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Reviewing The Best Diatomaceous Earth Supplements of 2019

“Superfood” has become one of the biggest buzzwords in the health community over the last few years.

Suddenly, it seems like everything is a superfood. Kale is a superfood. Watermelon is a superfood. Broccoli is a superfood.

But eating enough kale and broccoli can be difficult. That’s why some people have started taking superfood supplements instead. Instead of eating, say, 10 heads of broccoli every day, you can dump a scoop of superfood powder into a shake or pop two superfood capsules.

Superfood is a broad category. There are dozens of supplements claiming to be the best superfoods on the market. But some superfood supplements are better than others. Some provide a higher dose of vitamins, nutrients, and phytonutrients, for example.

Today, we’re highlighting the best superfood supplements on the market today.

Rankings

Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily

Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily

Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily

This high-priced nutritional supplement comes from New Zealand. It’s not cheap, but it’s one of the best superfood powders money can buy. The supplement has an incredible 75 different ingredients, all of which come from natural sources. You scoop the powder into water, a shake, or the beverage of your choice to get a daily boost of vitamins and nutrients.

Some of the key ingredients in the formula include spirulina, beet root powder, green tea extract, and cocoa bean polyphenol extract. Dozens of other ingredients have also been added in surprisingly strong doses, easily making Athletic Greens one of the top superfood powders available today.

Another thing we like about Athletic Greens is that the company hasn’t just added trace doses of ingredients to fill out its ingredients list. Instead, each serving of the formula provides close to 100% of your daily recommended intake.

Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily is such a great superfood supplement that it also appears on multiple other “best of” lists on our site, including the best detox supplement list.

Now here’s the drawback: Athletic Greens Ultimate Daily is one of the most expensive superfood supplements on this list. A 30 day supply (30 servings) of the supplement is priced at $107 from Amazon, or around $100 from the official website. At around $3.50 per serving, it’s certainly not for the budget-conscious – but the ingredients list is impressive.

Battle Ready Fuel Supergreens

Battle Ready Fuel Supergreens

Battle Ready Fuel Supergreens

Battle Ready Fuel’s Supergreens supplement is one of the bestselling green powder supplements on Amazon. It’s also an effective superfood supplement, delivering a high dose of phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, and more. Each serving contains impressive nutritional value in one convenient scoop mixed into water or a shake.

Key ingredients in the formula (there are dozens) include apple fiber powder, barley grass juice powder, beetroot powder, and more.

One drawback with this supplement is that it can be hard to find on Amazon, and it’s not always listed on the online retailer. However, it’s available at a competitive price from the official Battle Ready Fuel website.

HumanN BeetElite

HumanN BeetElite

HumanN BeetElite

HumanN BeetElite might have a funny name, but it’s one of the best superfood supplements for those wanting to maximize athletic performance. The core of the formula consists of non-GMO beetroot powder. Beetroot, as you may already know, raises nitric oxide levels inside your muscles, dilating your blood vessels and enhancing athletic performance.

Many of the other superfood supplements listed here also contain beetroot. However, HumanN’s BeetElite formula is one of the most beet-heavy formulas on this list. In fact, the only other listed ingredients in the formula are natural apple flavor, malic acid, magnesium ascorbate, and stevia leaf extract. It doesn’t have the same diverse range of ingredients you see in other superfood formulas on this list, but it does provide a hefty dose of beets.

Amazing Grass Green Superfood

Amazing Grass Green Superfood

Amazing Grass Green Superfood

Amazing Grass Green Superfood is a powdered superfood formula that provides a hefty dose of ingredients like wheatgrass, chlorella, green tea, and broccoli, among other ingredients. Key ingredients include seven different alkalizing farm fresh greens, and there are more than three servings of greens, fruits, and vegetables in each serving.

If you’re interested in the effects of alkalizing greens in particular and want a hefty dose of whole fruits and veggies to boot, then Amazing Grass Green Superfood is one powerful formula. In addition to the green grass food blend, the formula contains an antioxidant blend, fiber blend, and a digestive enzyme and active culture pre/probiotic blend.

The Amazing Grass Green Superfood supplement is the formula that typically shows up first on Amazon. It’s an Editor’s Choice product. With over 10,000 reviews, it’s also one of the most-reviewed supplements we’ve ever seen on Amazon. Oh, and it’s only $19 per bottle. For all of these reasons, Amazing Grass Green Superfood is one of the best superfood supplements on this list.

Orgain Organic Superfoods

Orgain Organic Superfoods

Orgain Organic Superfoods

Orgain makes an Organic Superfoods supplement in berry or original flavor. The formula includes 50 organic superfoods and USDA Organic Certified ingredients. There are vegetables, berries, grasses, food blends, over 1 billion CFUs of probiotics, 6g of dietary fiber, a load of antioxidants, and other beneficial ingredients in each serving.

It’s also one of the most value-packed supplements on this list, priced at around $17 for a bottle containing 20 servings. The formula, like many other superfood blends on this list, is gluten-free, soy-free, vegan, and non-GMO.

If you’re looking to dip your toe into superfood blends and want to start off with an affordable bottle that still provides a hefty dose of vegetables, fruits, grains, sprouts, grasses, and more, then the Orgain Organic Superfoods supplement may be the right choice for you.

Superfood Reds With Greens

Superfood Reds With Greens

Superfood Reds With Greens

Superfood Reds With Greens Contains more than 8000 ORAC per serving, which means it has higher antioxidant content than virtually any other supplement on this list. As the name suggests, there’s a particularly hefty concentration of deep red sources of antioxidants – like cherries, cranberries, and raspberries.

Some superfoods emphasize their green ingredients. Superfood Reds With Greens, however, puts the red ingredients first while still emphasizing a hefty dose of greens. The supplement manufacturer uses organic ingredients. Each scoop includes the antioxidant power of more than 20 servings of fruits and veggies. The manufacturer claims the formula increases energy and mental focus, boosts circulation, promotes digestive health, and boosts the immune system, among other benefits.

Nested Naturals Super Greens

Nested Naturals Super Greens

Nested Naturals Super Greens

Nested Naturals Super Greens promises to “energize your body with organic, plant-based superfoods.” The ingredients are USDA Organic Certified. As of July 2019, this supplement is the number one bestseller in the chlorella supplements category on Amazon. With 2800+ customer reviews and an average rating of 4.5 stars out of 5, it’s also one of the most popular and bestselling superfood supplements available online today.

For those who like their companies with a social conscience, Nested Naturals might be the right choice to you. The company claims to source its ingredients ethically while also third party testing every batch.

The dosage in the formula is also impressive. The formula includes 1.67 billion CFUs of probiotics, a variety of enzymes for digestion, 667mg of spirulina, and 400mg of chlorella per serving. Most ingredients are packaged into one of four different blends, including a fiber blend, antioxidant blend, probiotic blend, and digestive enzyme blend.

The formula is also surprisingly affordable: you’ll pay around $28 for a container with 30 servings. That makes it one of the best-value supplements on this list. In fact, it currently holds the “Best Value” pick by Amazon editors for superfood supplements.

Vibrant Health Green Vibrance

Vibrant Health Green Vibrance

Vibrant Health Green Vibrance

Vibrant Health’s Green Vibrance supplement has one of the highest probiotic dosages on this list. Each serving contains 25 billion probiotics. Vibrant Health claims their formula can boost your health in four different ways, including improved nutrition, digestion, immunity, and circulation.

There are far too many ingredients to list here. Ingredients are separated into a number of different blends, including cereal grasses, plant-based micro-nutrition, immune support, adaptogens, skeletal support, fiber, liver support, enzymes and tonics, and probiotics. Each scoop contains about 12g of formula in total, making it one of the heftiest superfood supplements on this list.

LIVfit Superfood Blend

LIVfit Superfood Blend

LIVfit Superfood Blend

LIVfit Superfood Blend is almost an entire meal replacement powder packaged into a convenient, USDA Organic Certified formula. Key ingredients include vegan protein sources like pea powder and chia seeds. There are also your classic superfoods like green tea, beet, spinach, and broccoli, among other ingredients.

With an average rating of 4.5 stars and over 170 reviews on Amazon, it’s one of the higher rated products on our list. Ingredients and nutritional value are also transparently listed. There’s even a recipe for delicious LIVfit Superfood protein bars on the back of the package.

Garden of Life Perfect Food Super Green Formula

Garden of Life Perfect Food Super Green Formula

Garden of Life Perfect Food Super Green Formula

Garden of Life makes a wide range of trendy nutritional supplements. Their Perfect Food Super Green Formula is particularly popular. It’s described as a whole food vegetable supplement. Priced at around $1 per serving ($56 for 60 servings), the formula contains six separate blends, including a green juice blend, protein-mineral blend, digestive enzyme blend, veggie juice blend, probiotic blend, and acerola cherry blend.

Garden of Life claims these ingredients add up to a total of 45 phytonutrient-dense superfoods, 12 sprouted ingredients, and 10 probiotic strains. It’s marketed as an ideal product for those who don’t get enough vegetables.

Amazon also has a subscribe and save option that lets you drop the cost to around $48 per 60 serving bottle.

Dr. Schulze’s Superfood Plus

Dr. Schulzes Superfood Plus

Dr. Schulze’s Superfood Plus

Dr. Schulze’s Superfood Plus is a blend of herbal and wild-harvested ingredients. Key ingredients include lemon and orange peel, chlorella, seaweed, and non-fermentable yeast, among others. It’s all packaged into a convenient formula that can be mixed into a shake, water, or the beverage of your choice.

The supplement doesn’t have the dosage or range of ingredients to compete with some of the higher-rated superfood supplements on this list. However, you get a strong daily dose of many vitamins and minerals regardless.

Terrasoul Superfoods Acai Berry Powder

Terrasoul Superfoods Acai Berry Powder

Terrasoul Superfoods Acai Berry Powder

Terrasoul Superfoods makes a popular superfood formula made mostly from freeze-dried acai berries. This supplement is actually an “Amazon’s Choice” product in the “acai berry” category. It’s one of the best ways to get a hefty dose of acai berries without resorting to sleazy diet pills and similar formulas.

One of the things we like about this supplement is that there’s only one listed ingredient: organic freeze-dried acai powder. It provides an effective dose of superfoods without using dozens of different ingredients.

Plus, each 37-serving bottle is priced at around $20, making it surprisingly affordable compared to many other acai supplements and superfood supplements on the market today. If you’d rather focus on a hefty dose of one superfood instead of smaller doses of dozens of superfoods, then this may be the supplement for you.

Texas Superfood Capsules

Texas Superfood Capsules

Texas Superfood Capsules

Out of all the supplements on this list, the Texas Superfood Capsules supplement is one of the lower-rated options, scoring a 3.8 out of 5 with over 150 customer reviews on Amazon. It’s also surprisingly expensive, priced at $67 for just 30 servings. It’s also unusual that each serving consists of 6 (!) capsules.

One of the biggest issues we have with Texas Superfood’s supplement, however, is that the label isn’t very transparent about what’s inside. The label lists every ingredient in the formula, including a vegetable, fruit, enzyme, probiotic, and algae blend. However, we don’t get dosage information for any specific ingredient. We don’t even have total dosage information for the proprietary formulas.

Overall, Texas Superfood’s capsules need some work to compete with some of the heavier hitters on this list. However, if you appreciate taking your superfood supplement in the form of a capsule, then the Texas Superfoods supplement may be the right choice for you.

Our Rankings

Many of the superfood supplements listed above make similar promises. They claim to provide a huge dose of fruits and vegetables. They claim to supply your body with antioxidants, anti-inflammatories, digestive enzymes, prebioitics, probiotics, and other ingredients.

To separate the good superfood supplements from the average ones, we analyzed a number of different factors, including all of the following:

Superfood Dosages: Some superfood supplements contain over 70 different superfoods, but the dosages are so small that they’re unlikely to have any effect on your body whatsoever. We valued quality over quantity, preferring supplements with strong dosages of several proven ingredients instead of small dosages of a wider range of ingredients.

Types and Variety of Ingredients: Some superfood supplements above contain just one ingredient – like our acai berry formula. Other supplements contain dozens of ingredients. We preferred superfood supplements with strong doses of proven ingredients. Some companies try to label any fruit or vegetable a superfood. We emphasized the proven scientific value behind each ingredient.

Label Transparency: We appreciate when manufacturers transparently disclose the dose of every ingredient in their formula. We don’t like it, however, when manufacturers hide dosages behind proprietary formulas or obfuscate ingredient dosages.

Delivery Method: Most superfood supplements listed above were in the form of powders. Others came in the form of capsules, however. We preferred powders because they allow you to control the dosage. However, we also featured a range of delivery methods to suit different preferences.

Advertised Benefits: Some superfood supplements claim to cure diseases and improve every aspect of your body. Others are more understated, simply promising to support digestive and immune health. We were wary of superfood supplements that made insane promises.

Manufacturer Reputation: There are plenty of sleazy manufacturers trying to sell overpriced superfood blends to capitalize on the hype. We preferred manufacturers with a long, established history outside of the superfood space over those who were brand new.

Price and Value: It’s easy to make a good superfood supplement and charge people $250 per bottle. We tried to feature a range of supplements for all different budgets, ranging from $15 per bottle to $110 per bottle. However, we also researched to make sure each superfood supplement offered good value.

Who Should Take a Superfood Supplement?

People take superfood supplements to support general health and wellness. Many people take superfoods because they feel they aren’t getting enough fruits and vegetables in their diet. 90% of Americans fail to get their recommended daily dose of fruits and vegetables. Superfood supplements are a way to increase that dose in a convenient way.

Superfoods are similar to a multivitamin: they contain high doses of vitamins and minerals. Some contain more than the recommended daily value of multiple vitamins and minerals, for example. However, the difference with superfood supplements is that the vitamins and minerals are derived from plant sources – like chlorella, spirulina, and wheatgrass – instead of synthetic sources.

Instead of eating 10 heads of broccoli in one sitting, you can take one scoop of a superfood supplement. The supplement maker has powderized the same amount of broccoli and packaged it into a convenient serving.

Next, we’ll explore some of the proven benefits of superfood supplements. Do the superfood formulas above stand up to scientific scrutiny?

Benefits of Superfoods

It’s no secret that those who eat more fruits and vegetables tend to be healthier than others. A healthy lifestyle full of fruits and vegetables can reduce the risk of chronic disease. Fruits and vegetables are rich with phytonutrients, vitamins, minerals, fiber, and other beneficial compounds. Growing research has shown just how important fruits and vegetables are for reducing the risk of cancer, heart disease, stroke, and other major killers.

But most of us don’t get nearly enough fruits and vegetables in our diet. 90% of Americans do not get their recommended daily intake of fruits and vegetables per day, for example. The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that adults consume 1.5 to two cups of fruit per day and two to three cups of vegetables per day. In reality, most Americans eat fruit once a day and vegetables 1.7 times per day.

The top superfood formulas listed above don’t just provide your body with phytonutrients; they also provide you with omega 3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and more.

Part of the problem with superfoods is that it’s hard to agree on what exactly is a superfood. Fortunately, WebMD.com has collected a list of proven superfoods. Their list includes beans, blueberries, oats, oranges, salmon, pumpkin, green tea, and soy. Beans are rich in fiber, for example, while salmon is an easy source of lean protein.

Fiber is a crucial part of a healthy diet – especially a weight loss diet. Fiber helps you feel fuller: after entering your body, it soaks up water and expands, taking up physical space in your stomach and tricking the body into thinking it’s satiated. As researchers from Harvard explain, fiber can also help maintain healthy blood sugar levels and cholesterol. Beans, vegetables, and certain fruits are all rich in fiber.

Soy, meanwhile, has long been considered a superfood. Many people believe it provides a good source of protein and fiber while also helping to lower cholesterol. Recent research, however, has soured on soy: new research suggests that soy can increase the risk of breast cancer in women, for example. Another study suggests that soy isn’t even that effective for lowering cholesterol. While WebMD considers soy to be a superfood, many other people do not.

Salmon and walnuts are considered superfoods because they’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3 fatty acids are linked with a range of health benefits, including relief from rheumatoid arthritis, reduced joint pain, and a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease, among other benefits. Fatty acids also play a crucial role in brain health and could reduce the risk of degenerative brain disease.

You’ll notice many of the supplements above contain high levels of antioxidants. Some supplements even list their “Oxygen Radical Absorbance Capacity” (ORAC) score. A formula with a higher ORAC score has a better ability to scavenge free radicals and neutralize oxidation throughout the body. Free radicals and oxidation can increase the risk of disease, cancer, and illness, so antioxidants may reduce your risk in multiple ways.

Black and green tea are considered superfoods for having high levels of antioxidants, for example. That’s why many of the superfood supplements above – particularly the green superfood formulas – contain green tea powder. Beyond its antioxidant effects, green tea also has powerful thermogenic effects: it encourages the body to burn fat naturally.

Broccoli is also considered a superfood for multiple reasons. You’ll find powdered broccoli in many of the superfood supplements above. Broccoli is rich with antioxidants, for example, and it may even be able to destroy cancer cells. This study published in the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, for example, showed that broccoli is rich with compounds called isothiocyanates that destroy cancer cells and suppress tumor development. They act as free radical scavengers and reduce inflammation, potentially reducing your risk of a variety of diseases and illnesses.

It’s no secret that fruits and vegetables are linked with a variety of health benefits. But do these benefits translate to powdered supplements? Can you really condense fruits and vegetables into powdered form to get the same health benefits?

Scientific evidence suggests – yes! One study published in the Journal of Chiropractic Medicine in 2009, for example, tested the effects of a superfood supplement on 40 people with hypertension (high blood pressure). After 90 days, participants who received the superfood supplement had decreased blood pressure compared to the placebo group. However, there was no difference in weight between the two groups.

Overall, there are few professional studies analyzing superfood formulas. There are plenty of studies analyzing the individual ingredients in superfood supplements, but not as many analyzing the formulas as a whole.

One study published in 2006 analyzed the health benefits of a tomato concentrate extract – similar to the powdered tomato formulas seen in certain superfood supplements above. 31 participants with high blood pressure were split into two groups, with one receiving the formula and the other receiving a placebo.

Researchers found that the group taking the tomato extract formula reduced their blood pressure compared to the placebo group. Tomato is commonly cited as a superfood due to its high levels of lycopene.

Many of the superfood formulas above also contain chlorella. Chlorella is a single-celled, freshwater alga native to Taiwan and Japan. It’s naturally rich in proteins, vitamins, fiber, and minerals. In recent years, it has become one of the trendiest and most popular superfoods on the market. Some claim chlorella can reduce the risk of cancer, boost the immune system, and aid in weight loss, among other benefits.

Certain studies have reinforced the effectiveness of chlorella for weight loss. This 2012 study, for example, sought to test the effects of chlorella on the immune systems of healthy adults. A total of 30 participants were given chlorella for 4 weeks then compared to a placebo group. The study was repeated 12 weeks later for another 4 week period on the same participants. Researchers found there were significant changes in the chlorella group indicating a strengthened immune system. Because of the small size of the study, researchers recommended further research.

Other studies have linked chlorella to plenty of other health benefits. This 2009 study on mice, for example, showed that chlorella played a significant role in preventing age-related cognitive decline. Researchers believe this effect was largely related to chlorella’s antioxidant content.

Another 2005 study indicated that chlorella could inhibit the estrogenic activity of toxic compounds. This estrogenic activity can lead to cancer.

Spirulina and chlorella often go hand in hand in the superfood supplements above. Like chlorella, spirulina is a type of algae with high nutritional value. Does spirulina stand up to scientific scrutiny? Instead of summarizing every study on spirulina to date, let’s look at this review of spirulina published in Cardiovascular Therapy in 2010.

In that review, researchers discussed how spirulina had powerful cardiovascular benefits largely as a result of its hypolipidemic, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory activities. Researchers also found that these results were consistent between both animal trials and human trials. However, they cautioned that more large-scale human studies were required to verify these benefits.

You can also find wheatgrass in many of the superfood blends listed above. Wheatgrass is an excellent source of many different vitamins and nutrients. It has particularly high levels of vitamins A, C, and E, along with high levels of minerals like iron, calcium, and magnesium. There are even 17 different amino acids in wheatgrass, including 8 essential amino acids that your body cannot produce on its own.

What about kale? The Harvard School of Public Health summarizes the health benefits of kale here. Kale is rich in vitamins K, C, A, and B6, for example, along with carotenoids like lutein, zeaxanthin, folate, and manganese. Like other cruciferous vegetables, kale contains a plant chemical called glucosinolates, which are sulfur-containing compounds. Various studies have indicated a protective effect of cruciferous vegetables like kale against certain cancers. Kale is also just a nutrient-rich vegetable: just a small amount of kale can help you get your recommended daily kale intake for the day.

Various studies on wheatgrass have shown it can reduce cholesterol, flood your body with beneficial antioxidants, kill cancer cells, regulate blood sugar levels, reduce inflammation, and promote weight loss – all while being relatively easy to take and free of side effects.

Let’s talk about one more popular superfood ingredient found in many of the supplements above: beets and beetroot extract. Why are beets considered a superfood?

This 2015 study published in Nutrients summarized many of the benefits of beetroot supplementation. Beetroot was praised for its ability to naturally increase nitrate levels and nitric oxide (NO), effectively widening the blood vessels and reducing the risk of heart disease. Beetroot can also reduce oxidative stress and inflammation, among other issues. Some studies even suggest it can boost cognition. The benefits of beetroot can be simplified: beetroot widens your blood vessels and fills your blood vessels with beneficial antioxidants, leading to various powerful health benefits.

The ingredients above are just a few of the ingredients found in superfood supplements. Some of the supplements contain dozens of different ingredients. We can’t summarize all of the benefits here. Based on the studies above, however, superfood formulas should help you get your daily recommended serving of fruits and vegetables while maximizing health benefits.

Side Effects of Superfood Supplements

Superfood supplements have been well-tolerated in most studies to date. As long as you follow the manufacturer’s recommended dosage, you’re unlikely to encounter any side effects.

Most superfood supplements consist of natural fruits and vegetables condensed into a powder. You’re not drinking weird, synthetic chemicals. You’re not putting artificial substances into you’re body. You’re consuming dried, powderized fruits and vegetables.

However, that doesn’t mean superfood supplements are 100% safe for everyone to take. Some people may be allergic to specific superfood ingredients, although allergies to fruits and vegetables are rare.

It’s more common for those with kidney disease to struggle with oxalate-rich vegetables. People with kidney disease, for example, may not want to consume spinach. Spinach is rich with oxalates, which crystallize in the body and turn into kidney stones.

Unless you have a history of kidney stones, however, you’re unlikely to develop kidney stones from consuming a superfood beverage rich in fruits and vegetables.

Still, it may be a good idea to talk to your doctor before taking a superfood supplement.

Dosage of Superfood Supplements

Superfood supplements vary widely in terms of ingredients, scoop size, and dosage. With that in mind, we recommend following the manufacturer’s recommended dose on your supplement.

When following the manufacturer’s dose – say, one scoop per day – you’re likely to experience the maximum number of benefits and minimal number of side effects.

FAQs About Superfood Supplements

Q: What are superfoods?

A: Ten years ago, a superfood was a special fruit or vegetable with uniquely high levels of vitamins, nutrients, antioxidants, or other beneficial compounds. Today, the term superfood can refer to virtually anything. Some people call ordinary foods like watermelons, tomatoes, and lettuce superfoods, for example.

Q: Why should I take a superfood supplement?

A: Instead of eating, say, 10 heads of broccoli in one sitting, you can take one scoop of superfood powder. Superfood supplements have condensed a variety of fruits and vegetables into one convenient form. If you struggle to get your daily recommended dose of fruits and vegetables, than a superfood powder may be the right choice for you.

Q: How do I take a superfood supplement?

A: Most superfood supplements come in the form of a powder. You mix the powder into water, a shake, or the beverage of your choice. Some superfood supplements also come in the form of capsules or other delivery methods.

Q: What’s in superfood supplements?

A: Some superfood supplements contain just one ingredient. They focus on containing one good ingredient instead of dozens of smaller ingredients, for example. Other superfood supplements contain dozens of ingredients. The highest-rated supplements contain high dosages of multiple ingredients, while lower-rated supplements contain lower doses of a smaller number of ingredients.

Q: Are superfood supplements safe?

A: When buying superfood supplements from reputable manufacturers, they should be safe to consume – unless you’re allergic to a certain fruit or vegetable, which is rare. Follow the recommended dose and speak to a doctor before taking any supplement. Certain people – like those with kidney disease – may not wish to take superfood supplements with high levels of spinach, for example, because spinach contains oxalates that crystallize and form kidney stones.

Q: What are antioxidants?

A: Many superfood supplements are praised for their high levels of antioxidants. But what exactly are antioxidants? Antioxidants are chemicals in your body that fight oxidation. Plant-based foods are rich in antioxidants, although your body also produces antioxidants naturally. Antioxidants fight free radicals, which are chemicals that cause the oxidation process in your body. Your body makes free radicals after processing various stressors – like food, sunlight, smoke, pollution, and alcohol. Antioxidants neutralize these free radicals before they damage your cells and the genetic material inside them.

Q: What are anti-inflammatories?

A: Many superfood supplements above also frequently mention their anti-inflammatory content. Anti-inflammatories are compounds that fight inflammation in various ways. Inflammation is a leading cause of disease. By reducing inflammation, you may be able to reduce your risk of various diseases.

Final Word

90% of Americans do not get their daily recommended servings of fruits and vegetables. Superfood supplements are an easy way to solve this problem. Many of the superfood supplements listed above provide your entire recommended dose of fruits and vegetables (or close to it) in one serving. Mix the powder with water, a shake, or the beverage of your choice to enjoy various health benefits.

That being said, not all superfood supplements are made equal. Some manufacturers are attempting to capitalize on superfood trends just by labeling their supplements as superfoods. Check the rankings above and do your own research to verify you’re getting the best possible blend of superfood ingredients.

Categories
Weight Loss Products

KetoGenic Accelerator: Potent Weight Loss Ketosis Support?

Garcinia cambogia is an herbal extract prized for its purported weight loss properties.

Garcinia supporters will tell you that the herb can suppress appetite, for example, and induce fat burning. Since hitting the internet in 2013, garcinia cambogia has grown to become one of the trendiest weight loss supplements.

Garcinia cambogia traces its popularity back to the same source as many other trendy diet pill ingredients: Dr. Oz. On a 2013 episode of The Dr. Oz Show, the famous TV doctor described garcinia a “revolutionary fat buster” and the “most exciting breakthrough in natural weight loss today.”

Now, six years later, there are hundreds of garcinia cambogia supplements available, all of which make similar promises. Today, we’re ranking the best garcinia cambogia supplements on the market, including whether or not science supports using garcinia cambogia.

Rankings

Potent Organics Garcinia Cambogia

Potent Organics Garcinia Cambogia

Potent Organics Garcinia Cambogia

This supplement is the bestselling garcinia diet pill on Amazon in most months. It also has over 4,700 reviews, most of which are very positive (average rating is 3.9 stars out of 5). Each 1 capsule (60 capsules per container) includes 700mg of garcinia cambogia extract with 95% HCA. Other listed ingredients include potassium, calcium, and chromium to enhance absorption.

Potent Organics claims their supplement is “100% safe” and “works as an appetite suppressant and carb blocker to increase metabolism.” We also appreciate that the supplement is backed by a 90 day money back guarantee.

Potent Organics also has more of a social conscience than most other diet pill providers. The company claims that a portion of every purchase goes towards providing “lifesaving nutritional support to underserved moms and children around the world.” In addition to making a bestselling garcinia cambogia supplement, Potent Organics sells apple cider vinegar, chlorella, ashwagandha, resveratrol, and other trendy supplements.

BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure Garcinia Cambogia

BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure Garcinia Cambogia

BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure GC

It’s hard to argue against this supplement. BioSchwartz is one of the biggest names in the supplement industry. Their garcinia cambogia supplement knocks it out of the park in terms of purity and dosage. The formula contains 1600mg of garcinia cambogia extract with 960mg of standardized HCA. BioSchwartz claims their extract is “100% pure premium extract” free of allergens, gluten, and GMOs.

We also like that the supplement contains more than just garcinia cambogia formula. Each 3 capsule serving (30 servings per container) includes 1500mg of garcinia cambogia extract with 95% HCA, 75mg of potassium chloride, 75mg of calcium carbonate, and 295mcg of chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate. These dosages are very small (1% to 6% of your Daily Value) but may enhance the absorption of garcinia cambogia.

Overall, BioSchwartz is a trusted supplement name in an industry filled with sleazy diet pills.

Afterglow Supplements 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia

Afterglow Supplements 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia

Afterglow 100% Pure GC

Afterglow’s garcinia diet pill supplement has one of the highest doses on this list with 3000mg of garcinia cambogia extract (95% HCA) in each 2 capsule serving (30 servings per container). The only other listed ingredients are 150mg of potassium and vegetable cellulose (part of the vegetarian capsule).

Afterglow’s high dose makes it the heftiest garcinia supplement on this list. According to the manufacturer, this high dose will raise “energy levels in your body, detox your digestive system and even increase your natural immunity”, among other health benefits.

Each bottle is priced at around $26 on Amazon, putting this supplement in the mid-to-high range compared to others on this list. However, Afterglow’s garcinia supplement is one of the bestselling products in the category, and its strong dose gives it better value per mg than most other options here.

DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia

DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia

DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia

DietWorks offers a popular garcinia cambogia supplement that may offer the best value on this list. Each tablet (90 tablets per container) includes 500mg of garcinia cambogia fruit extract with 50% HCA content. The dosage and concentration are not as high as other supplements listed here. However, considering DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia costs as little as $10 per bottle, it’s easy to take multiple capsules per day while still keeping costs cheaper than other providers on this list.

In addition to 500mg of garcinia cambogia extract, each capsule includes calcium to enhance absorption. All ingredients are packaged into a cellulose capsule.

DietWorks is based in New Jersey and manufactures its garcinia cambogia supplement in the United States.

Orphic Nutrition All Natural Garcinia Cambogia

Orphic Nutrition All Natural Garcinia Cambogia

Orphic Garcinia Cambogia

Orphic Nutrition claims their garcinia cambogia supplement is the “highest potency” option because it has 2100mg in each 3 veggie capsule serving (30 servings per container). The formula also includes 105mg of potassium, 105mg of calcium, and 420mcg of chromium, all of which should enhance the absorption of the formula.

Orphic Nutrition specifically claims their supplement can support weight loss, assist metabolism, burn fat, and increase energy levels. By taking three capsules per day, you can lose weight easily by supressing appetite and boosting fat burning. In fact, Orphic Nutrition even claims their supplement “is an effective and simple way to elevate your mood” – few other garcinia supplement makers on this list make this claim.

Alpha Male Nutritional Garcinia Cambogia

Alpha Male Nutritional Garcinia Cambogia

Alpha Male Garcinia Cambogia

Alpha Male Nutrition makes a popular garcinia cambogia supplement with 60% HCA and 1,000mg of garcinia cambogia extract in each 2 capsule serving. Other listed ingredients include 16mg of calcium, 220mcg of chromium, and 55mg of potassium, all of which should enhance absorption.

While most other supplements on this list use a veggie capsule, Alpha Male Nutritional uses a gelatin capsule instead. All purchases come with a 30 day money back guarantee.

 

 

Purely Inspired 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia

Purely Inspired 100% Pure Garcinia CambogiaPurely Inspired offers one of the best-value garcinia cambogia supplements available today. The company’s two-pack continues to be one of the bestselling garcinia supplements on Amazon. It’s also available as a single pack from Walmart and other major retailers.

Each 2 capsule serving of the supplement includes 1500mg of garcinia cambogia extract standardized to 50% HCA content. There are only two other listed active ingredients, including 240mg of calcium and 22mcg of chromium. There are 50 servings (100 capsules) in each container, and you can buy a container for under $17 from Walmart and other major retailers. If buying the two pack, you can save even more money.

Purely Inspired is also a big name in the diet pill space: the company claims to be North America’s number one selling weight loss supplement brand.

Natrogix Garcinia Cambogia

Natrogix Garcinia CambogiaNatrogix’s garcinia cambogia supplement contains 80% HCA concentration and 1000mg of garcinia cambogia extract in each 2 veggie capsule serving. With 90 servings (180 capsules) per container, it’s also one of the best-value supplements on the market. The formula is made in the United States in a GMP-certified, FDA-registered facility. It’s also vegan. In addition to containing garcinia cambogia, the formula contains absorption-boosting minerals like calcium, potassium, and chromium.

One of the things we appreciate about Natrogix is its customer service: the company offers a 365 day (!) money back guarantee – and you don’t even have to return the bottle. Just contact the company if you’re unsatisfied. Few other manufacturers stand behind their supplement like this.

Natrogix also claims their formula can increase weight loss “by 2 to 3 times what a person would lose with just diet and exercise alone.” The formula works because it “blocks fat production and turns fat into glycogen” – similar to how other garcinia cambogia supplements on this list claim to work.

NutriRise Garcinia Cambogia

nutrise garcinia cambogiaNutriRise’s garcinia cambogia supplement delivers a hefty dose of 3000mg of garcinia cambogia extract to support weight loss and healthy weight management. That’s a significantly higher dose than most other supplements on this list, which tend to use a daily serving between 1000mg and 2500mg of garcinia cambogia extract.

However, that 3000mg dosage you see on the label is misleading: NutriRise has simply doubled their daily serving size to get to 3000mg. Each 2 veggie capsule serving contains 1500mg of garcinia cambogia extract. There are 30 servings (60 capsules) in each container. So if you double the daily service size, you’ll get to 3000mg.

Sleazy marketing tactics aside, NutriRise’s garcinia supplement is one of the bestselling options in its category on Amazon. The formula is made in the United States. With over 1200 reviews, the supplement has an average rating of 4.2 stars out of 5.

Swanson Super CitriMax Garcinia Cambogia

Swanson claims their garcinia cambogia supplement is “clinical strength”. Again, this is a bit misleading because there’s no “clinical dose” of garcinia.

The name of this supplement can be confusing: why does Swanson call it “CitriMax” instead of just garcinia cambogia? Well, the company has created a proprietary formula called “Super CitriMax” that contains garcinia cambogia extract with 60% HCA, calcium, chromium, and potassium all rolled into one. It’s one of the few garcinia cambogia formulas on this list that has been patented.

Swanson’s garcinia supplement continues to be a niche product on Amazon compared to other garcinia supplements on this list. However, it may be the right choice if you’re looking for something different.

Quality Encapsulations Garcinia Cambogia

Quality Encapsulations Garcinia CambogiaQuality Encapsulations is a popular garcinia cambogia supplement on Amazon. At one point, it was even the bestselling formula on the online retailer. Since then, however, the supplement has been passed by competitors with higher dosages. The Quality Encapsulations ingredients list is fairly typical: there’s 500mg of garcinia cambogia extract in each capsule standardized to 60% HCA.

As with other competing supplements, a portion of the HCA is delivered via chromium salt, with a 200mcg of chromium in every two capsule serving. Calcium and potassium have also been added.

The Quality Encapsulations garcinia supplement has encountered a reputation problem online. Some reports online say that the supplement contains 49% HCA and not 60% HCA, for example. It’s also one of the lowest rated garcinia supplements on Amazon with a rating of 4.2 stars out of 5. Nearly 1 in 4 reviewers (24% of all 770+ reviews) gave the supplement 1 star.

NatureWise Garcinia Cambogia

naturewise garcinia cambogiaNatureWise’s garcinia cambogia supplement contains 60% HCA, which is about standard for other supplements on this list. there’s 500mg of garcinia cambogia formula in each vegetable cellulose capsule.

NatureWise is one of the more trusted supplement manufacturers in the industry. The company has a long history of making good, third-party-tested supplements. And, with over 14,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.0 stars, this supplement is one of the most popular and highest rated garcinia cambogia supplements available today.

 

 

Natures Design Garcinia Cambogia

Natures Design Garcinia CambogiaNatures Design Garcinia Cambogia is standardized to 65% HCA content. The entire formula is packaged into a 770mg proprietary blend that includes garcinia cambogia, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, and chromium. These are all standard ingredients in any garcinia supplement, although the lack of disclosure of individual dosages is strange.

It’s also unusual that the Natures Design packaging says that the formula has 75% HCA content while the Amazon listing claims 65%. If these issues don’t bother you, however, then you’ll be pleased to note that Natures Design claims their supplement has the same weight loss benefits as other garcinia diet pills on this list.

Angry Supplements Garcinia Cambogia PM Weight Loss Sleep Aid

Angry Supplements Garcinia Cambogia PM Weight Loss Sleep AidThis supplement is much different than others on this list: it doesn’t just contain garcinia cambogia; it also contains a wide range of minerals, herbal extracts, and other weight loss compounds. You take a 2 tablet serving before bed as a natural sleep aid and the ingredients encourage your body to burn weight overnight.

Key ingredients in the formula include dandelion root extract, 350mg of garcinia cambogia extract, 100mg of L-Tryptophan, 30mg of raspberry ketone, and 4mg of melatonin. None of these dosages are particularly high, and Angry Supplements doesn’t disclose the concentration of HCA in their garcinia cambogia extract.

If you’re looking for a unique garcinia cambogia diet pill that contains more than just pure garcinia formula, then this may be the right choice for you. However, the low dose makes it subpar for those who just want pure garcinia in the highest possible concentration.

Our Rankings

Every garcinia cambogia supplement manufacturer seems to promise the same thing: they all promise to deliver high dosages of pure garcinia cambogia with concentrations between 50% and 95%. They all claim to help you lose weight by supressing appetite and boosting metabolism.

If we only looked at the bottles and manufacturers’ promises, it would be impossible to tell these supplements apart. Fortunately, our editorial team looked at a lot more than that when compiling our rankings:

HCA Concentration: Typically, studies use an HCA dose ranging from 1,000mg to 2,000mg per day. Most garcinia supplements above contain 300mg to 500mg of HCA in each capsule, and you typically take 3 capsules per day. We emphasized supplements that contained the same dose used in clinical trails.

Pure Garcinia Cambogia: We emphasized supplements that contained only pure garcinia cambogia and basic minerals – like potassium, calcium, and chromium salts. However, we did list several supplements that contained additional ingredients – like melatonin – for those who wanted to take a more unique garcinia supplement.

Delivery Method: All of the supplements listed above come in the form of capsules. We emphasized veggie or vegan capsules over gelatin capsules. There are few major garcinia cambogia supplements that come in the form of bulk powders.

Label Transparency: Many of the supplements listed above transparently disclose each ingredient in the diet pill. Some supplements, however, hide all ingredients behind a proprietary label, making it impossible to determine individual ingredient dosages.

Lab Testing: We preferred supplements that used third party lab testing to verify purity.

Reputation: Some garcinia cambogia diet pill manufacturers have been producing supplements for over a decade. Other manufacturers have limited history or only produce low-quality diet pills. Garcinia cambogia is a trendy diet pill ingredient, and that means the industry attracts a range of manufacturers of all reputations.

Price and Value: We understand not everyone wants to spend $500 on a 30-day supply of a diet pill. We emphasized supplements that provided good value at any budget level.

Based on all of the above factors and hours of deliberation, our editorial team compiled the garcinia cambogia supplement rankings above.

Who Should Buy Garcinia Cambogia?

The people who take garcinia cambogia are typically interested in one benefit: weight loss.

Garcinia cambogia supplements have been heavily promoted as a miracle cure for weight loss. Ever since Dr. Oz described garcinia as a powerful weight loss ingredient back in 2013, garcinia manufacturers have promoted the ingredient’s weight loss properties heavily.

The reason garcinia cambogia is a popular weight loss supplement is because it has multiple properties that make it easier to lose weight.

First, some people take garcinia cambogia to supress their appetite. In clinical studies, garcinia cambogia has been shown to supress appetite when taken 30 minutes before a meal. Many of the supplements listed above specifically recommend that you take the pill 30 minutes before a meal.

Some garcinia supplements also claim to be carb or fat blockers. Some manufacturers claim their pills can block your body from creating fat from the foods you eat, for example.

Next, we’ll talk about the studies behind garcinia cambogia. Is garcinia cambogia really a weight loss miracle? Or is it just an over-hyped diet pill ingredient?

Benefits of Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is one of the hottest diet pill ingredients in the world today. However, large-scale studies on humans remain surprisingly rare. Below, we’ll discuss some of the proven scientific benefits of garcinia cambogia.

First, interest in garcinia cambogia as a diet pill ingredient spiked after a study by researchers at Japan’s Kyushu University in 2003. Researchers gave garcinia cambogia extract to mice, then fed them an obesity-inducing diet and analyzed the results.

The mice received a diet consisting of 10% pure sugar by weight, which is typical for a diet intending to induce obesity. Half of the mice were given garcinia cambogia extract, while the other half received nothing.

Over a four week period, the mice fed a garcinia cambogia supplement did not gain less weight than the mice in the control group. However, mice in the garcinia group did have better levels of glucose metabolism and better levels of a hormone called leptin, which tells the body when it’s full. When leptin levels are high, your body feels full and you naturally eat less.

Because of the leptin-boosting effects of garcinia witnessed in this study, some believe that garcinia helps you feel fuller. Critics note that the body weight of the mice remained the same. However, this could have been because the study wasn’t long enough. Or, the change in leptin levels may not have been large enough to influence appetite.

Researchers at Kyungpook National University in South Korea launched a similar study and published their work in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2013. Over the course of a 16-week study, obesity-prone mice were fed a high-fat diet. The mice were separated into two groups, with one group receiving a 1% garcinia cambogia extract by weight.

At the end of the 16 week period, the two groups of mice had no difference in body weight or food consumption. However, mice in the garcinia group had less visceral fat (belly fat) than mice in the control group. Researchers believed the reduced fat formation was a direct result of an inhibition in the activity of a particular enzyme responsible for synthesizing fatty acids inside fat cells. In other words, garcinia cambogia blocked an enzyme responsible for creating belly fat.

What about studies in humans? One study published in the Journal of Obesity in 2011 reviewed the results of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on using garcinia cambogia for weight loss. Researchers found that the weight loss effect was small but it was statistically significant when combining the results of all studies.

In other words, garcinia cambogia didn’t lead to massive weight loss in all studies, but it did lead to some weight loss in most studies, suggesting that garcinia cambogia could significantly boost a weight loss routine.

The bad news is that of those 12 studies, only a few were considered to be statistically rigorous. In the statistically rigorous studies, garcinia cambogia did not exhibit the same powerful weight loss effects.

Nevertheless, because of their findings, researchers recommended larger and higher-quality studies into the potential benefits of garcinia cambogia for weight loss.

When garcinia cambogia caught Dr. Oz’s attention back in 2012/2013, he praised the ingredient for being a weight loss miracle. He cited several smaller, unpublished studies showing that garcinia cambogia led to significant weight loss in participants. Although these studies involving humans and garcinia cambogia seemed promising, real results have been lacking in other human studies.

In this study, for example, subjects were randomized to receive either 1500mg of HCA or a placebo while also following a high-fiber, low energy diet for 12 weeks. Body weight was evaluated every other week and fat mass was measured at weeks 0 and 12.

At the end of the 12 week period, researchers found that patients in both groups lost a significant amount of weight during the 12 week treatment. They also found there were “no significant differences” between the garcinia group and the control group in terms of weight loss, body fat mass loss, and other metrics. Because of these results, researchers concluded that “garcinia cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo.”

A similar study indicated that HCA could help with fat loss – but it also caused inflammation and scarring in the liver.

Meanwhile, this study published in Fitoterapia in 2015 described how garcinia cambogia encouraged weight loss through three primary methods of action, including increased fat oxidation, decreased fat formation, and reduced food intake related to serotonin levels.

Some people take garcinia cambogia to lower cholesterol. Garcinia cambogia has shown some small connections to lower cholesterol in certain studies, although its effects seem similar to taking something as simple as a fiber supplement.

In this study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2008, for example, researchers analyzed the effects of garcinia cambogia on a group of 58 obese subjects taking either garcinia cambogia or a placebo. 26 people took 2.4g of garcinia cambogia every day over a 12 week period, with 3 equal doses taken before each meal. Researchers found that the group taking garcinia cambogia had “a significant reduction” in total cholesterol than the placebo group.

Another positive study analyzing the weight loss and cholesterol reducing benefits of garcinia cambogia was also published in Phytotherapy Research in 2014. The study involved 43 obese women aged 25 to 60. Researchers found that garcinia cambogia led to a short-term decrease in triglyceride levels. However, leptin and insulin levels did not change significantly between the two groups.

Overall, large-scale human studies on garcinia cambogia remain hard to find. While some of the studies above did not find statistically significant benefits for garcinia cambogia, many of the studies recommended more large-scale studies of garcinia cambogia in the future.

Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health had this to say about the side effects of garcinia cambogia:

“Taking garcinia cambogia for short periods (12 weeks or less) appears safe for most people.”

Most studies linked above involved taking garcinia cambogia for 12 weeks or less. Few studies have analyzed the long-term safety or efficacy of garcinia cambogia in human subjects.

It’s also important to control the dose of garcinia cambogia and follow the manufacturer’s recommended daily dose. Some patients have ended up hospital with liver failure after taking too much garcinia cambogia extract, according to scattered reports online.

One study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2016, for example, described the case of a 34-year old man taking a garcinia cambogia supplement for five straight months before being admitted to hospital with liver failure. The medical team believed that garcinia cambogia was the primary cause of liver failure – likely due to toxic buildup of HCA.

Another study seemed to connect garcinia cambogia to heart problems. In this study, a patient developed acute heart inflammation after taking a garcinia cambogia supplement for just two weeks. Aside from this single case, however, there have been no reported incidents of heart problems linked to garcinia cambogia.

Another issue with garcinia cambogia is that the industry is not well-regulated. Some manufacturers claim to use a high dose of garcinia cambogia extract with 95% HCA concentration, for example, when actual tests reveal a much smaller dosage and much lower HCA concentration.

What’s even more worrying is that some sleazy manufacturers add caffeine and other additives to their diet pills. You take the pill and are convinced you feel more energetic – but it’s just because you took a caffeine pill.

There are also scattered reports online of patients getting headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, digestive issues, skin rashes, or feelings of fuzziness or weakness after taking garcinia cambogia.

Generally, however, garcinia cambogia is a very well-tolerated diet pill ingredient linked with no major side effects.

Recommended Dosage of Garcinia Cambogia

Most studies linked above focused on the dosage of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) as opposed to the dose of garcinia cambogia.

In most studies analyzing the weight loss effects of garcinia cambogia and HCA, participants took between 1,000 and 2,000mg of HCA per day. Typically, the dose was split into 2 or 3 daily doses.

The supplements above tend to have similar doses. You take 3 servings per day with around 1,000mg of garcinia cambogia extract per serving standardized to 60% HCA content, which works out to 1800mg of HCA in total per day.

The most important thing to remember is to follow the manufacturer’s dosage. Do not exceed that dosage. Speak with a doctor before taking garcinia cambogia in any form.

FAQs About Garcinia Cambogia

Q: What is garcinia cambogia?

A: Garcinia cambogia is extracted from the fruit of a plant native to Indonesia. Garcinia cambogia specifically comes from the extract of the flesh or rind of this fruit. The extract contains high levels of HCA, which is rumored to have powerful weight loss benefits.

Q: What are other names for garcinia cambogia?

A: Garcinia cambogia has become the name most associated with the trendy diet pill ingredient. However, other common names for the plant, fruit, or extract include Garcinia gummi-gutta, rindleberry, Malabar tamarind, kudam puli, or pot tamarind. The tropical species is officially known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, and it’s one of several species of Garcinia native to Indonesia. However, the plant was formerly officially known as Garcinia cambogia, which is why the name sticks around today.

Q: What does garcinia cambogia look like?

A: Garcinia cambogia fruit looks like a small pumpkin – about the size of a softball. The rind of the fruit is green to pale yellow in color.

Q: What is HCA?

A: HCA, or hydroxycitric acid, is one of the active compounds in garcinia cambogia extract. It’s a special type of molecule that may inhibit the formation of fat and suppress appetite. Because of these properties, some studies have linked HCA and garcinia cambogia to weight loss results.

Q: What is a good concentration of HCA?

A: Typical concentrations of HCA range from 50% to 95%. However, most reputable manufacturers stick with doses of 60% HCA, which is the concentration of the most popular garcinia cambogia extract used by today’s manufacturers. Be wary when manufacturers advertise concentrations as high as 95% or more.

Q: Does garcinia cambogia really work?

A: Despite what Dr. Oz says, garcinia cambogia isn’t a miracle fruit that will cause you to lose 10 pounds overnight. However, certain studies have shown the fruit can be effective for weight loss when paired with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Q: Is garcinia cambogia safe to use? Are there any side effects?

A: The vast majority of garcinia cambogia studies indicate that the supplement is safe to take for up to 12 weeks when following normal doses. Most people tolerate garcinia cambogia very well. However, as mentioned above, there have been worrying cases of patients experiencing liver problems after taking garcinia supplements for, say, 5 months or longer. While garcinia cambogia is largely believed to be safe, there are some concerns about its toxicity and effects on the liver.

Q: How does garcinia cambogia lead to weight loss?

A: Garcinia cambogia may encourage weight loss in several different ways. It has multiple methods of action. Some studies indicate it works as an appetite suppressant when taken before meal times, for example. Other studies suggest that garcinia cambogia decreases fat synthesis, reducing your body’s ability to store fat. Ultimately, more studies need to be done to confirm these benefits.

Q: How do I take garcinia cambogia for weight loss?

A: Most studies on using garcinia cambogia for weight loss involve taking 1,000mg to 2,000mg of HCA per day. At this dose, participants in some studies have experienced significant weight loss results. In all studies analyzing the weight loss benefits of garcinia, participants have paired the supplement with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Q: Can I pair garcinia cambogia with apple cider vinegar for better weight loss results?

A: Some people take garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar at the same time because they believe it leads to better weight loss results. There are no studies verifying this benefit. However, both garcinia and apple cider vinegar have become trendy weight loss ingredients at around the same time, so that’s one reason why the two are commonly paired together.

Q: Can I lose weight while taking garcinia cambogia without dieting or exercising?

A: Most studies on garcinia cambogia have analyzed the weight loss effects of the compound when paired with diet and exercise. No study has shown that you can lose weight on garcinia cambogia without diet or exercise.

Final Word

There’s some evidence showing garcinia cambogia can help you lose weight. Some studies show garcinia cambogia works by supressing appetite and blocking the activity of an enzyme responsible for fat formation.

Overall, however, there are few largescale human studies confirming the weight loss benefits of garcinia cambogia. Many of the studies on garcinia to date have involved rats or mice, for example, while the studies in humans have indicated small or negligible results.

Nevertheless, weight loss effects have been observed in certain studies on humans. Researchers have also repeatedly recommended that more research be done on garcinia cambogia to confirm its benefits. It’s possible garcinia cambogia has powerful, proven weight loss results that have yet to be discovered – although it’s also possible garcinia cambogia is an over-hyped diet pill ingredient backed by limited science.

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Weight Loss Products

Keto Max: Safe and Effective Full Keto Diet Pill for Weight Loss?

Garcinia cambogia is an herbal extract prized for its purported weight loss properties.

Garcinia supporters will tell you that the herb can suppress appetite, for example, and induce fat burning. Since hitting the internet in 2013, garcinia cambogia has grown to become one of the trendiest weight loss supplements.

Garcinia cambogia traces its popularity back to the same source as many other trendy diet pill ingredients: Dr. Oz. On a 2013 episode of The Dr. Oz Show, the famous TV doctor described garcinia a “revolutionary fat buster” and the “most exciting breakthrough in natural weight loss today.”

Now, six years later, there are hundreds of garcinia cambogia supplements available, all of which make similar promises. Today, we’re ranking the best garcinia cambogia supplements on the market, including whether or not science supports using garcinia cambogia.

Rankings

Potent Organics Garcinia Cambogia

Potent Organics Garcinia Cambogia

Potent Organics Garcinia Cambogia

This supplement is the bestselling garcinia diet pill on Amazon in most months. It also has over 4,700 reviews, most of which are very positive (average rating is 3.9 stars out of 5). Each 1 capsule (60 capsules per container) includes 700mg of garcinia cambogia extract with 95% HCA. Other listed ingredients include potassium, calcium, and chromium to enhance absorption.

Potent Organics claims their supplement is “100% safe” and “works as an appetite suppressant and carb blocker to increase metabolism.” We also appreciate that the supplement is backed by a 90 day money back guarantee.

Potent Organics also has more of a social conscience than most other diet pill providers. The company claims that a portion of every purchase goes towards providing “lifesaving nutritional support to underserved moms and children around the world.” In addition to making a bestselling garcinia cambogia supplement, Potent Organics sells apple cider vinegar, chlorella, ashwagandha, resveratrol, and other trendy supplements.

BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure Garcinia Cambogia

BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure Garcinia Cambogia

BioSchwartz Premium Ultra Pure GC

It’s hard to argue against this supplement. BioSchwartz is one of the biggest names in the supplement industry. Their garcinia cambogia supplement knocks it out of the park in terms of purity and dosage. The formula contains 1600mg of garcinia cambogia extract with 960mg of standardized HCA. BioSchwartz claims their extract is “100% pure premium extract” free of allergens, gluten, and GMOs.

We also like that the supplement contains more than just garcinia cambogia formula. Each 3 capsule serving (30 servings per container) includes 1500mg of garcinia cambogia extract with 95% HCA, 75mg of potassium chloride, 75mg of calcium carbonate, and 295mcg of chromium nicotinate glycinate chelate. These dosages are very small (1% to 6% of your Daily Value) but may enhance the absorption of garcinia cambogia.

Overall, BioSchwartz is a trusted supplement name in an industry filled with sleazy diet pills.

Afterglow Supplements 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia

Afterglow Supplements 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia

Afterglow 100% Pure GC

Afterglow’s garcinia diet pill supplement has one of the highest doses on this list with 3000mg of garcinia cambogia extract (95% HCA) in each 2 capsule serving (30 servings per container). The only other listed ingredients are 150mg of potassium and vegetable cellulose (part of the vegetarian capsule).

Afterglow’s high dose makes it the heftiest garcinia supplement on this list. According to the manufacturer, this high dose will raise “energy levels in your body, detox your digestive system and even increase your natural immunity”, among other health benefits.

Each bottle is priced at around $26 on Amazon, putting this supplement in the mid-to-high range compared to others on this list. However, Afterglow’s garcinia supplement is one of the bestselling products in the category, and its strong dose gives it better value per mg than most other options here.

DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia

DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia

DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia

DietWorks offers a popular garcinia cambogia supplement that may offer the best value on this list. Each tablet (90 tablets per container) includes 500mg of garcinia cambogia fruit extract with 50% HCA content. The dosage and concentration are not as high as other supplements listed here. However, considering DietWorks Garcinia Cambogia costs as little as $10 per bottle, it’s easy to take multiple capsules per day while still keeping costs cheaper than other providers on this list.

In addition to 500mg of garcinia cambogia extract, each capsule includes calcium to enhance absorption. All ingredients are packaged into a cellulose capsule.

DietWorks is based in New Jersey and manufactures its garcinia cambogia supplement in the United States.

Orphic Nutrition All Natural Garcinia Cambogia

Orphic Nutrition All Natural Garcinia Cambogia

Orphic Garcinia Cambogia

Orphic Nutrition claims their garcinia cambogia supplement is the “highest potency” option because it has 2100mg in each 3 veggie capsule serving (30 servings per container). The formula also includes 105mg of potassium, 105mg of calcium, and 420mcg of chromium, all of which should enhance the absorption of the formula.

Orphic Nutrition specifically claims their supplement can support weight loss, assist metabolism, burn fat, and increase energy levels. By taking three capsules per day, you can lose weight easily by supressing appetite and boosting fat burning. In fact, Orphic Nutrition even claims their supplement “is an effective and simple way to elevate your mood” – few other garcinia supplement makers on this list make this claim.

Alpha Male Nutritional Garcinia Cambogia

Alpha Male Nutritional Garcinia Cambogia

Alpha Male Garcinia Cambogia

Alpha Male Nutrition makes a popular garcinia cambogia supplement with 60% HCA and 1,000mg of garcinia cambogia extract in each 2 capsule serving. Other listed ingredients include 16mg of calcium, 220mcg of chromium, and 55mg of potassium, all of which should enhance absorption.

While most other supplements on this list use a veggie capsule, Alpha Male Nutritional uses a gelatin capsule instead. All purchases come with a 30 day money back guarantee.

 

 

Purely Inspired 100% Pure Garcinia Cambogia

Purely Inspired 100% Pure Garcinia CambogiaPurely Inspired offers one of the best-value garcinia cambogia supplements available today. The company’s two-pack continues to be one of the bestselling garcinia supplements on Amazon. It’s also available as a single pack from Walmart and other major retailers.

Each 2 capsule serving of the supplement includes 1500mg of garcinia cambogia extract standardized to 50% HCA content. There are only two other listed active ingredients, including 240mg of calcium and 22mcg of chromium. There are 50 servings (100 capsules) in each container, and you can buy a container for under $17 from Walmart and other major retailers. If buying the two pack, you can save even more money.

Purely Inspired is also a big name in the diet pill space: the company claims to be North America’s number one selling weight loss supplement brand.

Natrogix Garcinia Cambogia

Natrogix Garcinia CambogiaNatrogix’s garcinia cambogia supplement contains 80% HCA concentration and 1000mg of garcinia cambogia extract in each 2 veggie capsule serving. With 90 servings (180 capsules) per container, it’s also one of the best-value supplements on the market. The formula is made in the United States in a GMP-certified, FDA-registered facility. It’s also vegan. In addition to containing garcinia cambogia, the formula contains absorption-boosting minerals like calcium, potassium, and chromium.

One of the things we appreciate about Natrogix is its customer service: the company offers a 365 day (!) money back guarantee – and you don’t even have to return the bottle. Just contact the company if you’re unsatisfied. Few other manufacturers stand behind their supplement like this.

Natrogix also claims their formula can increase weight loss “by 2 to 3 times what a person would lose with just diet and exercise alone.” The formula works because it “blocks fat production and turns fat into glycogen” – similar to how other garcinia cambogia supplements on this list claim to work.

NutriRise Garcinia Cambogia

nutrise garcinia cambogiaNutriRise’s garcinia cambogia supplement delivers a hefty dose of 3000mg of garcinia cambogia extract to support weight loss and healthy weight management. That’s a significantly higher dose than most other supplements on this list, which tend to use a daily serving between 1000mg and 2500mg of garcinia cambogia extract.

However, that 3000mg dosage you see on the label is misleading: NutriRise has simply doubled their daily serving size to get to 3000mg. Each 2 veggie capsule serving contains 1500mg of garcinia cambogia extract. There are 30 servings (60 capsules) in each container. So if you double the daily service size, you’ll get to 3000mg.

Sleazy marketing tactics aside, NutriRise’s garcinia supplement is one of the bestselling options in its category on Amazon. The formula is made in the United States. With over 1200 reviews, the supplement has an average rating of 4.2 stars out of 5.

Swanson Super CitriMax Garcinia Cambogia

Swanson claims their garcinia cambogia supplement is “clinical strength”. Again, this is a bit misleading because there’s no “clinical dose” of garcinia.

The name of this supplement can be confusing: why does Swanson call it “CitriMax” instead of just garcinia cambogia? Well, the company has created a proprietary formula called “Super CitriMax” that contains garcinia cambogia extract with 60% HCA, calcium, chromium, and potassium all rolled into one. It’s one of the few garcinia cambogia formulas on this list that has been patented.

Swanson’s garcinia supplement continues to be a niche product on Amazon compared to other garcinia supplements on this list. However, it may be the right choice if you’re looking for something different.

Quality Encapsulations Garcinia Cambogia

Quality Encapsulations Garcinia CambogiaQuality Encapsulations is a popular garcinia cambogia supplement on Amazon. At one point, it was even the bestselling formula on the online retailer. Since then, however, the supplement has been passed by competitors with higher dosages. The Quality Encapsulations ingredients list is fairly typical: there’s 500mg of garcinia cambogia extract in each capsule standardized to 60% HCA.

As with other competing supplements, a portion of the HCA is delivered via chromium salt, with a 200mcg of chromium in every two capsule serving. Calcium and potassium have also been added.

The Quality Encapsulations garcinia supplement has encountered a reputation problem online. Some reports online say that the supplement contains 49% HCA and not 60% HCA, for example. It’s also one of the lowest rated garcinia supplements on Amazon with a rating of 4.2 stars out of 5. Nearly 1 in 4 reviewers (24% of all 770+ reviews) gave the supplement 1 star.

NatureWise Garcinia Cambogia

naturewise garcinia cambogiaNatureWise’s garcinia cambogia supplement contains 60% HCA, which is about standard for other supplements on this list. there’s 500mg of garcinia cambogia formula in each vegetable cellulose capsule.

NatureWise is one of the more trusted supplement manufacturers in the industry. The company has a long history of making good, third-party-tested supplements. And, with over 14,000 reviews on Amazon and an average rating of 4.0 stars, this supplement is one of the most popular and highest rated garcinia cambogia supplements available today.

 

 

Natures Design Garcinia Cambogia

Natures Design Garcinia CambogiaNatures Design Garcinia Cambogia is standardized to 65% HCA content. The entire formula is packaged into a 770mg proprietary blend that includes garcinia cambogia, calcium carbonate, potassium chloride, and chromium. These are all standard ingredients in any garcinia supplement, although the lack of disclosure of individual dosages is strange.

It’s also unusual that the Natures Design packaging says that the formula has 75% HCA content while the Amazon listing claims 65%. If these issues don’t bother you, however, then you’ll be pleased to note that Natures Design claims their supplement has the same weight loss benefits as other garcinia diet pills on this list.

Angry Supplements Garcinia Cambogia PM Weight Loss Sleep Aid

Angry Supplements Garcinia Cambogia PM Weight Loss Sleep AidThis supplement is much different than others on this list: it doesn’t just contain garcinia cambogia; it also contains a wide range of minerals, herbal extracts, and other weight loss compounds. You take a 2 tablet serving before bed as a natural sleep aid and the ingredients encourage your body to burn weight overnight.

Key ingredients in the formula include dandelion root extract, 350mg of garcinia cambogia extract, 100mg of L-Tryptophan, 30mg of raspberry ketone, and 4mg of melatonin. None of these dosages are particularly high, and Angry Supplements doesn’t disclose the concentration of HCA in their garcinia cambogia extract.

If you’re looking for a unique garcinia cambogia diet pill that contains more than just pure garcinia formula, then this may be the right choice for you. However, the low dose makes it subpar for those who just want pure garcinia in the highest possible concentration.

Our Rankings

Every garcinia cambogia supplement manufacturer seems to promise the same thing: they all promise to deliver high dosages of pure garcinia cambogia with concentrations between 50% and 95%. They all claim to help you lose weight by supressing appetite and boosting metabolism.

If we only looked at the bottles and manufacturers’ promises, it would be impossible to tell these supplements apart. Fortunately, our editorial team looked at a lot more than that when compiling our rankings:

HCA Concentration: Typically, studies use an HCA dose ranging from 1,000mg to 2,000mg per day. Most garcinia supplements above contain 300mg to 500mg of HCA in each capsule, and you typically take 3 capsules per day. We emphasized supplements that contained the same dose used in clinical trails.

Pure Garcinia Cambogia: We emphasized supplements that contained only pure garcinia cambogia and basic minerals – like potassium, calcium, and chromium salts. However, we did list several supplements that contained additional ingredients – like melatonin – for those who wanted to take a more unique garcinia supplement.

Delivery Method: All of the supplements listed above come in the form of capsules. We emphasized veggie or vegan capsules over gelatin capsules. There are few major garcinia cambogia supplements that come in the form of bulk powders.

Label Transparency: Many of the supplements listed above transparently disclose each ingredient in the diet pill. Some supplements, however, hide all ingredients behind a proprietary label, making it impossible to determine individual ingredient dosages.

Lab Testing: We preferred supplements that used third party lab testing to verify purity.

Reputation: Some garcinia cambogia diet pill manufacturers have been producing supplements for over a decade. Other manufacturers have limited history or only produce low-quality diet pills. Garcinia cambogia is a trendy diet pill ingredient, and that means the industry attracts a range of manufacturers of all reputations.

Price and Value: We understand not everyone wants to spend $500 on a 30-day supply of a diet pill. We emphasized supplements that provided good value at any budget level.

Based on all of the above factors and hours of deliberation, our editorial team compiled the garcinia cambogia supplement rankings above.

Who Should Buy Garcinia Cambogia?

The people who take garcinia cambogia are typically interested in one benefit: weight loss.

Garcinia cambogia supplements have been heavily promoted as a miracle cure for weight loss. Ever since Dr. Oz described garcinia as a powerful weight loss ingredient back in 2013, garcinia manufacturers have promoted the ingredient’s weight loss properties heavily.

The reason garcinia cambogia is a popular weight loss supplement is because it has multiple properties that make it easier to lose weight.

First, some people take garcinia cambogia to supress their appetite. In clinical studies, garcinia cambogia has been shown to supress appetite when taken 30 minutes before a meal. Many of the supplements listed above specifically recommend that you take the pill 30 minutes before a meal.

Some garcinia supplements also claim to be carb or fat blockers. Some manufacturers claim their pills can block your body from creating fat from the foods you eat, for example.

Next, we’ll talk about the studies behind garcinia cambogia. Is garcinia cambogia really a weight loss miracle? Or is it just an over-hyped diet pill ingredient?

Benefits of Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia cambogia is one of the hottest diet pill ingredients in the world today. However, large-scale studies on humans remain surprisingly rare. Below, we’ll discuss some of the proven scientific benefits of garcinia cambogia.

First, interest in garcinia cambogia as a diet pill ingredient spiked after a study by researchers at Japan’s Kyushu University in 2003. Researchers gave garcinia cambogia extract to mice, then fed them an obesity-inducing diet and analyzed the results.

The mice received a diet consisting of 10% pure sugar by weight, which is typical for a diet intending to induce obesity. Half of the mice were given garcinia cambogia extract, while the other half received nothing.

Over a four week period, the mice fed a garcinia cambogia supplement did not gain less weight than the mice in the control group. However, mice in the garcinia group did have better levels of glucose metabolism and better levels of a hormone called leptin, which tells the body when it’s full. When leptin levels are high, your body feels full and you naturally eat less.

Because of the leptin-boosting effects of garcinia witnessed in this study, some believe that garcinia helps you feel fuller. Critics note that the body weight of the mice remained the same. However, this could have been because the study wasn’t long enough. Or, the change in leptin levels may not have been large enough to influence appetite.

Researchers at Kyungpook National University in South Korea launched a similar study and published their work in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2013. Over the course of a 16-week study, obesity-prone mice were fed a high-fat diet. The mice were separated into two groups, with one group receiving a 1% garcinia cambogia extract by weight.

At the end of the 16 week period, the two groups of mice had no difference in body weight or food consumption. However, mice in the garcinia group had less visceral fat (belly fat) than mice in the control group. Researchers believed the reduced fat formation was a direct result of an inhibition in the activity of a particular enzyme responsible for synthesizing fatty acids inside fat cells. In other words, garcinia cambogia blocked an enzyme responsible for creating belly fat.

What about studies in humans? One study published in the Journal of Obesity in 2011 reviewed the results of 12 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on using garcinia cambogia for weight loss. Researchers found that the weight loss effect was small but it was statistically significant when combining the results of all studies.

In other words, garcinia cambogia didn’t lead to massive weight loss in all studies, but it did lead to some weight loss in most studies, suggesting that garcinia cambogia could significantly boost a weight loss routine.

The bad news is that of those 12 studies, only a few were considered to be statistically rigorous. In the statistically rigorous studies, garcinia cambogia did not exhibit the same powerful weight loss effects.

Nevertheless, because of their findings, researchers recommended larger and higher-quality studies into the potential benefits of garcinia cambogia for weight loss.

When garcinia cambogia caught Dr. Oz’s attention back in 2012/2013, he praised the ingredient for being a weight loss miracle. He cited several smaller, unpublished studies showing that garcinia cambogia led to significant weight loss in participants. Although these studies involving humans and garcinia cambogia seemed promising, real results have been lacking in other human studies.

In this study, for example, subjects were randomized to receive either 1500mg of HCA or a placebo while also following a high-fiber, low energy diet for 12 weeks. Body weight was evaluated every other week and fat mass was measured at weeks 0 and 12.

At the end of the 12 week period, researchers found that patients in both groups lost a significant amount of weight during the 12 week treatment. They also found there were “no significant differences” between the garcinia group and the control group in terms of weight loss, body fat mass loss, and other metrics. Because of these results, researchers concluded that “garcinia cambogia failed to produce significant weight loss and fat mass loss beyond that observed with placebo.”

A similar study indicated that HCA could help with fat loss – but it also caused inflammation and scarring in the liver.

Meanwhile, this study published in Fitoterapia in 2015 described how garcinia cambogia encouraged weight loss through three primary methods of action, including increased fat oxidation, decreased fat formation, and reduced food intake related to serotonin levels.

Some people take garcinia cambogia to lower cholesterol. Garcinia cambogia has shown some small connections to lower cholesterol in certain studies, although its effects seem similar to taking something as simple as a fiber supplement.

In this study published in Phytotherapy Research in 2008, for example, researchers analyzed the effects of garcinia cambogia on a group of 58 obese subjects taking either garcinia cambogia or a placebo. 26 people took 2.4g of garcinia cambogia every day over a 12 week period, with 3 equal doses taken before each meal. Researchers found that the group taking garcinia cambogia had “a significant reduction” in total cholesterol than the placebo group.

Another positive study analyzing the weight loss and cholesterol reducing benefits of garcinia cambogia was also published in Phytotherapy Research in 2014. The study involved 43 obese women aged 25 to 60. Researchers found that garcinia cambogia led to a short-term decrease in triglyceride levels. However, leptin and insulin levels did not change significantly between the two groups.

Overall, large-scale human studies on garcinia cambogia remain hard to find. While some of the studies above did not find statistically significant benefits for garcinia cambogia, many of the studies recommended more large-scale studies of garcinia cambogia in the future.

Side Effects of Garcinia Cambogia

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) and its National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health had this to say about the side effects of garcinia cambogia:

“Taking garcinia cambogia for short periods (12 weeks or less) appears safe for most people.”

Most studies linked above involved taking garcinia cambogia for 12 weeks or less. Few studies have analyzed the long-term safety or efficacy of garcinia cambogia in human subjects.

It’s also important to control the dose of garcinia cambogia and follow the manufacturer’s recommended daily dose. Some patients have ended up hospital with liver failure after taking too much garcinia cambogia extract, according to scattered reports online.

One study published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology in 2016, for example, described the case of a 34-year old man taking a garcinia cambogia supplement for five straight months before being admitted to hospital with liver failure. The medical team believed that garcinia cambogia was the primary cause of liver failure – likely due to toxic buildup of HCA.

Another study seemed to connect garcinia cambogia to heart problems. In this study, a patient developed acute heart inflammation after taking a garcinia cambogia supplement for just two weeks. Aside from this single case, however, there have been no reported incidents of heart problems linked to garcinia cambogia.

Another issue with garcinia cambogia is that the industry is not well-regulated. Some manufacturers claim to use a high dose of garcinia cambogia extract with 95% HCA concentration, for example, when actual tests reveal a much smaller dosage and much lower HCA concentration.

What’s even more worrying is that some sleazy manufacturers add caffeine and other additives to their diet pills. You take the pill and are convinced you feel more energetic – but it’s just because you took a caffeine pill.

There are also scattered reports online of patients getting headaches, fatigue, dry mouth, digestive issues, skin rashes, or feelings of fuzziness or weakness after taking garcinia cambogia.

Generally, however, garcinia cambogia is a very well-tolerated diet pill ingredient linked with no major side effects.

Recommended Dosage of Garcinia Cambogia

Most studies linked above focused on the dosage of hydroxycitric acid (HCA) as opposed to the dose of garcinia cambogia.

In most studies analyzing the weight loss effects of garcinia cambogia and HCA, participants took between 1,000 and 2,000mg of HCA per day. Typically, the dose was split into 2 or 3 daily doses.

The supplements above tend to have similar doses. You take 3 servings per day with around 1,000mg of garcinia cambogia extract per serving standardized to 60% HCA content, which works out to 1800mg of HCA in total per day.

The most important thing to remember is to follow the manufacturer’s dosage. Do not exceed that dosage. Speak with a doctor before taking garcinia cambogia in any form.

FAQs About Garcinia Cambogia

Q: What is garcinia cambogia?

A: Garcinia cambogia is extracted from the fruit of a plant native to Indonesia. Garcinia cambogia specifically comes from the extract of the flesh or rind of this fruit. The extract contains high levels of HCA, which is rumored to have powerful weight loss benefits.

Q: What are other names for garcinia cambogia?

A: Garcinia cambogia has become the name most associated with the trendy diet pill ingredient. However, other common names for the plant, fruit, or extract include Garcinia gummi-gutta, rindleberry, Malabar tamarind, kudam puli, or pot tamarind. The tropical species is officially known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, and it’s one of several species of Garcinia native to Indonesia. However, the plant was formerly officially known as Garcinia cambogia, which is why the name sticks around today.

Q: What does garcinia cambogia look like?

A: Garcinia cambogia fruit looks like a small pumpkin – about the size of a softball. The rind of the fruit is green to pale yellow in color.

Q: What is HCA?

A: HCA, or hydroxycitric acid, is one of the active compounds in garcinia cambogia extract. It’s a special type of molecule that may inhibit the formation of fat and suppress appetite. Because of these properties, some studies have linked HCA and garcinia cambogia to weight loss results.

Q: What is a good concentration of HCA?

A: Typical concentrations of HCA range from 50% to 95%. However, most reputable manufacturers stick with doses of 60% HCA, which is the concentration of the most popular garcinia cambogia extract used by today’s manufacturers. Be wary when manufacturers advertise concentrations as high as 95% or more.

Q: Does garcinia cambogia really work?

A: Despite what Dr. Oz says, garcinia cambogia isn’t a miracle fruit that will cause you to lose 10 pounds overnight. However, certain studies have shown the fruit can be effective for weight loss when paired with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Q: Is garcinia cambogia safe to use? Are there any side effects?

A: The vast majority of garcinia cambogia studies indicate that the supplement is safe to take for up to 12 weeks when following normal doses. Most people tolerate garcinia cambogia very well. However, as mentioned above, there have been worrying cases of patients experiencing liver problems after taking garcinia supplements for, say, 5 months or longer. While garcinia cambogia is largely believed to be safe, there are some concerns about its toxicity and effects on the liver.

Q: How does garcinia cambogia lead to weight loss?

A: Garcinia cambogia may encourage weight loss in several different ways. It has multiple methods of action. Some studies indicate it works as an appetite suppressant when taken before meal times, for example. Other studies suggest that garcinia cambogia decreases fat synthesis, reducing your body’s ability to store fat. Ultimately, more studies need to be done to confirm these benefits.

Q: How do I take garcinia cambogia for weight loss?

A: Most studies on using garcinia cambogia for weight loss involve taking 1,000mg to 2,000mg of HCA per day. At this dose, participants in some studies have experienced significant weight loss results. In all studies analyzing the weight loss benefits of garcinia, participants have paired the supplement with a healthy diet and exercise routine.

Q: Can I pair garcinia cambogia with apple cider vinegar for better weight loss results?

A: Some people take garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar at the same time because they believe it leads to better weight loss results. There are no studies verifying this benefit. However, both garcinia and apple cider vinegar have become trendy weight loss ingredients at around the same time, so that’s one reason why the two are commonly paired together.

Q: Can I lose weight while taking garcinia cambogia without dieting or exercising?

A: Most studies on garcinia cambogia have analyzed the weight loss effects of the compound when paired with diet and exercise. No study has shown that you can lose weight on garcinia cambogia without diet or exercise.

Final Word

There’s some evidence showing garcinia cambogia can help you lose weight. Some studies show garcinia cambogia works by supressing appetite and blocking the activity of an enzyme responsible for fat formation.

Overall, however, there are few largescale human studies confirming the weight loss benefits of garcinia cambogia. Many of the studies on garcinia to date have involved rats or mice, for example, while the studies in humans have indicated small or negligible results.

Nevertheless, weight loss effects have been observed in certain studies on humans. Researchers have also repeatedly recommended that more research be done on garcinia cambogia to confirm its benefits. It’s possible garcinia cambogia has powerful, proven weight loss results that have yet to be discovered – although it’s also possible garcinia cambogia is an over-hyped diet pill ingredient backed by limited science.