Potential Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia Extract HCA (Hydroxycitric Acid)

One of the new breakthroughs in natural weight control options comes in the form of weight loss supplements such as Garcinia Cambogia extract.  Garcinia Cambogia is a sour tasting fruit that is native to India and South East Asia. It has long been used as an appetite suppressant and medicinal agent in this region. Even though its popularity is increasing in other parts of the world, many individuals are concerned about the side effects of Garcinia Cambogia.

However, Garcinia Cambogia side effects are rare and when they happen, they are mild. The side effects reported by some users of this diet supplement include digestive tract discomfort, nausea and headaches. Studies performed by the manufacturers of this diet supplement or by universities that review the efficiency of various diet supplements have not established any long term safety issues associated with taking Garcinia Cambogia.

Documented side effects

• High dosage side effects - Some side effects of Garcinia Cambogia occur when the diet supplement is consumed in high doses. For instance, a person who takes large amounts of Garcinia Cambogia may experience side effects like diarrhea, vomiting and intestinal or stomach pain. 
• Blood sugar effects - Hydroxycitric acid, which is the active ingredient in this diet supplement, can lower the levels of blood sugar. This is the reason why people who suffer from diabetes should not take this diet supplement without consulting their doctor first. 
• Allergic reaction - Some people can experience allergic reactions to Garcinia Cambogia. Symptoms of such reactions include skin rash, itching, tingling in the mouth or throat, hives, wheezing, chest tightness, swelling of the face, hands or throat and difficult breathing. An allergic reaction to this diet supplement should be regarded as a medical emergency. 
• Testicular shrinkage - This side effect can only happen if a person takes an extremely high dose of the supplement such as 1167 milligrams per kilogram of body weight or 90 grams per day. It is not practical to consume a diet supplement at such a high dose. The standard dosage of this weight loss supplement is 250 to 1000 milligrams per day. 

People who suffer from Alzheimer's disease or dementia should not take this diet supplement. Pregnant or lactating women and children should also not take it. The drug interactions that can occur when taking Garcinia Cambogia as distributers indicate include interference with nitrates, antiarrhythmics and calcium channel blockers. Others include potentiating cardiac glycosides, increasing the risk of suffering from arrhythmia if the diet supplement is combined with terfenadine or depolarizing muscle relaxants and increasing the risk of suffering from hypokalemia.

Advantages of taking Garcinia Cambogia to Lose Weight

The advantages of taking Garcinia Cambogia extract are many and they outweigh the possible Garcia Cambogia side effects. It functions as a dual action fat buster by suppressing appetite and preventing the body from storing carbohydrates as fat. This diet supplement helps control food cravings allowing you to ingest fewer calories.

Garcinia Cambogia extract is very helpful for emotional eaters because it helps increase serotonin levels. This helps alleviate the symptoms of depression and stress and balance out mood swings. In this way, people who look for solace in food when they are stressed no longer have do that and it will be easy for them to control the causes of overeating. This diet supplement also helps manage the levels of cortisol in the body.

Garcinia Cambogia is clinically proven to transform the biochemistry of the body's internal systems responsible for creating new fat cells. It helps slow down or completely stop the process of body fat storage. Since HCA burns off carbohydrates and blocks fat storage, the diet supplement is believed to play a role in lowering cholesterol.

Garcinia Cambogia is inexpensive and is readily available in local supermarkets, drug stores and online stores. Apart from taking it to lose weight, you can also take it for the sole purpose of suppressing appetite. Most physicians recommend that people should take 500 to 1000 milligrams per dosage of this diet supplement 30 minutes to 2 hours before meals 3 times per day. The recommend maximum dosage per day is 3000 milligrams.


The best way to use this diet supplement to achieve your long term weight loss goals is to reduce the number of calories you consume eat day and engage in physical activity that can help you burn some calories.