Hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is a major acid component of the tropical plants - a plant native to Southeastern Asia - Hibiscus subdariffa and a few other plants. The availability of hydroxycitric acid is limited by the restricted habitat of the plants as well as the difficulty of making hydroxycitric acid in the laboratory.
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Hydroxycitric acid in Garcinia Cambogia
Hydroxycitric acid is found in a high concentration - ranging from
10 to 30% - in the dried fruit rind of Garcinia cambogia. The dried rind
has been used for centuries throughout Southeast Asia as a food
preservative, flavoring agent and carminative. Extensive experimental
studies show that Hydroxycitric acid inhibits fat synthesis and reduces
food intake.
How it
works
The primary mechanism of action of hydroxycitric acid appears to be
related to its ability to act as a competitive inhibitor of the enzyme
ATP-citrate lyase, which catalyzes the conversion of citrate and coenzyme
A to oxaloacetate and acetyl coenzyme A (acetyl-CoA), primary building
blocks of fatty acid and cholesterol synthesis.
Hydroxycitric acid from Hibiscus subdariffa inhibits
alpha-amylase and alpha-glucosidase, leading to reduction of carbohydrate
metabolism.
Hydroxycitric Acid HCA and
Weight Loss
This substance has been reported to promote body
fat loss in
humans without stimulating the central nervous system. The level of
effectiveness of G. cambogia extract is typically attributed solely to hydroxycitric acid.
However, other components may contribute to its therapeutic effectiveness.
Results thus far with hydroxycitric acid and weight loss appear to be
promising.
J Clin Diagn Res. 2015. Efficacy of garcinia cambogia on body weight, inflammation and glucose tolerance in high fat fed male wistar rats. Supplementation of the Garcinia Cambogia extract with high fat diet reduced body weight gain, inflammation and glucose intolerance.
Efficacy of a novel calcium/potassium salt of hydroxycitric
acid in weight control.
International J Clin Pharmacol Res. 2005
The weight-loss efficacy of a novel, water-soluble, calcium-potassium salt
of hydroxycitric acid was re-examined in 90 obese subjects (BMI:
30-50.8 kg/m2). We combined data from two previously reported randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical studies in order to achieve a
better statistical evaluation based on a larger population. This
re-examination of data also allowed us to reflect more intensely on
various aspects of weight loss studies. Subjects were randomly divided
into three groups: group A received a daily dose of hydroxycitric acid 4,
667 mg (providing 2,800 mg hydroxycitric acid per day); group B was given
a daily dose of a combination of hydroxycitric acid 4,667 mg, niacin-bound
chromium (NBC) 4 mg (providing 400 microg elemental chromium), and Gymnema
sylvestre extract (GSE) 400 mg (providing 100 mg gymnemic acid); and group
C received a placebo in three equally divided doses 30-60 min before each
meal. All subjects were provided a 2,000 kcal diet/day and participated in
a supervised walking program for 30 min/day, 5 days/week. Eighty-two
subjects completed the study. At the end of 8 weeks, in group A, both body
weight and BMI decreased by 5%, low-density lipoprotein and triglycerides
levels were reduced by 12% and 6%, respectively, while high-density
lipoprotein levels increased by 8.9%, serum leptin levels decreased by
38%, serotonin levels increased by 44% and urinary excretion of fat
metabolites increased by 32-109%. Group B demonstrated similar beneficial
changes, but generally to a greater extent. No significant adverse effects
were observed. The combined results confirm that hydroxycitric acid and,
to a greater degree, the combination of hydroxycitric acid plus NBC and
GSE reduce body weight and BMI, suppress appetite, improve blood lipid
profiles, increase serum leptin and serotonin levels and increase fat
oxidation more than placebo. We conclude that dosage levels, timing of
administration, subject compliance and bioavailability of hydroxycitric
acid significantly affect results and that when taken as directed,
hydroxycitric acid is a highly effective adjunct to healthy weight
control.
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.
The efficacy of optimal doses of highly bioavailable hydroxycitric
acid 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. hydroxycitric acid has been shown to reduce appetite, inhibit
fat synthesis and decrease body weight without stimulating the central
nervous system. NBC has demonstrated its ability to maintain healthy
insulin levels, while GSE has been shown to regulate weight loss and blood
sugar levels. 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 hydroxycitric acid
4667 mg, group B was administered a combination of hydroxycitric acid 4667 mg, NBC 4 mg and GSE 400
mg, while group C was given placebo daily in three equally divided doses
30-60 min before meals. All subjects received a 2000 kcal diet/day and
participated in supervised walking. 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, while
high-density lipoprotein levels and excretion of urinary fat metabolites
increased in both groups. A marginal or non-significant effect was
observed in all parameters in group C. The present study shows
that optimal doses of HCA-SX and, to a greater degree, the combination of
hydroxycitric acid, NBC and GSE can serve as an effective and safe weight-loss formula
that can facilitate a reduction in excess body weight and BMI, while
promoting healthy blood lipid levels.
Safety, toxicity, danger
Thus far I am not aware of major side effects or liver harm when this product is
used by itself.
World J Gastroenterol. 2013. Hydroxycitric acid does not promote inflammation or liver toxicity. Garcinia cambogia extract (GC) with its active component consisting of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) is widely utilized for weight loss. Various HCA salts are available, including calcium, magnesium, potassium and mixtures of these. Experimentally, these salts exhibit different properties with some, but not all, improving glucose tolerance and blood pressure. Recently, obesity-prone C57BL/6J mice were fed a high-fat diet (HFD, 45 kcal% fat) with or without GC (1%, w/w) for 16 wk. The active arm reduced visceral fat, adipocyte size and serum glucose, yet purportedly also exhibited hepatic collagen accumulation, lipid peroxidation and increased mRNA levels of genes related to oxidative stress. The latter findings are at odds with a large body of animal and human studies that have been conducted on the safety and efficacy of HCA. This literature shows HCA to be protective against the liver toxicity associated with ethanol and dexamethasone administration, and to maintain serum aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and alkaline phosphatase at near normal levels. In both animal and clinical literature, elevated intakes of HCA per se have not led to signs of inflammation or hepatotoxicity. The compound has been found to reduce markers of inflammation in brain, intestines, kidney and serum.
Safety assessment of hydroxycitric acid and
Super CitriMax, a novel calcium/potassium salt.
Food Chem Toxicol. 2004.
Burdock Group, Vero Beach, FL
There is sufficient
qualitative and quantitative scientific evidence, including animal and
human data suggesting that intake of HCA at levels up to 2800 mg/day is
safe for human consumption.
I love your work and your products, I have a question
regarding hydroxycitric acid, On your webpage a pharmacist wrote in to ask you
if this compound is known to create liver damage and you stated that you did not
see any research regarding that fact. I googled "hydroxycitric acid and liver
damage" and found numerous reports that blame hydroxycitric acid for liver
damage and even one death caused by liver failure by someone taking this
product. Would you and your staff take a look at this latest information and
tell your readers if you think this product is in fact a danger to the liver.\
A review in 2013 of all published studies did not reveal liver
damage as a result of HCA consumption. There are reports of people taking Hydroxycut, a formula with many ingredients including HCA, that has caused liver
damage, but one cannot blame one of the ingredients in the formula as being the
culprit. The product had high doses of chromium, could this mineral have been
one of the culprits?
Research
Comparison of the effects of three different hydroxycitric
acid preparations on food intake in rats.
Nutr Metabolism. 2005.
s differences in the hydroxycitric acid preparations may
contribute to this apparent discrepancy, the aim of the current study is
to compare different hydroxycitric acid -containing preparations in adult
Wistar rats. The effects of 3 different hydroxycitric acid
-containing preparations (Regulator, Citrin K, Super CitriMax HCA-600-SXS,
all used at an effective hydroxycitric acid dose of 150 and 300 mg/kg,
administered intragastrically) on food intake and body weight were studied
in adult male Wistar rats. The efficacy was tested under 2 different
experimental conditions: 1) after a single dose administration and 2)
during repeated administration for 4 subsequent days. Regulator
and Citrin K significantly reduced food intake in both experimental
setups, while Super CitriMax HCA-600-SXS was less effective. When
administered for 4 subsequent days Regulator and Citrin K diminished body
weight gain. CONCLUSION: Regulator and Citrin K were shown to be potent
inhibitors of food intake in rats, whereas Super CitriMax HCA-600-SXS
showed only small and more inconsistent effects. The striking differences
in efficacy between these 3 preparations indicate that low doses of a
relatively low-effective hydroxycitric acid preparation may have
contributed to the lack of efficacy as found in several human studies.
Hydroxycitric acid delays intestinal glucose
absorption in rats.
Am J Physiol Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2005.
In this study, we investigated in rats if hydroxycitric acid (HCA)
reduces the postprandial glucose response by affecting gastric emptying or
intestinal glucose absorption. We compared the effect of regulator
hydroxycitric acid (310 mg/kg) and vehicle (control) on the glucose
response after an intragastric or intraduodenal glucose load to
investigate the role of altered gastric emptying. Hydroxycitric acid
treatment decreased concentrations of [U-(14)C]glucose in small intestinal
tissue at 15 min after [U-(14)C]glucose administration, in accordance with
the concept that hydroxycitric acid delays the enteral absorption of
glucose. These data support a possible role for hydroxycitric acidas food
supplement in lowering postprandial glucose profiles.
Effect of hydroxycitrate on respiratory quotient,
energy expenditure, and glucose tolerance in male rats after a period of
restrictive feeding.
Nutrition. 2004.
Recently we demonstrated that hydroxycitrate (HCA) suppresses food
intake and body weight regain in male rats after substantial body weight
loss. However, it is not known whether Hydroxycitric acid also affects the
respiration quotient (RQ), energy expenditure (EE), and glucose tolerance
in this animal model. Twenty-four male rats (initial body weight,
378 +/- 3 g) were fed restrictively (10 g/d) for 10 d and then given ad libitum access to a high-glucose diet supplemented with 3% HCA for 6 d.
Controls received the same diet without the supplement. RQ and EE were
measured during ad libitum days 1, 2, and 6. An oral glucose tolerance
test was performed on ad libitum day 4 or 5. HCA decreased RQ and
EE during ad libitum days 1 and 2. In all probability, these findings
reflect a decrease in de novo lipogenesis. On ad libitum day 6, RQ and EE
did not differ between treatment groups. Hydroxycitric acid suppressed
food intake during the first 3 d ad libitum, but overall body weight
regain was not decreased in the Hydroxycitric acid group. The oral glucose
tolerance test showed that Hydroxycitric acid significantly decreased the
increase in plasma glucose from baseline (Deltaglucose) and tended to
decrease the area under the curve for glucose. Deltainsulin and area under
the curve for insulin did not differ between groups. Our
results indicate that, in this animal model, Hydroxycitric acid suppresses
de novo lipogenesis. Moreover, Hydroxycitric acid may improve glucose
tolerance.
Questions
Q. I have type 2 diabetes. In addition to my prescription treatment, I
have added some natural products. The hydroxycitric acid HCA product
helped me feel a lot better. However, after about a year, I became
allergic (itching). I suspect that my allergy is due to plant extracts
that accompany the HCA.
A. It is often a good idea to take a break from most supplements in
order to avoid tolerance, allergy, or excess exposure.
Q. When I discovered that I had type 2 diabetes I
started taking an hydroxycitric acid HCA supplement. I could not believe
how good I felt on the supplement. However, after several months, I
started itching and found that I had developed an allergy to something in
the supplement. I tried some other brands and they all employed a form of hydroxycitric acid HCA that was extracted from Garcinia Cambogia. I found
that I had an allergic reaction to all of them. I think that my allergy
may be due to an impurity that extracts along with the HCA. I really doubt
that I could be allergic to hydroxycitric acid Is there an alternate plant
source or a chemically pure form that I could try? What do you think?
A. It is possible that hydroxycitric acid caused the itching but we
cannot be sure. We have not seen long term trials with this supplement
given for many months or years. We are not aware of another over the
counter product whose source of hydroxycitric acid is other than GC, as of 2013.
I am looking to lose weight and have read up on HCA in
research journals. Thank you for writing about it. Can you recommend a specific
brand to purchase from that you know is trustworthy (aka not a scam or has
fillers)? I was reading some studies and this combo was the best one I found:
HCA-SX 4,667 mg, NBC 4 mg (providing 400 μg elemental Cr) and GSE 400 mg
(providing 100 mg gymnemic acid).
I have not done personal testing of different products to know for
certain which are the best.
Products on sale online
Natrol Pure Citrimax,
250 mg.,
buy Hydroxycitric Acid HCA
Natrol's
Pure CitriMax is derived from the dried rind of Garcinia Cambogia, a
native fruit of India. CitriMax contains high concentrations of hydroxycitric acid, verified by HPLC to guarantee potency and
quality.
CitriMax Supplement Facts:
Hydroxycitric Acid HCA - 250 mg
(Standardized Extract from Garcinia cambogia [fruit])