"Safety and mechanism of appetite suppression by a novel hydroxycitric acid extract (HCA-SX).
A 1998 randomized controlled trial looked at the effects of hydroxycitric acid, the purported active ingredient in gambooge, as a potential antiobesity agent in 135 people. The conclusion from this trial was that "Garcinia cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo".[1]
In a previous article it was shown that in the rat brain cortex a novel HCA extract (HCA-SX, Super CitriMax) increases the release/availability of radiolabeled 5-hydroxytryptamine or serotonin ([3H]-5-HT), a neurotransmitter implicated in the regulation of eating behavior and appetite control.
The aim of the present study was 2-fold: (a) to determine the effect of HCA-SX on 5-HT uptake in rat brain cortex in vitro; and (b) to evaluate the safety of HCA-SX in vivo.
Conclusions: HCA is a safe supplement, lethal dose in rats is greater than 5,000mg/kg. HCA also increased the levels of serotonin in the brain which may be beneficial in appetite control, depression, insomnia, migraine, among other serotonin deficient conditions.
Diabetes Obes Metabol. 2004 May;6(3):171-80.
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.
HCA-SX has been shown to reduce appetite, inhibit fat synthesis and decrease body weight without stimulating the central nervous system.
Hydroxycitric acid (HCA-SX) alone and in combination with niacin-bound chromium (NBC) and a standardized Gymnema sylvestre extract (GSE) on weight loss in moderately obese subjects was evaluated by monitoring changes in body weight, body mass index (BMI), appetite, lipid profiles, serum leptin and excretion of urinary fat metabolites.
A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human study was conducted in Elluru, India for 8 weeks in 60 moderately obese subjects (ages 21-50, BMI >26 kg/m(2)). Subjects were randomly divided into three groups. Group A was administered HCA-SX 4667 mg, group B was administered a combination of HCA-SX 4667 mg, NBC 4 mg and GSE 400 mg, while group C was given placebo daily.
Results: At the end of 8 weeks, body weight and BMI decreased by 5-6% in both groups A and B. Food intake, total cholesterol, low-density lipoproteins, triglycerides and serum leptin levels were significantly reduced in both groups. A non-significant effect was observed in all parameters in group C.
J Med. 2004;35(1-6):33-48.
An overview of the safety and efficacy of a novel, natural(-)-hydroxycitric acid extract (HCA-SX) for weight management.
This study was a 90-day toxicity study. The dose dependant effects of HCA-SX were assessed on body weight, selected organ weights, hepatic and testicular lipid peroxidation and DNA fragmentation, hematology and clinical chemistry, and histopathology in male and female Sprague-Dawley rats. No toxicity was found after this trial.
Furthermore, clinical studies to evaluate the safety and efficacy of HCA-SX over a period of eight weeks were conducted in 60 human volunteers. Subjects were given a 2,000 kcal diet/day, participated in a 30 min walking exercise program 5 days/week and given an oral dose of placebo or 4666.7 mg HCA-SX (providing 2,800 mg HCA) in three equally divided doses 30-60 min before meals, Body weight, BMI, lipid profiles, serum leptin, serotonin and excretion of urinary fat metabolites were determined at 0, 4 and 8 weeks of treatment. At the end of 8 weeks, body weight and BMI decreased by 5.4% and 5.2%, respectively. Food intake, total cholesterol, LDL, triglycerides and serum leptin levels were significantly reduced, while HDL and serotonin levels, and excretion of urinary fat metabolites (a biomarker of fat oxidation) significantly increased. No significant adverse effects were reported.
Results: These results demonstrate the safety, bioavailability and efficacy of HCA-SX in weight management.
Physiol Behav. 2000 Oct 1-15;71(1-2):87-94.
Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables.
Eighty-nine mildly overweight females were prescribed 5020-kJ diets for 12 weeks as part of a double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel group study. Forty-two participants ingested 400-mg caplets of Garcinia cambogia 30-60 min prior to meals for a total dose of 2.4 g/day. Forty-seven participants ingested matched placebos. Weight and body composition were assessed at baseline and every other week for 12 weeks. Both groups lost body weight with the active group achieving a significantly greater reduction (3. 7+/-3.1 kg versus 2.4+/-2.9 kg).
JAMA. 1998 Nov 11;280(18):1596-600.
Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial.
The objective of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of G Cambogia for body weight and fat mass loss in overweight human subjects. 12 week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Subjects received either 1500 mg of hydroxycitric acid per day or placebo and were assigned to a high fiber, low energy diet.
Results: A total of 135 subjects were included in the study. Both the active group, and placebo group lost significant amounts of weight over the 12 week period. However, between-group weight loss differences were not statistically significant. The active group lost 3.2kg vs 4.1kg. (p=0.14).
Conclusions: Garcinia Cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and body fat loss beyond that observed with placebo" [2] which placebo was a diet.
A 1998 randomized controlled trial looked at the effects of hydroxycitric acid, the purported active ingredient in gambooge, as a potential antiobesity agent in 135 people. The conclusion from this trial was that "Garcinia cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo" with the placebo being a high fiber, low energy diet
Results: A total of 135 subjects were included in the study. Both the active group, and placebo group lost significant amounts of weight over the 12 week period. However, between-group weight loss differences were not statistically significant. The active group lost 3.2kg vs 4.1kg.
[3]
References
Heymsfield, S. B.; Allison, D. B.; Vasselli, J. R.; Pietrobelli, A.; Greenfield, D.; Nunez, C. (1998). "Garcinia cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Potential Antiobesity Agent: A Randomized Controlled Trial". JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association. 280 (18): 1596–1600. doi:10.1001/jama.280.18.1596. PMID 9820262.
Heymsfield, S. B.; Allison, D. B.; Vasselli, J. R.; Pietrobelli, A.; Greenfield, D.; Nunez, C. (1998). "Garcinia cambogia (Hydroxycitric Acid) as a Potential Antiobesity Agent: A Randomized Controlled Trial". JAMA: the Journal of the American Medical Association. 280 (18): 1596–1600. doi:10.1001/jama.280.18.1596. PMID 9820262.