Garcinia cambogia found to lower abnormally high cholesterol levels

Garcinia cambogia can reduce the negative effects of adhering to high-fat diets, according to a study published in the Journal of Complementary and Integrative Medicine. In the study, researchers found that it can lower high cholesterol levels and reduce oxidative stress.

Researchers at Jawaharlal Institute of Postgraduate Medical Education and Research in India examined the antihyperlipidemic and antioxidant activities of the ethanolic extract of Garcinia cambogia on high-fat diet-fed rats.

For the study, they fed mice with either standard diet or 30 percent high-fat diet. Then, they gave the mice Garcinia cambogia at a dose of 400 milligrams per kilogram (mg/kg) body weight every day for 10 weeks.

The team assessed the phytochemical constituents, total polyphenol content, and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) of Garcinia cambogia. At the end of the treatment, they measured the lipid profile and oxidative stress parameters of the rats.

The results showed rats fed with a high-fat diet exhibited increased plasma total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL), and malondialdehyde (MDA). It also increased total oxidant status and oxidative stress in the blood, liver, and kidneys. High-fat feeding also caused reductions in HDL cholesterol and blood antioxidants, glutathione, glutathione peroxidase (Gpx), and catalase, as well as the total antioxidant status of rats.

The treatment of Garcinia cambogia reduced food intake, total cholesterol, triglycerides, non-HDL cholesterol, and MDA. It also increased HDL cholesterol and antioxidants. It also reduced oxidative stress and increased total antioxidant status in blood and liver of rats. Garcinia cambogia contains carbohydrates, proteins, sterols, tannins, flavonoids, and saponins.

The findings of the study suggested that Garcinia cambogia is effective in reducing hyperlipidemia and oxidative stress caused by high-fat diets.

Garcinia cambogia and weight loss

The Garcinia cambogia fruit is a small fruit that looks like a cross between a pumpkin and a tomato. It is native to India and Southeast Asia and is exported all over the world. Garcinia cambogia is most commonly known for weight loss. For many years, it has been marketed as a way to lose weight naturally with little to no additional effort.

Garcinia cambogia contains an ingredient called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). This ingredient has been used to help in weight loss. Although it is true that the HCA in Garcinia cambogia can enhance the fat-burning potential of the body, results of studies are mixed. (Related: Does Garcinia cambogia extract really help with weight loss?.)

A review published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine revealed that Garcinia cambogia did promote weight loss in many cases. Some studies using HCA have caused significant weight loss results, while others showed that it caused little to no effect.

Another study review, published in the Journal of Obesity, gathered the results of nine different studies using Garcinia for weight loss in humans. The results confirmed mixed results of the supplement. Some studies reported significant weight loss results, while other showed little difference. Because the studies were only done for short periods, the average weight loss was small.

Researchers also looked at how a person’s diet affected the supplement. One study revealed that it was not as effective in people whose diets were low in fat and high in carbohydrates. Another study showed that taking the supplement together with a high-fat diet caused reduced weight gain.

Safety and dosage of Garcinia cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is generally considered safe if used short term. Long-term usage is unknown. There is no standard dose when it comes to supplements. However, a review, also published in the journal Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine, concluded that no research had shown direct effects in dosages up to 2,800 mg per day.

Read more news stories and studies on natural medicines like Garcinia cambogia by going to NaturalMedicine.news.

Sources include:

Science.news

MedicalNewsToday.com