Metabotrim Side Effects

Metabotrim is one of many products on the market that promise to help people lose weight naturally. Metabotrim comes in capsule form, and contains a blend of nutrients and vitamins designed to support weight loss. If you’re looking to trim up with this product, it’s important to first understand any side effects that may be associated with its use.

Definition

• Metabotrim is a product made with B vitamins, L-cartinine, chromium chelate and chromium picolinate. Chromium regulates insulin production and function, while L-cartinine helps deliver fatty acids to the mitochondria of cells, so that fat can be burned to provide the cells with energy.

Role

• The product's purpose is to help the body better metabolize existing fat into energy, providing the energy people need to get off the couch and exercise to lose excess weight.

Side Effects

• While the maker of Metabotrim claims that the product comes with no side effects, the National Institutes of Health has identified some side effects associated with taking some of the ingredients in the product. For instance, cartinine supplementation may cause nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea and a “fishy” body odor. Additionally, this ingredient has been linked to muscle weakness in certain individuals, and even seizures. A high intake of magnesium, another ingredient in Metabotrim, can lead to cramping and diarrhea as well.

Contraindications

• Certain drugs can interact with the individual ingredients in Metabotrim. For instance, cartinine interacts with a certain class of antibiotics, and chromium interacts with antacids, corticosteroids, H2 blockers and beta blockers. Thus, it’s best to talk to your doctor about whether you can take Metabotrim if you are already taking any prescription medications.

Considerations

• The use of this product has not been evaluated on pregnant or lactating women, so if you fall under this category, it’s best not to use Metabotrim. Lastly, keep in mind that because Metabotrim is sold as a dietary supplement, it has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.