There are many weight loss supplements available in the United States, but some of them are not regulated by the FDA. That means that they could be dangerous or even harmful.
Some of the most popular garcinia cambogia supplements are sold at drugstores and health food stores, but they may not be safe to take. It's important to buy a high-quality supplement that contains a 50-60% hydroxycitric acid (HCA) extract and to read the label carefully before taking it.
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit native to India and Southeast Asia that grows in small pumpkin-shaped fruits. The rind of this fruit contains hydroxycitric acid, which is believed to be the key ingredient in many weight loss supplements.
The fruit and its rind have been used for centuries to treat digestive symptoms, arthritis and other conditions. The rind of garcinia cambogia has also been studied for its ability to reduce appetite.
However, clinical evidence of garcinia cambogia’s weight loss benefits is mixed at this time. And while supplements may help people lose weight, they’re not a substitute for diet and exercise.
Some people say that garcinia cambogia makes them feel fuller throughout the day, but no studies have found this to be true in humans. And garcinia cambogia has been linked to liver toxicity in some people who took high doses of the product. In fact, several dozen cases of liver toxicity have been reported in people who took products that were labeled as containing garcinia cambogia.