Letters To The Editor
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World J Gastroenterol. Aug 28, 2009; 15(32): 4087-4089
Published online Aug 28, 2009. doi: 10.3748/wjg.15.4087
No evidence demonstrating hepatotoxicity associated with hydroxycitric acid
Sidney J Stohs, Harry G Preuss, Sunny E Ohia, Gilbert R Kaats, Carl L Keen, Lonnie D Williams, George A Burdock
Sidney J Stohs, Harry G Preuss, Sunny E Ohia, Gilbert R Kaats, Carl L Keen, Lonnie D Williams, George A Burdock, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University Medical Center, 4967 Stillwater Trail, Frisco, TX 75034, United States
Author contributions: Stohs SJ, Preuss HG and Ohia SE developed the primary draft; Kaats GR, Keen CL, Williams LD and Burdock GA made the major additions and editing.
Correspondence to: Dr. Sidney J Stohs, Dean Emeritus, School of Pharmacy and Health Professions, Creighton University Medical Center, 4967 Stillwater Trail, Frisco, TX 75034, United States. sstohs@yahoo.com
Telephone: +1-214-2156655
Fax: +1-972-3349474
Received: July 6, 2009
Revised: July 17, 2009
Accepted: July 24, 2009
Published online: August 28, 2009
Abstract

Although a number of cases of hepatotoxicity are associated with the use of Hydroxycut weight management products, it has been alleged that their effects are primarily due to the presence of hydroxycitric acid (HCA, as Super CitriMax) in the formulations. However, while these products contain up to 20 different ingredients, some do not contain HCA. Case studies reported to date have not considered in depth the literature on the numerous animal and human studies that have been conducted on the safety and efficacy of HCA. No HCA-associated hepatotoxicity or treatment-related adverse effects have been reported in these studies, and thus it is premature to make the assumptions presented in the recent case studies regarding Hydroxycut. If it is established in well controlled studies that the use of these formulations with and/or without HCA can result in the occurrence or progression of hepatotoxicity, additional studies should be conducted to characterize the causative factor(s).

Keywords: Hydroxycitric acid; Super CitriMax; Hydroxycitric acid-SX; Garcinia cambogia; Hydroxycut; Liver failure; Hepatotoxicity; Safety and efficacy