Evaluating Wight-loss Supplements: Garcinia Cambogia Extract

There are countless weight-loss supplements released each year, with many making fantastic claims about the great amount of weight they can help individuals lose – the only thing more impressive than the amount of weight they claim a person will lose, is the minimal amount of dieting and exercise they need to do in addition. Garcinia as a supplement can exponentially increase results from your hard work. As a rule of thumb, the more fantastic the claim the less effect the actual supplement will have; however this does not mean that all weight-loss supplements have no effect when it comes to shedding some of that extra weight. There are many supplements out there that make modest claims about how they assist in weight-loss when balanced with a normal regimen of healthy diet and activity. While not all supplements that claim to help are created equal, in many cases it is worth the time to evaluate the effects and explore the science behind the supplement.


The Effects of Garcinia Cambogia Extract

One of the most popular, and not coincidentally affordable, weight-loss supplements out there is the herbal remedy known as garcinia cambogia extract. The extract is taken from the rind of the garcinia fruit, which is a small pumpkin-shaped fruit originally cultivated in Indonesia (the fruit can now be found in Southeast Asia, India, and parts of Central and West Africa). The active ingredient in the extract that assists weight-loss is hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which acts as a natural fat blocker. One of HCA’s primary effects when consumed in sufficient amounts is to inhibit the enzyme citrate lyase, which is plays a key role in breaking down and converting unused carbohydrates into fat. In addition to its role as an enzyme inhibitor, HCA also lowers the body’s overall levels of triglycerides and the formation of low-density lipoproteins (also known as LDL cholesterol).

Safety Concerns, Research, and Recommendations

Garcinia Cambogia extract is safe for general use as a weight-loss supplement, although individuals who fall into the following categories should refrain from use:

  1. Pregnant
  2. Breastfeeding
  3. Suffering from Alzheimer’s disease or dementia
  4. Taking medicine designed to lower cholesterol

Research into the effectiveness of the extract has been mixed, with some studies showing that individuals who took garcinia cambogia did not see significantly greater weight-loss than those who did not. Despite the research calling the extract’s effectiveness into question, it was recommended in 2012 by the popular T.V. personality and physician Dr. Oz of the Dr. The Dr. Oz Show.