The world is abuzz about the weight loss benefits of Garcinia Cambogia. Garcinia has been the topic of television shows, health magazines, and websites galore. If you are interested in learning more about Garcinia but don’t have the time to read in depth articles or watch a whole television show, these quick facts are for you. I hope they are your first step on a successful journey to weight loss!
What is Garcinia Cambogia?
It is a fruit that is about the size of an orange or grapefruit. Cutting open the Garcinia reveals a relatively small center that resembles a lightly colored orange. This center is rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, but the flavor is so sour that few people can eat it fresh. The Garcinia’s rind is especially thick and ranges in color from light yellow to red. Concealed within this rind are concentrated amounts of hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA is what makes Garcinia Cambogia an excellent weight loss aid.
Where Does Garcinia Cambogia Come From?
Garcinia grows on trees that are native to Indonesia, coastal India and certain parts of Africa. Centuries ago, the people of India used Garcinia to treat a variety of illnesses, including arthritis, digestive problems and nerve pain.
Today, the Garcinia fruit is widely used all across Asia as a condiment. The fruit is dried in the sun and then smoked, before it is used to add a tart flavor to curries and seafood dishes.
What Can Garcinia do for You?
- Stimulate your body to burn stored fat, even if you aren’t able to exercise.
- Decrease your appetite, which facilitates eating less.
- Stabilize your emotions and decrease cravings for high calorie comfort foods.
- Help prevent heart disease.
How Does Garcinia Work?
The hydroxycitric acid in Garcinia does two very important things that enhance weight loss. First of all, HCA suppresses an enzyme which transforms the carbohydrates we eat into sugar. Fewer carbohydrates being broken down into sugar stimulates our cells to burn stored fat for the energy that they need. HCA also increases our brain’s level of serotonin. Serotonin is a hormone that is responsible for regulating appetite, moods and sleep patterns.
Higher levels of serotonin helps us to be less hungry and more emotionally stable. People who eat emotionally, will especially appreciate this benefit of Garcinia, because increased emotional stability means fewer cravings for unhealthy snacks.
Recent data is showing that Garcinia contributes to a healthy heart by decreasing triglycerides, harmful cholesterol and visceral fat. Visceral fat is a particularly dangerous type of fat covering our abdominal organs. Decreasing this organ fat significantly decreases the risk of cardiovascular disease.
How Much Garcinia should I Take?
The average adult should take between 650mg to 1,000 mg of a Garcinia extract three times a day. The maximum amount that can be taken safely in one day is 3,000mg. For Garcinia to be quickly and completely absorbed, it is best to take it with a glass of water between meals. Some people find it most helpful to take their Garcinia supplement thirty minutes before they eat, to facilitate eating less during the meal. Others prefer to take their supplement an hour after their main meals in order to decrease the tendency to snack.
Any Side Effects to be Concerned about?
Garcinia is a 100% natural supplement. Unlike some other available weight loss supplements, Garcinia extract does not contain any stimulants and therefore does not cause anxiety attacks, increase in blood pressure or any other unpleasant side effects. Garcinia does decrease blood sugar and also cholesterol, so if you are a diabetic or are taking statins to decrease cholesterol, it is vital that you talk with your healthcare professional before taking a Garcinia extract. It is also wise not to take Garcinia Cambogia if you are pregnant, may become pregnant or are breastfeeding.
Tips for Choosing a Garcinia Supplement
There are numerous Garcinia supplements available, and unfortunately some of them are poor quality. To guarantee the most weight loss, make sure that you purchase a high-quality Garcinia supplement. The best supplements have few ingredients. Garcinia Cambogia extract is usually listed first, followed by potassium, chromium and calcium. These last three ingredients are a natural part of hydroxycitric acid. Your Garcinia supplement should contain at least 60% HCA, because hydroxycitric acid is the ingredient responsible for giving you results, namely suppressing the production of sugar and appetite, as well as encouraging your body to burn fat.
