Garcinia Cambogia: The Next Discovery in Weight Loss?

Ever since a notable TV doctor started talking about it, garcinia cambogia has had resurgence in popularity amongst the health-oriented.   This little pumpkin fruit has actually been around for over 10 years and been used for weight loss but it also has a few other amazing health benefits.  Let me tell you about them…

Boost Your Health While You Lose Weight

Garcinia Cambogia is an odd-looking little pumpkin shaped fruit called the gambooge that is native to Southeast Asia and India. It has been used for centuries in traditional Indian (Ayurvedic) medicine to treat constipation, intestinal parasites, delayed menstruation, and swelling.  However, it started to be used for its weight loss properties when it was discovered that it also had fat burning, energy boosting, and appetite suppressing properties.  The rind of the fruit is what actually is used as it contains high amounts of hydroxycitric acid or HCA.

It wasn’t until research out of Georgetown University in Washington D.C. revealed their findings on garcinia cambogia did it start to really become thought of as a serious weight loss supplement.  In their 2004 study, the researchers at Georgetown University studied moderately obese Indian participants for 8 weeks. The participants were not asked to change their regular diet or anything else they did – just take the garcinia cambogia or the placebo.

At the end of the 8 weeks, the researchers found that those participants who had taken the garcinia cambogia had decreased their BMI (body mass index) by 5-6%.  Surprising side effects were also noted in that the participants also had reduced their “bad” LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and serum leptin levels (hunger hormones that increase appetite), and normalized blood sugar and insulin levels.  They also had increased output of urinary fat excretion demonstrating that the garcinia was actively burning fat and excreting it in these individuals.

But that wasn’t all…the researchers also found that garcinia cambogia also boosted serotonin “feel good” brain chemicals.  These hormones can help decrease appetite by boosting your mood and help you sleep better by decreasing the hormone leptin.  The happier you feel, the less you feel the desire to overeat. The more sleep you’ve gotten the lower your leptin levels are.

Their conclusion was that garcinia cambogia, with high concentrations of HCA, was a safe, and effective formula to help with weight loss. It was also found to not stimulate the central nervous system which causes the uncomfortable “jitters” of many weight loss supplements.

How Do You Take Garcinia Cambogia?

First of all, you should look for a 100% pure garcinia extract with 60% of HCA in 1500 mg dosage.  Be sure that the product you buy was manufactured in an FDA regulated laboratory. That’s the only way you can assure that it contains the correct amount of HCA and was produced under the highest standards.

Second, garcinia cambogia is taken about 30 minutes before meals to allow it to give you the greatest appetite suppressing benefit.  Third, even though the Georgetown study participants did nothing but take the garcinia, I feel the supplement would work even better/faster if you:

1.  Eat healthier:  Get rid of/decrease high sugar, high animal fat, and white flour foods.

2.  Exercise at least 3-4 times a week for 20-30 minutes.

3.  Drink plenty of water – 0.5 ounce for each pound of body weight (90 ounces water for 180 lb).

Weight loss isn’t easy – it takes a lot of determined effort.  But if you’re willing to put in the effort, I feel garcinia cambogia may be just what you need to jump-start your successful weight loss and keep your numbers going down on the scale.  And, who can beat the bonus health benefits of improved LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and blood sugar in addition to boosting your mood? I’ve had a few patients who’ve tried garcinia and they’ve lost a few pounds and even sleep better.  Maybe you want to give it a try too?