Garcinia cambogia, is it really effective to lose weight?

Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit which is also known as malabar tamarind (malabar acid). Recently, the popularity of garcinia cambogia extract is on the rise as a natural weight loss supplement. Those who believe argue that this supplement works to inhibit the body's work to make fat while reducing appetite. In addition, other benefits that are also believed to be keeping blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control.

What does the medical world say about the viral trend of supplements in cyberspace? Is it really useful, or is it just a sweet promise of advertising?

Are garcinia cambogia supplements effective in losing weight?

Summarized from various studies, garcinia cambogia fruit contains the active compound hydroxycititer acid, or HCA, which can increase the body's metabolism to burn fat. HCA can also increase levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which controls hunger.

Catherine Ulbricht, senior pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and co-founder of the Natural Standard Research Collaboration, states that several studies have shown that HCA is able to stop an enzyme that converts sugar into fat.

Even so, the medical world is still not fully convinced about the effectiveness of HCA for weight loss. So far, the benefits of HCA to inhibit the processing of sugar into fat have only been proven through research on lab rats.

Studies conducted on humans have shown conflicting results. When comparing two groups of participants - one was asked to regularly take a Garcinia cambogia supplement, while the other took an empty pill - the research team found no weight loss at all in either group.

More large-scale human-focused studies are needed to truly prove the efficacy of garcinia cambogia supplements as a weight loss supplement. Ulbricht also added that each manufacturer of this supplement has a different dosage of HCA, making it difficult to track and determine its true effectiveness.

Recent laboratory tests have even shown that most Garcinia cambogia supplement products sold online contain a much lesser dose of HCA than the label claims.

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Then, is Garcinia cambogia safe for consumption?

A clinical trial has shown that taking Garcinia cambogia extract is safe, for at least 12 weeks or as long as research is ongoing. But you need to be careful because this fruit has a blood sugar lowering effect that can have negative interactions in people who are being treated for diabetes.

Additionally, no studies have examined the effects of this fruit in pregnant and lactating women. Ulbricht also emphasized that this fruit may have detrimental side effects for sufferers of Alzheimer's and other dementia diseases.

In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a safety warning after receiving more than 20 reports of serious side effects, including liver damage, in people taking Hydroxycut supplements. This supplement contains Garcinia extract and other compounds, including polymycotinic chromium and gymnema sylvestre extract.

Garcinia cambogia can damage the liver if consumed carelessly

A case study published in 2016 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology by Keri E. Lunsford, et al., Found that Garcinia cambogia extract can cause serious liver failure requiring transplantation. The group of people studied reported taking the supplement for several months before experiencing liver damage, and this supplement was also the only drug they were taking.

Researchers report that this is the first case of acute liver failure associated with Garcinia cambogia. However, more research is needed to determine whether this supplement is the main cause of the damage or not.

Regardless, people who wish to take this supplement need to be aware of the potential risks and possible side effects. Most importantly, consult your doctor first if you are interested in trying any dietary supplement, including Garnicia cambogia. The reason is, not all herbal medicines are safe for consumption.

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