Garcinia Cambogia Effect, dosage and experience

What is Garcinia Cambogia?

The Garcinia Cambogia is an Indian date species, which originates from East Africa and is known as sourdate, but which has been cultivated in India for several thousand years. The fruit can also be found in many tropical regions, such as the subtropics. In terms of appearance, the tamarind is confusingly similar to a small pumpkin. In Germany, the pumpkin-like small fruit is known under the name “Malabar tamarind” or short “tamarind” and is offered as such. It contains a high proportion of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) – which is extracted from the skin of the fruit – and this acid has the effectiveness to regulate the absorption of carbohydrates. For this reason, this nutritious fruit is said to act as an effective dietary and appetite suppressant.

The synonyms of the fruit are Malabar Tamarind, Garcinia, Briedelbeere, Kudam Puli and Indian Pumpkin. In many countries the extracts of the fruit are considered slimming products. The tamarind comes from the family of Clusiaceae. This is an evergreen tree that grows to a height of between five and 20 metres. Over time, the tamarind has advanced to become a superfood and its positive properties have been known for a long time especially in traditional Indian medicine and are used there. Garcinia gummi-gutta, native to Indonesia, is the tropical version of Garcinia.

How does Garcinia Cambogia work?

• The Malabar Tamarind inhibits body fat growth and converts carbohydrates into glucogen (glucose).
• A feeling of fullness occurs and a feeling of hunger is prevented: Appetite inhibitors!
• Appetite pangs are prevented.
• The possibility of weight reduction is available.
• Has a diet-supporting effect.

Scientific Garcinia Cambogia Quality features

It has been proven that the tamarind has no habituation effect, so that after a successful diet already lost kilos cannot be increased again. Various scientific institutions in Malaysia have carried out extensive studies and come to the preliminary conclusion that the HCA extract contained in the Garcinia fruit may have a positive effect after all:

• weight reduction,
• the reduction of blood lipids,
• the reduction of the appetite feeling (acts as an appetite inhibitor),
• the reduction of food intake.

However, these studies in Malaysia could not fully prove that hydroxycitric acid has any influence or effect on satiety or appetite. The journal “Journal of the Amercian Medical Association” published a study, which proves that – with regard to a noticeable reduction of the fat mass or the weight – the active substance Hydroxycitronensäure shows no effect. In addition, recent reviews of studies on hydroxycitric acid have found that there is insufficient evidence to support this claim, as Garcinia has never been used for more than 12 weeks (three months) of testing. Furthermore, a study by the University of Columbia in 1998 showed that no weight loss could be caused by the tamarind. The scientists Yoshikazu Yonei and Yoko Takahashi also agreed with this result. Their 2008 study in Japan showed the same result.

Does Garcinia Cambogia have any side effects or is it dangerous?

If the prescribed dosage is not exceeded, there are no side effects. This fruit is not said to have any side effects, as it is said to be 100% organic, but if the dose is exceeded, slight side effects such as dizziness, nausea, stomach upset, diarrhoea or headaches may occur, as the American health portal healthline.com writes. However, it should not be taken during pregnancy, lactation, heart problems and diabetes or a doctor should be consulted beforehand for further information. The online information service for the Swiss pharmaceutical market called Pharmavista confirms that there are no more products with Garcinia in Switzerland today. Since 2012, the plant may no longer be used in France for the production of slimming products, since it is classified as a medicine there because of its special properties and it is therefore suspected that the plant can lead to severe side effects, which is why consumption is strictly discouraged.

Who is Garcinia Cambogia suitable for?

Garcinia is particularly suitable for women who have set themselves the goal of reducing their weight, because Garcinia plays a special role in losing weight, as it suppresses the feeling of hunger and thus helps to reduce weight and also avoids the unpopular yo-yo effect. Garcinia is particularly suitable for women who have difficulty losing weight “on its own”, i.e. when their metabolism is crossed. Because it helps to stimulate metabolism and fat burning. It also helps those women who are exposed to a nocturnal hunger attack, because taking it will help them to sleep peacefully and to be in a better mood the next day. Thus, women with depression and psychological complaints can also benefit from the mood-lifting effect of Garcinia. The concentration is increased and also the motivation to do sports. It supports the metabolism and the general condition is improved. And the tamarind counteracts muscle loss, which is essential for burning fat, because the more muscle you have, the more fat you burn. In addition, women with thyroid problems can also take this Garcinia Cambogia without hesitation.

How do I take Garcinia Cambogia?

Garcinia is mainly sold as capsules, which usually contain a hydroxycitric acid value of 600 milligrams of active ingredient. Tamarind is also available in tablet form, which usually contains more than 60 percent hydroxycitric acid. The fruit itself can also be taken and consumed instead of capsules and tablets, the important hydroxycitric acid is in the dried shell and from this the high hydroxycitric acid value for the production of capsules and tablets of the Garcinia food supplement is obtained.

What should I watch out for when using the Garcinia Cambogia dosage and why?

The tamarind works best when slimming if the dosage is exactly adhered to, with a guideline value of between 750 and 3000 milligrams, which must not be exceeded, and the intake of hydroxycitric acid should take place about an hour before the meal and the dosage should be based on the nutritional value of the respective meal. A higher dosage is indicated on the packaging, but this is not recommended, because different manufacturers process different amounts of hydroxycitric acid in their products and the usual daily dosage is between 750 and 3000 milligrams, which should be taken best in the morning – where the active ingredient can spread better and faster. Otherwise, Garcinia Cambogia should be taken at least 30 minutes before the meal. Overdoses are also possible with this food supplement and can lead to stomach upset, diarrhea, dizziness and headaches.

In addition, it is only a dietary supplement and the tamarind alone can hardly work without a corresponding change in diet and without exercise.

Where is Garcinia Cambogia contained?

Except in the fruit of Garcinia or the tamarind itself, the active substance HCA is not contained in any other food or in any other food supplement in this high concentration, even if the molecule HCA is contained in limes, lemons and artichokes, it is present in too low doses for it to act as a dietary and appetite suppressant like the Malabar tamarind.

Are there any variations of Garcinia Cambogia in the dietary supplement?

The only food supplement that is a modification or alternative to Garcinia is the so-called Glucomannan (konjac flour/devil tongue), which has been confirmed by studies as an effective means of weight reduction and against hunger attacks due to its strong swelling effect. This, however, offers a safety warning that only people without swallowing difficulties or the like may take this product, otherwise there is a danger of suffocation.

What are the general Garcinia Cambogia opinions?

The general opinions about Garcinia are quite divided – while there are users who were satisfied, there are more and more voices, like Pharmavista, who say that Garcinia products sell “unrealistic promises of success”. This is how ÖKO-TEST sees it.

Evaluation of Garcinia Cambogia funds

For example, the ratings of Garcinia resources on amazon.de are pretty bad and it only gets one star. On less independent sites, however, you can find better to enthusiastic and even highly enthusiastic reviews. Only a few products really give away what they promise and you should definitely pay attention to the reviews of other users and that you use reputable providers. In addition, you should be aware that Garcinia only supports weight loss, but it does not work alone, so it can only start to work through exercise and dietary change.

Is Garcinia Cambogia over-the-counter?

Garcinia or Malabar tamarind is a non-prescription product that is available everywhere in various online shops and can be ordered from there.

External source references

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3. Semwal RB, et al. Fitoterapia. 2015. Fitoterapia. 2015 Apr;102:134-48. doi: 10.1016/j.fitote.2015.02.012. Epub 2015 Feb 27: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/25732350/?i=2&from=/26667686/related
4. Preuss HG, et al. J Med. 2004. J Med. 2004;35(1-6):33-48: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/18084863/?i=2&from=/25732350/related
5. Roy S, et al. Gene Expr. 2004. Gene Expr. 2004;11(5-6):251-62. Laboratory of Molecular Medicine, Department of Surgery, The Ohio State University Medical Center, Columbus, OH 43210, USA: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/15200237/?i=4&from=/25732350/related