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Can Garcinia Cambogia Supplement Be Taken For Weight Loss?

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Posted on Fri, 9 Jun 2017
Question: How safe is Garcinia Cambogia? I have heard mixed reviews about this supplement about weight loss. But how safe is it? What is the maximum dosage per day and for how long is it safe to take? My periods are little delayed too (like a week). Please explain and answer all my above questions please.

Note: I am also using hair supplements (biotin + multivitamins) , once per day. Please answer accordingly.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (3 hours later)
Brief Answer:
It does not work. It is not safe. Do not take this.

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.

I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Garcinia cambogia is a fruit looks like a small pumpkin, green to pale yellow in color and is native to Indonesia. Use of extracts from this plant are NOT considered safe as there is liver toxicity associated with commercial preparations of the fruit extract. Moreover, clinical evidence indicates that it has no significant effect on weight loss. So, in a nutshell, I would not recommend taking this preparation in any dosage.

The weight loss that you have undergone could possibly be attributed to a number of associated factors and not directly to this medicine. A detailed discussion would be needed in order to discuss the contributory causes.

Let me know whether you have regular irregularities with your periods and also if you are sexually active and I would guide you accordingly. Period irregularities could occur due to PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease) and a number of causes. I will wait for your response which is needed for guiding you further.

Regarding biotin and multivitamin supplements, unless you have deficiency of those particular micronutrients, taking them is useless. It only matters when you have some established deficiency as the source of your complaints.

Let me know if I could help further.

Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (26 minutes later)
I do not have PCOD. Tested already. This irregular periods has only occurred in the last 2 months that too the delay will be only for around a week.

And Biotin was advised to me by my Dermatologist for hair loss.

And regarding Garcinia Cambogia, I read many answers from other doctors on this same forum and many of them have answered that it is safe. I am really confused.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha (7 hours later)
Brief Answer:
The cause of irregular periods needs to be evaluated

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for writing back. The cause of irregular periods needs to be evaluated. I would insist you to get an ultrasonogram of lower abdomen done (if not done already) and to share the report. Hormonal strudies might subsequently be required as well.

I understand that biotin had been prescribed by your dermatologist and that was on the presumption that you could have biotin deficiency. But if that did not improve the situation be sure that you do not have biotin deficiency and it such a case it would not be of benefit to you.

Regarding Garcinia cambogia, there are documented reports of liver toxicity. However, not everyone gets the side effects. But there is no way to predict whether you would be one among the lucky few or unlucky few. Whether you want to continue with it, the choice lies upon you. Besides, there is no convincing evidence that it actually works.

Regards
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Remy Koshy
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Answered by
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Dr. Prof. Kunal Saha

General & Family Physician

Practicing since :1954

Answered : 4467 Questions

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Can Garcinia Cambogia Supplement Be Taken For Weight Loss?

Brief Answer: It does not work. It is not safe. Do not take this. Detailed Answer: Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic. I have gone carefully through your query and understand your concerns. Garcinia cambogia is a fruit looks like a small pumpkin, green to pale yellow in color and is native to Indonesia. Use of extracts from this plant are NOT considered safe as there is liver toxicity associated with commercial preparations of the fruit extract. Moreover, clinical evidence indicates that it has no significant effect on weight loss. So, in a nutshell, I would not recommend taking this preparation in any dosage. The weight loss that you have undergone could possibly be attributed to a number of associated factors and not directly to this medicine. A detailed discussion would be needed in order to discuss the contributory causes. Let me know whether you have regular irregularities with your periods and also if you are sexually active and I would guide you accordingly. Period irregularities could occur due to PCOD (polycystic ovarian disease) and a number of causes. I will wait for your response which is needed for guiding you further. Regarding biotin and multivitamin supplements, unless you have deficiency of those particular micronutrients, taking them is useless. It only matters when you have some established deficiency as the source of your complaints. Let me know if I could help further. Regards