Uses for Garcinia

Garcia, or Garcinia cambogia, is also known as brindleberry, hydroxycitric acid or HCA, brindal berry, brindle berry, gorikapuli, HCA, hydroxycitrate, hydroxycitric acid, kankusta, Malabar tamarind and vrikshamla. Garcinia is related to mangosteen fruit, tamarind, Malabar nut and gamboge. The chemical properties of Garcinia cambogia differ from that of its "cousins." According to the U.S. Army Center for Health Promotion and Preventive Medicine, garcinia is native to India, where it has been used as a folk remedy. The active principle of garcinia is HCA derived from the fruit and rind. This article is not an endorsement of use for Garcinia cambogia. Discuss it with your health practitioner before using it.

Weight Loss

In modern times, garcinia has become the subject of medical research as an appetite suppressant and weight-loss agent. The theory regarding garcinia and weight loss is that HCA interferes with the storage and creation of fat. Animal research suggests that HCA is an appetite suppressant. Laboratory experiments suggest that garcinia inhibits the accumulation of lipid droplets in fat cells. According to the Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database, Garcinia cambogia is "possibly ineffective" for use in weight reduction. Further human studies are needed to determine whether garcinia acts to sustain satiety and decrease food intake.

HCA is available for use in weight loss. The oral dosage is 500mg four times per day. An extract that contains 50 percent HCA can also be used at a dosage of 1000mg three times daily. There are no known interactions of garcinia with drugs or food. Women who are pregnant or breast feeding should not take garcinia cambogia.

Garcinia cambogia doesn't have amphetamine-like properties such as central stimulation. It's recommended that it not be used for periods in excess of 12 weeks. Safety of Garcinia cambogia for long-term use has not been determined.

Garcinia cambogia is an ingredient in the following weight-loss supplements: Super Citrimax, Metabolife Ephedra-Free, Garcinia 1,000, Procuts and Awe Slim.

Other Uses

Technical Resources International says Garcinia cambogia has also been
used for the treatment of constipation, rheumatism, dyspepsia and elevated serum cholesterol and triglycerides. Garcina is often used as raw material for cosmetics and as a spice in southeastern Asia.

Cautions

It's believed that garcinia may act to lower blood sugar, and may cause formation of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine in the brain. For these reasons, use of garcinia is not advised for diabetics and people with Alzheimer's disease.
According to a report prepared by Technical Resources International for the National Cancer Institute, extract of Garcinia cambogia can "theoretically interact" with "antiarrhythmics, nitrates, and calcium-channel blockers; antagonism of beta-adrenoreceptor blocking drugs; potentiation of cardiac glycosides; increased risk of hypokalemia; and risk of arrhythmia when combined with depolarizing muscle relaxants or terfenadine." Do not use Garcinia cambogia without first consulting your doctor.