Garcinia Cambogia: my Opinion & Purchase at the Best Price

[Article updated on 19/09/2023]

Garcinia Cambogia is an exotic plant from which a slimming supplement is produced which arouses great enthusiasm among people wishing to combat overweight and obesity. In this guide, which aims to be as complete as possible, I will present Garcinia Cambogia, its composition, the indications for the supplement, its proven beneficial effects, its instructions for use, its selling prices, the opinions of researchers and consumers, without forgetting the contraindications, undesirable effects and possible risks!

Garcinia Cambogia: presentation, composition, indications

Presentation

Technically known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, Garcinia Cambogia is a citrus fruit grown in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Sri Lanka, Nepal and parts of Africa. It is also referred to by various names including gambooge, potted tamarind, Malabar tamarind, red mango, brindal berry and kokum butter oil tree.

The fruit of garcinia cambogia resembles a multi-lobed pumpkin and is usually green, yellow, or red. It is normally the size of a large tomato, but can reach the size of a grapefruit. The sour flesh of garcinia cambogia makes your lips pucker. After being sun-dried and smoked, the blackened fruit, called kodampoli, imparts a tangy, smoky flavor to curries. It is most common in fish curry. It is often pickled and used as a condiment. The seeds are sometimes used as a substitute for ghee or ghi, a clarified butter used as an ingredient in Indian foods. According to FAO, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, the seeds have a fat content of 30%.

According to skeptics, a number of health claims are made about garcinia cambogia extract such that people have used it to combat constipation, diarrhea, ulcers, diabetes and even the cancer. The plant’s fame comes from the use of its extracts in supplements that can accelerate weight loss, while reducing appetite and stimulating endurance during physical exertion. Indeed, studies suggest that when combined with a healthy diet and exercise (including walking), taking garcinia cambogia extract in supplement form can help accelerate weight loss. In 2012, sales of Garcinia Cambogia extract supplements skyrocketed due to an ad by Mehmet Oz (Dr. Oz), a heart surgeon and famous columnist, touting it as a revolutionary fat burner.

Composition, dosage form, indications

The bark of the tree and the husk of the Garcinia Cambogia fruit contain a compound called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) which is the active ingredient of the supplement formulated to control appetite and lose weight. In the opinion of proponents, AHC may inhibit an enzyme that helps the body store fat. The plant also contains garcinol and organic acids such as malic acids and citric acids. Garcinol is known for its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, pro-apoptotic and antiangiogenic properties which prevent the onset of a range of diseases, including cancer. There is also enough calcium and potassium in this plant.

The extracts of the plant display antioxidant properties due to the polyphenols and vitamin C they contain and which promote lowering cholesterol levels, protect the eyes and help prevent cancer and cardiovascular diseases. The plant also contains anthocyanin pigments, carbohydrates and other secondary substances. The bark of the tree and that of the fruit contain mangostine “xanthones”, which are valuable anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic agents. In addition, the bark of the tree also contains benzophenones and flavones.

Garcinia Cambogia is available in softgels (capsules), tablets, powders and liquids. This supplement is indicated for people over 18 years of age who wish to control their appetite, lose a few pounds and develop muscle mass, in a good mood.

Efficiency

This supplement works very well when it is approved, when it is of quality, and when the user follows the dosage correctly and strives to have good eating habits. Critics argue that the first rigorous research into the effectiveness of garcinia cambogia was conducted in 1998 and the study concluded that it works no better than a placebo when it comes to helping you lose weight. weight. And yet, a 2011 research review showed that Garcinia Cambogia supplementation can actually induce short-term weight loss. A study conducted in Japan showed that rats fed high doses of garcinia cambogia lost significant fat. If the subject of slimming capsules interests you, I have written an article which compares the best slimming capsules that you can find on the site.

Obviously, taking a CHA supplement alone will not help you lose weight significantly. But when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise, studies look promising. In fact, participants in a recent study who took an AHC supplement lost about four pounds per month, on average.

How to take Garcinia Cambogia?

Garcinia Cambogia is taken on an empty stomach, 30 to 60 minutes before a meal. Some manufacturers recommend taking the capsules at a rate of 500 mg before each meal, and making sure not to exceed 3000 mg per day. But in general, the recommended dose of garcinia cambogia is 900 mg to 1500 mg of AHC per day. This is consistent with the doses used in a number of studies. Speaking of recommended dose, most sources list the recommended dose of AHC rather than Garcinia Cambogia itself.

If you do not like tablets and capsules (or capsules), and you must take Garcinia Cambogia in the form of liquid extract, you must ensure that the purchased supplement contains at least 50% of the active ingredient, i.e. the AHC. For each dose, place a dose of your supplement under your tongue at least 10 minutes before a meal. Generally, a dose corresponds to 1 ml or 20 drops of AHC. It is recommended to repeat the intake before each main meal.

How does the supplement work in the body?

Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a specific extract used in garcinia cambogia supplements, works in two ways to induce weight loss.

1. First, it suppresses your appetite by increasing levels of the feel-good neurotransmitter serotonin in your body. Linked to stress, anxiety, and depression, low serotonin levels cause people to eat emotionally. But, as your serotonin levels increase, your mood improves and decreases the need to resort to food during emotional situations.
2. Second, AHC stops the fat-making process in your body by inhibiting a key enzyme called citrate lyase that your body needs to produce fat from carbohydrates. It can also help reduce LDL or “bad” cholesterol.

Purchase and price

Garcinia Cambogia is more of a food supplement that helps you control your weight.
In general, the supplement is sold online, particularly on specialized sites, rarely from online pharmacies.

How to find a quality Garcinia Cambogia supplement?

Many garcinia cambogia supplements do not contain the amount listed on the label. Instead, researchers found the doses were either too low or too high. In the sphere of slimming supplements, snack bars, powders and chewing gums are sometimes incorporated into Garcinia. Note that Garcinia extract is often used as an ingredient in weight-loss “cocktails” containing many other slimming substances such as guarana, green tea and Cayenne pepper. In these drinks, the dosage of garcinia is generally lower than that recommended. That said, if you want to take capsules or tablets, buy a reputable brand and make sure they contain at least 50% or 60% HCA.

Price of Garcinia Cambogia supplements

The prices of Garcinia Cambogia supplements differ depending on the manufacturer, the formulation (notably the AHC content), the presentation (powders, capsules, liquids, tablets, etc.) and the distributor. In general, the offers are very attractive on online sales sites like Amazon. However, it is recommended not to rely on the low price to make a purchasing decision. Rather, it is important to be vigilant in order to distinguish the true from the false. To avoid being scammed by smugglers and unscrupulous merchants, it is better to buy your supplements from recognized and reliable laboratories. In general, when you order from a reliable brand, your package is prepared and delivered, within a short period of time, ranging from 24 to 48 hours, to the address indicated. Rarely, order preparation, shipping and delivery take 3 days to a week, after payment and validation.

Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia Extract

Garcinia Cambogia is an herb included in several weight loss and fat burning supplements. Derived from the bark and fruit, Garcinia Cambogia extract is also used to lower high cholesterol levels. The active ingredient, which may have weight loss benefits, is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Garcinia Cambogia extract is generally safe and side effects are rare.

High dose side effects

Excessive consumption of Garcinia Cambogia extract may cause gastrointestinal side effects, according to EMedTV and Green Herbal Remedies. People taking large amounts of this herb may experience stomach or intestinal pain, nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, vomiting, and diarrhea. Headaches are another possible side effect.

Blood sugar effects

Hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in Garcinia Cambogia extract, may lower blood sugar levels. People with diabetes may need to monitor their blood sugar levels more closely when taking extracts from this herb. Diabetic patients who take medications like metformin or insulin to control their blood sugar may need to ask their healthcare provider about adjusting the dosage.

Allergic reaction

Some people will have an allergic reaction to Garcinia Cambogia. According to experts, signs of an allergic reaction include itching, rash, hives, tingling in the mouth or throat, chest tightness, wheezing, difficulty breathing and swelling. hands, face or throat. An allergic reaction to Garcinia Cambogia should be considered a medical emergency.

Testicular shrinkage

According to a study published in the March 2005 issue of Food and Chemical Toxicology, extremely high doses of Garcinia Cambogia, given to obese male rats, resulted not only in the significant removal of fat accumulation, but also in the shrinkage of the testicles. Diets with lower amounts of Garcinia Cambogia did not produce this side effect, although the amounts of HCA were still high. No negative effects were observed when rats were given 389 mg per kilogram of body weight per day, which translates to over 26,000 mg per day for an individual weighing approximately 150 lbs. In contrast, the standard dose of AHC is 500 to 1500 mg per day for adults.

The supplement’s role in weight loss has been the subject of much controversy. Indeed, based on animal data, AHC has the ability to prevent fat cells from storing fat from sugars in the diet. Sugars and starchy foods are stored in the body as fats by an enzyme called citrate lyase ATP. AHC inhibits this enzyme. But this inhibitory action, verified in animals, is controversial in humans. In humans, the fat storage mechanism is much more complex since it does not depend solely on carbohydrates. Critics argue that the results of several studies on garcinia are contradictory. For them, the quantity of fiber consumed and the limitation of carbohydrate intake of participants in various trials could clearly bias and not distort the results.

Contraindications

It is not known whether garcinia cambogia is safe during pregnancy or while breastfeeding, so it is best to always avoid use of the supplement in pregnant and breastfeeding women. Also, there is no evidence of the effectiveness of Garcinia Cambogia in people under 18 years of age. This is why it is better not to administer it to this population. People with Alzheimer’s disease or dementia should not take garcinia cambogia because it increases acetylcholine levels in the brain. Many people with these conditions are given medications to reduce acetylcholine levels. Garcinia Cambogia may cause a decrease in blood sugar levels. People with diabetes should discuss this with their doctor before taking the supplement.

Warnings

Although the plant and its fruits have been safely consumed for years, people who are breastfeeding or pregnant should not take HCA supplements. Additionally, diabetics who take insulin or glyburide should talk to their doctor before taking a CHA supplement, as it can cause dangerous low blood sugar levels. And although AHC can help lower cholesterol, those taking a statin should consult a doctor because AHC can increase the risk of harmful side effects such as muscle breakdown.

Finally, as with all dietary supplements, AHC is not evaluated by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for safety or effectiveness. As a reminder, the FDA issued a warning to consumers in 2009 asking them to immediately stop using products containing Hydroxycut due to suspected extreme liver damage and jaundice in users. Other health problems associated with Hydroxycut included seizures, cardiovascular disorders, and rhabdomyolysis. However, because Hydroxycut contains many ingredients, it is difficult to determine the cause.

In 2005, a laboratory called ConsumerLab reported the presence of lead in a garcinia extract. Although the product contained the appropriate dosage of AHC, the quantity of lead detected exceeded the allowable standard for this heavy metal in California, United States of America.

Interactions with drugs or other plant extracts

Research reports that the simultaneous use of statins (medications prescribed to lower blood cholesterol levels) with a Garcinia Cambogia supplement may increase the risk of rhabdomyolysis, a condition that corresponds to the breakdown of skeletal muscle cells. and the release of the contents of these cells into the bloodstream. Garcinia Cambogia may also interfere with other medications. These include, among others, anti-asthmatics (Montelukast or Singulair), anticoagulants (warfarin or Coumadin) and antidepressants. Supplements containing iron, potassium and/or calcium may also interact with Garcinia cambogia.

Consumer opinion

Here are some opinions that I was able to gather on Garcinia Cambogia on the official website:

Conclusion

The effect of Garcinia Cambogia on weight loss is convincing when taking the supplement is associated with a healthy and balanced diet, and accompanied by sports practice (walking, running, dancing, cycling, swimming, etc.). According to satisfied Garcinia consumers, the first results are visible from one to four weeks of treatment. Note that the duration of a treatment should not exceed 3 months (12 weeks) at a maximum of 3,000 mg per day!

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