Study: Garcinia Fruit May Help with Weight Loss

Garcinia cambogia has recently been generating buzz in the diet world as a fruit that helps overweight individuals achieve weight loss. The fruit gained national attention when Dr. Oz recently contended on his nationally televised show that garcinia cambogia is an “exciting breakthrough in natural weight loss”. The popular health expert told his audience that the fruit is a “dual action fat-burner” that can double or triple a user’s weight loss.

In a study conducted at Purdue University, researchers found that a 400 mg dose of garcinia cambogia extract taken 30 to 60 minutes before meals produced 3.7+/-3.1 kg in body weight reduction over the course of 12 weeks. Such decrease translated to 8.1+/-6.8 pounds of weight reduction.

In a separate study at Georgetown University, garcinia cambogia also produced dietary results. After 8 weeks of supplementation, study participants had a 5.4 percent reduction in body weight and 5.2 percent reduction in body mass index (BMI). Additionally, no significant adverse effects were observed.

However, most Americans don’t have ready access to garcinia. The fruit is mostly found in southeast Asia, coastal Karnataka/Kerala, India, and west and central Africa. It typically requires a moist forest environment to grow. In south Asia, the fruit’s ingredients are incorporated into curry spices.

According to WebMD.com, garcinia is a plant and the fruit rind is used to make medicine. “Developing research suggests that garcinia might prevent fat storage and control appetite.” The health site does offer some words of caution: “Whether these effects [i.e., weight loss] occur in humans is unclear.”

Here are some features of garcinia cambogia supplements, according to Nov. 13 article on Examiner.com:

• Contains a massive dose of 1000 mg of garcinia extract with 60 percent HCA
• Increases fat burning by speeding up metabolism
• Inhibits fat production
• Suppresses appetite by increasing serotonin levels in the body
• Inhibits liver’s production of cholesterol
• Reduces weight without diet or exercise
• Ensures double the weight loss when used with diet or exercise
• No known side effects

“Garcinia cambogia extract . . . is used by those who want to slim down and become their best selves,” according to a study by Researched-Reviews.com. “Described by TV star Dr. Oz as the ‘Holy Grail’ of weight loss, this unique extract comes from the rind of the fruit”.

Consumer advocates warn people about fake supplements that don’t possess the claimed ingredients in the packaging. Thus, people should be careful which company they order from. According to a Nov. 3 New York Times article, most herbal supplements in the market contain either misleading or placebo ingredients.