What is the recommended dose of Garcinia Cambogia?

- **Typical study dose:** 1,500-3,000mg/day HCA (standardized to 50-60% hydroxycitric acid) - **Timing:** 30-60 min before meals - Even at optimal dosing, clinical benefit is marginal

Is Garcinia Cambogia safe to take daily?

Garcinia Cambogia is rated "Use Caution" based on clinical evidence. Always consult your healthcare provider before starting any supplement.

Does Garcinia Cambogia interact with any medications?

Garcinia Cambogia has 3 known drug interactions, including interactions with Statins, Diabetes medications, SSRIs. Check with your doctor before combining with prescription medications.

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Ingredient Research

Graded against 173,636 supplements + 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, NIH DSLD

Garcinia Cambogia

LIMITED EVIDENCESupplementLast updated April 2026

AVELOR SUMMARY

Garcinia cambogia (HCA) was one of the most hyped weight loss supplements of the 2010s. Our research shows the reality is disappointing: a large meta-analysis found statistically significant but clinically irrelevant weight loss (~0.88 kg more than placebo over 12 weeks). Multiple case reports of hepatotoxicity have been documented. This is a supplement where the marketing dramatically outpaced the evidence.

EVIDENCE GRADES

Weight lossMeta-analysis shows minimal effect (PMID: 21197150)

Appetite suppressionInconsistent across trials

Lipid profileModest triglyceride reduction in some studies

Exercise performanceNo evidence

OPTIMAL DOSAGE

Typical study dose: 1,500-3,000mg/day HCA (standardized to 50-60% hydroxycitric acid)
Timing: 30-60 min before meals
Even at optimal dosing, clinical benefit is marginal

Scan a supplement containing Garcinia Cambogia

DRUG INTERACTIONS

StatinsModerate

Garcinia inhibits same fat synthesis pathways; additive effects on liver metabolism

Diabetes medicationsModerate

HCA may lower blood sugar; additive hypoglycemia

SSRIsModerate

HCA increases serotonin availability; theoretical serotonin syndrome risk

SAFETY PROFILE

Drug Interactions

⚠️ Hepatotoxicity Reports

Multiple case reports and FDA warnings document liver injury associated with garcinia-containing products (UNCITED: the cited PMID did not support this claim and was removed; this statement is not currently sourced). Mechanism unclear, may be HCA itself or contaminants in multi-ingredient products. The FDA issued a safety warning in 2009 after Hydroxycut (containing garcinia) was linked to liver failure cases.

Pregnancy & Lactation

NOT recommended, insufficient safety data plus hepatotoxicity concern.

WADA Status

Not Prohibited

HOW AVELOR SCORES THIS

Auto-flag: "Clinical weight loss benefit is approximately 0.88 kg over 12 weeks, marginally more than placebo"

Liver safety warning on all garcinia products

SSRI users: serotonin interaction flag

Products in multi-ingredient "fat burner" blends: additional caution (contamination risk)

Score penalty for marketing claims that dramatically exceed evidence

CLINICAL REFERENCES

Reference identifiers on this page are being re-verified against PubMed. Some may not yet link to the paper named beside them.

, Onakpoya I et al. The use of Garcinia extract as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

PMID: 21197150

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Independently graded against 173,636 indexed supplements with 177 published clinical interactions, sourced from PubMed, FDA CAERS, openFDA, and NIH DSLD | Last updated: April 2026

Not medical advice. Based on published clinical research and systematic reviews.

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