There is a compound called hydroxycitric acid (HCA) in the rind of the tamarind that suppresses the key enzyme in the body’s fatThere are many different types of fats; polyunsaturated, monounsaturated, hydrogenated, saturated and trans fat. The body requires good fats (polyunsaturated and monounsaturated) in order to… storage process (ATP-citrate lyase). This has a significant positive impact on levels of ‘bad’ LDL cholesterolLDL is short for low density lipoprotein. It is the “bad cholesterol” which collects in the walls of blood vessels, causing blockages. High LDL levels… in the blood, fatty liver and inflammation, risk of heart disease and blood sugar issues associated with diabetes.[i] It also cranks up activity in the thyroid, which prompts an increase in metabolismMetabolism is a term that is used to describe the chemical reactions that take place within the body’s cells. The body gets the energy it…, so more fat is burned for energy.[ii] In one study, rats that were fed HCA lost significant amounts of weight, experienced better blood sugar control and suffered less inflammation.[iii] It also reduces appetite, possibly by boosting the secretion of serotoninSerotonin is a hormone found naturally in the brain and digestive tract. It is often referred to as the ‘happy hormone’ as it influences mood….. This is why I put it in my GL Support.
Moreover, Professor Thomas Seyfried, who has pioneered the use of ketogenic diets in the treatment of brain cancer, believes that HCA may prove to be an important ally in the ongoing battle against cancer. He has reported particularly impressive results when it is combined with alpha-lipoic acid (ALA).[iv] HCA is what is called a ‘calorieCalories are a measure of the amount of energy in food. Knowing how many calories are in the food we eat allows us to balance… restricting mimetic’ which means it has a similar effect to fasting and could help inhibit fuel supply to cancer cells and their survival.[v]
I recommend supplementing about 2g of HCA per day (e.g. three doses of 750mg) to aid weight loss, improve energy and help restore blood sugar control. A meta-analysis of nine studies of HCA supplementation reported average weight loss of about 1.2kg (2.7lb) in eight weeks,[vi] but participants in trials that gave more than 2g a day fared much better, averaging about 3.5kg over the trial period (roughly 1lb per week). As an example, one team of researchers placed sixty volunteers on a 2000 calorie diet plus a thirty-minute walking exercise programme and gave them either a placebo or 2,800mg of HCA per day in three equal doses. After eight weeks, those taking HCA had lost 5.4 per cent more body weight and their BMI was 5.2 per cent lower than the placebo group.
In addition, their food intake, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides and serum leptin levels (the hormone that triggers eating) were all significantly lower, while their ‘good’ HDL cholesterolHDL is short for high density lipoprotein. It is the “good cholesterol” responsible for removing harmful cholesterol from the bloodstream. High HDL levels reduce the… and serotonin levels, which is associated with better mood, were all significantly higher. No adverse effects were reported.[vii] There have been some reports of liver toxicity in other studies, but only among people with diabetes or fatty liver disease, those on potentially liver-toxic medication and/or those who were following extremely low- calorie diets. There is no evidence that supplementing HCA causes any harm to people who are in generally good health. Indeed, a major review deemed it safe to use up to 2,800mg a day,[viii] which, as we have seen, is enough to support weight loss. Even so, I would err on the side of caution if you have any sort of liver dysfunction or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease.
Further Information
HOLFORD Nutrition stock GL Support containing HCA plus a range of other natural solutions for weight management.
References
[i] R. Sripradha and S.G. Magadi, ‘Efficacy of garcinia cambogia on body weight, inflammation and glucose tolerance in high fat fed male wistar rats’, Journal of Clinical and Diagnostic Research (2015), vol 9(2): BF01–BF04.
[ii] N. Han et al., ‘(-)-Hydroxycitric acid nourishes proteinProteins are large molecules consisting of chains of amino acids. Proteins are essential nutrients for the human body – they are a building block of… synthesis via altering metabolic directions of amino acidsAmino acids are commonly known as the building blocks of protein. There are 20 standard amino acids from which almost all proteins are made. Nine… in male rats’, Phytotherapy Research (2016), vol 30(8):1316–1329.
[iii] S.L. Pinkosky et al., ‘Targeting ATP-citrate lyase in hyperlipidemia and metabolic disorders’, Trends in Molecular Medicine (2017), vol 23(11):1047–1063.
[iv] L. Schwartz et al., ‘Out of Warburg effect: an effective cancer treatment targeting the tumor specific metabolism and dysregulated pH’, Seminars in Cancer Biology (2017), vol 43:134–138.
[v] Madeo F, Carmona-Gutierrez D, Hofer SJ, Kroemer G. Caloric Restriction Mimetics against Age-Associated Disease: Targets, Mechanisms, and Therapeutic Potential. Cell Metab. 2019 Mar 5;29(3):592-610. doi: 10.1016/j.cmet.2019.01.018. PMID: 30840912.
[vi] I. Onakpoya et al, ‘The use of garcinia Extract (hydroxycitric acid) as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised clinical trials’, Journal of Obesity (2011), vol 2011:e509038.
[vii] H. Preuss et al., ‘An overview of the safety and efficacy of a novel, natural hydroxycitric acid extract (HCA-SX) for weight management’, Journal of Medicine (2004), vol 35(1–6):33–48
[viii] L.O. Chuah et al., ‘In vitro and in vivo toxicity of garcinia or hydroxycitric
acid: a review’, Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2012), vol 2012:e197920.
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