About Garcinia

Garcinia cambogia, along with some other plants in the garcinia family, produce a fruit that is high in hydroxycitrate, also known as hydroxycitric acid or HCA. HCA is an active ingredient found in a number of popular weight-loss supplements that are sold over the counter. Because HCA acts as an inhibitor of the ATP enzyme, which is a necessary component in the synthesis of fatty acids, there have been claims that supplements containing HCA can boost weight-loss regimens.

Geography

• Garcinia cambogia is a citrus plant that is indigenous to India. Although it is grown in some other areas, the primary source for its fruit remains in India. There is anecdotal evidence that the fruit of the garcinia plant may act as an appetite suppressant while simultaneously increasing metabolism. These claims have prompted clinical studies into the fruit's purported weight loss properties.

Function

• Traditional Indian cuisine uses various parts of the garcinia plant as a condiment and in recipes. Indian folklore ascribes certain healing properties to the fruit of the garcinia cambogia plant. For example, the fruit has been used to treat rheumatism and certain digestive complaints.

Clinical Studies

• A study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association designed to determine the effects of garcinia cambogia on changes in body weight and fat mass concluded the substance "failed to produce significant weight loss and fat-mass loss beyond that observed with placebo." The 12-week, double-blind study featured both men and women who were overweight.

Side Effects

• A study conducted by Columbia University's St. Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital concluded that taking supplements containing garcinia cambogia produced no significant side effects beyond those reported by a control group that consumed a placebo. Commonly reported side effects included headaches, upper respiratory complaints and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Warning

• According to a report by the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, patients who are taking oral hypoglycemic agents should not use garcinia cambogia. The report warns against the use of garcinia cambogia by people with diabetes, Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia, as well as pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers.