Hydroxycitrate HCA is an active ingredient that is extracted from the rind of the Indian fruit, Garcinia cambogia, which is available as an herbal supplement and promoted as a weight loss agent. Chronic administration of garcinia extract promotes lipid oxidation and spares carbohydrate utilization.

Here is a list of supplements that suppress appetite, help with weight loss, manage cholesterol levels, or improve metabolic syndrome. Many of these are found in a product called Diet Rx
Ginger root (Zingiber officinalis), Green-Tea-Extract (Camellia sinensis, standardized to contain 50% polyphenols), Spirulina (Spirulina platensis), Hoodia-Extract (Hoodia gordonii, 20 to 1 extract), CLA fatty acids, Cinnamon root (Cinnamomum cassia), Apple-Cider-Vinegar, Apple pectin, Garcubua extract CitriMax HCA-600 SXS (standardized to contain 60% Hydroxycitric acid), Glucomannan konjac 4 to 1 extract, Alpha-Lipoic, Grapefruit extract (Citrus paradise, 4 to 1 extract), Acetyl-l-Carnitine. Banaba extract (standardized to contain 1 % corosolic acid), 5-HTP, Choline bitartrate, Inositol, Carnitine (Hcl), Pomegranate (standardized to contain 40 % ellagic acid), Bitter melon extract (Momordica charantia), Psyllium husk, Coleus forskohlii (standardized to contain 10 % Forskolin ), Fenugreek seed extract 4 to 1 (Trigonella foenum), Guggul herb (standardized to contain 10 % guggulsterones), and Inulin. Other products to consider include Chitosan.

Natrol Pure Citrimax, Hydroxycitric Acid derived from Garcinia Cambogia
Natrol Pure CitriMax is derived from the dried rind of Garcinia Cambogia, a native fruit of India. CitriMax contains high concentrations of hydroxycitric acid, verified by HPLC to guarantee potency and quality.

CitriMax Supplement Facts:
Hydroxycitric Acid HCA - 250 mg
     (Standardized extract from Garcinia cambogia fruit)

Click here to buy Garcinia cambogia extract CitriMax get a FREE Diet Rx Bottle

For a natural sugar alternative, see stevia benefit information. Does apple cider vinegar diet work?

Garcinia extract research
Garcinia cambogia is able to decrease the acidity and to increase the mucosal defense in the gastric areas, thereby justifying its use as an anti-ulcerogenic agent.

Garcinia extract was isolated from the fruit of the Garcinia cambogia and was used as a potential antiobesity agent. In week 3 of culture with insulin, the fat cells exhibited more numerous and larger intracytoplasmic lipid droplets (i.e. 30-40 microm(2)). When Garcinia extract and insulin were added simultaneously, the accumulation of lipid droplets was inhibited and the peak droplet area shifted to become smaller (10-20 microm(2)). The activities of glycerophosphate dehydrogenase, a marker of adipose differentiation, were not significantly inhibited by the garcinia extract. These findings suggest that the Garcinia extract inhibits lipid droplet accumulation in fat cells without affecting adipose conversion.

1998 Garcinia extract article in JAMA
Hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in the herbal compound Garcinia cambogia, competitively inhibits the extramitochondrial enzyme adenosine triphosphate-citrate (pro-3S)-lyase. As a citrate cleavage enzyme that may play an essential role in de novo lipogenesis inhibition, G cambogia is claimed to lower body weight and reduce fat mass in humans. To evaluate the efficacy of Garcinia extract for body weight and fat mass loss in overweight human subjects. Twelve-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Overweight men and women subjects (mean body mass index [weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters], approximately 32 kg/m2). Subjects were randomized to receive either active herbal compound (1500 mg of hydroxycitric acid per day) or placebo, and both groups were prescribed a high-fiber, low-energy diet. The treatment period was 12 weeks. Garcinia cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo.

Summary
Garcinia extract, by itself, is unlikely to lead to weight loss, but in combination with other nutrients and herbs it may have potential.

Garcinia Cambogia extract Research Update
Effects of hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables.
Mattes RD, Bormann L. Purdue University, 212 Stone Hall, West Lafayette, IN 47907-1264, USA.
Physiol Behav. 2000 Oct 1-15;71(1-2):87-94.
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) reportedly promotes weight loss, in part, through suppression of hunger. However, this mechanism has never been evaluated in humans in a controlled study. Eighty-nine mildly overweight females were prescribed 5020-kJ diets for 12 weeks as part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Forty-two participants ingested 400-mg caplets of Garcinia cambogia 30-60 min prior to meals for a total dose of 2.4 g/day (1.2 g/day HCA). Forty-seven participants ingested matched placebos. Weight and body composition were assessed at baseline and every other week for 12 weeks. Food intake and appetitive variables were assessed at baseline and monthly for 12 weeks. Both groups lost body weight with the active group achieving a significantly greater reduction. No effects of the HCA were observed on appetitive variables. The active treatment group did not exhibit better dietary compliance or significant correlations between appetitive variables and energy intake or weight change. This study does not support a satiety effect of HCA.

Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial.
Heymsfield SB. besity Research Center, St Luke's-Roosevelt Hospital, Columbia University College of Physicians and Surgeons, New York, NY 10025, USA.
Hydroxycitric acid, the active ingredient in the herbal compound Garcinia cambogia, competitively inhibits the extramitochondrial enzyme adenosine triphosphate-citrate (pro-3S)-lyase. As a citrate cleavage enzyme that may play an essential role in de novo lipogenesis inhibition, G cambogia is claimed to lower body weight and reduce fat mass in humans. To evaluate the efficacy of Garcinia cambogia for body weight and fat mass loss in overweight human subjects. Twelve-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Overweight men and women subjects (mean body mass index [weight in kilograms divided by the square of height in meters], approximately 32 kg/m2). Subjects were randomized to receive either active herbal compound (1500 mg of hydroxycitric acid per day) or placebo, and both groups were prescribed a high-fiber, low-energy diet. The treatment period was 12 weeks. Body weight was evaluated every other week and fat mass was measured at weeks 0 and 12. Body weight change and fat mass change. A total of 135 subjects were randomized to either active hydroxycitric acid or placebo ; 42 (64%) in the active hydroxycitric acid group and 42 (61%) in the placebo group completed 12 weeks of treatment. Patients in both groups lost a significant amount of weight during the 12-week treatment period; however, between-group weight loss differences were not statistically significant. There were no significant differences in estimated percentage of body fat mass loss between treatment groups, and the fraction of subject weight loss as fat was not influenced by treatment group. Garcinia cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo.

Garcinia cambogia extract research
Q. I read about your articles in the internet about Garcinia combogia extract. I would like to ask for your advice. I'm taking Garcinia combogia and xenadrine nrg (which i get it from the GNC outlet's nutritionist) with Xenical (given by my doctor). Just to ask for your opinion, is it Ok for me to take it like that?
    A. We cannot say since different people react differently and the dose makes a big difference. All we do is provide general research on these supplements and it is up to the consumer and their doctor to decide.

Q. I am considering ordering some supplement products. However, I presently have a supplement product called Super Citrimax with 750 mg. It includes kelp and ginseng under the product name of NOW. I have high blood pressure, and noticed after taking it I had dry mouth and my blood pressure elevated for no unknown reason. I had only eaten lightly through the day with miso soup for dinner. Do you know if the garcinia cambogia or ginseng which is in some of products could interact with a rise in blood pressure? My physician does not have the answer for he does not know about herbal complexes.
   A. We are not certain how garcinia influences blood pressure, but ginseng may raise blood pressure in some people if the dosage is high. The influence of most of these herbs is dose related, meaning low dosages would not have much of an influence on blood pressure whereas high dosages would. It may be an option to take half of a capsule of this garcinia ginseng combination.

Index of Supplements, Herbs and Natural Therapies garcinia extract garcinia benefits Supplements and Herbal Index garcinia extract