Contents:
- Medical Video: All-Natural Weight-Loss Aids
- Are garcinia cambogia supplements effective in losing weight?
- Then, is Garcinia cambogia safe for consumption?
- Garcinia cambogia can damage the liver if consumed carelessly
Medical Video: All-Natural Weight-Loss Aids
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit which is also known as malabar tamarind (malabar acid). Lately, the prestige of garcinia cambogia extract is on the rise as a natural weight loss supplement. Those who believe argue that this supplement works to inhibit the body's work to make fat while reducing appetite. In addition, another benefit that is also believed is keeping blood sugar and cholesterol levels under control.
What does the medical world say about supplement trends that are viral in this virtual world? Is it really useful, or just the ad promise?
Are garcinia cambogia supplements effective in losing weight?
Summarized from various studies, garcinia cambogia fruit contains an active compound of hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, which can increase the body's metabolism to burn fat. HCA can also increase chemical serotonin levels in the brain, which can control hunger.
Catherine Ulbricht, senior pharmacist at Massachusetts General Hospital in Boston and co-founder of the Natural Standard Research Collaboration, stated that several studies have shown that HCA is able to stop an enzyme that converts sugar into fat.
Even so, the medical world is still not fully convinced about the effectiveness of HCA to lose weight. So far, the benefits of HCA to inhibit processing of sugar into fat have only recently been proven through research in lab rats.
Studies conducted on humans just show conflicting results. When comparing two groups of participants - one was asked to routinely take Garcinia cambogia supplements, while the other took empty pills - the research team found no weight loss at all in either group.
There is still a need for more large-scale studies focused on humans to truly prove the efficacy of garcinia cambogia supplements as weight-loss supplements. Ulbricht also added that each of these supplement manufacturers had different dosages of HCA dosages, making it difficult to track and ascertain actual effectiveness.
Recent laboratory tests even show that most Garcinia cambogia supplement products sold online contain far fewer HCA doses than claims on the label.
Then, is Garcinia cambogia safe for consumption?
A clinical trial has shown that consuming Garcinia cambogia extract is safe, at least for 12 weeks or during the study. But you need to be careful because this fruit has the effect of lowering blood sugar which can interact negatively in people who are in diabetes care.
In addition, no studies have examined the effect of this fruit on pregnant and lactating women. Ulbricht also emphasized that this fruit allows adverse side effects for people with Alzheimer's and other dementia.
In 2009, the Food and Drug Administration issued a security warning after receiving more than 20 reports of severe side effects, including liver damage, in people using Hydroxycut supplements. This supplement contains Garcinia extract and other compounds, including polymicotinic chrome and gymnema sylvestre extract.
Garcinia cambogia can damage the liver if consumed carelessly
A case study published in 2016 in the World Journal of Gastroenterology by Keri E. Lunsford, et al., Found that Garcinia cambogia extract can cause serious liver failure to require transplantation. The group of people studied reported having taken the supplement for several months before experiencing damage to his liver, and this supplement was also the only medicine that was being consumed by them.
Researchers report that this is the first case of acute liver failure associated with Garcinia cambogia. However, more relevant research is needed to determine whether this supplement is the main cause of the damage or not.
Apart from that, people who want to take this supplement need to know the potential risks and side effects that might be caused. Most importantly, consult your doctor first if you are interested in trying any food supplements, including Garnicia cambogia. Because, not all herbal medicines are safe for consumption.
