Garcinia cambogia (GC) is a small, pumpkin-shaped fruit that grows in Southeast Asia and India. The key active ingredient found in the rind of garcinia cambogia is hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which some research suggests can help certain people lose weight. Most people are drawn to the idea of using Garcinia Cambogia because of the potential that it can provide near-effortless, quick weight loss without the need to change someone’s overall diet or lifestyle very much.

Garcinia Cambogia Extract itself is not a new product; in fact, it’s been consumed in parts of Asia for many years, although not for the purpose of losing weight. Since GC (traditionally also known as the Malabar tamarind) first began to gain popularity in the U.S. several years ago — after appearing frequently in the media and on popular health-related TV shows — sales have gone up dramatically. More and more people are purchasing this so-called “weight loss miracle drug” in hopes of losing stubborn body and stomach fat they’ve been struggling with for years.

How It Works:

The active ingredient in the fruit’s rind, hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, has boosted fat-burning and cut back appetite in studies. It appears to block an enzyme called citrate lyase, which your body uses to make fat. It also raises levels of the brain chemical serotonin, which may make you feel less hungry.

1. Contains a large amount of HCA, this ingredient can inhibit the synthesis of fat and prevent glucose from synthesizing fat in the body.
2. The structure is similar to that of citric acid, which inhibits the activity of the enzyme ATP-Citratelyase and hinders the conversion of sugar into excess fat in the body.
3. Promote the burning of fat in the body and convert excess energy into glyceose that is easy to consume. The quick-acting fat burning component HCA contained in the Garcinia Cambogia extract can rapidly activate adrenaline to increase fat consumption and decompose and burn a large amount of fat.
4. It can regulate the body’s fat metabolism, and store too much nutrients that are not consumed by the body as calories in the form of glycogen to store in the muscles and liver.
5. Increase the ability of the liver and muscle to store glycogen and reduce the amount of fat produced.
6. Plant cellulose makes the stomach feel saturated, which reduces the body’s intake of food, thereby reducing the accumulation of fat due to excessive fat intake.
7. It has heat-producing ability, can burn fat, stimulate the body’s function, and release the fat. 8. Studies have shown that HCA can reduce fat formation by more than 40% within 8 to 12 hours after a meal.

Clinical efficacy of Garcinia Cambogia Extract:

 

HCA is derived from pure natural extracts, and has a clear chemical composition and weight loss mechanism of Western medicine raw materials. It inhibits the synthesis of fat, promotes the burning of fatty acids, reduces the intake of food, and the Trinity, which achieves the effect of slimming and losing weight. It is a rare and effective health care material with the most effective weight loss. In Europe and the United States is the preferred raw material for slimming health products. HCA is better at helping to lose weight and rebound after losing weight. For those who have lost weight, it is more effective to maintain their weight by ingesting products that contain HCA ingredients. HCA is particularly suitable for Orientals: it is particularly important to note that citratelyase is particularly suitable for Orientals who eat starch as a staple food because it only works when carbohydrates are excessively ingested. In other words, the Chinese use HCA for weight loss and slimming effect is better than Europeans and Americans.

 

When human glucose is converted to fat, the ATP-citrate lyase is inhibited, the fatty acid cannot be synthesized, and the glycolytic action is inhibited. HCA chemical structure: HOOC-CH2-C(OH)(COOH)-CH(OH)-COOH(C6H8O8) When food enters our body, carbohydrates are decomposed into small molecules of glucose, which enter the bloodstream and become blood sugar. Cells are metabolized into energy. Glucose is stored in the liver or muscle to form glycogen (Glycogen) if it is not used immediately, but if the glycogen is already stored, glucose is converted to citric acid by glycolysis and citric acid cycle, and then ATP-citric acid. Lytic enzymes catalyze the synthesis into fat. The HCA contained in the Garcinia Cambogia extract is a citric acid analogue that competes to inhibit the activity of ATP-citrate lyase, thus hindering the conversion of excess sugars into fat in the body. It has been found that within 8-12 hours after a meal HCA can reduce fatty acid synthesis by 40-70%.

 

Specification of Garcinia Cambogia Extract:

Items	Specifications
Assay: (HPLC)	Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) ≥50%
Physical & Chemical Control
Appearance	Yellow Brown, Off-white Fine Powder
Odor	Characteristic
Part Used	Fruit Peel
Bulk Density	40-60g/100ml
Mesh	100% Pass 80 Mesh
Extract Solvents	Water and Ethanol
Loss on drying	≤5%
Ash	≤5%
Heavy Metals
Total Heavy Metal	≤20ppm
Pb	≤2ppm
As	≤2ppm

 

Benefits & Applications of Garcinia Cambogia Extract:

Garcinia cambogia reviews, research results and weight loss testimonials have been mixed to say the least. By far the most well-publicized benefit of using garcinia cambogia is its ability to increase weight loss. Other claims that are commonly made about garcinia cambogia’s effects include:

• loss of appetite or less of a desire to eat than usual
• reduced cravings for unhealthy foods, such as sugar addiction
• a more positive mood (including feeling happier, more energetic and less tired)
• increased energy and concentration
• stabilized blood sugar levels
• improved bowel movements
• reduced joint pains
• improved cholesterol levels
• stronger desire to be physically active

Most of the claims above have not been backed by scientific studies, however some have. Let’s review the benefits of garcinia cambogia that actually have some merit and seem to be effective in some manner.

1. Weight Loss

Some studies have found that garcinia cambogia might, in fact, be able to help with low amounts of fat loss, plus some of the other health concerns mentioned above, although its effectiveness is rarely strong or consistent. For example, research suggests that HCA works by blocking a certain enzyme called adenosine triphosphate-citrate-lyase, which contributes to the formation of fat cells. But studies comparing GC’s effects to controls have found that it might only increase weight loss by a mere one to two pounds on average.

2. Lowering Appetite

Studies have also suggested that it’s possible that HCA found in garcinia cambogia can help lower appetite by increasing production of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which is associated with calm and happy feelings — and therefore, sometimes appetite suppression, less cravings and reduced desire for comfort foods. Animal studies show it might also help increase energy expenditure. Keep in mind, however, that this isn’t the case with all people, and there are other, potentially less risky ways to better manage your appetite and boost serotonin production (such as eating balanced meals with protein foodsand healthy carbs at regular times throughout the day).

3. Lower Cholesterol

There’s some support for garcinia cambogia being able to improve cholesterol levels and lower high triglycerides. It might also be able to help raise HDL “good” cholesterol. It’s not safe for anyone already taking medications that affect cholesterol, however, and its effects don’t seem to be very reliable or strong.

Studies have found that GC has “no significant effect on anthropometric parameters, REE, triglycerides or glucose levels” but might have a small effect on lowering cholesterol. Keep in mind that there are also plenty of other natural ways to improve cholesterol levels, including exercising and eating more dietary fiber from high-fiber foods like veggies, nuts, seeds and beans.

 

4. Stabilized Blood Sugar

Finally, what about CG’s effects on blood sugar levels? Some evidence exists showing that garcinia cambogia can help control blood sugar by improving how cells take up glucose (sugar) to be used for energy. One way in which it might improve weight loss is through inhibition of pancreatic alpha amylaseenzymes, changes in intestinal alpha glucosidase and alterations in fatty acid synthesis. This might be able to change how carbohydrates are metabolized.

This might possibly help your body respond to insulin better, although it can raise the risk for having low blood sugar levels in some people, too. If you have a history of blood sugar swings, you’re prediabetic, diabetic or taking medications that alter insulin’s effects, GC might make your blood sugar drop dangerously low. While this doesn’t appear to happen in everyone who takes GC, it’s something else to consider and something to discuss with your doctor.