The real truth about Citrimax and weight loss...

HCA (also known as hydroxycitric acid or CitriMax®) is a popular ingredient found in many weight loss supplements. It's derived from the fruit rinds of Garcinia Cambogia, which has traditionally been used to make meals more "filling."

Animal research shows that HCA can reduce food intake by raising serotonin levels [6]. Some studies show a direct link between obesity (due to overeating) and decreased brain serotonin levels.

HCA is also supposed to inhibit the formation of fat, and increase the activity of certain enzymes that oxidize, or burn fat.

In theory, HCA reduces the conversion of carbohydrate to fat by inhibiting the activity of the enzyme citrate lyase [2]. HCA may also increase glycogen storage in the liver, leading to a sensation of fullness and reduced appetite.

Most human research shows that HCA has little effect on weight loss. In one study, three days of HCA supplementation (3 grams daily) had no effect on fat oxidation at rest or during exercise when 30-35% of the calories in the diet come from fat [4].

And researchers from Maastricht University found that HCA, taken alone or combined with medium-chain triglycerides, does not increase weight loss over a two-week period [3].

Eleven overweight male subjects consumed three meals and four snacks daily with no supplementation, 500 milligrams of HCA, or 500 milligrams of HCA and three grams of medium-chain triglycerides. Although all subjects lost weight, there was no difference between groups.

There is some evidence to show that higher doses of HCA can suppress hunger. However, the results are far from consistent.

In one trial, HCA (300 milligrams three times daily) was shown to reduce 24-hour energy intake in obese humans by 15-30% with no increase in hunger [7].

However, a three-month study of 89 overweight females at Purdue University shows that 1.2 grams of HCA daily has no effect on appetite. Interestingly, the group using HCA did lose more weight (8 pounds versus 5 pounds) than subjects given a placebo [5].

In contrast, a trial published in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows no effect of HCA on weight loss over the same period [1].

The bottom line

Most research shows that relatively low doses of HCA has little impact on weight loss. The problem with many of these studies is that they've used relatively small amounts (1500 milligrams daily) of HCA.

According to one research team, the optimal amount for human consumption is a lot higher than previously thought (for information about this exciting new study, see The no-willpower way to beat sugar cravings in the Members-Only Area).

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References
1. Heymsfield, S.B., Allison, D.B., Vasselli, J.R., Pietrobelli, A., Greenfield, D., & Nunez, C. (1998). Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial. Journal of the American Medical Association, 280, 1596-1600
2. Jena, B.S., Jayaprakasha, G.K., Singh, R.P., & Sakariah, K.K. (2002). Chemistry and biochemistry of (-)-hydroxycitric acid from Garcinia. Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry, 50, 10-22
3. Kovacs, E.M., Westerterp-Plantenga, M.S., & Saris, W.H. (2001). The effects of 2-week ingestion of (--)-hydroxycitrate and (--)-hydroxycitrate combined with medium-chain triglycerides on satiety, fat oxidation, energy expenditure and body weight. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 25, 1087-1094
4. Kriketos, A.D., Thompson, H.R., Greene, H., & Hill, J.O. (1999). (-)-Hydroxycitric acid does not affect energy expenditure and substrate oxidation in adult males in a post-absorptive state. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 23, 867-873
5. Mattes, R.D., & Bormann, L. (2000). Effects of (-)-hydroxycitric acid on appetitive variables. Physiology and Behavior, 71, 87-94
6. Ohia, S.E., Awe, S.O., LeDay, A.M., Opere, C.A., & Bagchi, D. (2001). Effect of hydroxycitric acid on serotonin release from isolated rat brain cortex. Research Communications in Molecular Pathology and Pharmacology, 109, 210-216
7. Westerterp-Plantenga, M.S., & Kovacs, E.M. (2002). The effect of (-)-hydroxycitrate on energy intake and satiety in overweight humans. International Journal of Obesity and Related Metabolic Disorders, 26, 870-872