Evidence supporting the use of: Garcinia
For the health condition: Fat Metabolism (poor)

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Synopsis

Source of validity: Scientific
Rating (out of 5): 2

Garcinia cambogia, a tropical fruit also known as Malabar tamarind, has gained popularity as a dietary supplement marketed to support "fat metabolism" and weight management. The primary active compound is hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is believed to inhibit the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase, thereby reducing the conversion of carbohydrates into fat in the body. Several animal studies and small human trials have investigated the effects of garcinia on fat metabolism and weight loss, with mixed results.

Some double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trials have shown modest reductions in body weight and fat accumulation with garcinia supplementation compared to placebo, while others have found no significant effect. Meta-analyses suggest that any observed effects are small and of questionable clinical relevance. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) both conclude that there is insufficient high-quality evidence to confirm a meaningful benefit on fat metabolism or weight loss in humans.

Adverse effects, although generally mild, have been reported and include digestive upset, headaches, and, rarely, liver toxicity. Given the inconclusive and limited evidence, garcinia cannot be robustly recommended for improving fat metabolism. Thus, its use for this purpose is justified by scientific inquiry, but the strength of evidence is weak, meriting a rating of 2 out of 5.

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