Garcinia Cambogia has been one of the better known weight loss supplements for quite some time now and it definitely earned that spot. Its fat burning capabilities have been proven and it also comes with several health benefits as well. Let’s start at the beginning, shall we? For those who do not know what garcinia cambogia is, it is an fruit that is native in Asia. It has shown positive results when it comes to weight loss and has since been an active ingredient in most dietary supplements. Another benefit that garcinia cambogia extract offer is its ability to help lower high cholesterol levels. All in all, this compound is known to be relatively safe to take with few to no side effects.
However, that does not mean that you should take supplements containing garcinia cambogia with impunity. While side effects are rare, they are still a risk that you should be aware of, especially since garcinia cambogia can cause some pretty serious side effects during those rare instances.
Below are some of the serious side effects that this compound can cause.
Overdosing Side Effects
All labels of garcinia cambogia supplements will indicate the importance of staying well within the recommended dosage. There is a reason for this as taking garcinia cambogia in high doses can cause stomach aches, intestinal pain, vomiting, nausea and headaches.
Blood Sugar Level Side Effects
Garcinia cambogia contains an active ingredient called hydroxycitric acid which can lower blood sugar levels in the body. While this might seem like a benefit, it is not such for people who have diabetes. It is highly advised that people who have diabetes avoid taking garcinia cambogia, or at least make sure they consult their doctor first before taking this supplement. The reason for this precaution is that diabetic patients are also taking medications to control their blood sugar levels. Mixing in garcinia cambogia might exacerbate their condition as it might not react well with the other medications they are taking.
Allergic Reactions to Garcinia Cambogia
This is another factor that should not be ignored. While most people react positively to taking cambogia supplements, there is a chance that your body will react differently, developing an allergic reaction to this supplement, especially if this is your first time taking garcinia cambogia extract. Common symptoms of such an allergic reaction include skin irritations, swelling of the hands, throat and face, wheezing, and difficulty breathing. Allergic reactions range from mild to severe so consult with a health professional before taking garcinia cambogia based supplements.
Testicular Shrinkage
When garcinia cambogia extract was fed in high doses to obese male rats, while fat accumulation was greatly suppressed, researchers discovered a significant decrease in the size of the test subject’s testicles. While this side effect has not been seen in humans, the fact that it can cause this physical deformity in animal test subjects should not be taken lightly, especially for men. Stay within the recommended dosage, just in case.
