Garcinia cambogia is the fruit of the garcinia indica tree
also known as Brindleberry, grown in southern India.
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the active ingredient of garcinia
cambogia, is synthesized from the rind of the cambogia
fruit.
This product is often sold in weight loss supplements in
various forms and under various brand names such as
Brindleberry Extract, HCA, and the standardised form which is
marketed as Citrimax
HCA is a substance which has been studied extensively for
more than two decades. Various studies have shown that
Hydroxycitric acid helps prevent the liver from forming fats
from dietary carbohydrates. HCA increases the production and
storage of glycogen while reducing both appetite and weight
gain. HCA also causes extra calories to be consumed as
thermogenisis is enhanced.
Some studies have shown that hydroxycitric acid (HCA)
derived from garcinia cambogia promotes weight loss when
combined with a high carbohydrate diet, while others have
found it ineffective.
Early research by Hoffman-La Roche found that HCA
interferes with the break down of fatty acids in the Krebs
Cycle resulting in increased energy expenditure, reduced
appetite, decreased plasma cholesterol, and inhibited fat
synthesis from excess carbohydrate calories.
The most recent findings on HCA, published in the November
11 issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association
(JAMA), concluded that HCA was no more effective in promoting
weight loss than diet and exercise alone.
Several rebuttal letters published in the July 21 edition
of JAMA were critical of Dr. Heymsfield's methods.
Copies of these letters can be found by clicking on the
links below..
Letters
Garcinia
cambogia for Weight Loss
At present it appears that further research is needed in
order to collect more information as to the effectiveness of
HCA in assisting weight loss.
