What is HCA? HCA also know as Hydroxycitric Acid which is derived from Citric Acid. This type of acid is commonly found in tropical fruits.
HCA is found exclusively in the rind of the Garcinia Cambogia fruit. The tree is found predominantly in southern Asia, including Indonesia.
What Is Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA) in Garcinia Cambogia?
Does Garcinia Cambogia is effective to lose weight? Garcinia Cambogia commonly grows in Southeast Asia. This citrus fruit contains HCA or hydroxy citric acid which is known to promote weight loss.
Being overweight or obese is a common health issue for both men and women anywhere in the world. In fact, the prevalence has increased and continues to rise as per recent statistics. Obesity is associated with various diseases such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension and coronary heart disease.
Garcinia Cambogia is one of the main ingredients in many weight loss supplements available in the market. In fact, it is making a buzz and claims to help in burning fat and losing weight. But, do you know what’s in this plant that makes it potent for weight loss?
Understanding About HCA
To know whether Garcinia Cambogia is effective in losing weight or not, the first thing to do is to understand how HCA works.
HCA works in two ways, but the main goal is to support weight loss. First, HCA increases the production of a hormone called serotonin that eventually suppresses your appetite.
People with low levels of serotonin most likely are vulnerable to anxiety and depression. Thus, if the serotonin level is higher, it prevents craving for food, particularly during emotional situations.
Another function of HCA is to inhibit the production of citrate lyase in order to stop the process of making fat inside your body. It also lowers bad cholesterol or LDL level. However, the efficacy of HCA may also depend on the initial value of VFA or visceral fat area.
There are several health claims of HCA and it’s important to know them before you start to take Garcinia Cambogia supplements.
- Speed metabolism – Studies revealed that the HCA present in Garcinia Cambogia works well in boosting metabolism.
- Enhances performance – HCA is also helpful to athletes and other people who engage in physical activities regularly. It enhances athletic endurance making you less exhausted during exercise.
Other Benefits of HCA
- Healthier Digestion
- Appetite Suppression
- Help keep blood sugar in the normal range during fasting
- Reduced Fat Buildup And Reduced Abdominal Fat
- Reduced Risk Of Ulcers
How Does HCA Actually Work?
In studies, Hydroxycitric Acid has demonstrated the ability to limit the body’s metabolism of carbohydrates. By preventing the body from converting carbohydrates you consume into the food you eat, your body will be forced to convert more of the fat that your body has been storing in places like your belly, hips, thighs and buttocks.
This is helpful in receptiveness you out just as speedily as humanly possible – without putting you in any danger whatsoever at any stage of the game – While you are taking Garcinia Cambogia HCA, you can continue on with the same diet and exercise program you have been following.
At present studies shows that when taking garcinia cambogia extract balanced with a healthy diet and exercise rule may help accelerate weight loss.
HCA Dosage and Safety Measures
The dosage of hydroxy citric acid in clinical trials ranges from 900 to 2,800 mg daily (15 to 47 mg/kg of body weight). HCA is measured as nontoxic, but it may reason gentle side effects, such as dizziness, dry mouth, nausea, headaches, diarrhea and gastrointestinal complaints.
It may also interact with certain medications, including diabetes and depression drugs. Pregnant women should avoid taking HCA. Studies have also shown that it has a suppressible effect on appetite.
This was discovered to be the result of HCA’s effect on serotonin levels in the brain. When serum serotonin levels are raised is causes improvement in mood. When in a better mood people tend to eat less food as compared to others who are depressed or anxious.
The combination of reduced carbohydrate metabolism and suppressed appetite has an accumulation on the body and has led many to lose quite a bit of body fat.
Before you take Garcinia Cambogia supplement, it makes sense to know the potential side effects of HCA on your health. The truth is that there’s no strong and enough evidence showing that HCA is effective and safe for long-term use.
That’s why if you’ll try to take garcinia cambogia you should expect side effects like dry mouth, dizziness, diarrhea and upset stomach. Read what are the side effect of garcinia cambogia.
Is Hydroxycitric acid right for everyone?
For many years, the plant and the fruit of garcinia cambogia have been used and eaten. But, it is not recommended for pregnant and breastfeeding women. HCA has a counter indication to insulin, thus diabetic people should talk first to their doctors as it may cause a drastic drop in blood sugar levels.
Likewise, if you’re taking statin it’s better to consult your healthcare provider as it is risky to take HCA which may lead to muscle degradation. Patients with dementia and Alzheimer’s disease should refrain from taking garcinia cambogia because the HCA content has an adverse effect on them.
There’s nothing wrong with losing weight, but it’s important to follow a method that is safe and effective. As there are many weight loss supplements available in the market, you should be extra careful in making your choice.
Obviously, there’s no single product that can provide long-term, effective results. You should control your eating habits and exercise regularly. Garcinia Cambogia is one of the popular weight loss supplements claiming to burn fat effectively through its HCA content.
Knowing how HCA works for weight loss will help you make the right decision about whether to supplement or not.
is a registered dietitian with over 10 years of experience in the field of nutrition. She has a Master’s degree in Nutritional Science from Dhaka University and has worked with various clients to help them achieve their health goals through personalized diet plans. Mounota is passionate about educating people on the benefits of a healthy diet and lifestyle and has written extensively on the subject for various publications.
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