Garcinia: Benefits, Dosage, Contraindications
Other name(s)
Malabar Tamarind
Scientific name(s)
Garcinia cambogia, Garcinia gummi-gutta
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Hydroxycitric Acid
Pectin
Xanthophylls
Potassium
Calcium
Anthocyanins
Indications
Rating methodology
EFSA approval.
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
Studies have shown that extracts and (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the main organic acid of the fruit rind, exhibited anti-obesity activity, notably reducing food intake and body fat gain by regulating serotonin levels related to satiety, increasing fat oxidation, and decreasing de novo lipogenesis. Known since the late 1960s, HCA has recently been the subject of four small clinical trials to evaluate its effect on weight loss. The results of three of these short-term studies are interesting, but larger studies are needed to confirm the efficacy and safety of HCA. According to a non-randomized study conducted on 214 overweight or obese individuals, administering 500mg of garcinia extract twice a day for 6 months reduced weight and improved blood lipid and glycemic profiles in overweight or obese individuals. Most studies included in the analyses used garcinia 1000-4667 mg (standardized to 50% or 60% hydroxycitric acid) in divided doses.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
500 - 2400 mg
12 - weeks
Adults
standardized extract
A Comprehensive Scientific Overview of Garcinia Cambogia
Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of hydroxycitric acid or Garcinia cambogia extracts in humans
Effects of (-)-Hydroxycitric Acid on Appetitive Variables
Garcinia Cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Potential Antiobesity Agent: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Garcinia cambogia for weight loss
Hypolipemic effect of Garcinia cambogia in obese women
Effects of Garcinia Cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) on Visceral Fat Accumulation: A Double-Blind, Randomized, Placebo-Controlled Trial
Sport Performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Two preliminary clinical trials evaluated the effect of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a constituent of garcinia, on athletic performance and associated metabolic parameters in untrained young women and sedentary men. In untrained women, oral intake of 250 mg hydroxycitric acid per day for 5 days improves athletic performance compared to placebo. The time to exhaustion is about 20 minutes longer for HCA-treated patients compared to placebo. However, in sedentary men, oral intake of HCA, 3 grams per day for 3 days, does not alter fat metabolism, respiratory quotient, or energy expenditure at rest or after exercise compared to placebo.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
250 - 4667 mg
standardized extract
(-)-Hydroxycitric acid does not affect energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in adult males in a post-absorptive state
(-)-Hydroxycitric acid ingestion increases fat utilization during exercise in untrained women
Hypertriglyceridemia ✪✪✪✪✪
A clinical trial conducted on obese women receiving a G. cambogia extract (50% HCA) at oral doses of 800 mg 3 times a day for 60 days revealed a reduction in triglycerides. However, other lipid profile variables, as well as leptin and insulin levels, remained unchanged. The study concluded that G. cambogia has a hypotriglyceridemic effect not linked to changes in leptinemia.
Posologie
Oral: fruit
800 mg
2 - months
standardized extract
Properties
Metabolic
HCA (hydroxycitric acid) competitively inhibits the extramitochondrial enzyme adenosine triphosphate (ATP) citrate lyase, which is involved in the conversion of carbohydrates into lipids (lipogenesis). Inhibition of this enzyme prevents the cleavage of citrate into oxaloacetate and acetyl-CoA, limiting the availability of acetyl-CoA for lipogenesis. Through this mechanism, HCA limits the biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in various tissues. The conversion of citrate to acetyl-CoA occurs when consumed energy exceeds the body's energy needs. Additionally, animal research suggests that HCA increases the release and availability of serotonin in the brain, which is involved in appetite control. It is also believed that HCA increases hepatic glycogen synthesis rates, which influence glucoreceptors in the liver to increase satiety.
Usages associés
Neurological
The hydroxycitric acid found in garcinia inhibits serotonin reuptake and acetylcholinesterase activity, which may lead to serotonergic and muscarinic effects such as mania, psychosis, and serotonin syndrome.
Hypolipidemic
A strong hypolipidemic effect was recorded for a flavonoid-rich extract prepared from the fruit rind after oral administration of 10 mg/kg for 45 days in rats. It was noted that the flavonoid extract, at higher doses, showed reduced activity in lowering serum and tissue lipid levels. This indicates that the hypolipidemic activity of the flavonoid-rich extract may be due to reduced lipogenesis and increased degradation rates. A clinical trial conducted on obese women receiving a G. cambogia extract (50% HCA) at oral doses of 800 mg 3 times a day for 60 days revealed a reduction in triglycerides. However, other lipid profile variables, as well as leptin and insulin levels, remained unchanged. The study concluded that G. cambogia has a hypotriglyceridemic effect not linked to changes in leptinemia. HCA (10 mg), in pure form, has been found to promote lipid oxidation and save carbohydrate utilization in mice during exercise.
Usages associés
Safety dosage
Adults from 18 years: 500 mg - 4600 mg (standardized extract)
- Athletic performance: The constituent of garcinia, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), has been used in untrained young women at a dose of 250 mg per day for 5 days. - Obesity: A garcinia extract at 800 mg to 1.55 g three times per day, taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals, in conjunction with low-calorie diets for 8 to 12 weeks, has been used. A combination of 500 mg garcinia extract and 500 mg glucomannan, each taken twice daily 30 minutes before lunch and dinner, has also been used for 6 months.
Interactions
Médicaments
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors: moderate interaction
Garcinia may affect serotonin (a chemical in the brain). Some antidepressants can also affect serotonin levels. Taking Garcinia with these antidepressants could lead to an excess of serotonin and cause serious side effects, including heart problems, chills, and nervousness. Among these antidepressants: class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and others; and class of tricyclic and atypical antidepressants, such as amitriptyline (Elavil), clomipramine (Anafranil), imipramine (Tofranil), and others. If you are taking medications, consult your healthcare professional before taking this product.
HEPATOTOXIC DRUGS: moderate interaction
Cases of acute hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes associated with Garcinia have been reported, whether taken alone or in conjunction with other ingredients. Theoretically, concurrent use with other potentially hepatotoxic drugs could increase the risk of developing liver damage.
Precautions
Bipolar Disorder: Avoid
Garcinia may exacerbate manic disorders in patients with bipolar disorder. Several cases have been reported in patients who took garcinia supplements daily for 1 to 2 months before symptom onset. Some of these patients have a history of bipolar disorder, while others do not.
Pregnant women: avoid
Pregnant women should refrain from taking HCA.
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Women who are breastfeeding should refrain from taking HCA.
Contraindications
Liver disorders: prohibited
Garcinia, alone or in combination with other ingredients, has been associated with acute hepatitis. The damage has led to aminotransferase levels up to 70 times higher than normal. In rare cases, a liver transplant has been necessary. Most cases have been resolved once the product was discontinued. Theoretically, Garcinia could worsen liver damage in patients with existing liver disease. Avoid in patients with liver disease.
