Fat Burners Under the Microscope!

Fat Burner #6: HCA (Garcinia cambogia, hydroxycitric acid)

What is it?

HCA is found throughout Southeast Asia in a fruit called Garcinia cambogia, which has been used for centuries by Ayurvedic healers as a natural appetite suppressant and digestive aid. Later, it was used as a food preservative and flavoring agent in India. But, it's only recently become known for its potential ability to slow fat storage in the human body. For that reason, it's widely become available in most of today's leading fat-loss formulas. But that doesn't mean it's a miracle worker. In fact, claims for how (and even if) it works are still hotly debated.

How it works

The proposed benefits of HCA are based on its action as an inhibitor or blocker of the enzyme ATP citrate lyase, which is required for the synthesis of fatty acids. Simply put, it's supposed to "block fat storage." Theoretically, it does this by suppressing fatty acid mobilization and blocking the conversion of carbohydrates to fat, resulting in less fat storage. What's interesting is that it's only really active when carbohydrates are over-consumed. In other words, it supposedly only "kicks in" if you are partial to large plates of pasta or potatoes.

What does the science say?

Claims for how (and even if) it works are still hotly debated. Critics profess that further studies need to be conducted on humans, while proponents of this "fat-loss" aid stand by their animal research. Recently, two studies have indicated that HCA may not be as effective as claimed. A study by Mattes and Bormann from Purdue University took 89 mildly overweight females and prescribed 5,020-kilojoule (approximately 1,200-calorie) diets for 12 weeks. Forty-two of them took up to 2.4 grams of Garcinia cambogia (equivalent to 1.2 grams of HCA) spread evenly over the day prior to meals, while 47 of them ingested placebos. While both groups lost bodyweight, with the HCA group losing slightly more, there was no indication that HCA had any effects on helping the subjects stick to their diets or reduce their appetites. The overall result was that this study did not support the appetite-reducing claims of HCA.

How to take it

Suggested amounts range from 1,500 to 3,000 mg per day, divided in three doses. Studies typically use 1,500 mg (as hydroxycitric acid or HCA), divided in three doses throughout the day. However, the most recent study which showed HCA was effective used 8.4 grams of HCA, which is significantly more than most manufacturers are willing to recommend.

Important Tip: To check the actual milligrams of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) on the label if you're using a standardized extract form of Garcincia cambogia, it should contain at least 50% extract (i.e., a 50% extract of 500 mg Garcincia cambogia would yield approximately 250 mg of HCA).

HCA Ratings

• HCA Ratings published in your complimentary Fat-Burners eBook. Click to Download Here: It's Free!
• Read about the next fat burner: COLEUS FORSKOHLII

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