Garcinia cambogia, also known as Malabar tamarind, is a tropical fruit renowned for its active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which aids in weight loss by suppressing appetite and inhibiting fat synthesis. It is used in cooking as a condiment and in dietary supplements, offering additional benefits such as cholesterol reduction and gastrointestinal health support. The fruit and its extracts also show promise in improving athletic performance by enhancing glycogen production and reducing body fat.

1. GARCINIA CAMBOGIA PROPERTIES
MEDICINAL PROPERTIES OF GARCINIA
Garcinia cambogia

2. Other Names
• Common name: Malabar Tamarind.
• English: Citrin, Gamboge, Brindal Berry, Gorikapuli,
Malabar Tamarind.
• Scientific Name: Garcinia cambogia L .; G. gummi-
gutta; G. quaesita.
• Family: Clusiaceae or Gutíferas (Guttiferae)
• Distribution: Most plants of the genus Garcinia are
evergreen trees native Asia, South Africa and Polynesia.
• Habitat: subtropical plant native to Indonesia, where it
is known as Kokam, amsool, Goraka or kattcha puli.

3. BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
• Evergreen tree 4-6 m. tall, rounded crown. Entire,
elliptic, glabrous. Axillary, sessile, unisexual
flowers.
• The fruit is like a small pumpkin orange or yellow,
with 6-8 rows, whose pericarp is rich in
hydroxycitric acid (HCA). Within the fruit there
are six to eight seeds aryl enveloped by a
delicious white.
• The inner shape of the mangosteen fruit can
remember (Garcinia mangostana), which belongs
to the same family.

4. ACTIVE INGREDIENTS
• Hydroxycitric acid (30% in the cortex) is structurally similar
to the citric acid found in citrus fruits. It is found in greater
amounts in the bark of the fruit, which is dried to be used
as a condiment in curries. Influence the metabolism giving
satiety and suppressing the synthesis of body fat. These
features have made it a unique weight loss supplement
(English: Hydroxycitric acid or HCA).
• Garcinol (potent anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer),
succinic acid (antibacterial), tartaric acid (antioxidant)
• The resin contains camboginol and cambogin. This the
gamboge, is prepared with purgative properties. (It can also
be obtained from other plants of the genus Garcinia).

5. USES OF PLANT
• Food: The rind of the fruit, which is very acidic, dried and
consumed as a condiment in many curries of Southeast
Asian countries. In Sri Lanka it is used to marinate fish
(Colombo curing). Sometimes it gets to dishes as a
substitute for tamarind.
• It can also be used to obtain Kokam butter (butter obtained
from the seeds of fruit), which is a substitute of ghee.
• Supplement: sold in capsules or tablets. It consists of dried
fruit shell with a minimum of 50% HCA wealth. It is
anorectic, indicated for obesity, appetite control, weight
loss diets, high triglycerides and high cholesterol. Dosage
according Container: approx. 500 mg. 30-60 minutes before
meals, up to 3 per day.

6. GARCINIA FOR WEIGHT LOSS
• Garcinia cambogia extract.
• Excess carbohydrates are converted to abdominal fat. Garcinia extract taken 30 -
60 minutes before meals, avoids this transformation and gives early satiety.
• To be effective the supplement should follow a diet rich in fruits and vegetables.
• Garcinia cambogia is mainly used to aid weight loss by decreasing appetite.
• It is an appetite suppressant that acts on the metabolism, so it has no effect on the
nervous system and has no side effects.
• Its active ingredient, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), blocks the enzyme that converts
excess carbohydrates into fat and cholesterol, called ATP-citrate lyase.
• At the same time, increases the energy reserves of the liver and muscles
(glycogenesis and gluconeogenesis), which transmits a message to the brain
indicating that it has already consumed enough food, removing the desire to
continue eating.
• Scientific studies have shown how this substance helps to reduce body weight by
acting on appetite.
• It also increases levels of serotonin (5-HTP) improved mood, nervousness and
anxiety, being a help against cravings, or against the stress of maintaining a low
calorie diet.

7. GARCINIA TO REDUCE CHOLESTEROL
• In addition to its benefits as a weight loss supplement, this
extract can be used to treat other diseases such as high
cholesterol.
• Garcinia extract contains garcinol, a potent antioxidant which
prevents oxidation of fats and prevents the deposit of
atheromatous plaques in the arteries. This results in a
decrease in cholesterol and reduced risk of cardiovascular
disease.
• Research has shown that hydroxycitric acid (HCA) reduces the
production of fatty acids between 40 and 70% up to 12 hours
after ingestion, which can help achieve a reduction in
triglycerides.
• People with high cholesterol of endogenous origin (for
diseases that raise cholesterol, not diet) can help reduce your
levels with Garcinia, controlling cholesterol synthesis.

8. OTHER USES OF MEDICAL GARCINIA
• DIGESTIVE ULCER OF STOMACH AND
INFLAMMATION
• This plant extract protects against gastric
ulcers. Is anti-inflammatory and gastro.
Reduces the acidity of the stomach, increases
the defenses of the gastric mucosa and is used
to treat intestinal inflammation.
• Has been used for treatment of gastric ulcer,
colitis and irritable bowel syndrome.

9. GARCINIA DIABETES
• Garcinia supplements are safe for diabetes and also these people
bring to the above benefits, among which cholesterol reduction. It
has been observed that the extract of Garcinia helps reduce the
glycosylated hemoglobin partially suppress the glycation of
proteins.
• Garcinia cambogia or Malabar tamarind is mentioned in Ayurveda
under the Sanskrit name Vrikshamla, to treat various other
ailments:
• In general, bitter plants such as garcinia are considered to have
digestive, useful in the treatment of indigestion and liver problems
properties.
• the Resin is purgative laxative is used, and to treat intestinal worms
and parasites.
• For the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties of its
components, it may be appropriate to use against rheumatic pains.

10. GARCINIA ALSO FOR ATHLETES
• Whether you are an athlete like you are thinking about
starting to do more sport, Garcinia cambogia can be a
good help to improve performance.
• The extract inhibits the formation of fats and increases
glycogen production, which is the energy storage
utilizing muscles. Mainly used for muscle glycogen
sprints or exercises explosive force, so these athletes
will benefit most.
• Garcinia could be introduced as a supplement to an
athlete's diet to improve physical performance while
helping to make muscle, it reduces body fat and
increases energy reserves used by the muscles to work.
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