Stephanie Lee

DHN 510- Research Project Outline- Garcinia Cambogia and Weight Loss
In the United States 35.7% of people are obese [1]. According to the World Health
Organization in 2008 more than 1.4 billion adults are overweight and at least 500 million adults
are obese [2]. Many Americans are looking for a miracle aside from diet and exercise to cure
their obesity and drop weight rapidly [3]. Garcinia cambogia is a pumpkin-shaped fruit that is
grown in South Asia that has the natural active ingredient hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Proponents
claim that HCA burns 2-3 times more fat in the body by slowing down its production and lowers
cholesterol as stated in the media. HCA has been discussed specifically on the Dr. Oz show and
referenced in countless products such as Healthy Solutions for Vitality and Live Tru Nutrition.
While the television show Dr. Oz advocates garcinia cambogia as the newest, fastest
revolutionary fat-buster, proof of hydroxycitric acid as a safe method for weight loss is
questionable as garcinia cambogia is not regulated by the FDA [2]. Chromium, calcium, and
potassium are other commonly found ingredients in most garcinia cambogia supplements which
are dangerous in toxic quantities and raise concerns about carcinogenesis[3]. Chromium can
exist in different forms and may cause cancer and other disease, thus it is highly important that
products be FDA regulated for safety [4]. Garcinia cambogia supplements are promoted as a
safe and rapid weight loss method as claimed in many health and beauty magazines; however,
more research is needed to determine the health and safety of these products.
Hydroxycitric acid acts by inhibiting the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase which could inhibit
lipogenesis [5]. Hydroxycitric acid has also been suggested to improve serotonin levels by
increasing them, leading to appetite suppression [7]. It also is speculated to inhibit pancreatic
alpha amylase intestinal alpha glucosidase which decreases carbohydrate metabolism [6].
Garcinina Cambogia has been speculated to reduce leptin and insulin levels in animals [4].
Leptin and insulin are known for regulating metabolic digestion and play a role in weight
management within the body [7]. Further research is being done to explore the effects of
hydroxycitric acid in garcnia cambogia in humans [6].
Several studies were conducted to investigate the effects of garcinia cambogia. A 2013
study examined lipid profiles; endocrine, calorimetric, and anthropometric parameters among
obese women. Thirty women were given 2.4 g (800 mg) of garcinia cambogia 3 times a day for
a 60 day period while 13 women were given a placebo [4]. Individuals were told to maintain a
consistent physical activity level during the time of testing. Daily caloric intake was measured
using individualized diets during treatment. Anthropometrics measurements, resting energy
expenditure, lipid profile, fasting glucose, and levels of leptin and insulin were monitored. The
study concluded that there were no significant changes to anthropometric measurements. HDL
slightly increased, whereas LDL, TG, and leptin had slightly decreased after treatment [4].
Importantly, garcinia cambogia was shown to exhibit a drastic change in hypo triglyceride
affects [4].
Research of hydroxycitric acid as a weight loss supplement was also examined in 2010,
with a systematic meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. According to author Igho
Onakpoya, garcinia cambogia has proven itself as a weight loss supplement in animal studies
with rats, but further testing is needed to determine its efficacy in humans [6]. The objective of
the systematic review was to determine the effectiveness of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) and its
role in weight reduction. Through electronic searches in databases such as Medline, Embase,
The Cochrane Library, Amed, and Cinahl, hydroxycitric acid and garcinia were searched in
terms of popularity as weight loss supplements [7]. There was no indication or limitation of
age, time, or language included within the meta-analysis. The results revealed 5,002 references
including 23 full texts and abstracts containing more detailed evaluations. The participants
uncovered by the searches were placed into the following weight categories: healthy overweight,
healthy obese, normal to moderately obese, moderately obese, overweight, and obese. Searches
were unbiased in the selected populations by virtue of these many categories [7]. There was a
slight change in body weight between subjects receiving the HCA versus those who had received
the placebo; however, the effect was borderline and not viewed as to be of clinical relevance [7].
As a result the use of hydroxycritric acid is not intended for weight loss as it has been marketed
and should be viewed as having a lesser physiologic effect than more conventional weight loss
pills.
In an attempt to better understand the physiological effects of garcinia cambogia, the
article entitled, Garcinia Cambogia attenuates diet-induced adiposity but exacerbates hepatic
collagen accumulation and inflammation was examined. In this study, the effectiveness of
natural food supplements containing Glycine Max Leaves Extract (EGML), also known as
garcinia cambogia extract (GCE) would work as an a weight loss supplement and promote a
decrease in plasma cholesterol [2]. It was also a goal to determine if the supplements had any
beneficial effect on lipid, adipocytokines or antioxidant profiles. The methodology of this study
utilized 86 overweight subjects, both male and female who were between 20 and 50 years of age,
and had a body mass index above 23 and less than 29 [6]. Three groups were administered
different dosages of an EGML, GCE, or placebo at 2g/day over a period of 10 weeks. After the
10 weeks, plasma cholesterol, body composition, and diet were assessed. The results suggested
EGML and GCE supplementation did not promote weight loss of any substantial amount of body
fat [6]. Total cholesterol was found to be lower in those subjects who were administered EGML
supplementation, while both EGML and GCE had no effect on triglycerides, adipocytokines, and
antioxidants. As a result neither the EGML nor GCE yielded weight loss in subjects or lowered
total cholesterol in overweight subjects therefore it is not recommended to be consumed on a
daily basis as a weight loss supplement [6].
The search for the metabolic effects of garcinina cambogia are being examined in an
article in the World Journal of Gastroenterology. Here, the long-term effects of garcinia
cambogia as a weight loss supplement are investigated using adiposity and non-alcoholic fatty
liver disease in obese mice. The methods of this study included feeding mice prone to obesity a
high fat diet with and without garcinia cambogia for 16 weeks [6]. The rats were granted access
to food and distilled water, while food consumption and body composition were monitored and
recorded on a daily and weekly basis. The results revealed no significant changes in body
weight and food intake between the groups, yet those mice receiving garcinia cambogia
exhibited a dramatic decrease in visceral fat accumulation and adipocyte size via inhibition of
fatty acid synthase activity and its mRNA expression in visceral adipose tissue, along with
enhanced enzymatic activity and gene expression involved in adipose fatty acid beta-oxidation
[6]. Garcinia cambogia supplementation has also been shown to increase hepatic collagen
accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and mRNA levels of genes related to oxidative stress and the
inflammatory response [6]. The use of garcnina cambogia supplementation in mice also revealed
drastic reductions in glucose tolerance and plasma resistin level of the HFD-fed mice. In
conclusion, garcinia cambogia supplementation in mice is an effective weight-loss method but
promotes hepatic fibrosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress [6].
Obesity is one of the global health problems commonly associated with metabolic
diseases which include insulin resistance, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, and
dyslipidemia [4]. Therefore, while the use of weight- loss supplements appeals to the public,
these products may cause unintended health concerns. With varying results it is difficult to call
the supplement safe. Further studies need to be conducted in order to find consistent results and
thereby better understand the full implications of the use of garcinia cambogia on the body. The
United States Food and Drug Administration does not regulate weight-loss supplements
therefore it becomes dangerous to the consumer and determining a safe dosage is nearly
impossible since the optimal dose of HCA is currently unknown and being studied [7].
Unfortunately weight- loss supplements, including garcinia cambogia, are poorly studied and
pose other potential health threats to the body [8]. Some suggested dosages range from 0.5 to 4.1
g/day over the course of 2 to 12 weeks, and have been examined in the systematic review and
meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials [2].
Aside from having some success in a change in body composition and the loss in body fat
in mice, further studies in regards to human metabolism need to be performed [2]. The long term
effects of hydroxycitric acid on metabolic pathways should also be looked into as all other
potential health risks are unknown. Individuals must be vigilant about what they choose to put in
their bodies. In the past, drugs like fen-phen were marketed for weight loss in this same fashion,
but were subsequently pulled from the market after being shown to cause fatal pulmonary
hypertension and heart valve problems. Understanding this history, it is recommended that
people seeking weight-loss do so by traditional low-calorie diet and exercise regimens and not
place high value on weight-loss supplements such as garcinia cambogia [4]. It is also advised
that the population be aware of chromium, potassium, and calcium dosages as improper intake
may lead to vitamin and mineral toxicities [6].


(1) Vasques, C. A. R., Schneider, R., Klein-Jnior, L. C., Falavigna, A., Piazza, I. and Rossetto,
S. (2013), Hypolipemic Effect of Garcinia cambogia in Obese Women. Phytother. Res..
doi: 10.1002/ptr.5076
(2) Young-Je, K. Garcinia Cambogia attenuates diet-induced adiposity but exacerbates hepatic
collagen accumulation and inflammation.. World Journal of Gastroenterology, 19, 4689-4701.
(3) Valdez-Flores, C. (2014). Development of an inhalation unit risk factor for hexavalent
chromium. Regulatory Toxicology and Pharmacology, , 201-211.
(4) Vasques, C. A. R., Rossetto, S., Halmenschlager, G., Linden, R., Heckler, E., Fernandez, M.
S. P. and Alonso, J. L. L. (2008), Evaluation of the pharmacotherapeutic efficacy of Garcinia
cambogia plus Amorphophallus konjac for the treatment of obesity. Phytother. Res., 22: 1135
1140. doi: 10.1002/ptr.2323
(5) Choi, M. (13, April, 2011). Does Glycine Max Leaves Or Garcinia Cambogia Promote
Weight-loss Or Lower Plasma Cholesterol In Overweight Individuals: A Randomized Control
Trial. Nutrition Journal, , 94.
(6) Igho Onakpoya, Shao Kang Hung, Rachel Perry, Barbara Wider, and Edzard Ernst, The Use
of Garcinia Extract (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Weight loss Supplement: A Systematic Review
and Meta-Analysis of Randomised Clinical Trials, Journal of Obesity, vol. 2011, Article ID
509038, 9 pages, 2011. doi:10.1155/2011/509038
(7) Benoit, S. C. (2013). Insulin and Leptin as Adiposity Signals. Recent progress in hormone
research,, 267-285.