Garcinia Cambogia

Background

• Garcinia cambogia is a tree native to India and Southeast Asia, where it is commonly found in evergreen forests. The fruit has been used as a tea in folk medicine for inflammation and stomach complaints, while the fruit rind has a history of traditional use as a food preservative.
• The fruit rind contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which has been studied for its effect on appetite. The fruit rind is also known for its extensive culinary purposes.
• Today, garcinia cambogia products with HCA are promoted as a dietary supplement for appetite control and weight loss.

How Much Do We Know?

• Several studies have investigated the effect of garcinia cambogia on weight loss in people. Less research has been done on other uses of garcinia cambogia. 
• Numerous reports of liver toxicity have been reported in people who were taking garcinia cambogia products.

What Have We Learned?

• It’s unclear whether garcinia cambogia products help with weight loss. Some evidence suggests a modest effect, while other evidence shows no effect. More research is needed to confirm any effects.

What Do We Know About Safety?

• It may be unsafe to consume garcinia cambogia products, including multi-ingredient products containing garcinia cambogia extract. Several cases of liver damage have been reported. Some of these cases were severe, but this appears to be uncommon. 
• Other side effects associated with consuming garcinia cambogia include headache, nausea, diarrhea, and other gastrointestinal symptoms.
• Interactions between garcinia cambogia and some drugs affecting the liver and some drugs affecting serotonin (a chemical made by nerve cells) have been reported, and there are theoretical reasons to suspect that garcinia cambogia might interact with other drugs as well. If you take any type of medicine, talk with your health care provider before using garcinia cambogia or other herbal products; some herbs and medicines interact in harmful ways. 
• Little is known about whether it’s safe to use garcinia cambogia during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. 

Keep in Mind

• Take charge of your health—talk with your health care providers about any complementary health approaches you use. Together, you can make shared, well-informed decisions.
• Federal Regulation of Herbal Products
  • Depending on what’s in them, how they’re intended to be used, and how they’re administered (orally or topically), herbal products are regulated in a variety of ways. Many herbal products intended for oral use are marketed as dietary supplements. The rules for making and distributing dietary supplements are less strict than those for drugs.
  • Unlike drugs, dietary supplements are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) before they are sold to the public. When public health concerns arise about the safety of a dietary supplement or an ingredient including an herb, the FDA can take action to protect the public. Manufacturers and distributors of supplements are responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure that they meet all regulatory requirements. 

For More Information

• Using Dietary Supplements Wisely
• Know the Science: How Medications and Supplements Can Interact
• Know the Science: How To Make Sense of a Scientific Journal Article

Key References