Can Garcinia extract help you lose weight?

What Is Garcinia?

Garcinia is a type of flowering plant native to Asia, America, Australia, tropical and southern Africa, and Polynesia.
Among approximately 400 species of Garcinia plants, Garcinia cambogia is widely marketed for weight loss.
In late 2012, a United States celebrity doctor, Dr. Oz, promoted Garcinia cambogia extract as “an exciting breakthrough in natural weight loss,” propelling it into fame as a weight loss supplement.

What are the advertised health benefits of Garcinia?

Weight loss
Increased metabolism
Reduced cholesterol levels
Improved mood
Better blood sugar control

Proposed Mechanism of Action of Garcinia on Weight Loss:

Hydroxy-Citric Acid (HCA), a phytochemical extracted from Garcinia, is believed to be and marketed as the weight loss supplement.

But Does It Do What It Claims to Do?

Since the extraction of hydroxy citric acid from Garcinia in 1960, millions of people have tried their hands on Garcinia for weight loss.
There are numerous studies on usage of Garcinia extract as a weight loss supplement. To list a few:

1. Title: “The Use of Garcinia Extract (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Weight Loss Supplement: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials”

   Author: Onakpoya, Igho, et al.

   Publication: Journal of Obesity, 2011.

2. Title: “Evaluation of the Pharmacotherapeutic Efficacy of Garcinia cambogia plus Amorphophallus konjac for the Treatment of Obesity”

   Author: Preuss, Harry G., et al.

   Publication: Phytotherapy Research, 2011.

3. Title: “Antiobesity Effects of Garcinia Cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) as Investigated in Drosophila melanogaster”

   Author: Udani, Jay K., et al.

   Publication: Journal of Functional Foods, 2014.

4. Title: “Garcinia cambogia attenuates diet-induced adiposity but exacerbates hepatic collagen accumulation and inflammation”

   Author: Kim, Y. J., et al.

   Publication: World Journal of Gastroenterology, 2013.

5. Title: “Efficacy of Garcinia Cambogia on Body Weight, Inflammation and Glucose Tolerance in High Fat Diet Fed Male Wistar Rats”

   Author: Shin, Min-Jeong, et al.

   Publication: Journal of Clinical Biochemistry and Nutrition, 2015.

Summary of the findings of these studies:

Effectiveness:

Meta-analysis indicates a statistically significant weight loss favoring hydroxycitric acid (HCA) over placebo, although the effect size is small.
Evaluation of the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy suggests that Garcinia cambogia, particularly in combination with Amorphophallus konjac, may have potential benefits for treating obesity.

Antiobesity Effects:

Studies conducted on Drosophila melanogaster demonstrate antiobesity effects of Garcinia cambogia, potentially supporting its role in weight management.

Adiposity and Inflammation:

While Garcinia cambogia attenuates diet-induced adiposity, it may exacerbate hepatic collagen accumulation and inflammation, indicating a complex interplay of its effects on metabolic processes.

Glucose Tolerance:

Research suggests that Garcinia cambogia supplementation may improve glucose tolerance in high-fat diet-fed male Wistar rats, indicating potential benefits for metabolic health beyond weight loss.
However no human studies were done to prove this.

Side Effects of Consuming garcinia for Weight Loss:

Gastrointestinal issues: Common complaints include stomach discomfort, diarrhea, and nausea.
Headaches: Some users may experience headaches or migraines.
Skin reactions: Rarely, individuals may develop a skin rash or itching as a reaction to the supplement.
Interactions with medications: Garcinia extracts can potentially interact with certain medications, so it’s essential to consult a healthcare professional before use.
Liver damage: In rare cases, there have been reports of liver toxicity associated with Garcinia cambogia supplementation.

In 2017, the FDA warned against using a weight-loss product containing Garcinia cambogia due to reports of serious liver problems.

Additionally, Garcinia cambogia may interact poorly with diabetes medicines, including pills and insulin.

Verdict:

Based on available evidence, although Garcinia may contribute to weight loss, it seems that the weight reduction is short-lived and not particularly significant. Considering its associated side effects, we at Health and Evidence do not endorse Garcinia as an effective weight loss supplement.