Garcinia cambogia is a tree native to South Asia. Garcinia cambogia is used as an herbal supplement for weight loss and treating obesity.
Garcinia cambogia fruit is used as food. The bitter-tasting rind of the fruit is used in healing and cooking. When used in cooking, it helps suppress the appetite to avoid over-eating. Garcinia cambogia is known to make individuals feel full, reducing desire for excess food. Today, the extract derived from the rind rather than the fruit is used to help lose weight.
The acid in garcinia cambogia is said to reduce sugars and phosphoric acid (as calcium triphosphate). It inhibits the synthesis of fatty acids in the muscles and liver lipogenesis by inhibiting the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase. Garcinia cambogia contains the active ingredient called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is believed to help weight loss by appetite control and by reducing the body’s ability to form fat. 
The mechanism for garcinia cambogia’s weight loss ability is still being understood, but some scientists believe that the compound HCA in garcinia cambogia inhibits the production of fats by reducing the body’s desire for excess food, and by slowing the body’s conversion of carbohydrates and excess calories to fat, especially, it reducing accumulation of harmful fats (low-density lipoproteins). Animal studies indicated that HCA suppresses the fatty acid synthesis, lipogenesis, reducing food intake, and induced weight loss.
According to a study “Chemistry and biochemistry of hydroxycitric acid from Garcinia” – J Agric Food Chem. 2002, HCA, the principal acid of fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia, was shown to inhibit ATP citrate lyase (EC 4.1.3.8), which catalyzes the extramitochondrial cleavage of citrate to oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA: citrate + ATP + CoA –> acetyl-CoA + ADP + P(i) + oxaloacetate. This inhibition limits the availability of acetyl-CoA units required for fatty acid synthesis and lipogenesis during a lipogenic diet.
Some other scientists wonder that HCA derived from garcinia cambogia, by itself, may not have a significant weight loss ability, because a few clinical studies have shown controversial findings. However, they believe that there may be a possibility that, when combined with other herbs garcinia cambogia may have the potential for weight loss. More studies are needed to confirm the effects of garcinia cambogia in the treatment of obesity and weight loss.
How to use garcinia cambogia
– Dried garcinia cambogia powder 1 teaspoon
– Water 1 cup
– Mix the powder in the water
– Consume it 30 minutes prior to meals
Garcinia cambogia products are sold as supplements in forms of tablets, capsules, powders, and extracts. The normal dosage is 300 to 500mg tablets or caplets, 3 times a day, taken 30-60 minutes before meals.
There are no known side effects so far for using garcinia cambogia, however, it is important to discuss this remedy with your health care professional before using it for weight loss or obesity treatment. Garcinia cambogia helps weight loss by suppressing appetite and reducing food intake, it suggests that the pregnant women, nursing women, and newborn infants might not receive enough nutrients if using this remedy.
Read more information about natural remedies for weight loss.
