the morning. “It gave me the energy and results I was looking for.”
Up until recently, it appeared Hydroxycut’s products were nothing but beneficial.
Unfortunately for some faithful followers like Karolewics, the Food and Drug Administration recently released a statement urging consumers to immediately stop using the supplement.
“With reports from the FDA, we are now urging everyone on the station to stop taking Hydroxycut,” said Sgt. Maj. Gerard J. Calvin, the Headquarters & Headquarters Squadron sergeant major. “We aren’t going to be looking through your rooms or doing urine analysis tests. We just want to get the word out there and hope people take their health as seriously as we do.”
Calvin had been taking Hydroxycut for one of the many reasons Karolewics did, a quick energy boost, but when he heard the bad news, he quickly stopped.
Those who aren’t convinced might still want to reconsider after reading the warning released by the FDA.
A segment from the statement reads as follows: “Some Hydroxycut products are associated with a number of serious liver injuries. Iovate (Hydroxycut’s distributor) has agreed to recall Hydroxycut products from the market. The FDA has received 23 reports of serious health problems ranging from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes, an indicator of potential liver injury, to liver damage requiring liver transplant.
One death due to liver failure has been reported to the FDA.
Other health problems reported include seizures, cardiovascular disorders and rhabdomyolysis, a type of muscle damage that can lead to other serious health problems such as kidney failure.”
Those who read this statement might be a little worried about their health but might also wonder what to do with their half-empty bottles of Hydroxycut.
Those worried can rest assured because customers who bought their bottles of Hydroxycut from the Marine Mart can return them to either of the two locations on the station for a full refund. Although a receipt of purchase is not required, the Marine Mart will only accept returns for Hydroxycut products that were previously sold in the store. Products purchased from other businesses can be directly returned and refunded through Hydroxycut.
Hydroxycut’s products have already been taken off the shelves and have been destroyed, said Kazuma Hayashi, the divisional sales manager for consumables here.
With Hydroxycut out of the picture and off the shelves, some service members might be at a loss of how to fill their need for the pill that offered them so much.
“Life without Hydroxycut is nothing I can’t get over,” said Calvin, in a light-mannered tone. “There are plenty of great products out there that provide the same effect. On that note, it’s important to remind ourselves that the best way to stay healthy is eating right and exercising.”
Those with questions about Hydroxycut or weight loss and muscle gain supplements may contact station medical for more information.
See the FDA’s Hydroxycut report at http://www.fda.gov/bbs/topics.