Finding out what garcinia cambogia is and how it works can help people understand whether the weight loss claims are true and whether the supplement will work.
It is also important to realize that there are some risks and interactions to be aware of when using garcinia cambogia.
Garcinia cambogia contains an ingredient called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been used to aid weight loss. The extract of HCA is available in powdered form or pill form and can be purchased online or in health stores.
How Does It Help With Weight Loss?
It May Reduce Your Appetite
Studies in rats have shown that those given garcinia cambogia supplements tend to eat less.
Similarly, some human studies have shown that garcinia cambogia is able to suppress appetite and make you feel full.
How it reduces appetite isn't fully known, but rat studies have suggested that the active ingredient in garcinia cambogia can increase serotonin in the brain.
Theoretically speaking, since serotonin is a known appetite suppressant, higher blood levels of serotonin could reduce your appetite.
However, these results need to be taken with a grain of salt. Other studies have found no difference in appetite between groups taking this supplement and those taking a placebo.
It May Block Fat Production and Reduce Belly Fat
The most important activity of garcinia cambogia is probably its effects on blood fats and the production of new fatty acids.
Studies in humans and animals have shown it may lower high levels of fat in the blood and reduce oxidative stress in the body.
One study also suggests it may be especially effective at reducing the accumulation of belly fat in overweight people.
Another study gave moderately obese individuals 2,800 mg of garcinia cambogia daily for eight weeks.
By the end of the study, the group had drastically reduced several risk factors for disease:
· Total cholesterol levels: 6.3% lower
· LDL (the "bad") cholesterol levels: 12.3% lower
· HDL (the "good") cholesterol levels: 10.7% higher
· Blood triglycerides: 8.6% lower
· Fat metabolites: 125–258% more excreted in the urine
The main reason for these effects is thought to be that garcinia cambogia inhibits an enzyme called citrate lyase, which plays an important role in the production of fat.
By inhibiting citrate lyase, garcinia cambogia is thought to slow down or block fat production in the body. This may reduce blood fats and lower the risk of weight gain, two major disease risk factors.
Other benefits
Older studies have supported the claims that phendora garcinia may be useful for lowering cholesterol. Again, these claims are not proven, and the results of studies are inconsistent. As such, it is not advised to use garcinia to lower cholesterol.
Similarly, garcinia may be able to lower blood sugar levels in some people. Doctors do not recommend that those who have diabetes take garcinia cambogia, as it may affect their medication, and cause their blood sugar to drop to dangerously low levels.
Take Home Message
Existing studies don't agree on the effectiveness of garcinia cambogia for weight loss.
Some studies show it may cause slightly more weight loss than not taking any supplement. This effect is not confirmed, but it is promising.
The positive effects of garcinia cambogia on blood fats may be where this supplement really shines. Moreover, Garcinia Cambogia Pills are said to be effective too and have showed effective results with no side-effects.
