Dear Skeptical,

These claims are questionable at best. Here's the scoop: HCA — short for hydroxy citric acid — is an ingredient found in many weight loss supplements. It's derived primarily from the Garcinia cambogia plant. Citric acid is a substance involved in the metabolism of carbohydrates. HCA (a modified form of citric acid) is believed by some to inhibit the enzyme that allows carbohydrates to be stored as fat. It is suggested that, in the presence of HCA, excess carbohydrates would be expended instead of being stored as fat. A decrease in appetite is purported to be a side effect of this process, which further promotes weight loss. This certainly sounds good in theory. But... according to the Center For Science in the Public Interest, a major pharmaceutical company tried to turn HCA into a weight loss drug a few years back, but the project ended up being scrapped. This is because their preliminary tests led to testicular atrophy and other toxicities in lab animals. Whether the same results occur in humans remains unknown.

Studies on the effectiveness of hydroxy citric acid have also been done, but with mixed results. The most recent word is that it does not prevent fat storage or promote weight loss. In California, one of the companies making an HCA supplement has been ordered to cease claims of weight loss in that state, unless credible evidence is presented.

Although some web sites claim HCA is safe, the truth is that we really don't know. Since that California court found the weight loss claims unsubstantiated, is taking HCA worth the possible risks associated with it?

Alice

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