Generality
Hydroxycitric acid is an acid extracted from the fruits of Garcinia cambogia, classically used as a gastroprotector and antirheumatic in traditional medicine.
Indications
Why is hydroxycitric acid used? What is it for?
Only anti-obesigene properties are currently ascribed to hydroxycitric acid.
These activities would be associated with the capacity of the hydroxycitric acid of:
- exercise an anorexigenic action towards the appetite center, through metabolic and neuroendocrine pathways not fully characterized;
- The ability of hydroxycitric acid to inhibit the enzyme citrate lyase, involved in the synthesis of fatty acids, triglycerides and cholesterol.
Property and Effectiveness
What benefit has hydroxycitric acid shown during the studies?
Some preliminary experimental evidences, carried out on small rodents, would have shown a potential antiobesigenous effect of hydroxycitric acid.
Despite the first encouraging work, subsequent clinical trials, conducted on obese subjects supplemented for 12 weeks with 100 mg daily hydroxycitric acid, have instead refuted the slimming potential of this extract.
There is therefore still a great deal of uncertainty about the actual slimming effectiveness of hydroxycitric acid.
Doses and method of use
How to use hydroxycitric acid
Classically, hydroxycitric acid is extracted, as an active ingredient titrated, from Garcinia cambogia.
The most used and characterized dosage, both for efficacy and safety, is that of 1, 500 mg daily.
Side effects
From the few clinical trials present, the use of hydroxycitric acid, according to specific indications, would generally be safe and well tolerated.
Contraindications
When should hydroxycitric acid not be used?
The use of hydroxycitric acid is contraindicated in case of hypersensitivity to the active ingredient.
Pharmacological Interactions
Which drugs or foods can modify the effect of hydroxycitric acid?
Pharmacological interactions between hydroxycitric acid and other active ingredients are currently unknown.
Precautions for use
What do you need to know before taking hydroxycitric acid?
The use of hydroxycitric acid is generally contraindicated during pregnancy and in the subsequent period of breastfeeding, given the lack of studies on the safety profile.
Particular caution in the use of hydroxycitric acid should instead be adopted by patients suffering from Alzheimer's disease, dementia and associated syndromes and diabetes.
In all these cases, the use of hydroxycitric acid, if absolutely necessary, should be supervised by medical personnel.
