HydroxyElite Review
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By CANDICE GREY ConsumersCompare.org Update: Oct 22, 2024 |
HydroxyElite is a diet pill supplement that comes in a white and purple bottle containing 90 capsules. The company claims the supplement will help you lose weight and burn fat, and the instructions for consumption are simple: 1-2 capsules in the morning and 1 capsule after lunch, not to exceed 4 capsules daily. The 90-count bottle will cost $34.99 to $69.99 plus shipping and handling, depending on where you purchase it. There is no information at all on their product website about any return policy. [1]
HydroxyElite is made by Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals, owned as a sole proprietorship by Mr. Jared Wheat. The company opened a Better Business Bureau file in 1997, but there is very little information provided. Although they have an A+ rating, BBB policy starts that rating at A+ and goes down as determined by customer reviews and how well the company handles customer complaints reported to the BBB. There are no reviews and only one complaint. Company Contact Information: 6015 Unity Dr. Ste B, Norcross, GA 30071-3575, (888) 855-7919 [2]
The lack of a return policy on the Hi-Tech website was concerning. However, that one complaint on the BBB site does pertain to a return, although it’s for a different Hi-Tech product:
I purchased a bottle of Raspberry Ketones (125 mg, 90 ct) that was manufactured by this company from my local GNC store. The product gave me an upset stomach. I attempted to return it to the store. The store would not refund my money as it has been over 30 days. The salesman told me I needed to call the company. I called the company today (10/20/15) and spoke to a woman that said I had to take it back to the store, and even if I bought it directly from them there were “no money back guarantees”, however this is NOT noted on the bottle anywhere. She told me I was “stuck with it”. [3]
Hi-Tech is hardly a squeaky-clean operation. More below in Word on the Street.
HydroxyElite Claims
“Extreme Diet Aid – Intense Stimulant” [3]
“Another Blockbuster Weight Loss Aid from the Diet & Energy Specialists – Hi-Tech Pharmaceuticals!” [3]
“If you were around in the mid 90’s – 2000’s then you would know people walked into local supplement shops and asked what they should take to get shredded. Despite what seemed like hundreds of products, the store owner would say the ‘ECA’ stack as if there wasn’t even a choice. For the past 5 years that has been an equally effective duo with the DMAA/caffeine stack. Most companies let the FDA intimidate them into stopping the sales of this extremely potent combination….Well not Hi-Tech!” [3]
“Warning: not for use by individuals under the age of 18 years. Do not use if you are pregnant or nursing. This product can raise blood pressure and interfere with other drugs you may be taking. Talk to your doctor about this product.” [3]
“Individuals who consume caffeine with this product may experience serious adverse health effects.” [3]
“Since the discontinuation of DMAA by other companies has led to them spending millions and millions of dollars advertising the next best thing….. but why would you want that if you could have a New & Improved version of what you know works? You Wouldn’t….enter HydroxyElite® by Hi-Tech to give retailers and consumers exactly what they want.” [3]
Which boils down to “We choose to ignore a federal court order telling us to stop selling our self-proclaimed and unproven fabulous product—aren’t we special and aren’t you lucky?”
The list of warnings about HydroxyElite on its product page was extensive, and there were no glowing testimonials—no testimonials at all, in fact. They focus on how powerful the substance is, and on that list of side effects. This didn’t instill a lot of consumer confidence—in fact, it deterred me completely.
back to menu ↑HydroxyElite Ingredients
- Caffeine (Anhydrous) 100 mg
- Garcinia Cambogia (60% HCA), 250 mg
- Rauwolscine Extract
- Cirsium Oligophyllum Extract
- Dimethylamylamine HCL
- Bauhinia Purpurea Extract
- Bacopa Leaf Extract [3]
Rauwolscine is an alternate form of Yohimbe, sharing its aphrodisiac and mood-elevating effects. Cirsium Oligophyllum is a thistle whose extract may enhance the slimming effect of caffeine, but the little research done so far doesn’t appear to show it enhances it much. Bauhinia Purpurea is an orchid whose leaves may have some anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal benefits, but the science is very scarce on it. Bacopa Leaf, also known as Brahmi, is used in traditional Indian medicine for dementia treatment and memory improvement, anxiety, ADHD, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)—but while WebMD states it is possibly effective for improving memory, all its other uses have little evidence behind them, and weight-loss properties aren’t mentioned at all. [4] [5] [6] [7]
This list may seem questionably effective but not overly harmful. However, one item has both questionable effectiveness and safety. And Hi-Tech admits it.
Dimethylamylamine HCL is the “DMAA” Hi-Tech crows about in HydroxyElite’s advertising, also known as methylhexanamine or geranium extract; it has been banned by the FDA but is still illegally found in many weight loss products—mostly produced by Hi-Tech.
The FDA states in their ban: “Ingestion of DMAA can elevate blood pressure and lead to cardiovascular problems ranging from shortness of breath and tightening in the chest to heart attack. Dietary supplements containing DMAA are illegal and FDA is doing everything within its authority to remove these products from the market.” [8]
Hi-Tech has actually gone to court with the FDA and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over DMAA. Currently the court still backs the FDA—as such, DMAA is currently an illegal substance, no matter what the nutrition shop or your gym says. And yet Hi-Tech makes a point of saying nah-nah-nah, we’re going to sell it anyway.
The Science Behind HydroxyElite
According to WebMD.com, there is insufficient evidence that DMAA has any effectiveness in promoting weight loss, athletic performance, or bodybuilding. And the same site lists it as “Likely Unsafe” to take, citing severe side effects including abnormally rapid heartbeat, elevation of blood pressure, and risk increase of heart attack or stroke. There have been some deaths attributed to DMAA. [9]
The dangers of stimulant herbs plus caffeine causing blood pressure spikes and heart rhythm problems, especially in people who don’t exercise caution in taking them, isn’t exclusive to HydroxyElite, but the fact that they so blatantly flaunt their ignoring of the FDA ban is troubling. Garcinia Cambogia (HCA) has shown some promise as a metabolism booster and appetite suppressant, but it really only seems to work in the short term. The warning label on HydroxyElite is extensive, for good reasons, and the website offers no verifiable information as to why their formula is worth the risk of the side effects.
HydroxyElite’s twin brother, “OxyElite Pro,” was discontinued due to the DMAA present, but customers were screaming for DMAA so the company created HydroxyElite in direct violation of the FDA ban. Literally the only difference between the two formulas is the Garcinia Cambogia present in HydroxyElite. The banned DMAA is still there.
According to Examine.com,
DMAA is a neurological stimulant which causes a quick spike of energy similar to caffeine and other classical stimulants, but does so by different mechanisms in the brain. It was first introduced as a nasal decongestant as “Germanium (sic) Oil Extract” but more recently is used as a neurological stimulant and party pill. Due to its structural similarity to amphetamines, it gives a false positive in drug tested competitions for amphetamines and thus should not be used by competing athletes. [10]
back to menu ↑Word On The Street About HydroxyElite
Hi-Tech owner Jared Wheat has been in the “supplement” business for a long time. In 1994, though, the supplement was marijuana and he was convicted of operating a widespread ring in the American South. While in jail, he brainstormed Hi-Tech. [11]
Keep in mind, Mr. Wheat isn’t a biochemist, a botanist, a biologist, or a medical professional. He dropped out of college because he figured nobody would hire him with a felony on his record. From there, the timeline has been littered with trouble. Extensive fines, and a total of over six years in jail for everything from false advertising to selling knockoff prescription drugs manufactured in a little plant in Belize.
But back to HydroxyElite itself. On the main website, you will find nothing but raving reviews about the effectiveness of this diet pill. There is no mention of the nasty side effects that may come with it, which makes them completely irrelevant. Because there are limits to where HydroxyElite is sold, there are limited genuine voices.
However, go to a fitness forum like at Bodybuilding.com, and you’ll get an earful. Both positive and negative, but I noticed the positive reviews seem to come more from “veteran” fitness folk who remind the forum to keep up water intake and eat properly. There were a lot of comments about HiTech’s shady reputation as well.
“TrueShorty” said,
I’m on my 2nd week of my first cycle of the Hi-Tech version and although I’m seeing results I do not feel good taking these. The first day I took one it caused me to salivate heavily all day and felt nauseous. I continued to take them for the week as I thought my body just needed to get used to them. I have noticed that it is “working”. I’m definitely losing fat… I also do not feel focused, my balance feels a bit off, I feel pressure behind my eyes, and I notice my short term memory has rapidly declined. I noticed at the start of my 2nd week that I was starting to get liver pain and I’ve been getting headaches. I took my first 2nd pill in the afternoon halfway through my 2nd week and I’ve had chest and upper back pains ever since so stuck to only 1 pill today. I don’t feel like my heart is beating quickly, but my heart feels like it’s beating hard (if that makes any sense). I don’t drink any caffeinated beverages or take any other medications. I really only drink 1-2 ginger teas and between 80 and 100 oz of water a day.” [13]
“snipertw” said,
Not sure what all the bashing on this product is for.. I have fully completed 2 cycles on this product and have had amazing results compared to other weight loss supplements currently available on the market. Yes it may make you feel a little jittery and “weird” feeling, but as long as you keep your water intake and nutrients in check for the day it seems to settle. Follow the labels instructions, eat right, and exercise , and you will see results!!! Definitely a good product, and I would at least recommend you to try it if you were second guessing it! Worth a shot! [13]
But “fahdalsheheata” replied to that: “the bashing is because hi tech is a bad company with bad track record. Just use google and you would understand where we are coming from. Unfortunately, they manufacture to some of the most popular companies over here” [13]
back to menu ↑The Bottom Line: Is HydroxyElite Worth a Try?
Definitely Not.Regardless of a few glowing reviews, there is really nothing positive to say about this manufacturer or HydroxyElite. Hi-Tech’s history is shady at best. They’re not scientists or doctors; they’re marketers. With repeated fines and jail sentences already under their belts. HydroxyElite is sold for two reasons only; profit at the expense of health, and a thumb to the nose at the FDA. If Hi-Tech were really concerned about health, they would follow the lead of several other heavy-duty OTC supplements and state directly on their marketing that it is designed for experienced users only. Which they don’t, and the FDA doesn’t consider DMAA safe for even the veterans. Best to stay far away from this one.
