Risks Associated with the Use of Garcinia as a Nutritional Complement to Lose Weight

Abstract

Nowadays, obesity is one of the great nutritional problems facing public health. The prevalence of this pathology has increased in a worrying way over recent years, currently reaching epidemic proportions. In this context, nutritional supplements are presented as a therapeutic alternative to which more and more people are turning to. Nutritional supplements to lose weight based on the Garcinia plant, specifically on Garcinia cambogia, are commonly used. The active principle of this plant to which these properties have been attributed, is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). The aim of the present review is to gather reported data concerning the effectiveness of nutritional supplements based on Garcinia extracts on weight loss and their possible negative effects. Contradictory results have been observed regarding the effectiveness of the supplements. While statistically significant weight loss was observed in some studies, no changes were found in others. Regarding safety, although Garcinia supplements have been revealed as safe in the vast majority of the studies carried out in animal models and humans, some cases of hepatotoxicity, serotonin toxicity and mania have been reported. In conclusion, the results suggest that Garcinia-based supplements could be effective in short-term weight loss, although the data are not conclusive. In addition, the safety of the complement should be further studied.

The effect of hydroxy citric acid supplementation with calorie-restricted diet on metabolic, atherogenic and inflammatory biomarkers in women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a randomized controlled clinical trial

“…36 However, there were controverting results in animal studies i.e. some reported increases 66 while others showed decreases 44,46 or no changes 45 in serum CRP and IL-6 after HCA supplementation. Kim et al 43 in a long-term study (16 weeks) on mice fed with high-fat diet plus HCA observed a statistically significant increase in serum levels of TNF-α and mRNA levels of TNF-α and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 in the HCA group vs. the control group without any changes in the plasma levels.…”

Complementary and alternative medicine

“…There are four reports of necessitated liver transplants. Cases of mania and serotonin toxicity in six individuals taking Garcinia supplements with serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) anti-depressants or with bipolar diagnoses are consistent with HCA's SSRI activity ( Andueza et al, 2021 ) [R].…”

Quality Evaluation of Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss Based on Garcinia cambogia

“…Along with its weight control properties, various other benefits have also been attributed to this bioactive present in G. cambogia , such as its anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective, antidiabetic, antioxidant, and antimicrobial activities [ 12 , 13 , 14 ]. However, certain clinical and in vivo studies have indicated that the activity of (-)-HCA as an inducer of weight loss is limited or even null and its consumption could cause nausea and headache, among other side effects [ 5 , 10 , 15 ]. Moreover, controversy has arisen in recent years over the safety of G. cambogia supplements [ 10 , 15 ].…”

“…However, certain clinical and in vivo studies have indicated that the activity of (-)-HCA as an inducer of weight loss is limited or even null and its consumption could cause nausea and headache, among other side effects [ 5 , 10 , 15 ]. Moreover, controversy has arisen in recent years over the safety of G. cambogia supplements [ 10 , 15 ]. Acute liver failure could potentially be associated with the intake of G. cambogia extracts for weight loss [ 10 , 16 , 17 ], raising an important concern regarding its safety.…”

“…Although most studies point at (-)-HCA as the main component responsible for the potential toxic effects of GCFS, it should be noted that the G. cambogia fruit (which contains high concentrations of this acid) has been commonly consumed in Asia for centuries, being considered as safe [ 8 ]. It is worth noting that G. cambogia supplements are also constituted by many other components that have been scarcely studied, so the toxicity cannot be exclusively and reliably attributed to the natural source [ 15 ].…”