Alternative Therapies
Garcinia Cambogia’s Diverse Range Of Therapeutic Properties
Date: 20/09/07
Garcinia cambogia is the name of an evergreen that grows throughout India and other parts of Asia. The rind of the fruit that this tree produces is commonly used as an ingredient in curries and many other Indian dishes, as it is thought to improve digestion.
The fruits rind is also fast gaining notoriety among scientists for its diverse range of therapeutic actions. For example, it contains compounds that are proving to be beneficial in the fight against two of our biggest health threats cancer and MRSA.
If that wasnt enough garcinia has also been found be effective as a weight loss aid. However, unlike many other herbal weight loss supplements it doesn't work by stimulating the brain and fooling it into burning calories which can cause a wide range of unpleasant side effects such as insomnia and anxiety. Instead it works at a cellular level to prevent a build-up of fat, and blocks the action of specific enzymes that are needed to store fat in your body.
Garcinia helps prevent the spread of cancerous cells
Xanthochymol is one of the powerful ingredients found in the rind of the fruit. This natural chemical is generating a great deal of excitement as researchers have revealed that it can help prevent cancer (Chattopadhyay SK, Kumar S. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2006 Aug 18; Epub ahead of print).
In a study conducted some years ago, Japanese scientists from the International Institute of Biotechnology in Gigu, found that xanthochymol is able to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and also speed-up the destruction of abnormal cells in the body (Matsumoto K, et al Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Apr;26(4):569-71).
Recently, a team of scientists working at the China Pharmaceutical University have confirmed these findings. They discovered that extracts of garcinia encourage cancerous cells to stop growing by interfering with several enzymes needed for cell division and development (Jun Y, et al. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Sep 28; Epub ahead of print). The particular cells examined in this study were taken from human cancerous stomach tissue.
Showing promise in the fight against the deadly MRSA superbug
Garcinia is also proving beneficial in the fight against the deadly, drug-resistant superbug Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is important as MRSA poses a serious threat to old and weak hospitalised patients in particular and can cause serious infections and even death.
Research findings from the Natural Products Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Prince of Songkhla University, in Thailand, have revealed that garcinia extracts are extremely effective at blocking the growth of the MRSA bug.
Not only that, but garcinia also blocked the growth of other harmful bacteria including Candida albicans (which causes thrush) and Cryptococcus (which causes pneumonia) (Phongpaichit S, et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2006 Oct 18; Epub ahead of print). Research is still continuing in this area and NHR promises to keep you fully updated on the findings as soon as they become available.
Shift those unwanted pounds once and for all and lower your percentage of body fat
Garcinia contains the active ingredient Hydroxy Citric Acid (HCA), which is responsible for the plants ability to promote weight loss. It does this by slowing down the production of new fatty molecules in your body, in addition to helping your body inactivate existing fat molecules.
The findings of a recent animal study, due to be published shortly, are extremely promising. The scientists found that when obese animals were given garcinia extracts they lost a significant amount of weight, especially around the abdominal area, and also showed a marked reduction in fatty protein levels present in the blood. In addition, the extracts appeared to increase the number of red blood cells, which suggests that garcinia could prove beneficial in the treatment of anaemia (Oluyemi KA, Omotuyi IO et al. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2006; Epub ahead of print).
Similar benefits were reported two years ago by Japanese scientists from the National Institute of Health and Nutrition. They found that rats given garcinia extracts for three consecutive months experienced a significant reduction in body fat without any adverse effects (Saito M, Ueno M, et al. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005;43(3):411-9).
Garcinia has also been found to be effective when combined with other weight loss supplements such as chromium picolinate a mineral that activates insulin and reduces sugar cravings.
In a major study of herbal weight loss supplements, Polish academics from the Poznan University of Medical Science gave several supplements to a group of 105 obese volunteers over a 12-week period and compared this to another group of patients who received a placebo. The scientists found that the patients who received supplements containing garcinia and chromium experienced the greatest reductions in weight and body fat, particularly when combined with exercise (Opala T et al. Eur J Med Res. 2006 Aug 30;11(8):343-50). The recommended dosage for chromium picolinate is one 100mcg capsule taken twice a day.
What to take for best results
You should follow the dosage instructions given on the individual products label for most garcinia products this is normally one capsule taken three times a day. Make sure you opt for a preparation that contains 250mg to 500mg of standardised HCA.
Side effects are rare but include headaches and a persistent cough. These normally disappear as soon as the dosage is reduced.
Contraindications: If you are taking medication for diabetes you should not take garcinia or chromium picolinate as it may cause excessive lowering of your blood sugar levels.
Back to topThe fruits rind is also fast gaining notoriety among scientists for its diverse range of therapeutic actions. For example, it contains compounds that are proving to be beneficial in the fight against two of our biggest health threats cancer and MRSA.
If that wasnt enough garcinia has also been found be effective as a weight loss aid. However, unlike many other herbal weight loss supplements it doesn't work by stimulating the brain and fooling it into burning calories which can cause a wide range of unpleasant side effects such as insomnia and anxiety. Instead it works at a cellular level to prevent a build-up of fat, and blocks the action of specific enzymes that are needed to store fat in your body.
Garcinia helps prevent the spread of cancerous cells
Xanthochymol is one of the powerful ingredients found in the rind of the fruit. This natural chemical is generating a great deal of excitement as researchers have revealed that it can help prevent cancer (Chattopadhyay SK, Kumar S. J Chromatogr B Analyt Technol Biomed Life Sci. 2006 Aug 18; Epub ahead of print).
In a study conducted some years ago, Japanese scientists from the International Institute of Biotechnology in Gigu, found that xanthochymol is able to inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and also speed-up the destruction of abnormal cells in the body (Matsumoto K, et al Biol Pharm Bull. 2003 Apr;26(4):569-71).
Recently, a team of scientists working at the China Pharmaceutical University have confirmed these findings. They discovered that extracts of garcinia encourage cancerous cells to stop growing by interfering with several enzymes needed for cell division and development (Jun Y, et al. Carcinogenesis. 2006 Sep 28; Epub ahead of print). The particular cells examined in this study were taken from human cancerous stomach tissue.
Showing promise in the fight against the deadly MRSA superbug
Garcinia is also proving beneficial in the fight against the deadly, drug-resistant superbug Methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). This is important as MRSA poses a serious threat to old and weak hospitalised patients in particular and can cause serious infections and even death.
Research findings from the Natural Products Research Unit and Department of Microbiology, Prince of Songkhla University, in Thailand, have revealed that garcinia extracts are extremely effective at blocking the growth of the MRSA bug.
Not only that, but garcinia also blocked the growth of other harmful bacteria including Candida albicans (which causes thrush) and Cryptococcus (which causes pneumonia) (Phongpaichit S, et al. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2006 Oct 18; Epub ahead of print). Research is still continuing in this area and NHR promises to keep you fully updated on the findings as soon as they become available.
Shift those unwanted pounds once and for all and lower your percentage of body fat
Garcinia contains the active ingredient Hydroxy Citric Acid (HCA), which is responsible for the plants ability to promote weight loss. It does this by slowing down the production of new fatty molecules in your body, in addition to helping your body inactivate existing fat molecules.
The findings of a recent animal study, due to be published shortly, are extremely promising. The scientists found that when obese animals were given garcinia extracts they lost a significant amount of weight, especially around the abdominal area, and also showed a marked reduction in fatty protein levels present in the blood. In addition, the extracts appeared to increase the number of red blood cells, which suggests that garcinia could prove beneficial in the treatment of anaemia (Oluyemi KA, Omotuyi IO et al. Biotechnol Appl Biochem. 2006; Epub ahead of print).
Similar benefits were reported two years ago by Japanese scientists from the National Institute of Health and Nutrition. They found that rats given garcinia extracts for three consecutive months experienced a significant reduction in body fat without any adverse effects (Saito M, Ueno M, et al. Food Chem Toxicol. 2005;43(3):411-9).
Garcinia has also been found to be effective when combined with other weight loss supplements such as chromium picolinate a mineral that activates insulin and reduces sugar cravings.
In a major study of herbal weight loss supplements, Polish academics from the Poznan University of Medical Science gave several supplements to a group of 105 obese volunteers over a 12-week period and compared this to another group of patients who received a placebo. The scientists found that the patients who received supplements containing garcinia and chromium experienced the greatest reductions in weight and body fat, particularly when combined with exercise (Opala T et al. Eur J Med Res. 2006 Aug 30;11(8):343-50). The recommended dosage for chromium picolinate is one 100mcg capsule taken twice a day.
What to take for best results
You should follow the dosage instructions given on the individual products label for most garcinia products this is normally one capsule taken three times a day. Make sure you opt for a preparation that contains 250mg to 500mg of standardised HCA.
Side effects are rare but include headaches and a persistent cough. These normally disappear as soon as the dosage is reduced.
Contraindications: If you are taking medication for diabetes you should not take garcinia or chromium picolinate as it may cause excessive lowering of your blood sugar levels.
Click here to send to a friendShare thisPrinter friendly version
