Garcinia Cambogia Fruit Extract

For years, people have been searching for the safest, most effective way to lose unwanted fat and gain a leaner, sexier and healthier body. Unfortunately, not all of these people were successful enough in their quest; and for the few who did reach their goal, the journey had been a tough one. Rigorous exercise routines and the strictest diet plans may have been followed along the way, which in one false move, could immediately lead to failure.

It is not yet a lost cause, however, as weight loss experts still continue the search for the so-called Holy Grail in losing unwanted fats.

History: Where did the Garcinia Cambogia come from originally?

If you have not heard of the Garcinia Cambogia fruit then it would not be too surprising. This fruit, also called the Cambooge, resembles that of a small pumpkin and originated in Indonesia. Before its widespread use in the western world became popular, many Southeast Asian regions have already made use of the fruit as an addition to their soups, mostly because of its ability to make one “feel full” right away.

The Garcinia Cambogia comes from a flowering evergreen plant with drooping branches that mostly grow on moist forests. The fruit is usually yellow in color and oval in shape and could be roughly about the size of an orange or a grapefruit. It also has a distinctive sour-sweet taste.

What makes the Garcinia Cambogia so popular for weight loss?

The real fat losing ability of the Garcinia Cambogia actually comes from the hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a derivative of the citric acid, which is extracted from the fruit rind. But how does such substance actually work in the body to help it lose the excess fats?

According to the experts, one of the main reasons of the fruit’s increasing popularity in the field of weight loss is its ability to suppress one’s appetite. The actual science behind this is yet to be studied further but among the things that have been observed is that the hydroxycitric acid has a tendency to lower one’s blood sugar. As such, a person’s appetite and cravings for sweets and other carbohydrates are suppressed. Because of this, a person is able to take in lesser amounts of calories every day yet still feel full and satisfied.

Another reason why the hydroxycitric acid coming from the Garcinia Cambogia extract is found very effective is its ability to burn fats. How does this happen exactly? Experts claim that the existence of the HCA substance in the body inhibits an enzyme called the citrate lyase, which signals the body to turn excess carbohydrates into fat. Instead, what it does is boost the body to go into carbohydrate oxidation process or, in simpler terms, it triggers the body to burn off the extra carbohydrates instead of store it into the body as fat.

The Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) has published the 12-week study that had been conducted to prove the efficacy of the Garcinia Cambogia in terms of losing excess fats in the body. The study was done on overweight men and women who were randomly chosen to receive a Garcinia Cambogia supplement and placebo drug. Both groups were found to have lost quite a significant amount of weight, however, between groups, a remarkable difference in the body mass lost was not observed. Many believe that the high-fiber diet that the subjects followed throughout the study interfered with the body’s ability to absorb HCA, which made it look ineffective.

Health Benefits of the Fruit

The maximum potential of the HCA extracts from the Garcinia Cambogia fruit is yet to be proven. However, in the years that it had been used by natives as a part of their meals, the pumpkin-like fruit is said to have been effective in other aspects.

For one, the Garcinia Cambogia is said to be effective in treating gastic ulcers. In fact, a study conducted in 2002 had shown that the plant contains garcinol, which is known to effectively lower the acidity level in the stomach. It is also said to help protect the gastric mucosa. The rind of the fruit has also been used as an astringent as well as a treatment for those suffering from diarrhea, dysentery and other gastric and duodenal ulcers.

Experts also claim that aside from its fat burning ability, the HCA found in the Garcinia Cambogia extracts is also effective in reducing blood lipid levels thus effectively lowering blood cholesterol. In more recent studies, it has also been found that the fruit could be used to protect one’s body from external toxins, such as those found in alcohol, as it can prevent the cells in the liver from becoming fibrotic.

Taking in the Garcinia Cambogia is not just effective as a weight loss supplement but it can also bring about many other health benefits. However, people suffering from diabetes milletus or Alzheimer’s disease and lactating and pregnant women are not allowed to take them in. It may also be advised to consult a medical professional before taking these supplements.