The Dangers of Fat Burners

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We all want to look and feel our best. That’s why supplements that promise fast weight loss or rapid muscle gains have become so popular. The problem is, behind the flashy ads and bold claims, many of these products carry serious risks that most people never hear about.

Over the past 25 years, cases of liver failure linked to dietary supplements have skyrocketed—rising nearly eight-fold. Today, almost one in four reports of liver toxicity in the U.S. is connected to supplements, especially those marketed for weight loss and bodybuilding. In some cases, the damage has been so severe that patients needed liver transplants—or worse, it proved fatal. So, which products are the most dangerous, and what should you watch out for?

weight-loss-and-bodybuilding-supplements-that-harm-the-liver — Weight loss and body building supplements linked to liver damage

Weight-Loss Supplement Brands

Many weight loss supplements mix stimulants, herbs, and exotic plant extracts into pills and powders that often lack proper safety testing. While dozens of brands have raised concerns, a few stand out as especially high-risk for liver injury.

Herbalife

Herbalife is a global brand known for its shakes, teas, and supplements aimed at weight management and wellness. But despite its popularity, the company has been tied to at least 50 reported cases of liver injury, including one fatality.

Most cases were mild to moderate and cleared up within a few months after users stopped taking the products. Still, the exact cause has never been pinpointed. A major challenge is that many people take multiple Herbalife products at once—sometimes a dozen or more—each containing a mix of different ingredients. That makes it almost impossible to identify what’s actually causing the liver damage.

Hydroxycut

Hydroxycut is one of the most recognizable names in the weight loss industry, but it has a long history of safety issues. In 2004, Hydroxycut products containing ephedra were banned in the U.S. due to serious heart risks. The formula was changed, but the problems didn’t end there.

By 2009, the FDA linked Hydroxycut to at least 23 cases of liver injury, including one death, which triggered a nationwide recall. Even after reformulations, liver injury cases tied to the newer versions—often linked to green tea extract—have continued to appear. Most users recover once they stop taking the product, but the risks remain real.

OxyElite Pro

OxyElite Pro, once marketed as a “super thermogenic” fat-burning and performance booster, is another supplement with a dangerous track record. Early versions contained DMAA, a stimulant the FDA banned in 2013 for its cardiovascular risks. The company then replaced DMAA with a new ingredient called aegeline, derived from the bael tree.

Not long after, reports of severe hepatitis began to emerge in people taking OxyElite Pro. Many of these cases were so severe that patients required liver transplants, and some were fatal. The FDA eventually issued a stop-sale order, but the manufacturer was later caught distributing the product illegally, leading to criminal charges.

Weight-Loss Supplement Ingredients

When it comes to weight-loss supplements, the ingredients themselves are often the biggest concern. Over the years, several compounds commonly found in these products have been repeatedly linked to liver injury. Let’s take a closer look at some of the worst offenders.

Ephedra

Ephedra, also known as Ma Huang, has a long history in traditional Chinese medicine. It eventually made its way into Western markets as a weight-loss and bodybuilding aid. But products containing ephedrine alkaloids quickly proved dangerous. Users experienced serious side effects ranging from heart problems to acute liver damage.

Because of these risks, Ephedra was banned in the U.S. and many other countries. More than a dozen cases of acute liver injury have been tied to Ephedra, and long-term use has been associated with a hepatitis-like illness. Symptoms typically appeared after weeks or months of use but often improved once the supplement was discontinued.

Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is often marketed as a “natural fat burner” and made from a fruit native to Southeast Asia. While the fruit itself is harmless—and even used in cooking—the supplement form has been linked to at least a dozen severe cases of liver injury, including fatalities.

Although the overall risk appears relatively low (fewer than 1 in 10,000 users), the severity of reported cases is concerning. Some users developed mild hepatitis, while others progressed to full liver failure. Researchers suspect hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in Garcinia cambogia, as the toxic culprit when taken in high doses.

Germander

Germander was once promoted for weight loss, diabetes, and even high cholesterol. Traditionally consumed in teas, it later appeared in concentrated supplement extracts. Unfortunately, it turned out to be highly toxic to the liver.

Cases of both acute hepatitis and chronic liver disease were reported after weeks or months of use, prompting bans in multiple countries. The toxic compounds in germander, including Teucrin A, are now known to cause the damage. Symptoms often included fever, joint pain, and, in some cases, long-lasting liver inflammation.

Green Tea Extract

Drinking green tea is generally safe—and in many cases, even beneficial for liver health. The story changes, however, when green tea is concentrated into extracts for weight-loss supplements.

High doses of green tea extract have been tied to over 100 cases of liver injury, usually developing within one to six months of use. While most people recover once they stop the supplement, the damage can be significant. The likely culprit is EGCG, one of green tea’s catechins. Interestingly, not everyone is affected in the same way, suggesting genetics may play a role in who is most vulnerable.

Bodybuilding and Performance Supplements

It’s not just weight-loss products that carry risks. Many bodybuilding and performance-enhancing supplements can also harm the liver—often in ways you might not expect.

A common issue is hidden ingredients. Some manufacturers secretly spike products with anabolic steroids or steroid-like chemicals without listing them on the label. These substances are illegal without a prescription, but they’re sometimes added to boost muscle growth or performance.

Steroids such as testosterone derivatives, stanozolol, and oxymetholone have been linked to a dangerous condition called cholestatic hepatitis. This form of liver injury can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin), extreme fatigue, and sharp spikes in liver enzymes. Long-term steroid abuse has even been associated with rare liver tumors. Because athletes and bodybuilders often take multiple products at once, it can be nearly impossible to identify which supplement caused the harm.

Dr. Brian’s Advice

One of the biggest myths about supplements is the belief that “natural means safe.” The reality is that some natural ingredients can be just as harmful as synthetic ones—sometimes even worse. Weight-loss supplements are especially risky, particularly those with green tea extract or Garcinia cambogia, since these are often taken in high doses or combined with stimulants, putting extra strain on the liver.

Bodybuilding supplements carry their own dangers, not just from what’s on the label but from what’s hidden. Many products are secretly laced with steroid-like substances, which aren’t only illegal but have also been linked to severe liver injury and even tumors.

Now, it’s true that not everyone who takes these supplements will experience liver problems. But the risks are real—and when you weigh them against the often minor or short-lived benefits, it becomes clear that for many people, the gamble simply isn’t worth it.

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Citations

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