Introduction
Garcinia Cambogia (also known as Malabar Tamarind or Brindleberry or Garciniagummi-gutta) belongs to a family Guttiferae (Clusiaceae) is a small tropicalcitrus fruit native to India, Indonesia and other parts of Southeast Asia, West, and Central Africa. It is a small, pumpkin looking fruit that is added to the meals to make them more filling.
It is light green or pale yellow in color and is known for its appetite suppressing properties. Thus, it is often taken in the soup form before main meals in Southeast Asian countries. It is also used as a post-meal snack to help the food go down and digested.
It limits the cravings after a meal and that made it a popular dietary supplement for those opting for natural weight management. It is extremely sour in taste making it difficult to be eaten raw but is a great aid to digestion.
Obesity is a silent life-threatening condition. People who gain excess weight around their mid-section have greater chances of serious health risks.
According to research, Garcinia Cambogia contains a component called HCA (hydroxy citric acid) that is able to reduce body weight, reduce food intake and inhibits fat production.
What is HCA?
The specific extract HCA, suppresses the appetite by increasing brain chemical(neurotransmitter) serotonin levels. When serotonin is low in the body, people feel depressed and that drives them to eat more. With the rise of serotonin levels, the mood gets better and the drive to eat due to emotional reasons decreases, thus the feeling of hunger is suppressed naturally.
Thus, weight loss goal becomes easier to achieve. HCA also stops the fat making process in the body by inhibiting the key enzyme called ATP citrate lysase. Our bodies need ATP citrate lyase to make fat from carbohydrates.
This process of making fat from non-fatty sources like carbohydrates is called de novo lipogenesis. HCA prevents fat creation by blocking ATP citrate lysase, in response to which the body produces more glycogen in the liver thus increasing the feeling of satiety. HCA also increase glycogen resynthesis after exercise.
HCA from GarciniaCambogia prevents obesity by decreasing the activity of the genes that promote fat production and increases the levels of a fat burning enzyme called lipoprotein lipase.
Research has shown that taking Garcinia Cambogia with a high fat diet also helped in reducing significant weight. The extracts together with high cholesterol diet increases the level of phosphorous, iron, zinc and copper, thus improving overall health.
The supplement is also very useful in enhancing athletic ability. Using HCA supplements like Garcinia Cambogia increases the endurance levels during exercise and stop people from feeling exhausted too quickly.
It increases fat breakdown and decreases carbohydrate breakdown which spares glycogen to be used for exercise. This indirectly helps with weight loss goals. The supplement works towards flushing excessive fluids from the body and contributing indirectly to weight loss in another way.
What are the benefits of Garcinia Cambogia?
Garcinia Cambogia works effectively in losing belly fat, lowering the BMI, and reducing overall fat under the skin and waist circumference. It also boosts energy levels and helps to release all stress and worries.
Visceral fat or belly fat leads to cardiovascular diseases, so taking Garcinia Cambogia is recommended for those trying to lose belly fat. HCA works to eliminate fat production via the liver by changing the chemical reactions and thereby working against fat production in the abdomen area.
Cholesterol Levels
Garcinia Cambogia also helps in lowering the bad cholesterol (LDL). It raises good cholesterol (HDL) at the same time. It also helps to keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in check.
Diabetes Management
Garcinia Cambogia makes it easier for the body to use glucose and thus lowers the insulin levels. This makes the supplement beneficial for Type 2 diabetic patients too. The diabetics who take insulin or glyburide should consult a doctor before taking Garcinia Cambodia supplements as there could be an unsafe drop in sugar levels.
Boost Immunity
Along with weight management, Garcinia Cambogia boosts immunity function by increasing the levels of antioxidant enzymes called superoxide dismutase. It also prevents the production of enzymes that cause inflammation.
Prevention
The extracts of Garcinia Cambogia fruit are known to block the growth of bacteria like Staphylococcus aureus leading to skin infections and food poisoning. The bioflavonoids from GC kills Plasmodium parasite which causes Malaria.
Fights Cancer
It is also known to fight cancer, block tumor growth and prevent ulcers. Garcinia Cambogia decreases the amount and acidity of stomach fluid and helps prevent any damage to the stomach. As an excellent antioxidant, these supplements decrease oxidative damage thus protecting the kidneys, brain, and liver.
Dosage
The recommended dosage for Garcinia Cambogia or GCE is no more than 3000 mg in a day. Always prefect the ones with at least 50 to 60 percent HCA (higher is better).
The best way to consume GarciniaCambogia is to take one pill (500 mg) half an hour before meals. It can be taken three times a day. This helps in achieving the desired results in a very short period of time.
The extract of HCA is available in powdered form, liquid extracts, tablets or capsules in all health stores. The supplements are completely natural and do not contain any artificial ingredients. This makes the safe to use.
How to take Garcinia Cambogia?
Garcinia Cambogia supplements should always be taken under medical supervision as they might interact with other medications like those for allergy,anemia, pain medicines, and blood thinners. Pregnant and nursing women should not take Garcinia Cambogia.
It is also not recommended for people with liver and kidney problems. There are some side effects also like headaches, vomiting, diarrhea, dizziness, nausea, skin rashes, common cold symptoms, stomach upset.
Along with a healthy diet (low calorie) and exercise, taking Garcinia Cambogia extract or supplements is a good way to accelerate weight loss. It is one of the most popular dietary supplements to reduce body fat and limit appetite.It is a better and a natural way to lose weight as compared to starving oneself while dieting or sweating in the gym.
Author Bio:
Vikram Chauhan, MD – AYURVEDA is an expert Ayurvedic practitioner based in Chandigarh, India and doing his practice in Mohali, India. He is spreading the knowledge of Ayurveda Ancient healing treatment, not only in India but also abroad. He is the CEO and Founder of Planet Ayurveda Products, Planet Ayurveda Clinic and Krishna Herbal Company
