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Garcinia cambogia (Kaitlyn Margraf, Purdue College of Pharmacy
EFFECTIVENESS: Results from studies are conflicting so it is difficult to determine whether this supplement is effective for weight loss. SAFETY AND TOXICITY: Not well known, but pure substance does not appear to have significant safety concerns. Side effects may include headache, nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms. Some cases of severe liver damage have been associated with both garcinia combination products and products labeled to contain only garcinia cambogia. INTERACTIONS: No human data available
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Hayamizu K, Ishii Y, Kaneko I, et. al.
In a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study 18 participants were given Garcinia cambogia (1000mg HCA/day) and 21 were given placebo. Participants were put on a diet monitored by a registered dietitian with limited calorie intakes of 2250kkcal/day for men and 1800 kkcal/day for women. Determination of fat was measured by CT scans and body indices such as body weight and height. After 16 weeks, the Garcinia cambogia group has significantly reduced visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat areas. No rebound effect was observed when both groups were given placebo for four weeks after the study.
PERSONAL/PROFESSIONAL OPINION: Studies on the effectiveness of Garcinia cambogia are conflicting. It does not appear to have harmful effects, however the manufactured product may contain other ingredients or harmful components. Personally, I would not purchase this product as it is not a magic weight-loss solution. It may be effective when combined with diet and exercise, although that effect may be due to the lifestyle changes and not the Garcinia cambogia. -K Margraf
References Garcinia Cambogia. IBM Micromedex Solutions. Truven Health Analytics, Inc. Ann Arbor, MI. Accessed February 25, 2022. http://www.micromedexsolutions.com Hayamizu K, Ishii Y, Kaneko I, Shen M, Okuhara Y, Shigematsu N, Tomi H, Furuse M, Yoshino G, Shimasaki H. Effects of garcinia cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) on visceral fat accumulation: a double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Current Therapeutic Research 2003. doi:10.1016/S0011393X(03)00152-8 0011-393X/03 NCCIH. Garcinia Cambogia. Accessed February 24, 2022. https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garcinia- cambogia Semwal RB, Semwal DK, Vermaak I, Viljoen A. A comprehensive scientific overview of Garcinia cambogia. Elsevier 2015. doi:10.1016/j.fitote.2015.02.012 Vitamin Shoppe. Accessed February 24, 2022. ://www.vitaminshoppe.com/search?search=garcinia% 20cambogia
