Garcinia Cambogia
Also known as: Garcinia gummi-gutta, Malabar tamarind, HCA, Hydroxycitric acid
HCA is a competitive inhibitor of ATP-citrate lyase, the enzyme that converts citrate to acetyl-CoA for fatty-acid synthesis. This mechanism is well characterised in vitro and in rodents, but translation to clinically meaningful weight loss in humans has been disappointing.
Last reviewed: 2026-10-06 · 0 indexed studies
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Overview
Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit whose rind yields hydroxycitric acid (HCA), typically standardised to 50–60%. It has been marketed for weight management for decades, though the human evidence for meaningful fat loss is weak and inconsistent.
Mechanism & Function
Mechanism of Action
HCA inhibits ATP-citrate lyase, reducing the supply of acetyl-CoA for de novo lipogenesis and shifting carbohydrate towards glycogen storage. Proposed appetite effects via serotonergic pathways remain speculative in humans.
Physiological Role
No established physiological role — it is a xenobiotic plant compound, not a nutrient.
Primary Pathways
Performance / Health Relevance
No established performance relevance. Interest is confined to weight-management positioning.
Evidence Review
No human clinical studies indexed for this ingredient yet.
No meta-analyses or systematic reviews indexed for this ingredient yet.
Dimensions marked N/A have no indexed evidence of that class. They are shown as unavailable rather than scored.
Practical Use & Dosage
- Minimum Effective Dose
- Not established in humans
- Optimal Range
- Commonly 500–1,500 mg HCA per day in products (efficacy unproven)
- Upper / Caution Level
- Not well defined; high doses linked to rare hepatotoxicity case reports
- Timing
- Typically before meals in commercial products
- Best Format
- Standardised extract (50–60% HCA)
- Bioavailability
- HCA is water-soluble and absorbed; bioavailability data in humans are limited.
- Absorption Considerations
- Often combined with potassium or calcium salts for stability.
Safety & Interactions
Side Effects
- •GI discomfort
- •Headache
- •Rare hepatotoxicity case reports
Contraindications
- Liver disease
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient data)
Drug Interactions
- •Serotonergic drugs (theoretical)
- •Statins (theoretical)
Who Should Avoid
- •People with liver conditions
- •Pregnant or breastfeeding women
Monitoring
Discontinue if signs of liver injury appear.
Frequently Asked Questions
Auto-generated from indexed evidence — dosage, safety, interactions, and more.
When is Garcinia Cambogia typically used or indicated?
Garcinia Cambogia is most commonly used for: Weight-management formulas, Appetite-support blends, Metabolic health products. No established physiological role — it is a xenobiotic plant compound, not a nutrient.
How does Garcinia Cambogia work?
HCA inhibits ATP-citrate lyase, reducing the supply of acetyl-CoA for de novo lipogenesis and shifting carbohydrate towards glycogen storage. Proposed appetite effects via serotonergic pathways remain speculative in humans.
What is the recommended dose of Garcinia Cambogia?
The optimal range is Commonly 500–1,500 mg HCA per day in products (efficacy unproven). with a minimum effective dose of Not established in humans. Best taken: Typically before meals in commercial products. Upper / caution level: Not well defined; high doses linked to rare hepatotoxicity case reports.
What are the side effects of Garcinia Cambogia?
Reported side effects include: GI discomfort; Headache; and Rare hepatotoxicity case reports. Monitoring: Discontinue if signs of liver injury appear.
Does Garcinia Cambogia interact with medications?
Known or theoretical interactions: Serotonergic drugs (theoretical); and Statins (theoretical). Always check with a clinician before combining with prescription medication.
Who should avoid Garcinia Cambogia?
Garcinia Cambogia is generally not recommended for: People with liver conditions; Pregnant or breastfeeding women; Liver disease; and Pregnancy and breastfeeding (insufficient data).
How strong is the evidence for Garcinia Cambogia?
Evidence level: Preliminary (overall score 25/100), based on 0 indexed studies on SuppIndex.
Research & References (0)
No studies match this filter
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Green Tea Extract
40/100EGCG inhibits catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), prolonging catecholamine-driven thermogenesis. Meta-analyses show modest weight and fat-oxidation effects, largely caffeine-dependent. High-dose EGCG fasted has been linked to rare liver injury, prompting dose warnings in the EU.
Research Overview
Preliminary EvidenceCite this ingredient
One-click citation export in APA, MLA, Chicago, BibTeX, or HTML. The URL below is stable and safe to link.
Stable URL
https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/garcinia-cambogia
SuppIndex. (2026). Garcinia Cambogia: Evidence summary, dosage and clinical studies. Retrieved October 16, 2026, from https://thesuppindex.com/ingredients/garcinia-cambogia
Based on 0 indexed studies · Evidence level: Preliminary.
Goal Ratings
Stack Compatibility
Commonly stacked with green tea or chromium in weight-management products; no synergy is established.