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Garcinia Cambogia; Is it Safe for WeightLoss?

in The Too Busy to Diet Blog on September 2, 2015

Written by RD Monica Joyce:
That’s the question I was recently asked by a patient interested in losing weight.
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit that is popular as a weight loss supplement. It’s claim to fame is it blocks fat and suppresses appetite.
The ingredient that performs these tasks is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). In some studies it appears it blocks an enzyme that your body uses to make fat and it also raises serotonin levels in the brain which may help make you less hungry.

But it doesn’t seem to play out all that well in some studies. The Journal of Obesity reports in a study only a 2 lb. greater weight loss in those that took the supplement. Not much to get too excited about.
In 2009, the FDA warned people to stop weight loss products with this ingredient because some people got serious liver problems. Since there are other ingredients in the product no one knows what is to blame.
My advice to my patient was to not waste money on this product or any other of the supplements available. There are better and safer ways to lose weight. Seeing a registered dietitian/nutritionist is a great way to get started.

Monica Joyce, MS, RD, LD, CDE