Overview

Garcinia is a small to medium-sized tree that grows in India and Southeast Asia. The fruit rind contains the chemical hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and is used to make medicine. Don't confuse garcinia with Garcinia hanburyi (gamboge resin).

People use garcinia for conditions such as obesity, athletic performance, joint pain, and many others, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also concern that using garcinia might harm the liver.

Classification

Is a Form of:

Tree native to India and Southeast Asia

Primary Functions:

Obesity, athletic performance

Also Known As:

Brindal Berry, Brindle Berry, Cambogia binucao, Cambogia gemmi-guta

How Does It Work?

Garcinia contains the chemical hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Some laboratory research suggests that HCA might prevent fat storage, control appetite, and increase exercise endurance, but whether these effects occur in humans is unclear.

Uses

• Athletic performance. Garcinia contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Taking HCA might increase how long untrained women are able to exercise. But it does not seem benefit men in the same way.
• Obesity. It's unclear if garcinia helps people lose weight. Some research shows that it has a small benefit. Other research shows it doesn't help.
• A disease caused by parasitic worms (schistosomiasis).
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Joint pain.
• Other conditions.

Recommended Dosing

The appropriate dose of garcinia depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for garcinia. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.

Garcinia Supplements Frequently Asked Questions

What are the side effects of Garcinia?

Common Side effects of Garcinia include:

• Nausea.
• Upset stomach.
• Headache.
• Dry mouth.

Is Garcinia good for weight loss?

Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit also known as the Malabar tamarind, is a popular weight-loss supplement. People say it blocks your body's ability to make fat and it puts the brakes on your appetite. Loss of excess weight could help could help keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check, too.

Do the Garcinia pills really work?

The bottom line

Although the companies that market these products promise rapid weight loss, research shows that garcinia cambogia and HCA promote minimal fat loss at best. Plus, these supplements have been linked to dangerous side effects, including liver toxicity.

When should I take Garcinia?

Most garcinia cambogia supplements suggest taking one 500-mg pill three times a day before a meal. However, up to 2,800 mg a day appears to be safe for most healthy people.

Does Garcinia cambogia make you lose belly fat?

May Block Fat Production and Reduce Belly Fat

Most importantly, garcinia cambogia impacts blood fats and the production of new fatty acids. Human and animal studies show that it may lower high levels of fat in your blood and reduce oxidative stress in your body 

Is Garcinia safe for liver?

In 2009, the FDA issued a safety warning after receiving more than 20 reports of severe reactions, including liver damage, in people taking the supplement Hydroxycut. Ulbricht said it's unclear if the Garcinia cambogia extract caused the liver damage.

How much weight can you lose with Garcinia?

On average, garcinia cambogia has been shown to cause weight loss of about 2 pounds (0.88 kg) more than a placebo, over a period of 2–12 weeks 

Is Garcinia FDA approved?

[11-20-2017] The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is advising consumers not to purchase or use Fruta Planta Life (Garcinia Cambogia Premium), a product promoted for weight loss. ... FDA laboratory analysis confirmed that Fruta Planta Life (Garcinia Cambogia Premium) contains sibutramine.

How much Garcinia cambogia should I take a day for weight loss?

Most garcinia cambogia supplements suggest taking one 500-mg pill three times a day before a meal. However, up to 2,800 mg a day appears to be safe for most healthy people ( 23 , 26 ).

Is Garcinia safe?

And clinical trials have shown it's safe to take Garcinia cambogia extract by mouth — at least for 12 weeks, the length of the studies. But take caution. Garcinia cambogia has side effects — it may lower a person's blood sugar, so it can interact with diabetes treatments.

How many Garcinia pills should I take?

Most garcinia cambogia supplements suggest taking one 500-mg pill three times a day before a meal. However, up to 2,800 mg a day appears to be safe for most healthy people.

What does Garcinia do to your body?

Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit also known as the Malabar tamarind, is a popular weight-loss supplement. People say it blocks your body's ability to make fat and it puts the brakes on your appetite. Loss of excess weight could help could help keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check, too.

What medications should you not take with Garcinia cambogia?

Garcinia cambogia may interact badly with:

• Asthma and allergy medicines.
• Diabetes medicines, including pills and insulin.
• Iron, for anemia.
• Pain medicines.
• Prescriptions for psychiatric conditions.
• Statins, drugs that lower cholesterol.
• Warfarin, a blood thinner.

Does Garcinia and apple cider vinegar work?

Since garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar may promote weight loss in different ways, they theoretically could work better together than if taken alone. However, there are no studies on the effect of taking them together.

Does Garcinia cambogia make you fat?

Garcinia cambogia contains a compound called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) that may inhibit an enzyme that helps your body store fat. Theoretically, the fat would instead be burned as calories. 12. Allegedly, garcinia cambogia can increase the levels of the neurotransmitter serotonin, a feel-good messenger in your body.

What can I take with Garcinia cambogia to lose weight?

Limited research suggests that garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar may promote modest weight loss. Though some say that taking both together enhances their weight loss effects, studies to support these claims are unavailable. What's more, both supplements may cause side effects in high doses.

How do you use dry Garcinia cambogia for weight loss?

Then you can take some water in a stainless steel or clay pan and transfer the soaked kudam puli to it. Cook this for some time, until the water comes to a boil. Allow it to cool down and filter the drink into a jar. Consuming this drink 30 minutes before each meal, may help you lose weight faster.

Can you take Garcinia cambogia without food?

Capsules should be taken on an empty stomach, 30 minutes to an hour before a meal. 21. According to ConsumerLab.com, many garcinia cambogia supplements don't contain the amount of garcinia cambogia listed on the label. If you take the capsules, buy a reputable brand and make sure they contain at least 50 percent HCA.

Clinical Studies

• ^ a b c A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of a new weight-reducing agent of natural origin.
• ^ Effects on the Human Body of a Dietary Supplement Containing L-Carnitine and Garcinia cambogia Extract: A Study using Double-blind Tests.
• ^ a b Efficacy of 12 weeks supplementation of a botanical extract-based weight loss formula on body weight, body composition and blood chemistry in healthy, overweight subjects--a randomised double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial.
• ^ Vasudeva N, Yadav N, Sharma SK. Natural products: a safest approach for obesity. Chin J Integr Med. (2012)
• ^ a b c d e f Márquez F, et al. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of hydroxycitric acid or Garcinia cambogia extracts in humans. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. (2012)
• ^ a b c Oluyemi KA, et al. Erythropoietic and anti-obesity effects of Garcinia cambogia (bitter kola) in Wistar rats. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. (2007)
• ^ (−)-Hydroxycitric acid—the principal acid in the fruits of Garcinia cambogia desr.
• ^ a b Masullo M, et al. Polyisoprenylated benzophenones and an unusual polyisoprenylated tetracyclic xanthone from the fruits of Garcinia cambogia. J Agric Food Chem. (2008)
• ^ a b Kolodziejczyk J, et al. Effects of garcinol and guttiferone K isolated from Garcinia cambogia on oxidative/nitrative modifications in blood platelets and plasma. Platelets. (2009)
• ^ a b c d On the structures of garcinol, isogarcinol and camboginol.
• ^ Chattopadhyay SK, Kumar S. Identification and quantification of two biologically active polyisoprenylated benzophenones xanthochymol and isoxanthochymol in Garcinia species using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. (2006)
• ^ Chattopadhyay SK, Kumar S. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for identification and quantification of two biologically active polyisoprenylated benzophenones, isoxanthochymol and camboginol, in Garcinia species. Biomed Chromatogr. (2007)
• ^ Chattopadhyay SK, Kumar S. A rapid liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry method for quantification of a biologically active molecule camboginol in the extract of Garcinia cambogia. Biomed Chromatogr. (2007)
• ^ a b Loe YC, et al. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method to quantify blood hydroxycitrate concentration. Anal Biochem. (2001)
• ^ a b c Ohia SE, et al. Safety and mechanism of appetite suppression by a novel hydroxycitric acid extract (HCA-SX). Mol Cell Biochem. (2002)
• ^ Hayamizu K, et al. Effect of Garcinia cambogia extract on serum leptin and insulin in mice. Fitoterapia. (2003)
• ^ a b Shara M, et al. Dose- and time-dependent effects of a novel (-)-hydroxycitric acid extract on body weight, hepatic and testicular lipid peroxidation, DNA fragmentation and histopathological data over a period of 90 days. Mol Cell Biochem. (2003)
• ^ Amin KA, Kamel HH, Abd Eltawab MA. The relation of high fat diet, metabolic disturbances and brain oxidative dysfunction: modulation by hydroxy citric acid. Lipids Health Dis. (2011)
• ^ a b c Kim JE, et al. Does Glycine max leaves or Garcinia Cambogia promote weight-loss or lower plasma cholesterol in overweight individuals: a randomized control trial. Nutr J. (2011)
• ^ Watson JA, Lowenstein JM. Citrate and the conversion of carbohydrate into fat. Fatty acid synthesis by a combination of cytoplasm and mitochondria. J Biol Chem. (1970)
• ^ Lowenstein JM. Effect of (-)-hydroxycitrate on fatty acid synthesis by rat liver in vivo. J Biol Chem. (1971)
• ^ Hellerstein MK. De novo lipogenesis in humans: metabolic and regulatory aspects. Eur J Clin Nutr. (1999)
• ^ a b c Leonhardt M, Hrupka B, Langhans W. Effect of hydroxycitrate on food intake and body weight regain after a period of restrictive feeding in male rats. Physiol Behav. (2001)
• ^ a b Leonhardt M, Balkan B, Langhans W. Effect of hydroxycitrate on respiratory quotient, energy expenditure, and glucose tolerance in male rats after a period of restrictive feeding. Nutrition. (2004)
• ^ Lipid-lowering and antiobesity effect of (−)hydroxycitric acid.
• ^ Mattes RD, Bormann L. Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables. Physiol Behav. (2000)
• ^ Heymsfield SB, et al. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA. (1998)
• ^ Egras AM, et al. An evidence-based review of fat modifying supplemental weight loss products. J Obes. (2011)
• ^ Cherniack EP. Potential applications for alternative medicine to treat obesity in an aging population. Altern Med Rev. (2008)
• ^ Lenz TL, Hamilton WR. Supplemental products used for weight loss. J Am Pharm Assoc (2003). (2004)
• ^ Pittler MH, Ernst E. Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review. Am J Clin Nutr. (2004)
• ^ Heber D. Herbal preparations for obesity: are they useful. Prim Care. (2003)
• ^ Cheng IS, et al. Oral hydroxycitrate supplementation enhances glycogen synthesis in exercised human skeletal muscle. Br J Nutr. (2012)
• ^ a b Hayamizu K, et al. Effects of Garcinia cambogia extract on serum sex hormones in overweight subjects. Fitoterapia. (2008)
• ^ Amin KA, Kamel HH, Abd Eltawab MA. Protective effect of Garcinia against renal oxidative stress and biomarkers induced by high fat and sucrose diet. Lipids Health Dis. (2011)
• ^ Mathew GE, et al. Diuretic activity of leaves of garcinia cambogia in rats. Indian J Pharm Sci. (2011)
• ^ Saito M, et al. High dose of Garcinia cambogia is effective in suppressing fat accumulation in developing male Zucker obese rats, but highly toxic to the testis. Food Chem Toxicol. (2005)
• ^ a b Burdock G, et al. Garcinia cambogia toxicity is misleading. Food Chem Toxicol. (2005)
• ^ Shara M, et al. Physico-chemical properties of a novel (-)-hydroxycitric acid extract and its effect on body weight, selected organ weights, hepatic lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation, hematology and clinical chemistry, and histopathological changes over a period of 90 days. Mol Cell Biochem. (2004)
• ^ a b Soni MG, et al. Safety assessment of (-)-hydroxycitric acid and Super CitriMax, a novel calcium/potassium salt. Food Chem Toxicol. (2004)
• ^ a b Lee KH, Lee BM. Evaluation of the genotoxicity of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) isolated from Garcinia cambogia. J Toxicol Environ Health A. (2007)
• ^ Hayashi M, et al. In vivo rodent erythrocyte micronucleus assay. Mutat Res. (1994)
• ^ Lau FC, Bagchi M, Bagchi D. Refuting "Evaluation of the genotoxitocity of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) isolated from Garcinia Cambogia" by Lee and Lee, Journal of Toxicology and Environmental Health, 70:388-392, 2007. J Toxicol Environ Health A. (2008)
• ^ Stevens T, Qadri A, Zein NN. Two patients with acute liver injury associated with use of the herbal weight-loss supplement hydroxycut. Ann Intern Med. (2005)
• ^ Lobb A. Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: a case for better post-marketing surveillance. World J Gastroenterol. (2009)
• ^ Stohs SJ, et al. No evidence demonstrating hepatotoxicity associated with hydroxycitric acid. World J Gastroenterol. (2009)
• ^ Actis GC, et al. Fatal liver failure following food supplements during chronic treatment with montelukast. Dig Liver Dis. (2007)
• ^ Mansi IA, Huang J. Rhabdomyolysis in response to weight-loss herbal medicine. Am J Med Sci. (2004)