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 Garcinia Cambogia - Description and
Benefits
Garcinia cambogia, also known as malabar
tamarind and brindle berry, is a relatively small purple fruit that
contains a chemical compound called Hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is
much like a derivative of the same citric acid that can be found in
many other citric fruit whose chemical make up is only slightly
different. Studies indicate that HCA may assist in weight loss
because of its ability to regulate metabolism.
Specifically,
hydroxycitric acid is a competitive inhibitor of adenosine
triphosphate-citrate. In the cytosol, ATP citrate lyase catalyzes
the conversion of citrate and coenzyme A to oxaloacetate and acetyl
coenzyme A (commonly referred to as acetyl CoA). Acetyl CoA is
required for the synthesis of fatty acids, cholesterol and
triglycerides.
Oxaloacetate may enter the gluconeogenic
pathway, which can lead to the production of glucose and glycogen.
Many researchers and experts assert that the putative antiobesity
effect of hydroxycitric acid is due to suppression of fatty acid and
fat synthesis. Additionally, hydroxycitric acid is believed to
suppress food intake via an anorectic effect, which supports the
belief that HCA may assist in weight loss.
Studies suggest
that garcinia cambogia may assist in weight loss for the following
reasons:
- HCA appears to block the conversion of sugars and starches
into fats, that this, HCA is believed to help inhibit fat
production.
- HCA may suppress appetite by raising levels of certain brain
chemicals such as serotonin, a key stimulator of appetite.
However, there is no concrete evidence that supports the
conclusion that garcinia cambogia can in fact cause weight loss.
However, in a study of 60 overweight participants who took the
supplement for 2 months, HCA appeared to help participants lose
weight compared with other study participants who were given a
placebo.
Dosage and
Administration
While there is no recommended dosage,
a normal dosage of HCA would likely be 250 to 1,000 mg taken 3 times
per day. The reason that we say 250 to 1,000 mg of HCA as opposed to
garcinia cambogia itself is because more products labeled garcinia
cambogia are standardized to contain a fixed amount of
HCA.
Side Effects
To date no serious
side effects involving either garcinia cambogia fruit extracts or
the concentrated chemical have been
reported.
Supporting
Literature
Conte AA. A non-prescription
alternative in weight reduction therapy. 1993;
Summer:17-19.
Greenwood MR, Cleary MP, Gruen R. Effect of
(-)-hydroxycitrate on development of obesity in the Zucker obese
rat. Am J Physiol. 1981; 240:E72-E78.
Kriketos AD, Greene H,
Thompson HR, Hill JO. (-)-Hydroxycitric acid does not affect energy
expenditure and substrate oxidation in adult males in a
post-absorptive state. 1999; 23:867-873.
Lowenstein JM. Effect of
(-)-hydroxycitrate on fatty acid synthesis by rat liver in vivo. J
Biol Chem 1971;246:629–632.
Triscari J, Sullivan AC. Comparative
effects of (-)-hydroxycitrate and (-)-allo-hydroxycitrate on acetyl
CoA carboxylase and fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis in vivo.
Lipids 1977;12:357–363.
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