Garcinia Cambogia: Benefits of a Wonder Fruit

What Can the Miracle Fruit Do For You?

With a record like Garcinia Cambogia’s, this herb has nothing to prove. A traditional Ayurvedic medicinal staple for centuries, this herb has been relieving indigestion, arthritis and aiding missed and delayed menses for years. The herbs unique ability to suppress hunger and boost a person’s fat burning metabolism has now made it a popular additive in American weight loss pills.

As more companies added the ground fruit to its supplements — and eventually began marketing Garcinia Cambogia on its own as a weight loss miracle – the scientific community wanted to know more. Just what were the scientific merits behind this Asian yellow fruit?

Health Claims - What the Research Has to Say about Garcinia Cambogia

The evidence they discovered made this fruit a hidden rain forest gem. Doctors are now touting the herb’s ability to make you feel fuller for longer periods – much like a mini protein bar.

Garcinia Cambogia offers an abundance of health benefits but perhaps the most popular of these benefits is its ability to promote weight loss. You must always be weary of items that claim to accelerate weight loss, as some can be nothing more than amphetamines in disguise. So what makes Garcinia Cambogia so much safer? Its active ingredient, Hydroxycitric Acid, is a naturally occurring compound that is present in high but safe levels in this exotic fruit. This safety claim is supported by the results of a 90 day toxicity study which was published in the Journal of Medicine where no toxic like affects were noted. Additional findings of this study included a significant decrease in BMI and body weight, decreased blood lipid levels and an increase in serotonin and HDL (good cholesterol) levels. All of these incredible benefits and no adverse effects were noted. So what do you have to lose? Nothing, besides weight.

Weight Loss Mechanism - Lowering Blood Sugar and Lipid Levels

Numerous studies have found Garcinia Cambogia effective at improving blood sugar levels, so how exactly does it do this? Studies show that Garcinia Cambogia is able to improve blood sugar levels by regulating the speed at which sugar is absorbed by our bodies. The body primarily absorbs sugar through a protein known as the sodium dependent glucose transporter (SGLT-1). As is evident by the name, this proteins required sodium to transport sugar and Garcinia Cambogia actually lower the availability of sodium in the intestine which makes this protein less effective and allowing sugar to be absorbed and processed by the body much more slowly.

Garcinia Cambogia is also highly effective at promoting fat loss. When an individual indulges in what is known as a lipogenic diet which is a diet high in carbs (very popular in North America), the body begins to accumulate fat. Garcinia Cambogia halts this process by inhibiting the action of an enzyme known as ATP citrate lyase. When ATP citrate lyase is inhibited, the production of a compound known as acetyl-CoA is lowered and this compound is essential to the reaction needed for the production of fat cells, a process known as lipogenesis.

In short, Garcinia Cambogia is so effective because it exerts its effects at the root of the problem. It is not simply a band aid or one of the other weight loss supplements that drive your heart rate through the roof, but an effective long term weight management device.

Naturally Raise Serotonin Levels

But that’s not the only way Garcinia Cambogia helps your body shed unwanted weight.

Supplements containing Garcinia Cambogia extract also block the stress hormone cortisol. For those with excess belly fat, this is excellent news. Numerous studies have shown the connection between stress and abdominal fat. Additional studies have shown that those with a wider belt line are more prone to diabetes and heart disease than slimmer folk. And emotional eaters – those who eat more when they’re stressed or upset – often have low serotonin and high cortisol levels. Raising your serotonin levels will leave you craving less sugar and junk, while a lower cortisol level will reduce your waistline.

While the exact mechanism by which Garcinia Cambogia increases serotonin levels is not entirely understood, there are some excellent theories. Some scientists suggest that it is able to increase serotonin by one or more of the following ways. Garcinia Cambogia may actually mimic the effects of other chemicals, known as reserpine and tyramine, which increase serotonin production. Another way it may aid serotonin levels is not by increasing serotonin release but by increasing the length of time your body is subjected to its own serotonin. This is a process known as selective serotonin re-uptake inhibition.

How Are We Able to Provide You with a Safe, Affordable Extract?

As previously noted, the active ingredient in Garcinia Cambogia is Hydroxycitric Acid. It is extracted fairly simply by laboratory standards.

The rinds of the fruit are crushed and mixed with salt free, diluted water. The mixture is then subjected to a device known as an anion exchange column which will further separate the active ingredient from the mixture. The product is then further isolated by combining it with a metal ion such as potassium, or sodium, as these elements easily form compounds with water which will free up the desired Hydroxycitric Acid and help separate it from any remaining water. Any residual salts present in the final mixture are disposed of by simply mixing the Hydroxycitric Acid solution with ethyl alcohol (the type found in wine, beer, etc.) and then allowing the final product to dry using compressed air. As you can see, the extraction of the Garcinia Cambogia active ingredient is quite simple and very effective.

By isolating the Hydroxycitric Acid, you get a complete dose and its absorption into your body won’t be hindered by other sugars, fats or fiber found in the actual fruit.