Garcinia cambogia (HCA)
What it is
Tropical fruit extract supplying hydroxycitric acid (HCA), claimed to block fat synthesis and suppress appetite.
What the evidence says
A 2011 systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized trials (Onakpoya et al., Journal of Obesity) found garcinia/HCA produced only a small short-term weight difference versus placebo (about 0.88 kg), of questionable clinical relevance, and judged the effect inconclusive. The NIH Office of Dietary Supplements rates the weight-loss evidence as insufficient. More important is safety: HCA-containing products have been linked to liver injury, including cases requiring transplant, and garcinia was implicated in the 2009 recall of Hydroxycut; the NIH LiverTox database lists it as a cause of hepatotoxicity. Given marginal efficacy and a real risk of serious liver harm, garcinia cambogia is not recommended for weight loss.
Marketed at roughly 1,500-3,000 mg/day HCA, but no dose is established as both effective and safe; liver-injury reports are not clearly dose-dependent.
Educational summary of doses studied — not a recommendation. Talk to a clinician before starting any supplement.
Sources (3)
- The use of Garcinia extract (hydroxycitric acid) as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials — Journal of Obesity (2011)
- Garcinia Cambogia — drug-induced liver injury record — NIH LiverTox (2018)
- Dietary Supplements for Weight Loss — Health Professional Fact Sheet — NIH Office of Dietary Supplements (2024)
Educational summary of published research, checked against primary sources and linked inline. Not medical advice; supplements are not FDA-evaluated to treat disease. See our editorial policy.