Garcinia cambogia is an evergreen tree belonging to the St. John's wort family, the fruits and peel of which are widely used as a means of losing weight and normalizing metabolism.
The fruits of the plant are exotic fruits that look like small pumpkins from light yellow to green, covered with a thin peel with pulp in the form of vertical lobes. The taste is pleasant, sweet and sour; the entire fruit, with the peel, is eaten.
In Thailand and South Indian countries, a concentrated extract made from garcinia is used as a salad dressing, a fish preservative, and a digestive aid.
Introduction
Indeed, today Garcinia Cambogia for weight loss appears every now and then in advertising. The reviews and instructions, of course, are extremely rosy, but how does this correspond to reality? So, today this component is present in every promoted slimming product; it is positioned as an indispensable elixir of youth. This advertising is partly confirmed by information that in Europe the most popular supplements for combating excess weight are those that are based on exotic fruits called Garcinia Cambogia. For weight loss (reviews and instructions will be given below) they began to be used quite recently, around 2000. Although traditional healers have been using them for a very long time.
What is Garcinia Cambogia
This is a plant whose fruits resemble small pumpkins. In Asian countries, they are used to prepare many traditional dishes and are valued for their sour taste. It is these fruits that contain large amounts of hydroxycitric acid. This is exactly the component that forms the basis of many weight loss drugs. The miraculous extract is obtained from the peel of the fruit of this evergreen tree, which itself comes from Indonesia. It is very widespread in South Asia and Africa, as well as in India. By the way, in the original it is these dried fruits that are part of the famous curry seasoning.
The medicinal properties of this plant were known in the East many thousands of years ago. With the help of its fruits, Indian healers treated diseases of the gastrointestinal tract and fought various pathologies of the female reproductive system, including irregularities of the menstrual cycle. However, in the West, from all this diversity, only one property was isolated, which began to be widely used. This is how we got garcinia cambogia for weight loss. Reviews, instructions, doctors' opinions - all this suggests that this is a fairly safe and effective remedy, although it is not a drug for emergency weight loss.
How plant extract can help in weight loss
Let's make a little reservation right away: the only possible option for weight loss is to consume fewer calories than you burn. That is, you need to either cut back on your diet, removing from it primarily simple carbohydrates and excess animal fats, or increase physical activity, and most likely, both. Then why do we need Garcinia Cambogia for weight loss? Reviews from people who appear in advertisements for the drug indicate that this product allows you to lose weight without changing your diet or the need to increase physical activity. It is not yet clear how this can happen. Basic knowledge of human physiology is enough to understand that the breakdown of subcutaneous fat is a complex biochemical process that the body will undertake only as a last resort. However, let's understand further.
Mechanism of fighting fat
As we have already indicated, we are interested in how exactly Garcinia Cambogia works for weight loss. Reviews say that first of all, the craving for sweets and flour disappears. It is not surprising that the weight loss process immediately becomes much more fun. Since such a large proportion of useless and extremely high-calorie foods are removed from the diet, then light morning exercises will be enough to create that very negative balance so that consumption exceeds consumption. However, let's look again at what the manufacturer promises us. Its main slogan sounds something like this: “Garcinia Cambogia - weight loss without dieting.” The plant extract is credited with several properties that make it possible to effectively lose weight. Hydroxycitric acid is primarily responsible for this process. It is this that prevents the formation of subcutaneous fat from sugars. That is, simple carbohydrates will be used for the benefit of the body. Glucose under the influence of this acid accumulates in the liver in the form of glycogen. This allows us not to feel hungry in between meals, since glycogen can be spent on the body's needs. And this is instead of being deposited in useless folds on the stomach and hips.
However, this is not all that Garcinia Cambogia can do. Reviews of those losing weight also note that this product helps fight cravings for sweets and starchy foods. On the other hand, appetite decreases at the same time. This occurs due to the fact that the formation of substances that give the brain a signal that a person is hungry is blocked. Finally, the last effect that this wonderful plant will give you is the production of the happiness hormone, serotonin. As you know, a happy and relaxed person thinks less about sweets and junk food than someone who is depressed.
Clinical effect, composition, properties, contraindications
Before you understand the properties of Garcinia Cambogia, you need to study the composition of this drug:
- The main component of this dietary supplement is hydroxycitric acid. Thanks to it, the level of sugar and bad cholesterol in the blood decreases. It regulates a person’s appetite, significantly dulling it. Thus, the body needs much less food to stay full. This acid also prevents sugars entering the body from being converted into fats. It significantly accelerates metabolic processes, thereby actively processing fat layers. Hydroxycitric acid activates the body's production of serotonin. Thanks to this, a person gets full much faster, losing the habit of overeating.
- Fruit acids.
- Ascorbic acid.
- Beta carotene.
- Pectins. These substances, when interacting with liquids, turn into a special mass that fills the stomach and dulls the appetite.
Preparations containing garcinia cambogia
In Russia today this is mainly the drug “Garcinia Forte”, although in fact there are quite a lot of such dietary supplements. The extract of this plant can be found today in tablets and cocktails, capsules and dietary supplements, chewing gum and even patches. However, which one should you choose so that Garcinia Cambogia really helps? Reviews, instructions - all this is material for careful study. For a good result, it is necessary that the drug contains at least 50-60% hydroxycitric acid. Moreover, the frequency and method of administration strongly depend on the form of release. This may be one or more tablets two to three times a day with meals. The course usually ranges from two weeks to two months. Do not forget to consult a nutritionist, as the process of losing weight may proceed differently for two people.
Contraindications for use
Important point! Especially when it comes to any fat burners, even natural ones.
This is, first of all, individual intolerance, an allergic reaction. If you don’t notice anything like this after taking it, feel free to use it and lose weight!
If you have chronic diseases of internal organs, especially in the acute stage, then it is better to wait for at least the remission stage.
Better yet, go to an appointment with a good nutritionist and consult with him. I give you this advice also from experience, from the bottom of my heart ☺
Do not use if you are pregnant or breastfeeding! I think this is already clear.
Miracle baths with garcinia extract
Indeed, manufacturers constantly offer new products to interest the buyer. One of these “fishing rods” was bath soda with an extract of the miraculous plant Garcinia Cambogia. This weight loss product is very specific. To begin with, it should be noted that, when affecting the skin, hot water with soda can cause severe dehydration, which will result in a short-term weight loss effect. But then everything will return to normal, with the only difference being that your skin will become dry and unsightly.
Side effects
If you follow the recommended doses and duration of use of Garcinia Cambogia, no side effects are observed. With a low-calorie diet in combination with tablets, you may feel weak and slightly dizzy. To eliminate symptoms, you should increase your blood glucose level, you can eat a piece of chocolate, drink sweet, weak tea. Going forward, add more nutritious foods to your diet.
Taking Garcinia Cambogia reduces the amount of new fat, flushes out cholesterol deposits, has a positive effect on well-being, reduces the likelihood of stress and depression, and rejuvenates the body by restoring collagen cells.
How to use this product and what results you can expect
Garcinia Cambogia for weight loss comes in different dosage forms, but it is usually recommended to take one capsule or tablet twice a day. At the same time, the instructions promise us a wonderful result - minus 10-15 kg in one month. This is true only if you follow the basic rules of a healthy diet and lead a healthy lifestyle. If you continue to eat chips and drink sweet soda, the weight loss process may take a long time. However, those who actually lost weight with the help of garcinia report much more modest results. Those who followed a reasonable diet lost approximately three kilograms per month. A logical question arises: “Why spend money on garcinia if you can lose 2-3 kilograms a month simply by following a reasonable diet and doing exercises?” But perhaps it is taking the drug that becomes an incentive to lead a healthy lifestyle.
Sources[edit | edit code]
- https://humanclinicals.org/Garcinia/
- https://www.garcinia.com/docs/study-1.pdf
- Dietary supplements for body-weight reduction: a systematic review. - PubMed - NCBI
- Lobb A. Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: a case for better post-marketing surveillance. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15:1786–7.
- Kim KY, Lee HN, Kim YJ, Park T. Garcinia cambogia extract ameliorates visceral adiposity in C57BL/6J mice fed on a high-fat diet. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem. 2008;72:1772–80.
- Kim YJ, Choi MS, Park YB, Kim SR, Lee MK, Jung UJ. Garcinia cambogia attenuates diet-induced adiposity but exacerbates hepatic collagen accumulation and inflammation. World J Gastroenterol. 2013;19:4689–701. https://www.wjgnet.com/1007-9327/full/v19/i29/4689.htm
- Jena BS, Jayaprakasha GK, Singh RP, Sakariah KK: Chemistry and biochemistry of (-)-hydroxycitric acid from Garcinia. J Agric Food Chem 2002, 50(1):10-22.
- Ishihara K, Oyaizu S, Onuki K, Lim K, Fushiki T: Chronic (-)-hydroxycitrate administration spares carbohydrate utilization and promotes lipid oxidation during exercise in mice. J Nutr 2000, 130(12):2990-5.
- Kriketos AD, Thompson HR, Greene H, Hill JO: (-)-Hydroxycitric acid does not affect energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in adult males in a post-absorptive state. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 1999, 23(8):867-73.
- Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, Pietrobelli A, Greenfield D, Nunez C: Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. Jama 1998, 280(18):1596-600.
- Mattes RD, Bormann L: Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables. Physiol Behav 2000, 71(1-2):87-94.
Doctors' opinions on miracle pills
Nutritionists, gastroenterologists and endocrinologists - they all speak quite cautiously about fashionable new products in the field of weight loss. Garcinia Cambogia was no exception. Reviews from doctors boil down to the fact that this supplement is not as harmless as it might seem at first glance. The basis of dietary supplements is an extract of a tropical plant, and this is at best. Since the control over dietary supplements is not at all as strict as over medicines, it can contain any dried plant or fruit, such as pumpkin.
But let’s assume that the composition is true and we have Garcinia Cambogia in front of us. Reviews from doctors dispute the opinion that the extract of this plant significantly reduces appetite. Judging by their opinion, the maximum that this plant can do is cause diarrhea, which is not very pleasant. However, this is the best case scenario. An upset stomach is caused by xanthone, a natural yellow substance, but it can accumulate in the human body and cause severe intoxication.
Go ahead. What other effects does Garcinia Cambogia promise us for weight loss? The instructions indicate that the acid contained in the product is a natural fat burner. This is true, but we should not forget about something else. It is this component that causes an increase in blood pressure and negatively affects the digestive system and the thyroid gland. That is why there are a number of restrictions on the use of these dietary supplements. Thus, we can say that garcinia can really help in such a difficult matter as weight loss, but the price may be too high. Serious problems in the endocrine system, in particular disruption of the pancreas, are fraught with severe hormonal imbalances, which means even greater weight fluctuations.
What are the positive reviews based on?
The entire Internet is replete with them, and it is thanks to them that Garcinia Cambogia for weight loss is very popular. Reviews from doctors warn us against trusting our health to advertising. Any nutritionist will recommend diet and exercise rather than dubious pills, but still the desire of people to lose weight quickly and easily is ineradicable. First of all, by analyzing the reviews, you can see that this product helps those with a sweet tooth who cannot see themselves without sweets and baked goods. However, the mechanism by which this happens is not very encouraging. The drug suppresses the functions of the pancreas. That is, in a short time you are unlikely to get a serious hormonal imbalance, but you won’t have time to lose much weight either.
In what cases should the drug not be used?
Any drug has contraindications, and Garcinia Cambogia is no exception. We provide you with reviews and contraindications so that you can further weigh all the pros and cons and decide whether you need this drug. It is highly undesirable to use it during pregnancy and lactation. This is not the time for emergency weight loss. In addition, the experience of doctors and many patients suggests that it is undesirable to take this drug for people who have digestive problems. This could be gastritis or a stomach ulcer. In addition, those with high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus or serious problems with the thyroid gland should avoid taking the drug.
Since this supplement makes adjustments to hormonal levels, be prepared for the fact that taking it today can cause serious problems tomorrow. They may not appear immediately, but after some time. These are menstrual irregularities, or intensive growth of body hair, or any other unpleasant moments.
Other benefits
Older studies have confirmed that garcinia may be helpful in lowering cholesterol levels.
Again, these claims are unproven and research results are inconsistent. Therefore, it is not recommended to use garcinia to lower cholesterol. Likewise, garcinia may lower blood sugar levels in some people. Doctors do not recommend that diabetics take Garcinia Cambogia as it may interfere with their treatment and cause their blood sugar levels to drop to dangerously low levels.
Clinical studies of the drug's effectiveness
Indeed, this issue is not yet closed. To date, several experiments have been carried out involving experimental animals and humans. It should be noted that the studies were not large-scale. The maximum sample was only 130 people, who were divided into two groups. As in any experiment, one group received the drug, and the second received a placebo. At the same time, the subjects did not know that they were taking a pacifier. The active group received a medicinal dosage (3 grams of garcinia extract, or 1500 mg of hydroxycitric acid) three times a day. Since both groups were placed under the same conditions, they received the same diet. The food was low in calories and high in fiber. In total, the experiment lasted 12 weeks. During this time, both groups reduced their initial weight, and the difference between the results of both groups was completely insignificant.
To confirm these data, several more experiments were conducted, which also did not reveal a significant effect from taking Garcinia Cambogia. A number of studies have concluded that taking Garcinia can increase weight loss by an average of 0.8 kg when taken over several weeks. That is, the effect is so small and insignificant that you definitely shouldn’t count on it. Exactly the same effect can be achieved simply with diet and gymnastics. The only thing you might need Garcinia for is as an incentive or push to get yourself going and get things done. However, a photo of you in the most revealing swimsuit, which emphasizes all the imperfections of your figure, is perfect for this purpose. Hang it on the refrigerator and lose weight to your health.
How many kilograms can you lose using Garicinia extract?
This, friends, I will say from my own experience, from the experience of my friends, mothers - it’s very individual.
It depends on the person’s initial state of health, existing diseases, the amount of extra pounds, what kind of life the person leads, how active he is, whether there is sports in his life or not.
And also, how much water you drink per day, what is your usual diet, many, many things matter!
In any case, I emphasize - in any case! – this plant extract will only help you, helping to make the weight loss process easier, faster, and more effective.
I won’t deceive you, friends, by telling you that this extract is some kind of “magic pill”, drinking which and then lying on the couch with a slice of pizza and a can of beer in your hand, you are guaranteed to lose weight... No, you won’t lose weight!
Because garcinia is only your assistant, and a very good assistant at that, in losing weight, using which in an integrated approach to this matter, you are guaranteed to achieve results!
I say this from my own experience.
Of course, maybe you can lose weight by eating chips and then washing them down with garcinia extract, I don’t know, I haven’t tried it... But I don’t recommend it to you either ☺
How Garcinia helps for weight loss - video
How to take garcinia extract for weight loss?
There are many types of this drug: tablets, capsules, powder, even chewing gum!
Choose what is most convenient for you and take strictly according to the instructions indicated on the package.
Where to buy garcinia extract for weight loss?
Today, weight loss drugs based on garcinia can be bought in pharmacy stores, but I would buy something that makes me 100% confident, this is a 100% natural extract
