Supplement analysis backed by scientific evidence · PT · ES · DE · FR

← All supplements
Limited evidenceWeight management

Garcinia Cambogia

The best-designed trial of Garcinia cambogia — a 135-person randomised study published in JAMA — found no weight or fat loss beyond placebo. Pooled analyses squeeze out under 1 kg of difference, and the ingredient has a documented signal for severe liver injury. Not worth taking.

View on iHerb Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

What the science says

  • Weight loss is negligible Limited evidence

    A meta-analysis of 9 RCTs found a difference of just -0.88 kg (95% CI -1.75 to -0.00) favouring hydroxycitric acid — statistically borderline and clinically irrelevant. The authors concluded the magnitude was small and the clinical relevance uncertain, and that future trials needed to be more rigorous.

  • The best trial was negative Limited evidence

    A 12-week randomised, placebo-controlled trial in 135 overweight adults using 1,500 mg/day of hydroxycitric acid found weight loss of 3.2 kg on active treatment versus 4.1 kg on placebo (p = 0.14) — numerically worse than placebo — with no difference in body fat loss. This remains the largest and best-controlled test of the ingredient.

  • The mechanism does not survive translation Limited evidence

    Hydroxycitric acid inhibits ATP-citrate lyase and suppresses de novo lipogenesis in rodents, but human de novo lipogenesis contributes only a small fraction of stored fat on typical Western diets, and the rodent doses far exceed what supplements deliver. Human appetite and fat-oxidation data are inconsistent.

  • Effects on blood lipids Limited evidence

    Meta-analyses of lipid outcomes report small and inconsistent changes across a handful of short, heterogeneous trials. Nothing here supports taking Garcinia for cardiovascular risk.

Dosage & safety

Studied doseTrials have used 1,000-2,800 mg/day of Garcinia extract providing roughly 900-1,500 mg/day of hydroxycitric acid, taken 30-60 minutes before meals, for 8-12 weeks. Given the efficacy data, there is no dose we would recommend.
SafetyHepatotoxicity is the decisive concern. Case reports document acute liver injury and fulminant hepatic failure requiring liver transplantation in previously healthy users of Garcinia cambogia products, and the FDA recalled Garcinia-containing Hydroxycut formulations in 2009 after reports of severe liver injury. Serotonergic effects have also been reported, including mania and serotonin-syndrome-like presentations in people taking SSRIs or other serotonergic drugs. Other effects include nausea, gastrointestinal discomfort and headache, with gastrointestinal adverse events roughly twice as common as placebo in one trial. Avoid entirely in liver disease, pregnancy and breastfeeding, and in anyone on antidepressants, statins or diabetes medication. Several national regulators have issued consumer warnings about Garcinia-containing weight-loss products.

How to take it

Timing30-60 minutes before meals, as used in the trials.
With food?Before food.
Worth knowingStop immediately and seek medical advice if you develop jaundice, dark urine, pale stools or right-sided abdominal pain — acute liver failure requiring transplant has been reported in healthy users.

Interactions

With medications

  • SSRIs, SNRIs and other serotonergic drugs

    Serotonergic adverse reactions have been reported, including a case of mania with psychosis and serotonin-syndrome-like presentations. do not combine

  • statins

    Case reports describe muscle injury and rhabdomyolysis when Garcinia products were taken with statins. do not combine

  • insulin and sulfonylureas

    Possible additive glucose lowering. monitor glucose, or avoid the product altogether

With other supplements

  • 5-HTP and St John's wort

    Additive serotonergic effect. do not combine

Well-established interactions only — this is not a complete list. Always tell your doctor and pharmacist what you take.

Frequently asked questions

Does garcinia cambogia work for weight loss?

No — the evidence is limited and largely negative. The best-controlled trial of Garcinia cambogia, 135 adults over 12 weeks, found 3.2 kg lost on the active product versus 4.1 kg on placebo, and pooled analyses show under 1 kg of difference.

Is garcinia cambogia safe for your liver?

Garcinia cambogia has a documented signal for severe liver injury, including case reports of acute liver failure needing transplantation in previously healthy users. Stop immediately and seek medical advice if you develop jaundice, dark urine, pale stools or right-sided abdominal pain.

Can I take garcinia cambogia with antidepressants or statins?

No. Garcinia cambogia has been linked to mania and serotonin-syndrome-like reactions in people on SSRIs or other serotonergic drugs, and to muscle injury and rhabdomyolysis when taken with statins.

Is garcinia cambogia worth taking?

No. Given negligible weight loss and a real risk of serious liver injury, there is no dose of Garcinia cambogia we would recommend.

Scientific references

Where to buy

Nature's Craft, Garcinia Cambogia, 60 Capsules

View on iHerb

Ships to 180+ countries · welcome discount for new customers

Referral link — this site may earn a commission on purchases.

Related in Weight management