Here is What You Should Know About Garcinia Cambogia Health Benefits & Side Effects
With strong endorsements from health and wellness gurus like Dr. Oz, garcinia cambogia is one of the hottest trends in the natural weight loss and wellness community.
Not only has garcinia cambogia been linked to natural weight loss, but it has also been suggested that this extract can support lower cholesterol, better insulin regulation, and even stabilized mood levels.
Before adding this extract to your daily heath plan, however, you should understand the full range of garcinia extract cambogia benefits and side effects to ensure that you make the best decision for your health.
In this AdvisoryHQ review, we’ll cover the full range of garcinia cambogia benefits for weight loss and overall health, along with potential garcinia side effects and reviews from actual users to support your journey towards better health.
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Garcinia Cambogia Health Benefits | How Can Garcinia Cambogia Improve Your Health?
Users have reported a wide range of garcinia benefits, spanning from appetite suppression to increased energy. Before diving into the most commonly reported garcinia benefits, let’s take a look at why garcinia cambogia can improve your health.
The active ingredient in garcinia cambogia is called HCA, or hydroxycitric acid. It plays a role in the formation of fat cells, which is why the weight loss community is so interested in exploring the benefits of HCA. According to reviews from users, HCA may have the following benefits:
- Appetite suppression
- Fewer cravings for sugary or fatty foods
- Mood stabilization
- More energy and better ability to concentrate
- Better bowel movements
- Improved cholesterol
- Stabilized levels of blood sugar
In the sections below, we’ll take a closer look at the most commonly reported garcinia health benefits: weight loss, decreased cholesterol, decreased appetite, and insulin regulation.
Weight Loss
One of the most popularly advertised garcinia cambogia benefits come from weight loss studies. These suggest that garcinia extract may help with incremental weight loss through blocking an enzyme called adenosine triphosphate-citrate-lyase, which contributes to creating fat cells.
A significant issue with these studies, however, is that results are extremely mixed. Some participants report slight decreases in weight, while others report no change at all. Interestingly, some studies have shown that one of the potential garcinia cambogia side effects could even be an increase in weight.
When it comes to weight loss, studies show that garcinia cambogia benefits are incremental. In 2011, a study published by the Journal of Obesity showed an average difference of two pounds lost.
Garcinia Cambogia Extract Side Effects
Decreased Cholesterol
Lower cholesterol is another popular result in the list of garcinia cambogia health benefits. The active ingredient in garcinia extract, HCA, may lower triglycerides and increase “good” cholesterol (HDL) when combined with a healthy diet and regular exercise routine.
However, according to WebMD, garcinia cambogia is not recommended for use in those already on medication. In these cases, the garcinia cambogia benefits are not significant enough to make a difference in cholesterol levels—and could even interact poorly with existing medications.
Decreased Appetite
Part of why garcinia cambogia may provide weight loss benefits is through appetite suppression. Some users report that they feel less hungry while taking garcinia cambogia extract, helping them adopt better eating habits throughout the day.
This may be a side effect of the HCA, which contributes to the production of serotonin. Higher levels of serotonin are linked to mood elevation; for those who tend to eat during periods of depression, an increase in serotonin may help control their appetite, thereby supporting their weight loss goals.
Stabilized Levels of Blood Sugar
Another of the reported garcinia cambogia benefits is stabilized blood sugar. This may be a result of HCA helping to improve the way that cells turn sugar into energy, improving the body’s reaction to insulin.
For those who are planning on taking garcinia cambogia for its purported blood sugar regulation, however, it is important to consult with a doctor first. Studies have suggested that some users experience the opposite effect, with blood sugar levels decreasing to potentially dangerous levels.
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Garcinia Cambogia Health Benefits | Are Garcinia Benefits Legit?
Overview of Garcinia Benefits | Lack of FDA Regulation
When considering whether garcinia cambogia extract benefits are legit, there are a few key components to keep in mind. First, because they are a supplement and not a medication, garcinia cambogia pills and extracts are not regulated by the FDA.
This means that the actual HCA percentage, additional ingredients, and directions on how to take garcinia cambogia can vary greatly from one brand to the next. With this in mind, users must exercise caution to read the label, research any additional ingredients, and speak with their primary care physician.
Overview of Garcinia Benefits | Lack of Scientific Study
Experts agree that there are simply not enough scientific studies or objective research to definitively conclude that garcinia cambogia health benefits are legit.
Although there are plenty of positive reviews from users reporting a wide range of improvements to their health—especially when it comes to garcinia cambogia benefits for weight loss—researchers and doctors state that the link between garcinia extract and weight loss is inconclusive.
As one example, in an interview with Women’s Health, medical weight-loss expert Sue Decotiis, MD, says:
Most brands of garcinia cambogia extract diet pills, including big names, have failed independent laboratory quality and quantity testing…Also, there have been no large-scale trials comparing garcinia to placeboes or other supplements. There probably will never be any objective data on garcinia.
Garcinia Cambogia Benefits and Weight Loss
While some studies do exist, they are few and far between, and do not demonstrate a definitive link for garcinia cambogia benefits for weight loss. For example, a 2013 study showed appetite reduction and increased serotonin levels when taking a form of garcinia cambogia extract.
At the same time, however, it was also found that these subjects also had a genetic predisposition to weight management, skewing the results of the study. Furthermore, participants actually showed contradicting results (some even gained weight), showing that further research is needed to fully understand the link between garcinia cambogia benefits for weight loss and overall health.
Overview of Garcinia Benefits | Class Action Lawsuit
While outlining the possible garcinia cambogia health benefits, it’s also worth considering that there is an ongoing lawsuit against Dr. Oz, a vocal supporter of garcinia cambogia benefits for weight loss.
In 2016, a class action lawsuit was filed claiming that:
- Oz knowingly endorsed garcinia cambogia without any proof of its effectiveness from the scientific community
- Oz failed to disclose paid spokespersons in endorsements for garcinia cambogia extract benefits
Recent data shows that claims of fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and violations of consumer protection remain with the court. Although this lawsuit focuses on Labrada, a specific brand of garcinia cambogia extract, it demonstrates an ongoing issue of supplement manufacturers overemphasizing benefits and misleading users.
Related: Does Garcinia Cambogia Work? Is it Safe? Everything You Need to Know
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Garcinia Cambogia Side Effects | Potential Garcinia Side Effects
Before taking any supplement, it’s important to understand the potential side effects. Garcinia cambogia users have reported a range of potential side effects, including:
- Feeling weak
- Low blood sugar
- Fatigue or brain fog
- Skin rashes
- Lowered immune system
- Dry mouth and bad breath
- Headaches
- Weight gain
- Unstable blood sugar levels
- Digestive issues like stomach upset or nausea
For some users, these potential side effects could mean that garcinia cambogia extract should either be taken under doctor supervision or avoided entirely. Other potential side effects that are less commonly reported—but much more severe—include:
- Liver damage
- Liver failure
- Death
See the section below for an overview of the potential garcinia cambogia side effects on the liver.
Garcinia Cambogia Side Effects on Your Liver
In 2009, the FDA issued a warning against popular weight loss supplement Hydroxycut after multiple reports of liver damage and one death. A total of 23 cases of liver failure were reported as a result of taking Hydroxycut.
The weight loss supplement had been recalled five years earlier for the same health risk, in 2004. In both formulations, garcinia cambogia was a primary ingredient, leading many to believe that the extract may be the source of severe liver side effects over time.
Should you be worried about garcinia cambogia side effects on your liver? This is difficult to answer, as opinions are largely divided. While many researchers and physicians suggest that pure garcinia cambogia pills side effects may include liver damage, there is still not enough evidence to prove a definitive link.
Although a 2016 study notes that there is enough evidence for negative garcinia cambogia side effects to “warrant a high index of suspicion,” they ultimately conclude that more research is needed.
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Garcinia Cambogia Side Effects and Benefits | Reviews
A great way to determine if garcinia cambogia is right for you is to look at garcinia cambogia side effects and benefits from a user’s perspective. In the sections below, we’ll look at garcinia cambogia reviews and side effects from consumers who have actually tried the supplement for themselves.
Garcinia Cambogia Reviews and Side Effects | Quality Encapsulations
Quality Encapsulations has over 11,300 reviews on Amazon, with an overall rating of 4.1 stars out of 5. According to users, garcinia cambogia health benefits outweigh the side effects, with 56 percent of reviewers giving a full 5-star rating.
Many users praise garcinia cambogia for being both effective and affordable. that state that the product is both affordable and effective. The most commonly reported garcinia cambogia benefits include weight loss, higher energy levels, and lower appetite.
Sixteen percent of users reported experiencing no garcinia cambogia health benefits, saying that the Quality Encapsulations formula did not affect their weight loss goals or overall health.
Garcinia Cambogia Side Effects and Benefits | NatureWise
NatureWise is another popular garcinia cambogia supplement, with more than 14,200 reviews and an overall rating of 4.0 stars out of 5.
Fifty-nine percent of users gave their experience a full 5-star rating, with some stating that they have lost as much as 60 pounds by incorporating garcinia cambogia into a diet and exercise routine. Among these, the most commonly reported benefit is appetite suppression.
Thirteen percent of users gave NatureWise a 1-star rating, the lowest possible score. While many garcinia cambogia reviews and side effects state that they experienced no change in their appetite or weight loss, others report side effects like digestive upset, weight gain, bloating, and dehydration.
Garcinia Cambogia Side Effects and Benefits | New Life Botanicals
New Life Botanicals claims to provide the highest percentage of HCA. The supplement has over 400 reviews on Amazon and a rating of 3.1 out of 5.
A total of 29 percent of users gave a full 5-star rating, reporting garcinia cambogia benefits like reduced appetite, fewer food cravings, and higher energy. Many users say that they lost anywhere between four to 10 pounds in a week with garcinia cambogia extract.
Thirty-one percent of users gave New Life Botanicals a 1-star rating. The most common garcinia cambogia extract side effects are that the pills had no effect at all—even for users that already had a regular diet and exercise regimen.
Garcinia Cambogia Side Effects and Benefits | NutraTech Garcinia Plus
NutraTech Garcinia Plus has nearly 500 reviews and a total rating of 4.3 out of 5 stars. An impressive 80 percent of users gave a full 5-star rating, reporting garcinia cambogia health benefits like weight loss, increased energy, and appetite suppression.
Only 10 percent of users gave a 1-star rating. Interestingly, one of the most commonly reported pure garcinia cambogia side effects is that the extract simply does not work. Nearly all users that gave a negative rating said that they felt no change in their weight loss, appetite, or energy levels while taking garcinia extract.
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Conclusion: Are Garcinia Cambogia Benefits Worth It?
Could the list of possible garcinia benefits give you the weight loss boost that you need? Should you be worried about pure garcinia cambogia side effects? The answers largely depend on your individual goals and current level of health.
Some garcinia cambogia pills side effects are minimal and last only a short while, like digestive upset or bloating. Over time, however, other possible garcinia side effects can pose a serious threat to your health, like liver damage, liver failure, and—as recent studies suggest—even death.
Although user reviews are largely positive, scientific studies have proven only a small correlation between positive garcinia cambogia side effects like weight loss and better health—a correlation which has, over time, become significantly exaggerated by supplement manufacturers, earning garcinia cambogia an overall rating of 2 stars out of 5.
If you are considering garcinia cambogia extract side effects and benefits, your best option is to consult with your doctor before adding this supplement to your daily routine.
Not only do studies suggest that garcinia cambogia pills side effects could create serious health problems, but they also show that the supplement may conflict with existing medications and conditions. For this reason, adding a new supplement like garcinia cambogia to your diet is not a decision that should be taken lightly.
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