(Garcinia cambogia)
Description
Garcinia fruit, also known as the Malabar tamarind or Brindall berry, is a yellowish fruit about the size of an orange with thin skin and deep furrows similar to an acorn squash. It is native to South India, where it is dried and used extensively in curries. It has also been used historically in the Ayurvedic system of medicine for the treatment of obesity. The active component is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Typically, the dried fruit contains 20–30% of HCA, while most commercial preparations are extracts that contain about 50% of HCA.
Health Benefits
Although preliminary research suggested that HCA could promote weight loss, overall results from human double-blind studies are inconsistent. That inconsistency, along with safety concerns, has led many consumers to choose different natural products to aid weight loss. The biggest safety issue with garcinia supplementation is the potential for liver damage.
Available Forms
- Garcinia extract: Available in tablet, capsule, and powder forms.
Dosage
- 50% HCA garcinia extract: 1000 mg three times daily.