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Garcinia cambogia extract is hitting headlines throughout the western world as a natural weight loss supplement. Several studies have shown that it does help people to lose weight and although as always there are other studies that are less conclusive, it can be an effective weight loss supplement for many people.

Garcinia cambogia is the name of a small tropical fruit that grows in India and Africa. It is one of the citrus family like oranges and lemons. It is too sour to eat but the rind is used as a spice in Indian cooking. The correct name for the substance that is extracted from the fruit as a weight loss supplement is hydroxycitric acid.

Hydroxycitric acid is not a stimulant (like caffeine) or an appetite suppressant, both of which work directly on the nerve centers of the brain and can have undesired side effects, including causing food binges any time you stop taking them. Instead, HCA satisfies the body's need for energy and improves the signaling system that the body uses to tell the brain when it has eaten enough. This response is often delayed in overweight people, causing them to continue to eat more than they need.

Garcinia cambogia extract (HCA) seems to work best in combination with chromium, which helps to regulate the body's blood sugar levels. Chromium is a mineral that is often lacking in our diets as we get older and a chromium deficit can contribute to weight gain and possibly diabetes. However if you have diabetes already, you should see your doctor before taking any products containing chromium.

As with most supplements, it is best to be cautious and do not take HCA if you are pregnant or breast feeding. Consult a doctor before giving it to children. You may also want to avoid HCA if you suffer from migraine or arthritis which can be worsened by citrus fruits.

HCA seems to work best for people who overeat when they are anxious or stressed, as it will give the same calming effect that they get from food. Generally you do not need to eat any special foods when you are taking HCA, and there are no 'forbidden foods'. Choose healthy foods and you should find that you lose weight and fat slowly but steadily without really trying. You can take slightly smaller portions if you wish and choose fruit instead of sugary snacks but you should not need to go hungry. This is a very natural way to lose weight.

Unlike many other weight loss products, HCA has been extensively tested in research laboratories on both human and animal subjects and no side effects have been found. This natural weight loss supplement is available from many sources online and may be labeled either hydroxycitric acid or garcinia cambogia extract.

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A health supplement is a product that contains vitamins, minerals, herbs or other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes, and/or other ingredients intended to complement the diet. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration treats them as foods, not drugs. It comes in tablet, capsule, powder, softgel, gelcap, or liquid form. It is labeled as being a dietary supplement and has no proven therapeutic effect. Dietary enhancements are sold in grocery, health food, drug, and discount stores, as well as through mail-order catalogs, TV programs, the Internet, and direct sales.

Why do people take supplements?

Some take liquid supplements for health and pain, others take whole food supplements to support bone health. Businessmen and other high-pressure profession take natural health enhancers for handling stress. Elderly people take herbal and supplements for urinary health. Athletes combine health diet nutrition and nutrition supplements. The list goes on. Some buy bulk l arginine l pyroglutamate powder them have become part of conventional medicine.

There are five major kinds of food supplements:

1. General Health Products.

2. Weight Loss.

3. Women's Health and Beauty.

4. Men's Health.

5. Skin Care.

Food Supplements can have a Negative Reaction on Prescription Drugs

Research shows that:

1. St. John's wort can increase the effects of prescription drugs used to treat depression. It can also interfere with drugs used to treat HIV infection, to treat cancer, for birth control, or to prevent the body from rejecting transplanted organs.

2. Ginseng can increase the stimulant effects of caffeine (as in coffee, tea, and cola). It can also lower blood sugar levels, creating the possibility of problems when used with diabetes drugs.

3. Ginkgo, taken with anticoagulant or anti platelet drugs, can increase the risk of bleeding. It is also possible that ginkgo might interact with certain psychiatric drugs and with certain drugs that affect blood sugar levels.

4. The label "natural" does not always mean "safe" or "without harmful effects."

To be sure about the safety of taking supplements, consumers should be diligent enough to consult with their attending physician, or other medical practitioners. They should not rely too much on the FDA approval tag on the bottle. For the sake of information, the FDA doesn't analyze the contents of these supplements unlike in the prescription drugs presented to them for approval. They will only act if there are verified reports about the harmful effects of the said supplements. There are also times when what's in the bottle does not always match what's on the label. Due to the laxity of the FDA in their control of this industry, a food supplement might:
1) be contaminated.
2) not contain the correct ingredient and
3) contain higher or lower amounts of the active ingredient.

Take extra caution before taking any forms of health supplements.

Raul T. Cruz - rtcruz@yagbi.com

Main website - http://healthmallcare.com/