Flip through the channels on your TV long enough and you are bound to come across a Hydroxycut advertisement.

The vision of those miraculous transformations is compelling enough to convince desperate dieters to plunk down $49.95 for a month's supply.

Once upon a time, this popular weight-loss supplement was branded with the scarlet "e" - as in ephedra, the dangerous substance that was banned by the Food and Drug Administration. In accordance with the ruling, today's Hydroxycut is free of the controversial herb. The use of Ephedra has been linked to insomnia, nervousness, rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure, heart attack, seizure and stroke.

According to the website, consumers can lose 4.5 times the weight than diet and exercise alone. The active ingredients of Hydroxycut include Gymnema sylvestre extract, chromium polynicotinate, Garcinia cambogia extract and hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is the ingredient in Garcinia cambogia, an Indian herb used to keep blood sugar levels even. The makers of Hydroxycut maintain that the HCA they use is better absorbed by the body, making it more effective.

In addition, the green tea extract is said to increase the amount of calories burned on a daily basis. The gymnema sylvestre found in Hydroxycut promotes normal blood sugar levels. When combined with diet and exercise, all of these ingredients promote weight loss.

The Hydroxycut website is chock full of testimonials. There's Stacy Stengel who lost 44 pounds in 20 weeks. But there aren't just the run of the mill successes. Hydroxycut even boasts endorsements from two doctors -- Dr. Nick Evans and Dr. Jon Marshall, who attest to the powers of Hydroxycut.

Hydroxycut assists in increasing energy levels, boosting metabolism, suppressing the appetite and burning calories. An ingredient called Gymnema Sylvertre keeps blood sugars level. According to Hydroxycut, using the product helps clients lose 2 to 3 times more weight than just diet and exercise alone. The formula behind Hydroxycut contains Hydroxagen Plus, Hydroxy Tea and Chromatech. The four varieties to choose from are Hydroxycut, Caffeine-Free Hydoxycut, Hydroxycut Carb Control and Hydroxycut 24.

The dietary supplement is to be taken three times a day with an eight-ounce glass of water, 30 to 60 minutes before each meal. The makers of Hydroxycut recommend following a diet low in calories and exercising regularly.

A recent study done by ConsumerHealthDigest.com ranked Hydroxycut 11 out of 30 diet supplements reviewed. It received a score of 3 out of 5 for metabolism enhancement, 3 out of 5 for weight-loss potential, 4 out of 5 for appetite suppression and 3 out of 5 for ingredient control.

Hydroxycut is available at many locations including Walgreens, GNC, Sam's Club, Target, K-Mart and more.