Garcinia: benefits, dosage, contraindications
Other name(s)
Malabar tamarind tree
Scientific name(s)
Garcinia cambogia, Garcinia gummi-gutta
Family or group:
Plants
Active ingredients:
Hydroxycitric acid
Pectin
Xanthophylls
Potassium
Calcium
Anthocyanins
Indications
Scoring methodology
EFSA approval.
Obesity ✪✪✪✪✪
Studies have shown that extracts, as well as (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA), the principal organic acid of the fruit rinds, exhibit anti-obesity activity, notably a reduction in food intake and gain of body fat by regulating serotonin levels related to satiety, an increase in fat oxidation, and a decrease in de novo lipogenesis. Known since the late 1960s, HCA has recently been the subject of four small clinical studies 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, administration of 500 mg of Garcinia extract twice daily for 6 months reduces weight and improves blood lipid and glycemic profiles in overweight or obese subjects. Most of the studies included in the analyses used Garcinia 1000-4667 mg (standardized to 50% or 60% hydroxycitric acid) in divided doses.
Posologie
By mouth: 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
Sports performance ✪✪✪✪✪
Two preliminary clinical trials evaluated the effect of hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a constituent of Garcinia, on sports performance and associated metabolic parameters in young untrained women and sedentary men. In untrained women, oral intake of 250 mg of hydroxycitric acid per day for 5 days improves athletic performance compared with placebo. Time to exhaustion is about 20 minutes longer for participants treated with HCA compared with placebo. However, in sedentary men, oral HCA intake, 3 grams per day for 3 days, does not change fat metabolism, respiratory quotient, or energy expenditure at rest or after exercise compared with 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 in obese women receiving an extract of G. cambogia (50% HCA) at oral doses of 800 mg three times a day for 60 days found 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 triglyceride-lowering effect that is not related to changes in leptin levels.
Posologie
By mouth: 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. By this mechanism, HCA limits the biosynthesis of fatty acids and cholesterol in various tissues. The conversion of citrate into acetyl-CoA occurs when energy intake exceeds the body's energy needs. nnAdditionally, animal research suggests that HCA increases the release and availability of serotonin in the brain, which is involved in the appetite control. HCA is also thought to increase hepatic glycogen synthesis rates, which influence glucose receptors in the liver to increase satiety.nn
Usages associés
Neurological
Hydroxycitric acid contained in Garcinia inhibits the reuptake of serotonin and the activity of acetylcholinesterase, which can lead to serotonergic and muscarinic effects such as mania, psychosis and serotonin syndrome.nn
Hypolipidemic
A strong hypolipidemic effect was recorded for a flavonoid-rich extract prepared from the fruit peel after oral administration of 10 mg/kg for 45 days in rats. It was noted that the flavonoid extract, at higher doses, showed less activity in reducing lipid levels in serum and tissues. This indicates that the hypolipidemic activity of the flavonoid-rich extract may be due to lower lipogenesis and higher rates of degradation. A clinical trial conducted on obese women receiving a G. cambogia extract (50% HCA) at oral doses of 800 mg three times daily 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 triglyceride-lowering effect that is not related to changes in leptin levels. It was found that HCA (10 mg), in its pure form, promotes lipid oxidation and spares carbohydrate utilization in mice during exercise.
Usages associés
Safe dosage
Adults 18 years and older: 500 mg - 4600 mg (standardized extract)
- Athletic performance: The garcinia constituent, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), was used in untrained young women at a dose of 250 mg per day for 5 days.nn- Obesity: A garcinia extract of 800 mg to 1.55 g three times a 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 garcinia extract 500 mg and glucomannan 500 mg, each taken twice daily 30 minutes before lunch and dinner, was also used for 6 months.nn
Interactions
Médicaments
Serotonin reuptake inhibitors: moderate interaction
Garcinia may affect serotonin (a chemical in the brain). Some antidepressant medications can also affect serotonin levels. Taking garcinia with these antidepressants could lead to excess serotonin and cause serious side effects, including heart problems, shivering, and nervousness. Among these antidepressants: the class of selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors (SSRIs), such as fluoxetine (Prozac), paroxetine (Paxil), sertraline (Zoloft) and others; and the 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: moderate interaction
There have been reports of acute hepatitis with elevated liver enzymes associated with garcinia, when taken alone or in combination with other ingredients. Theoretically, concomitant use with other potentially hepatotoxic medications could increase the risk of developing liver injury.
Precautions
Bipolar disorder: avoid
Garcinia may exacerbate manic episodes 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 had a history of bipolar disorder, while others did not.nn
Pregnant women: avoid
Pregnant women should refrain from taking HCA.nn
Breastfeeding women: avoid
Breastfeeding women should refrain from taking HCA.nn
Contraindications
Liver disorders: contraindicated
Garcinia, alone or in combination with other ingredients, has been associated with acute hepatitis. The damage resulted in increases in aminotransferase levels up to 70 times above normal. In rare cases, liver transplantation was necessary. Most cases resolved once the product was discontinued. Theoretically, garcinia could worsen liver injury in patients with existing liver disease. Avoid in patients with liver disease.nn
