The fact of the matter is that Garcinia Cambogia supplements seem to divide opinion. You will find plenty of people who consider this amazing little fruit definitely works when used as a weight loss aid.
The supplement first came to prominence in 2012 when it became clear that scientific evidence confirmed that it was safe and effective to use.
This obviously prompted many more people who are looking to lose weight, to go out and buy Garcinia Cambogia, so what is it all about and will it work for you?
Long history
You might be forgiven for thinking that Garcinia Cambogia has only recently be discovered, but it is a familiar fruit in Asia and India that has been consumed over a number of centuries.
It has certainly been around for a very long time and the important point about this fruit is that the natural fruit rind contains somewhere in the region of 25% of the hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and the Garcinia Cambogia Extract (GCE) that is used in the weight-loss supplements, consists of about 60% of HCA as its active ingredient.
How it works
Studies show that the supplement has the potential to aid weight loss by having the effect of making patients feel fuller at a faster rate than normal and it also helps to turn the food we consume in to a usable energy source rather than being stored as fat.
There is also evidence to suggest that people who tend to overeat due as a result of emotional stressors, might be helped by a Garcinia Cambogia supplement as it has a serotonin effect to improve your mood.
Other benefits
Another potentially positive attribute relating to this supplement is the fact that some studies demonstrated that patients could gain more lean body mass when using the supplement in conjunction with a health exercise and diet regime.
Another study relating to Garcinia Cambogia supplements observed that even if no significant weight loss was actually achieved, there was a discernible shift of body mass towards more lean muscle mass which led to an improved body composition.
Good to know
The fact that this supplement has the potential ability to improve your body composition for the better is a point that is worth remembering when considering if you want to try this particular supplement.
So many people are discouraged very quickly with weight-loss programs when they don’t see any progress for their efforts when they step on the scales. If your clothes are feeling looser on you and you appear to be more noticeably toned, it is good to know that your body composition is improving even if your weight is not shifting as you expected it to.
Not a total solution
Whether you are a fan of this supplement or not, it is not reasonable to view it as a total solution for your weight-loss attempts.
You can consider Garcinia Cambogia supplements as a potential tool in your quest to improve your weight and how you look and feel about yourself but in addition, you need to adopt a healthy diet and take regular exercise if you are going to succeed to improve your quest for a better shape and weight.
More evidence required
Some of the results from preliminary studies show great promise for this supplement but it is way too early to confidently call it a safe and regular solution to sustained weight-loss.
Larger studies need to be conducted before you gain further confidence that the supplement has longer term benefits, especially when you view the fact that studies have largely been conducted over a 12 week period, so the long-term effects and benefits are yet to be fully proven.
People have of course been consuming these fruit for hundreds of years so it is not likely to be harmful when consumed naturally, but it is the higher HCA when it is in extract form that needs further studies to confirm its effectiveness more conclusively.
If in doubt
The small studies carried out so far suggest that dosages of between 1,500 and 3000mg per day should be considered relatively safe over a twelve week period.
If you are in any doubt as to its suitability for you or if you are on other regular medications, you should check with your physician.
The general conclusion would be that Garcinia Cambogia supplements can have a positive effect on your weight-loss attempts, as long as you also adopt a healthy diet and take regular exercise as well.
Angela Montgomery is a former nutritionist for several celebrity clients. She now spends her time blogging and traveling. She enjoys sharing her insights through blogging.