A tropical fruit, Garcinia Cambogia resembles a pumpkin in appearance. It can be the size of a large potato or a pumpkin. The small-sized Garcinia Cambogia tree grows in Southeast Asia and India.
A sour fruit, Garcinia Cambogia has been traditionally used as a flavoring agent in cooking in India and many Southeast-Asian nations. Many communities in the past have also used the fruit as a traditional remedy for medical conditions such as rheumatism, intestinal parasites, and abnormal bowel function.
For over a decade now, this fruit has been in news for its weight loss benefits. Here in this post, we will discuss exactly that.
Which Ingredient In Garcinia Cambogia Can Help You Lose Weight?
Nearly all studies conducted on evaluating the effectiveness of Garcinia Cambogia are focused on its wonder ingredient – HCA.
The peel of Garcinia Cambogia fruit contains HCA (Hydroxycitric Acid). It is an active compound known to exhibit weight loss properties. Interestingly, this acid was not found in nature in any other plant, vegetable, or fruit earlier.
A study based on randomized clinical trials (RCTs) revealed in 2011 that the consumption of HCA or Garcinia Cambogia resulted in significant weight loss favoring HCA in comparison to placebo. The study concluded that HCA can support short term weight loss.
Related reading: Does Low Carb Dieting Result In Successful Weight Loss?
How HCA in Garcinia Cambogia Extract Primarily Aids Weight Loss?
The exact mechanism of the working of HCA as a weight reduction agent is not fully known. However, researchers claim a growing body of evidence suggests that HCA aids weight loss by slowing down body fat biosynthesis.
Researchers believe that HCA helps reduce your body’s ability to make more fat by blocking the production of a key enzyme – citrate lyase- required for the production of fat.
Well, isn’t this what people who want to lose weight have been searching for all along?
Nearly all weight-loss diets, plans, and methods are essentially about ‘burning more fat’ and/or ‘producing less fat.’ This is exactly what Garcinia Cambogia extract can help you achieve.
HCA also suppresses the appetite, as discussed in the next section in detail.
A study involving 50 obese (BMI i.e. Body Mass Index > 25kg/m(2)) women in Thailand revealed that HCA was effective for weight management on a short-term basis. Participants who received HCA lost around 2.8kg in comparison to those who did not, over a period of two months when their daily diet was limited to 1000 calories. Researchers concluded that weight reduction in women in received HCA was due to loss of fat; this was proven by a noticeable reduction in thickness of their triceps fold.
HCA has also been said to reduce visceral fat. It is stored inside the abdominal cavity. Getting rid of visceral fat is one of the top goals for people trying to lose weight.
Related reading: Dangerous Visceral Fat : Will A Low Carb Diet Get Rid Of It?
A research study conducted in 2005 found calcium-potassium salt of HCA (also known as HCA – SX) to be effective in:
- Reduction in appetite
- Increase in serotonin (brain chemical) level
- Increase in serum leptin (a hormone that regulates appetite) level
- Higher rate of fat oxidation
- Reduction in body weight and BMI
Garcinia Cambogia Helps Suppress Appetite
Many people fail to lose weight even when they start following various weight loss plans simply because they cannot resist the urge to snack on unhealthy, processed foods. If you have tried to shed a few pounds in the past, you’ll know how difficult it is.
When hunger kicks in, it is easy to give up and reach for high-calorie unhealthy foods. After all, you just want a rush of energy course through your veins.
Animal studies indicate that HCA suppresses appetite by raising the level of serotonin – a brain chemical. Researchers opine that the release of serotonin in (isolated) rat brain cortex is what made HCA act like an appetite-suppressant. An increase in serum leptin hormone is also believed to be the reason why HCA suppresses appetite.
In other words, using Garcinia Cambogia can help you put brakes on your appetite i.e. you will feel full for an extended duration of time.
So, if you take it in the morning, you are likely to feel less hungry until the afternoon.
Similarly, if you take it in the evening, you will be able to resist the temptation to eat anything else after dinner when you watch the TV, browse the Internet, read a book or chat up with family or friends.
Who Should Consult A Doctor Before Taking Garcinia Cambogia or HCA for Weight Loss?
As discussed above, Garcinia Cambogia does provide weight loss benefits but women who are pregnant or nursing should not use it.
People who are on pain medication or undergoing treatment for psychiatric conditions shouldn’t use it.
The supplement may also interfere badly with medicines prescribed for the treatment or management of diabetes or liver conditions.
As a general rule, anyone who has an underlying medical condition should consult their healthcare provider before taking Garcinia Cambogia or any other weight loss supplement for that matter.
Are There Any Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia?
Some of the common side effects of HCA include headache, dry mouth, upset stomach, and dizziness. For most people, the symptoms tend to be temporary.
What Should Be the HCA Concentration for Best Weight Loss Results?
Garcinia Cambogia supplements available nowadays usually have a concentration of 20-60% HCA
For the best weight loss results, it is advisable to consume fruit extract or supplement with at least 50% HCA concentration.
Author Bio
Sarah Remmington is one of the founders of Garcinia Cambogia 100 Pure supplements based out of Southern California with several other locations throughout the US. Sarah’s company has become a global brand and now a household name with the success of her most popular dietary supplement which has been featured on many different media channels.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels
