Possible Side Effects of Metabolife Ultra
Metabolife International, Inc. manufactures products designed to suppress appetite, increase metabolism, and provide energy to aid in achieving weight loss and maintenance goals. The company's initial popular product was Metabolife 356, which contained ephedra and was banned by the Food and Drug Administration in 2004 due to the serious side effects. An ephedra-free line is now available that contains two stages of products: Stage One for weight loss and Stage Two for weight management. Metabolife Ultra is the most popular Stage One product, but users should be aware of side effects before ingesting this or similar weight loss aids.
Metabolife Ultra
Metabolife Ultra's main ingredient is "Super CitriMax," which contains Garcinia cambogia fruit extract and hydroxycitric acid. Each capsule also contains calcium, chromium picolinate, 75 mg of caffeine, and the antioxidant co-enzyme Q10. Metabolife Ultra claims to "inhibit fat production, suppress appetite, reduce body fat while preserving lean muscle, and provide sustained energy"; as with other over-the-counter weight loss aids, these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
Instructions for Use
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Dosing instructions are to ingest two capsules three times daily between 30 and 60 minutes prior to meals. Each serving of Metabolife Ultra contains a caffeine equivalence to one to two cups of coffee. Each dose should occur at least three to four hours apart, and the maximum limit is six capsules per day. The supplement should be used in conjunction with a healthy eating and regular exercise plan.
- Dosing instructions are to ingest two capsules three times daily between 30 and 60 minutes prior to meals.
- Each dose should occur at least three to four hours apart, and the maximum limit is six capsules per day.
Immediate Side Effects
The main ingredient in Metabolife Ultra that produces negative side effects is caffeine 1. Caffeine ingestion can cause anxiety, insomnia and rapid heart rate, especially if users are sensitive to caffeine or have no tolerance to it. Users may switch to Metabolife Caffeine-Free if caffeine side effects become intolerable 1. The combination of bitter orange and garcinia cambogia extract creates appetite suppression, which is viewed as a positive side effect by users. Other general side effects that the combination of ingredients in Metabolife Ultra may produce include headaches, dizziness, increased blood pressure and nausea.
Long-term Side Effects
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Long-term caffeine ingestion weakens blood vessels, which can lead to varicose veins when blood pools and distorts the vessel lining. Since caffeine is a stimulant that excites the central nervous and cardiovascular systems, irregular heart rate responses in the form of palpitations and arrhythmias may occur. Caffeine is an addictive substance to which the body builds a tolerance, meaning increasing amounts are needed to produce the same affect over time. This can lead to irritability and physical and psychological withdrawal if ingestion is reduced or ceased.
- Long-term caffeine ingestion weakens blood vessels, which can lead to varicose veins when blood pools and distorts the vessel lining.
Warning
Users who have a history of high blood pressure, heart conditions, abnormal circulation, caffeine sensitivity, or somatic disorders, or those currently taking medications, should consult a medical professional before use. Metabolife Ultra is not intended for use by individuals who are under the age of 18 or are pregnant or nursing. Consumption should never exceed the recommended maximum limit of six capsules in a 24-hour period. Discontinue use immediately and consult a medical professional if severe adverse side effects become apparent or discomfort becomes intolerable.
- Users who have a history of high blood pressure, heart conditions, abnormal circulation, caffeine sensitivity, or somatic disorders, or those currently taking medications, should consult a medical professional before use.
- Metabolife Ultra is not intended for use by individuals who are under the age of 18 or are pregnant or nursing.
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References
- Nutritional Supplement Bible: Metabolife Diet Pills
- Twinlab Consolidated Corporation. The MetaboLife Collection.
- National Institutes of Health. Ephedra.
- Tamaki J, Morain D. Los Angeles Times. Grand Jury Indicts Metabolife, Founder. July 23, 2004.
- Twinlab Consolidated Corporation. MetaboLife. Ingredient Spotlight.
- Garcinia Cambogia. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Updated January 2017
- Crawford V, Scheckenbach R, Preuss HG. Effects of niacin-bound chromium supplementation on body composition in overweight African-American women. Diabetes Obes Metab. 1999;1(6):331-7. doi:10.1046/j.1463-1326.1999.00055.x
- Kudiganti, V., Kodur, R.R., Kodur, S.R. et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Meratrim for weight management: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy overweight human subjects. Lipids Health Dis 15, 136 (2016). doi:10.1186/s12944-016-0306-4
- Chromium. Professional Fact Sheet. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Updated February 27, 2020
- Kudiganti, V., Kodur, R.R., Kodur, S.R. et al. Efficacy and tolerability of Meratrim for weight management: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in healthy overweight human subjects. Lipids Health Dis 15, 136 (2016). doi:10.1186/s12944-016-0306-4
- Green Tea. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Updated September 2016
- Saiyed ZM, Sengupta K, Krishnaraju AV, Trimurtulu G, Lau FC, Lugo JP. Safety and toxicological evaluation of Meratrim®: an herbal formulation for weight management. Food Chem Toxicol. 2015;78:122-9. doi:10.1016/j.fct.2015.02.010
- Weight Control. National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. Updated September 24, 2017
- Niacin. Fact Sheet for Professionals. National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. Updated July 9, 2019
Writer Bio
Erin Fergus holds a master's in exercise science, teaches at the Greenville Technical College Personal Trainer Department in Greenville, S.C., and has the ACSM HFS and NSCA CSCS certifications. She is also completing a master's in journalism. She is a gluten-free, vegan bodybuilder interested in cooking, baking and waterfall hiking.