Overview
People use garcinia for obesity, athletic performance, joint pain, and many others purposes, but there is no good scientific evidence to support these uses. There is also concern that using garcinia might harm the liver.
Uses & Effectiveness ?
Insufficient Evidence for
- Athletic performance. Garcinia contains a chemical called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Taking HCA might increase how long untrained adults are able to exercise.
- Obesity. Limited research suggests that garcinia might help with weight loss by a small amount.
- A disease caused by parasitic worms (schistosomiasis).
- Constipation.
- Diarrhea.
- Joint pain.
- Other conditions.
Side Effects
Special Precautions and Warnings
Bipolar disorder: Garcinia can worsen mania in bipolar disorder. Don't use if you have bipolar disorder.
Liver disease: Garcinia might harm the liver. This could worsen liver damage in people with liver disease. Don't use if you have liver disease.
Surgery: Hydroxycitric acid (HCA), a chemical in garcinia, might affect blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. This might make it more difficult to control blood sugar and bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking HCA at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Interactions ?
We currently have no information for GARCINIA overview.
Dosing
Bunchorntavakul, C. and Reddy, K. R. Review article: herbal and dietary supplement hepatotoxicity. Aliment.Pharmacol.Ther 2013;37(1):3-17. View abstract.
Jena, B. S., Jayaprakasha, G. K., Singh, R. P., and Sakariah, K. K. Chemistry and biochemistry of (-)-hydroxycitric acid from Garcinia. J Agric.Food Chem. 1-2-2002;50(1):10-22. View abstract.
Kriketos, A. D., Thompson, H. R., Greene, H., and Hill, J. O. (-)-Hydroxycitric acid does not affect energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in adult males in a post-absorptive state. Int J Obes.Relat Metab Disord. 1999;23(8):867-873. View abstract.
Actis GC, Bugianesi E, Ottobrelli A, Rizzetto M. Fatal liver failure following food supplements during chronic treatment with montelukast. Dig Liver Dis. 2007 Oct;39(10):953-5. View abstract.
Allen SF, Godley RW, Evron JM, et al. Acute necrotizing eosinophilic myocarditis in a patient taking Garcinia cambogia extract successfully treated with high-dose corticosteroids. Can J Cardiol 2014;30(12):1732 e13-1732 e15. View abstract.
Asghar M, Monjok E, Kouamou G, et al. Super CitriMax (HCA-SX) attenuates increases in oxidative stress, inflammation, insulin resistance, and body weight in developing obese Zucker rats. Mol Cell Biochem 2007;304(1-2):93-99. View abstract.
Badmaev V, Majeed M, Conte AA. Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. JAMA 1999;282:233-4; discussion 235. View abstract.
Bystrak T, Cervera-Hernandez ME, Reddy N, King Z, Bratberg J. Garcinia cambogia, diabetic ketoacidosis, and pancreatitis. R I Med J (2013). 2017 Oct 2;100(10):48-50. NO DOIView abstract.
Cho HK, Han YS, Park JM. Ocular complications of Garcinia cambogia extract diet pills: case report. Eur J Ophthalmol 2019:1120672119872364. View abstract.
Chuah LO, Yeap SK, Ho WY, et al. In vitro and In vivo toxicity of Garcinia or hydroxycitric acid: a review. Evid Based Compl Alt Med 2012;2012:197920. View abstract.
Corey R, Werner KT, Singer A, Moss A, Smith M, Noelting J, Rakela J. Acute liver failure associated with Garcinia cambogia use. Ann Hepatol. 2016 Jan-Feb;15(1):123-6. View abstract.
Cruz AC, Pinto AHS, Costa CDD, Oliveira LP, Oliveira-Neto JR, Cunha LC. Food-Effect on (-) - Hydroxycitric Acid Absorption After Oral Administration of Garcinia cambogia Extract Formulation: a Phase I, Randomized, Cross-Over Study. J Pharm Sci. 2021;110(2):693-697. View abstract.
Da-Costa-Rocha I, Bonnlaender B, Sievers H, Pischel I, Heinrich M. Hibiscus sabdariffa L. - a phytochemical and pharmacological review. Food Chem 2014;165:424-43. View abstract.
Dara L, Hewett J, Lim JK. Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity: a case series and review of liver toxicity from herbal weight loss supplements. World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Dec 7;14(45):6999-7004. View abstract.
Dehoney S, Wellein M. Rhabdomyolysis associated with the nutritional supplement Hydroxycut. Am J Health Syst Pharm. 2009;66(2):142-8. View abstract.
Ferreira V, Mathieu A, Soucy G, Giard JM, Erard-Poinsot D. Acute severe liver injury related to long-term Garcinia cambogia intake. ACG Case Rep J. 2020;7(8):e00429. View abstract.
Firenzuoli F, Gori L. Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. JAMA 1999;282:234; discussion 235. View abstract.
Fong TL, Klontz KC, Canas-Coto A, et al. Hepatotoxicity due to hydroxycut: a case series. Am J Gastroenterol. 2010;105(7):1561-6. View abstract.
García-Cortés M, Robles-Díaz M, Ortega-Alonso A, Medina-Caliz I, Andrade RJ. Hepatotoxicity by Dietary Supplements: A Tabular Listing and Clinical Characteristics. Int J Mol Sci. 2016 Apr 9;17(4):537. View abstract.
Gavril A, Ribnikar M, Smid L, Luzar B, Stabuc B. Fat burner-induced acute liver injury: case series of four patients. Nutrition. 2018;47:110-114. doi: 10.1016/j.nut.2017.10.002. View abstract.
Golzarand M, Omidian M, Toolabi K. Effect of Garcinia cambogia supplement on obesity indices: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.bComplement Ther Med. 2020;52:102451. View abstract.
Grigos A, Benmoussa J, Sandhu J, Chaucer B, Clarke M, SH Patel. Acute pancreatitis secondary to Garcinia cambogia; the unknown cost of herbal supplements. JOP. J Pancreas (Online) 2016; 17(3):316-317.
Hasegawa N. Garcinia extract inhibits lipid droplet accumulation without affecting adipose conversion in 3T3-L1 cells. Phytother Res 2001;15:172-3. View abstract.
Hendrickson BP, Shaikh N, Occhiogrosso M, Penzner JB. Mania Induced by Garcinia cambogia: A Case Series. Prim Care Companion CNS Disord. 2016;18(2). View abstract.
Heymsfield SB, Allison DB, Vasselli JR, et al. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. JAMA 1998;280:1596-600. View abstract.
Iqbal U, Anwar H, Siddiqui HU, Mehmood A. Acute Pancreatitis Secondary to Use of Appetite Suppressant: Garcinia cambogia. Cureus. 2019;11(5):e4676. View abstract.
Ishihara K, Oyaizu S, Onuki K, Lim K, et al. Chronic (-)-hydroxycitrate administration spares carbohydrate utilization and promotes lipid oxidation during exercise in mice. J Nutr 2000;130:2990-5. View abstract.
Jones FJ, Andrews AH. Acute liver injury associated with the herbal supplement hydroxycut in a soldier deployed to Iraq. Am J Gastroenterol. 2007;102(10):2357-8. View abstract.
Kaswala D, Shah S, Patel N, Raisoni S, Swaminathan S. Hydroxycut-induced Liver Toxicity. Ann Med Health Sci Res. 2014; 4(1):143-5. View abstract.
Kovacs EM, Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Saris WH. The effects of 2-week ingestion of (--)-hydroxycitrate and (--)-hydroxycitrate combined with medium-chain triglycerides on satiety, fat oxidation, energy expenditure and body weight. Int J Obes Relat Metab Disord 2001;25:1087-94. View abstract.
Kovacs EM, Westerterp-Plantenga MS. Effects of (-)-hydroxycitrate on net fat synthesis as de novo lipogenesis. Physiol Behav 2006;88(4-5):371-381. View abstract.
Laczek J, Duncan M. Three cases of acute hepatitis in patients taking hydroxycut bodybuilding supplement. Am J Gastroenterol 2008;103:S143-S144.
Leonhardt M, Balkan B, Langhans W. Effect of hydroxycitrate on respiratory quotient, energy expenditure, and glucose tolerance in male rats after a period of restrictive feeding. Nutrition 2004;20(10):911-915. View abstract.
Lewis YS, Neelakantan S, Murthy C. Acids in Garcinia cambogia. Curr Sci 1964;33:82-83.
Lim K, Ryu S, Nho HS, et al. (-)-Hydroxycitric acid ingestion increases fat utilization during exercise in untrained women. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2003;49:163-167. View abstract.
Lim K, Ryu S, Ohishi Y, et al. Short-term (-)-hydroxycitrate ingestion increases fat oxidation during exercise in athletes. J Nutr Sci Vitaminol (Tokyo) 2002;48(2):128-133. View abstract.
Liu X, Yuan P, Sun X, Chen Z. Hydroxycitric acid inhibits renal calcium oxalate deposition by reducing oxidative stress and inflammation. Curr Mol Med. 2020. View abstract.
Lobb A. Hepatoxicity associated with weight-loss supplements: a case for better post-marketing surveillance. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(14):1786-7. View abstract.
Loe YC, Bergeron N, Rodriguez N, Schwarz JM. Gas chromatography/mass spectrometry method to quantify blood hydroxycitrate concentration. Anal Biochem 2001;292(1):148-154. View abstract.
Lopez AM, Kornegay J, Hendrickson RG. Serotonin Toxicity Associated with Garcinia cambogia Over-the-counter Supplement. J Med Toxicol. 2014 Apr 4. [Epub ahead of print]. View abstract.
Lunsford KE, Bodzin AS, Reino DC, Wang HL, Busuttil RW. Dangerous dietary supplements: Garcinia cambogia -associated hepatic failure requiring transplantation. World J Gastroenterol. 2016;22(45):10071-10076. View abstract.
Maia-Landim A, Ramírez JM, Lancho C, Poblador MS, Lancho JL. Long-term effects of Garcinia cambogia/Glucomannan on weight loss in people with obesity, PLIN4, FTO and Trp64Arg polymorphisms. BMC Complement Altern Med. 2018;18(1):26. doi: 10.1186/s12906-018-2099-7.View abstract.
Mansi IA, Huang J. Rhabdomyolysis in response to weight-loss herbal medicine. Am J Med Sci 2004;327:356-357. View abstract.
Marquez F, Babio N, Bullo M, Salas-Salvado J. Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of hydroxycitric acid or Garcinia cambogia extracts in humans. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 2012;52:585-94. View abstract.
Mas Ordeig A, Bordón García N. Hepatotoxicity caused by Garcinia cambogia. Gastroenterol Hepatol 2020;43(3):134-5. View abstract.
Mattes RD, Bormann L. Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables. Physiol Behav 2000;71:87-94. View abstract.
Melendez-Rosado J, Snipelisky D, Matcha G, Stancampiano F. Acute hepatitis induced by pure Garcinia cambogia. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2015 May-Jun;49(5):449-50. View abstract.
Michno A, Skibowska A, Raszeja-Specht A, Cwikowska J, Szutowicz A. The role of adenosine triphosphate citrate lyase in the metabolism of acetyl coenzyme a and function of blood platelets in diabetes mellitus. Metabolism 2004;53(1):66-72. View abstract.
Narasimha A, Shetty PH, Nanjundaswamy MH, Viswanath B, Bada Math S. Hydroxycut - Dietary supplements for weight loss: Can they induce mania? Aust N Z J Psychiatry. 2013;47(12):1205-6. View abstract.
Nguyen DC, Timmer TK, Davison BC, McGrane IR. Possible Garcinia cambogia-induced mania with psychosis: a case report. J Pharm Pract 2019;32(1):99-102. doi: 10.1177/0897190017734728. View abstract.
Preuss HG, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, et al. Effects of a natural extract of (-)-hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) and a combination of HCA-SX plus niacin-bound chromium and Gymnema sylvestre extract on weight loss. Diabetes Obes Metab 2004;6:171-180. View abstract.
Rashid NN, Grant J. Hydroxycut hepatotoxicity. Med J Aust. 2010 Feb 1;192(3):173-4. View abstract.
Roy S, Rink C, Khanna S, et al. Body weight and abdominal fat gene expression profile in response to a novel hydroxycitric acid-based dietary supplement. Gene Expr 2004;11(5-6):251-262. View abstract.
Roy S, Shah H, Rink C, et al. Transcriptome of primary adipocytes from obese women in response to a novel hydroxycitric acid-based dietary supplement. DNA Cell Biol 2007;26(9):627-639. View abstract.
Schaller JL. Garcinia cambogia for weight loss. JAMA 1999;282:234; discussion 235. View abstract.
Sharma T, Wong L, Tsai N, Wong RD. Hydroxycut(®) (herbal weight loss supplement) induced hepatotoxicity: a case report and review of literature. Hawaii Med J. 2010 Aug;69(8):188-90. View abstract.
Shim M, Saab S. Severe hepatotoxicity due to Hydroxycut: a case report. Dig Dis Sci. 2009;54(2):406-8. View abstract.
Sidhu RLS, Labana S, Khehra L. Garcinia cambogia: a link between the "miracle" weight loss pill and acute pancreatitis. Am J Gastroenterol. 2016. 111:S560-S561.
Smith RJ, Bertilone C, Robertson AG. Fulminant liver failure and transplantation after use of dietary supplements. Med J Aust. 2016;204(1):30-2. View abstract.
Soni MG, Burdock GA, Preuss HG, et al. Safety assessment of (-)-hydroxycitric acid and Super CitriMax, a novel calcium/potassium salt. Food Chem Toxicol 2004;42:1513-29. View abstract.
Stevens T, Qadri A, Zein NN. Two patients with acute liver injury associated with use of the herbal weight-loss supplement hydroxycut. Ann Intern Med 2005;142:477-8. View abstract.
Stohs SJ, Preuss HG, Ohia SE, et al. No evidence demonstrating hepatotoxicity associated with hydroxycitric acid. World J Gastroenterol. 2009;15(32):4087-9. View abstract.
Tomita K, Okuhara Y, Shigematsu N, Suh H, Lim, K. (-)-hydroxycitrate ingestion increases fat oxidation during moderate intensity exercise in untrained men. Biosci Biotechnol Biochem 2003;67(9):1999-2001. View abstract.
Vasques CA, Schneider R, Klein-Júnior LC, et al. Hypolipemic effect of Garcinia Cambogia in obese women. Phytother Res 2014;28(6):887-91. View abstract.
Westerterp-Plantenga MS, Kovacs EMR. The effect of (-)-hydroxycitrate on energy intake and satiety in overweight humans. Int J Obesity 2002;26:870-2. View abstract.
Wielinga PY, Wachters-Hagedoorn RE, Bouter B, et al. Hydroxycitric acid delays intestinal glucose absorption in rats. Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol 2005;288(6):G1144-G1149. View abstract.
Willis SL, Moawad FJ, Hartzell JD, et al. Hypertensive retinopathy associated with use of the ephedra-free weight-loss herbal supplement Hydroxycut. MedGenMed 2006;8:82.View abstract.
Yamada T, Hida H, Yamada Y. Chemistry, physiological properties, and microbial production of hydroxycitric acid. Appl Microbiol Biotechnol 2007;75(5):977-82. View abstract.
Yousaf MN, Chaudhary FS, Hodanazari SM, Sittambalam CD. Hepatotoxicity associated with Garcinia cambogia: a case report. World J Hepatol 2019;11(11):735-42. View abstract.
Select a condition to view a list of vitamins
You Might Also Like
CONDITIONS OF USE AND IMPORTANT INFORMATION: This information is meant to supplement, not replace advice from your doctor or healthcare provider and is not meant to cover all possible uses, precautions, interactions or adverse effects. This information may not fit your specific health circumstances. Never delay or disregard seeking professional medical advice from your doctor or other qualified health care provider because of something you have read on WebMD. You should always speak with your doctor or health care professional before you start, stop, or change any prescribed part of your health care plan or treatment and to determine what course of therapy is right for you.
This copyrighted material is provided by Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Consumer Version. Information from this source is evidence-based and objective, and without commercial influence. For professional medical information on natural medicines, see Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database Professional Version.
© Therapeutic Research Faculty 2020.