Does Garcinia Cambogia Really Work?

An extract of the tropical fruit garcinia cambogia has seen much use lately in many different diet pills. With so many weight loss products coming and going in the market, and not all of them reputable, it’s reasonable to ask whether garcinia cambogia really helps weight loss.

At first glance, results of some studies suggest garcinia cambogia extract may have something going for it. The rind of garcinia cambogia contains the chemical hydroxycitric acid, or HCA.

Studies show HCA may block the action of the enzyme citrate lyase, which is part of the body’s mechanism for making fat. HCA also increases amounts of the neurotransmitter serotonin, which could have the effect of suppressing appetite. Other studies have shown that HCA may help reduce cholesterol or make it easier for the body to process glucose.

But studies that looked directly at garcinia cambogia’s effect on weight loss suggest the results are not remarkable.

One study published online in the journal Obesity in December 2011, reported that people who took garcinia cambogia extract lost about 2 pounds more on average than those who took a placebo. But the researchers could not be certain that loss was attributable to the garcinia cambogia instead of exercise or a lower-calorie diet.

Some users of diet pills with this ingredient have also reported some alleged unpleasant garcinia cambogia side effects, like headache, dizziness, dry mouth, diarrhea, or upset stomach. Garcinia cambogia also may not always play well with others: it may cause bad reactions if taken at the same time as certain pain medications, iron supplements, asthma or allergy medications, psychiatric drugs, blood thinners, or cholesterol lowering drugs.

In 2009, the FDA issued a warning about reports of liver problems related to the Hydroxycut series of weight loss products. Hydroxycut uses garcinia cambogia, in addition to several other ingredients. The agency said it had received 23 reports of Hydroxycut users experiencing problems from jaundice and elevated liver enzymes to liver damage severe enough to require a liver transplant. One reported case of liver failure ended in death.

Because Hydroxycut uses several different ingredients, it’s not certain whether those reported liver problems were garcinia cambogia side effects. Some studies suggest garcinia cambogia is safe for the liver, but others suggest not.

Garcinia Cambogia Class Action Lawsuit

A different set of weight loss products are the subject of a class action lawsuit against famed health expert Dr. Mehmet Oz.

Lead plaintiff Vera Woodard takes issue with the Labrada Garcinia Cambogia Dual Action Fat Buster, among other Labrada products she says she purchased and used.

According to Woodard, Dr. Oz promoted a brand of products made by Labrada Bodybuilding Nutrition Inc. on his television show, describing these diet pills as a “magic weight loss cure.” Vera says Dr. Oz described garcinia cambogia extract as a “revolutionary fat buster, which could be the magic ingredient that lets you lose weight without diet or exercise.”

Yet Woodard says there is no scientific evidence to back up Dr. Oz’s claims. She says that Dr. Oz’s claims about garcinia cambogia are false, and that as a reputable surgeon, Dr. Oz knew those claims were false and would mislead consumers.

Woodard is seeking to represent a proposed nationwide class of persons who purchased Lambrada weight loss products.

That Garcinia Cambogia Class Action Lawsuit is Case No. 2:16-CV-00717 in the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California.