Hydroxycitric Acid
1,2-Dihydroxypropane-1,2,3-tricarboxylic acid, HCA, Hydroxycitrate.
Hydroxycitric acid is a chemical that is found in fruit rinds of Garcinia cambogia, Garcinia indica, and Garcinia atroviridis. It can also be found in parts of the flowers of Hibiscus subdariffa and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis plants. It is similar to the chemical citric acid.
Hydroxycitric acid is used to improve exercise performance and weight loss.
How does it work?
Hydroxycitric acid might improve weight loss by preventing fat storage and controlling appetite. It might improve exercise performance by limiting the use of stored energy in the muscles, which seems to prevent fatigue.
Insufficient Evidence to Rate Effectiveness for...
- Exercise performance. Taking hydroxycitric acid (HCA) for up to 5 days might increase how long untrained women or elite athletes are able to exercise.
- Weight loss. The effect of hydroxycitric acid on weight loss is not clear. Some research shows that taking hydroxycitric acid for 8 weeks might improve weight loss. However, other research suggests that it doesn't decrease fat breakdown or energy expenditure in overweight people when taken for only 2 weeks.
- Other conditions.
Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database rates effectiveness based on scientific evidence according to the following scale: Effective, Likely Effective, Possibly Effective, Possibly Ineffective, Likely Ineffective, and Insufficient Evidence to Rate (detailed description of each of the ratings).
QUESTION
Next to red peppers, you can get the most vitamin C from ________________. See AnswerBleeding disorders: There is concern that hydroxycitric acid might slow blood clotting. This might increase the risk of bleeding or bruising in people with bleeding disorders.
Diabetes: Hydroxycitric acid might reduce blood sugar. Monitor blood sugar levels closely. Doses of conventional antidiabetes medications may need to be adjusted.
Surgery: Hydroxycitric acid might affect blood sugar levels and slow blood clotting. This might make it more difficult to control blood sugar and bleeding during and after surgery. Stop taking hydroxycitric acid at least 2 weeks before a scheduled surgery.
Medications that slow blood clotting (Anticoagulant / Antiplatelet drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Hydroxycitric acid might slow blood clotting. Taking hydroxycitric acid along with medications that also slow clotting might increase the chances of bruising and bleeding.
Some medications that slow blood clotting include aspirin, clopidogrel (Plavix), dalteparin (Fragmin), enoxaparin (Lovenox), heparin, ticlopidine (Ticlid), warfarin (Coumadin), and others.
Medications used for diabetes (Antidiabetes drugs)Interaction Rating: Moderate Be cautious with this combination.Talk with your health provider.
Hydroxycitric acid might lower blood sugar. Diabetes medications are also used to lower blood sugar. Taking hydroxycitric acid along with diabetes medications might cause your blood sugar to go too low. Monitor your blood sugar closely. The dose of your diabetes medication might need to be changed.
Some medications used for diabetes include glimepiride (Amaryl), glyburide (DiaBeta, Glynase PresTab, Micronase), insulin, pioglitazone (Actos), rosiglitazone (Avandia), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), glipizide (Glucotrol), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others.
The appropriate dose of hydroxycitric acid depends on several factors such as the user's age, health, and several other conditions. At this time, there is not enough scientific information to determine an appropriate range of doses for hydroxycitric acid. Keep in mind that natural products are not always necessarily safe and dosages can be important. Be sure to follow relevant directions on product labels and consult your pharmacist or physician or other healthcare professional before using.