Garcinia cambogia is a Southeast Asian citrus fruit whose extract has been touted as a “miracle” weight loss remedy, but it is quite possible this summation is not accurate. The substance is sold in many health and vitamin stores in pill or powder form, or it can be found in certain snack bars. Weight loss success stories tied to garcinia cambogia have been chronicled on such high-profile outlets such as The Dr. Oz Show. But recent studies have pointed to garcinia cambogia extract as likely ineffective, and possibly dangerous.
The extract from garcinia cambogia rind is called hydroxycitric acid. The processed supplements of the organic substance work to help people lose weight, allegedly, by creating a “full” feeling, reducing appetite, and affecting the metabolism. Recommended doses are between 250 and 1,000 milligrams each day. Yet dietary supplements are not regulated by the FDA, so there is no agreed upon amount per person. The most often reported side effects of garcinia cambogia are mild upset stomach, diarrhea, dry mouth, and dizziness.
The problem with garcinia cambogia is that several international studies from the past and present have concluded the substance shows little to no evidence of weight loss success. Trials have been conducted by institutions such as The American Medical Association, Columbia University’s Obesity Research Center, and The Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Results have been consistent in showing that garcinia cambogia is in fact not effective in weight loss.
More serious than even the supplement’s fraudulent claims is that garcinia cambogia may be harmful. In 2009, the FDA alerted consumers about Hydroxycut, a line of products featuring garcinia cambogia that was tied to serious health problems such as elevated liver enzymes, jaundice, liver problems that required a subsequent transplant, and even one fatality linked to liver failure. The manufacturer of Hydroxycut discontinued sales, and has returned to shelves a similar product minus the garcinia cambogia.
Dr. Tod Cooperman, President of ConsumerLab.com, says that, “Most [garcinia cambogia] products don’t actually deliver what’s on their labels.”
Dr. Steven Heymsfield, former head of The Pennington Biomedical Research Center, reports, “I don’t think [garcinia cambogia] is 100% safe.”
Besides wasting money, fraudulent “miracle” supplements tend to distract those seeking to lose weight from doing what is best for them and most effective: increasing activity levels and eating a healthy diet.
Article Type: InvestigationTopic: Consumer
