Introduction
The fruit of Garcinia cambogia has been traditionally used
in food preparation and cooking.In Ayurveda
,it is said that sour flavors such as those from Garcinia
activate digestion.Garcinia is considered tomake foods more
filling and satisfying and has been used routinely for many
centuries with notoxicity.Garcinia and its active ingredient,
HCA (hydroxycitric acid)have been extensively studied for
overthirty years And found to be effective in inhibiting
lipogenesis,suppressing appetite ,and encouraging weight-loss
in ratory animals.
Origin
Garcinia cambogia, an exotic fruit grown in South India,
has been used to impart a distinctive sour flavour to Indian
cooking. It is commonly found in the evergreen and shola
forests of Western Ghats in India up to 6,000 ft. high.
Chemical
composition / key active constituents
The tree is valued for its dried rind which
is rich in acids and possesses marked antiseptic properties.It
contains tartaric acid reducing sugars and phosphoric acid (as
calcium triphosphate). It Lmits the synthesis of fatty acids in
the muscles and liver lipogenesis (production of fat) by inhibiting
the enzyme ATP-citrate lyase.The fruits contain 30% acid (calculated
as Citric acid) essen- tially (-)-hydroxy-citric acid. Camboginol
& camboginare also identified. The resin possesses purgative
properties.
Pharmacology
There are various products available for obesity
and fat control they are generally stimulants which have side
effect on central nervous system. HCA on the other hand, works
via peripheral mechanism to promote weight loss and assist the
body’s natural cycle in the liver and elsewhere, there by
influencing the metabolism of calories. HCA works by:-
ATP citrate lyase converts, excess calories
from food into Fat for storage. HCA binds to enzyme ATP-citrate
lyase making it ineffective. If ATP citrate lyase is not present
the fat production in body is stopped. No more extra fat storage
in body & when body need energy the stored fat gets burned.
The calories which are diverted from fat storage got to end some
where so glycogen are product and this gets stored in skeletal
muscles and the liver.
Appetite Suppressant: A reduction in appetite
is never the most import part of fat loss, but certainly can make
things easier. In numerous studies, HCA has been shown to reduce
the appetite of animal consuming it. HCA’S control of appetite
seems to be the result of all the stored glycogen, which is produced.
That is when glycogen rises, glucoreceptors in the liver
are stimulated. As regulator, these glucoreceptors send signal
to brain via the ragus nerve.Against a very natural way to alter
physiology and promote weight loss.
| Remedies
For |
 |
It
decreases the rate of dietary carbohydrate conversion to fat
and cholesterol |
| |
while increasing glycogen production. |
|
|
It
suppresses appetite thus reducing food consumption |
|
|
It
also potentially increases caloric burning there by elevating
the body’s |
| |
production
of heat. It is nature’s answer to weight loss. |
Dosage
Generally,
everybody can use HCA in the amount of 1000 mg./3 times a day
and about 1 hour before meal.
| References: |
| 1 |
J. Sci. Ind. Res., 1964, 1, 14. |
| 2 |
Indian
J. Exp. Biol. 1978, 16, 830. |
| 3 |
Indian J. Med. Res., 1990, 92(B), 276-283. |
| 4 |
Dallas
Clouatre & Michael Rosenbaum. "The Diet and health
benefits of HCA", Keats Publishing Inc. New York. 1990. |
| 5 |
Lewis
Y. S. and Neelakanthan S. Phytochemistry, 1965; 4: 619. |
| 6 |
The
Wealth of India(Raw Materials). Publication Information &
Directorate, C.S.I.R.
New Delhi, 1985 |
| 7 |
Warrier
P.K., Nambiar, V.P.K. and Raman kutty C., Indian Medicinal
Plants, Pub. |
|
