Have you ever heard of garcinia cambogia? You may have seen it listed as an ingredient in weight-loss supplements and wondered what it is. Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit that looks like a small yellowish pumpkin, and its sour taste means it’s not frequently used in kitchens here in the U.S.
But even if you don’t use it in your fruit salad, you may be interested in this fruit’s power as a fat-burning and appetite-suppressing supplement. In fact, garcinia cambogia may be the weight loss boost that you need to support your healthy eating and exercise efforts.
The weight-loss ingredient found in garcinia cambogia is called hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, which is found in the fruit’s rind. Many studies have examined HCA and found that it can have some substantial benefits for people who are trying to lose weight and get healthier.
Since the 1990s, garcinia cambogia has been studied as a weight-loss and fat-burning supplement. Many studies have consistently found that people who took garcinia cambogia lost more weight than those who didn’t take it.
Garcinia cambogia can help a person reduce total fat, including stubborn belly fat, as demonstrated by a double-blind study. There were no side effects reported by the study participants. The best results were seen after 16 weeks of taking the supplement, and the study found no “rebound” effect of gaining the fat back afterward.
Several studies found that HCA can help people eat less and lose weight by regulating serotonin in the brain. This helps a person feel full and may help with fat-burning ability. Overall, garcinia cambogia was found to be more effective than a placebo in suppressing appetite and reducing BMI.
An HCA and chromium combination, which is found in our Garcinia Cambogia with Chromemate supplement, was shown to have significant weight-loss benefits as well. One study found that after 8 weeks, people who took the supplement had reductions in:
Meanwhile, these same people saw increases in HDL (good) cholesterol and serotonin levels.
Several studies have found that garcinia cambogia helps lower blood cholesterol levels. In fact, garcinia cambogia was found to be more effective than other plant flavonoids in lowering cholesterol, without toxic side effects.
Garcinia cambogia is also known to have anti-inflammatory power, as well as the ability to reduce blood sugar. It has a protective effect on the digestive tract, which may help prevent problems like stomach ulcers.
While some weight-loss supplements like ephedra have been shown to be unsafe, garcinia cambogia does not have the same risk. Research shows that garcinia cambogia is safe when taken in normal dosages.
But as with any weight-loss supplement, you will find the most success if you work with a medical professional who can guide you through the weight loss process and help you find the best solutions for your unique needs. And, if you have diabetes or other health conditions, talk to a doctor before taking any new supplements.
Garcia Weight Loss and Wellness Centers offer our very own garcinia cambogia supplement with chromium to boost weight loss efforts by supporting lean body mass and healthy metabolism.