Garcinia Cambogia: What is it and how does it work?
As of late, lots of buzz h
as come out about the acclaimed newest and fastest fat buster, Garcinia Cambogia. But is it all it’s cracked up to be? What does research really say about this fruit and how it can help with your fitness and fat loss efforts? Let’s find out.
Garcinia Cambogia, commonly referred to as the tamarind fruit, is native to southeastern Asia, India and parts of Africa. The fruit’s main ingredient creating all the hype is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Dr. Oz calls Garcinia Cambogia the latest and greatest fat buster with tons of research supporting those claims.
In addition to its potential ability to improve mood and emotions and inhibit cortisol production, HCA is touted to be a non-stimulant fat burner that works two ways: suppressing appetite and inhibiting the production of fat in the body. The claims made by supporters, such as Dr. Oz, are simply extreme and incredible. For example, on an episode of The Dr. Oz Show, he claims that Garcinia Cambogia can help burn fat without exercise or diet changes. (Link: http://www.doctoroz.com/videos/garcinia-cambogia-newest-fastest-fat-buster-pt-1)
Efficiency
There is much conflicting research as to whether this supplement actually triggers fat loss. The listing on WebMD states, “Taking garcinia fruit rind extract doesn't seem to decrease weight, fat breakdown, or energy expenditure in overweight people.”
Additionally, a 1998 trial published in The Journal of the American Medical Association studied participants over a 12-week period. Individuals followed a high-fiber, low energy (calorie) diet and were administered either a 1500mg daily dose of hydroxycitric acid or a placebo. Both groups experienced significant weight loss, but weight loss between groups was negligible. The study concluded that Garcinia Cambogia failed to produce weight loss and fat reduction in comparison to that of a placebo.
http://jama.jamanetwork.com/article.aspx?articleid=188147
So where are all the studies showing how amazing and incredible Garcinia Cambogia is for fat loss? In 2010, the peer-reviewed Journal of Obesity looked at 23 studies showing a positive connection to HCA and fat loss. They concluded that only twelve of the studies were valid enough to include in the review journal findings. The review found that among statistically notable differences, only small amounts of weight loss favored the groups supplementing with hydroxycitric acid over a placebo.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3010674/ 
One 8-week, double-blind placebo-controlled study found that HCA doses of 440mg three times daily produced significant weight loss among the 60 overweight individuals studied.
http://www.med.nyu.edu/content?ChunkIID=21727/
Safety
It seems like a safe enough supplement, and is marketed as “all natural.” A 2012 study published in Critical Review of Science and Nutrition showed that at typically administered doses, no adverse side effects were reported and no instances of mortality or toxicity.
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/22530711
However, the above-mentioned Journal of Obesity review and analysis observed that in one study, gastrointestinal disturbances were twice as likely with the HCA group versus placebo.
In conclusion, it’s difficult to tell if Garcinia Cambogia will live up to the hype and have a lasting impact as a truly efficient, safe and all-natural fat burning supplement. A few studies have shown great results, while many have showed insignificant findings. The herb seems fairly safe, so at the very least you can give it a try with an unlikely chance for adverse side effects.
Garcinia Cambogia is found in many top brand supplements on the market today, such as Gaspari Detonate XT, TwinLab Mega CitriMax and Optimum Thermo Cuts, or it can be taken as a stand-alone supplement.
Subscribe to RxMuscle on Youtube
