My Unbiased, Evidence-Based Garcinia Cambogia Review

Weight loss is a common struggle for majority of people.

There is an abundance of publications touching that subject.

We all know how difficult it is to stay in shape and resist the culinary temptations.

But what if there was a way to eat what you wanted without the need to torture your body with the strict exercise regime?

Let’s focus on a revolutionary natural product that is Garcinia Cambogia.

What is Garcinia Cambogia?

Garcinia Cambogia, also called Malabar Tamarind, is a small tropical tree found commonly in South East Asia and India.

It bears the fruits similar in size to an orange.

They have an appearance of a regular pumpkin, but once cut open, they reveal a citrus flesh.

The fruits are used in Indian cuisine to conserve fish as well as being added to curries.

Some believe enhancing the dishes with Garcinia Cambogia leaves you feeling fuller for longer.

Furthermore the cleansing capabilities, which are commonly associated with the plant, make it a frequent choice in Indian medicine to treat tumors, intestinal worms and digestive complaints, as revealed by National Cancer Institute.

HCA or hydroxycitric acid, found in the rind of the fruit, is the main active ingredient responsible for the product’s fame.

It has an ability to block the enzyme called adenosine triphosphatase-citrate-lyase in our bodies, which is largely responsible for producing fat from the consumed carbohydrates.

That’s the reason behind the fat-burning claims, often supported by numerous studies.

Moreover, HCA is repeatedly given a hunger curbing abilities, due to its power to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter accountable for the emotional and reactive eating.

By introducing Garcinia Cambogia, and equally HCA, into our diet, we achieve a greater control over our hunger and eating habits.

These astonishing capabilities didn’t leave the world oblivious.

A revolutionary new Asian fruit began fascinating numerous people and steadily gaining popularity.

Soon, it found its way to the media, and in particular, onto Dr Oz show.

Garcinia Cambogia was introduced during one of the episodes, causing a major stir.

Missy, a lady who had been using the fruit extract GCE for a prolonged period of time, agreed to share her experience with Dr OZ and his audience.

It is worth mentioning that the show enjoys largely female viewers, as reported by Harriet Hall for Science Based Medicine, making a weight loss subject very fitting.

Missy revealed she noticed evident difference in her health and moods within ten days from when she started taking Garcinia Cambogia extract.

Due to the show’s popularity, the fruit gained considerable rise in interest from people wanting to lose weight.

However, alongside the genuine supporters, a new wave of imitators quickly started to appear. They wanted to jump on the band-wagon and take the advantage of the latest dietary craze.

Dr Oz felt compelled to release a statement to be wary of any diet supplements claiming he is a genuine supporter.

Owing to an increasing number of pills and GCE medications flooding the market, some of them seemed to promote their products as being recommended by Dr Oz himself.

But he contradicted all of these claims during one of his shows and assured he never backed up any of the Garcinia Cambogia supplements.

Garcinia Cambogia Testing Results

Scientists performed numerous tests to back up the weight loss potential given to Garcinia Cambogia.

The most comprehensive test involved five month old rats.

The rodents were divided into four groups.

Two of them were put on a standard diet, while the remaining two were given a diet comprising in 30% of pure fat.

Rats in one group from each of the sets have additionally consumed extracts of Garcinia Cambogia over a ten week period.

Once the experiment was over, the scientists were ready to compare the obtained results.

They were mostly interested in the rodents’ fluctuations in the body weight, inflammation and glucose levels. The outcome has indeed been remarkable.

Corresponding to the findings by US National Library of Medicine, the rats who consumed 30% fat rich diet, have predictably gained weight, increasing at the same time their glucose levels.

But the rodents on the same fat diet, who were alongside given the Garcinia Cambogia extract, have reportedly lost weight and reduced glucose levels.

These results can easily justify the growing fascination with the product among the media and the public.

But, let’s not forget that the above experiment has been performed distinctively on the rats.

Would the effects be comparable when it comes to people?

According to the researchers at The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA), the studies conducted across the US test centers are too limited in their data to deliver a binding result.

The conclusions moreover tend to produce contradictory evidence.

Furthermore the effectiveness of hydroxycitric acid in Garcinia Cambogia failed to produce the same weight loss results when compared with the diet pills.

It indicates that consuming regular diet pills will give better outcome than taking GCE.

It is essential to reveal that the conducted studies included only small samples executed over a very short period of time.

There’s not enough supporting evidence showing effects of the GCE supplements when taken for longer than 12 weeks.

With such few insufficient reports it would be challenging to determine a definite and binding conclusion.

But following the study completed by Department of Medicine on Columbia University it is fair to say that Garcinia Cambogia has produced comparable results to the ones achieved when taking a placebo.

Nevertheless, let’s examine the facts supporting the claims that Garcinia Cambogia can be a remedy for several other complaints.

It is repeatedly mentioned that GCE is capable to improve the body’s absorption of glucose.

This is sugar our body needs for energy.

In a study submitted by National Cancel Institute the mice given Garcinia Cambodia have lowered their insulin levels when compared with other group of mice that didn’t consume GCE.

That’s undeniably an appealing promise for all suffering from type 2 diabetes.

Additionally notable is a recent experiment reported by US National Library of Medicine, proving that Garcinia Cambogia is able to correct the cholesterol levels, reducing Tryglicerides along LDL (bad cholesterol), while raising levels of good cholesterol HDL.

However, there is not enough evidence supporting the claims that GCE can be effectively used to treat joint pains, intestinal worms and parasites, diarrhea or other conditions.

Possible Risks

Unfortunately we don’t have sufficient amount of data to demonstrate the safety of using Garcinia Cambogia for a prolonged period of time, according to the US National Library of Health.

The existing studies have all been performed over a 12 week phase, at the most.

But GCE, as being extracted from a natural fruit doesn’t contain any toxic qualities and is safe to consume.

Furthermore, there are no confirmed alterations demonstrated in connection with taking Garcinia Cambogia for longer than 12 weeks, as confirmed by US National Library of Health.

Still, with such a recent discovery, more time and research is needed to conclude trustworthy evidence.

However, believing the available research we can certainly conclude the subsequent assumptions.

Dementia sufferers should avoid taking GCE, as well as anyone with regular statin intake.

Side effects of the supplements, when combined with these diseases include rhabdomyolysis and muscle dilapidation.

Food and Drug Administration (FDA), prompted by repeated complaints of liver problems among users of a certain dietary supplement, have issued a safety warning in 2009.

The drug, reportedly containing Garcinia Cambogia, have additionally caused cardiovascular problems as well as seizures amid its consumers.

There were 23 testimonies of health issues, followed by one death.

Since then, the manufacturer withdrew using HCA in the production of the supplement.

However, the ingredient is currently still available as an ingredient in a number of other weight-loss supplements, as reported by Reuters.

Side Effects

Garcinia Cambogia supplements, extracted from a natural fruit, do not have any evident toxic characteristics, as reported by US National Library of Medicine.

Nevertheless, while being a recent discovery, it is not backed up by enough scientific investigation.

Therefore any claims of the damaging outcome should be taken with a pinch of salt.

But, we could not possibly omit that subject and ignore the concerns raised in the process so far.

Among the major threats, as stated by National Cancer Institute, is taking Garcinia Cambogia while pregnant or breast-feeding.

This specific period is undoubtedly the most vulnerable both for prospective mothers as well as for the forming babies.

So it is the understandable advice.

It is also worth to take precautions while being treated for these sicknesses:

• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Anemia
• Psychiotric conditions
• Cholesterol
• Blood pressure
• Various allergies

The leading side effects to look for include: dizziness, dry mouth, headache, upset stomach or diarrhea, nausea or gastrointestinal problems.

Positive Sides

If you are stuck in your diet, as mentioned previously Missy in the Dr Oz episode, Garcinia Cambogia makes a perfect “jump-start” to stimulate you on your way to lose weight.

We cannot deny its hunger suppressing capabilities, as confirmed by HerbalProvider.com and InterHealth in 2003, and that is principally worth taking advantage of.

If you want to stop the overwhelming feeling of starvation, GCE is your best support. But treat it only as a temporary measure on the way to a healthy nutritional diet and steady weight loss, following the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines, instead of a long-lasting solution.

How to choose Garcinia Cambogia supplements

Due to the increasing awareness of positive outcome of using the Asian fruit, there has been an increasing abundance of products containing GC extract on our shelves, according to Reuters.

But which one is the finest?

Dr. Julie Chen of Integrative Medicine recommends looking for products which contain Garcinia Cambogia extract as a prominent ingredient on their label.

Additionally high proportion of HCA (50-60%) is the most recommended.

Be aware, however, that according to this prominent research, some products end up comprising far less percentage of HCA than stated.

Dr. Chen, who joined Dr. Oz on the previously cited show’s episode, moreover states that Garcinia Cambogia extract is best accompanied by minerals such as potassium and calcium for better absorption.

It is therefore worth to look for these on the ingredients list of the dietary supplement you are about to buy.

Is dosage important? It is, quite significantly.

Based on the research reported by The Journal of The American Medical Association, the GCE should be taken on an empty stomach, approximately 30-60 minutes prior to your meal, for the best outcome.

Also the results vary depending on the dosage consumed during a day, with 3000 mg being frequently recommended as the most advantageous quantity.

Conclusion

Garcinia Cambogia is, undoubtedly, the least harmful to your gastric system, of all the dietary pills currently available on the market – if accompanied by the right ingredients and applied in the correct dose.

There is no strict evidence denying its hunger controlling abilities, therefore if your main concern remains to be struggle with the overwhelming feeling of starvation and missing out on your favorite foods, Garcinia Cambogia can support you in the initial phase of the weight-loss strategy.

But let’s not forget that any diet supplement will not do the work for you when shedding the excessive weight.

It is achieved by transforming your eating habits for good – and not treated as a temporary solution – while increasing the physical activities.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the gradual way to lose weight is the most effective in keeping it off permanently.

The institute recommends losing 1 to 2 pounds a week as the most optimal for our bodies.