Printed version of www.consumerlab.com/review/garcinia_hydroxycitric-acid_HCA-weight-loss/garcinia/
Product Review: Garcinia Cambogia (HCA) Supplements
Posted: 11/9/13 Last Update: 4/15/14
Sections: Jump to a section by clicking on its name.
What It Is
What It Does
Quality Concerns and What CL Tested For
What CL Found
Test Results by Product
What to Consider When Buying
What to Consider When Using
Concerns and Cautions
Full List of Ingredients by Product
How Products Were Evaluated
Update:
Labrada Nutrition Garcinia Cambogia (12/6/2013): Labrada Nutrition, the distributor of this product which
ConsumerLab.com (CL) found to contain only 60.2% of its expected HCA (as noted below), provided CL with
test results from an independent laboratory suggesting that this product and the ingredient used to produce it
contain the expected, listed amounts of HCA. Noting that the results provided by Labrada were based on tests
conducted just recently (mid-November), CL asked Labrada to supply the original test results for both the
ingredient and the product (Lot# 80310513 with expiration date of 06/2015), as would have been conducted
under current Good Manufacturing Practices before the product was originally marketed, but Labrada declined
to provide this. However, per CL's policy, Labrada requested that CL send an unopened bottle of CL's retained
sample of the product for retesting to an agreed-upon laboratory using an agreed-upon test method. Labrada
agreed to publish the results of that re-test on its website, as required under CL's policy.
Results of the re-test performed on November 26 found the product to contain only 49.1% of its listed HCA an
amount even lower than found in earlier tests by CL.
As required under ConsumerLab's retesting protocol, Labrada has posted information about the retesting on its
website (including a PDF version). Although not originally disclosed to ConsumerLab.com prior to the retesting,
website (including a PDF version). Although not originally disclosed to ConsumerLab.com prior to the retesting,
Labrada now notes having found variation in the amounts of HCA within the same lot of product ranging from
81.2% to 98.3% in other recent tests by an independent laboratory commissioned by it. According to Labrada's
Vice President for Research and Product Development, Dave Ramirez, "Labrada is continuing to investigate the
variation in test results in order to do what can be done to ensure that Labrada products continue to meet label
claims."
What It Is:
Garcinia cambogia (G. cambogia) is a plant native to Indonesia. "Garcinia" dietary supplements generally contain
extracts of the dried rind of the fruit of this plant. The compound hydroxycitric acid (HCA), believed to be a key active
Garcinia component for biological effects, naturally comprises up to 30% of the weight of the dried rind and typically,
50% to 60% of the weight of extracts made from the dried rind.
What It Does:
The evidence that HCA from Garcinia aids weight loss is mixed.
Laboratory studies of HCA given to animals have demonstrated suppression of food intake and decreased body weight
gain. A possible biochemical basis for HCAs effect comes from its ability to suppress the production of fatty acids
(and fats) through its inhibition of a cellular enzyme. Although early studies in people suggested a weight loss benefit,
these were small studies with various weaknesses in their design. The first well-controlled clinical trial found that a G.
cambogia extract (standardized to 50% HCA) failed to produce significant loss of weight and fat mass beyond that
observed with placebo (Heymsfield, JAMA 1998). That study involved 135 overweight men and women (many of whom
were markedly obese) who were given 1,000 mg of the extract 30 minutes before each meal (a total daily dose of 3,000
mg containing 1,500 mg of HCA). During the 12-week study, participants were put on a high-fiber, low-calorie diet. It
has been suggested that the high-fiber diet may have impaired HCA absorption (Badmaev, JAMA 1999), although this
is speculative.
Two years later, a 12-week study of overweight women found that those given G. cambogia extract lost more weight
than those given placebo (8.2 lbs vs. 5.3 lbs), although there was no decrease in appetite (Mattes, Physiol Behav
2000). The participants were put on a low-calorie diet and encouraged to exercise. They took 800 mg of G. cambogia
extract (50% HCA) 30 to 60 minutes before each meal, for a daily total of 2,400 mg of extract containing 1,200 mg of
HCA. Interestingly, a small number of men were initially included in this study but their results, which showed no
significant difference from placebo, were excluded from the overall findings. A smaller, 2-week study in men showed no
effect on appetite or weight loss in those taking 500 mg of HCA three times daily (Kovacs, Int J Obes 2001).
One study which suggested an effect on reducing appetite and food intake but not a significant reduction in body
weight or body mass index (BMI) had subjects take G. cambogia extract (60% HCA) 1 hour before lunch and dinner
and 2 hours after dinner to prevent snacking in the evening. In this two-week study, each dose was 500 mg of extract
for a daily total of 1,500 mg of extract containing 900 mg of HCA (Westerterp-Plantenga, Int J Obesity 2002).
What to make of all this? The evidence suggests that HCA may, in some situations, modestly help with weight loss.
HCA may be more effective in women than men and in people who are not markedly obese. As discussed in the What
to Consider When Using section, when and how you take the supplement may be important in determining its efficacy.
See the Weight Loss Supplements Review for information about other weight loss ingredients used in supplements.
See the Weight Loss Supplements Review for information about other weight loss ingredients used in supplements.
Quality Concerns:
Due to promotion of Garcinia as a weight loss ingredient in the popular media, including the Dr. Oz Show in October
2012, many products are currently on the market and being actively promoted. In ConsumerLab.com's experience, the
rapid introduction of new products to meet a sudden demand for a supplement often results in a high percentage of
products of poor quality. Neither the FDA nor any other federal or state agency routinely tests Garcinia or other
supplements for their quality. ConsumerLab.com, as part of its mission to independently evaluate products that affect
health, wellness, and nutrition, purchased Garcinia dietary supplements sold in the U.S. Products were tested to
determine how much G. cambogia extract they contained (based on analyses of HCA), potential contamination with
the heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury), and the ability of products in tablet or caplet form to break
apart (disintegrate) properly. Labels were also checked to be sure they complied with FDA labeling requirements
including listing the correct Garcinia species and plant part (see How Products Were Evaluated for more details).
What CL Found:
Among the 13 Garcinia supplements selected for testing by ConsumerLab.com, only six contained their labeled
amounts of HCA. These six are listed as "Approved" for their quality in the table below, along with four products which
passed the same testing in ConsumerLab.com's voluntary Quality Certification Program. The seven products which
were "Not Approved" contained just 14% to 81% of the listed amounts of HCA, as shown in fourth column of the table
below. Interestingly, three products with some of the lowest percentages of their expected HCA were among four
advertised online as the Garcinia extract promoted on the Dr. Oz show, a claim which was not true. These products
were Miracle Garcinia Cambogia, Healthy Clip Pure Garcinia Rapid and Nutritional Sciences Garcinia Lean, which
contained, respectively, only 14.3%, 16.2% and 21.9% of their listed amounts of HCA. In fact, the suggest daily
serving amounts (2 capsules) of Miracle Garcinia Cambogia and Healthy Clip provided less than 100 mg of HCA -- less
than any other product and far less than used in any clinical trial, which has typically been 900 to 1,500 mg (see What
to Consider When Using). Healthy Clip was being sold on Amazon.com as "Dr Oz Garcinia Cambogia Extract" and
Garcinia Lean was promoted in a company press release entitled "Garcinia Lean, Top Weight Loss Choice After
Praised by Dr. Oz, Says Nutritional Sciences."
Most products were labeled to contain 50% to 60% HCA as a percentage of their extract, which is consistent with
what has been used clinically. However, their daily suggested serving sizes varied widely, corresponding to daily
amounts of HCA ranging from as little as 250 mg to 3,600 mg per day. It is important to be aware that, unlike OTC
products and prescription medications, where dosing must be approved by the FDA, dietary supplement companies
set their own suggested serving levels, which may or may not correspond to what has been shown to work.
None of the products were found to be contaminated with heavy metals (lead, cadmium, arsenic, and mercury) and the
one product in tablet form passed disintegration testing, assuring that the tablet can properly break apart.
Cost:
To help find the lowest cost to obtain HCA, we calculated the cost of getting 1,500 mg of HCA from the products.
Among the products Approved in quality testing, the most economical source of HCA was Puritan's Pride Super
Citrimax, from which 1,500 mg of HCA could be obtained for just 74 cents, followed by NutriGold Garcinia Cambogia
Gold at 76 cents and Vitamin Shoppe Garcinia Cambogia Extract at 83 cents. The most expensive Approved product
in terms of obtaining 1,500 mg of HCA was Pure Health Garcinia Cambogia at $2.08. Among the products which failed
testing, the cost of obtaining 1,500 mg of HCA, based on how much was actually found, was as much as $21.41 from
Miracle Garcinia Cambogia and $11.39 from Nutritional Sciences Garcinia Lean.
Miracle Garcinia Cambogia and $11.39 from Nutritional Sciences Garcinia Lean.
The bottom line:
You can't trust most Garcinia labels, nor should you rely on the suggested serving sizes. Products which contained
what they claimed and suggested serving sizes most consistent with clinical studies were Genesis Today Garcinia
Cambogia, or a virtually identical product, Pure Health Garcinia Cambogia (when taken at the lower end of the
suggested serving size 2 pills three times per day, which will provide 1,440 mg of HCA). However, the daily cost of that
dose from either of those products is about $2. You can get roughly the same dose of HCA and spend less than half
that amount using Vitamin Shoppe Garcinia Cambogia Extract when you take its suggested dose (2 pills) three times
a day, preferably about one hour before lunch and dinner and perhaps a couple of hours before bedtime if you are prone
to nighttime snacking. Many Garcinia products include chromium as an added ingredient, although the evidence is
mixed as to whether chromium helps with weight loss. Black pepper is also in some products, as it may enhance the
bioavailability of ingredients by inhibiting their breakdown. These and any other added ingredients are listed in the last
column of the table below, with more detail to be found in the Ingredients table.
Test Results by Product:
Listed alphabetically below are the test results for seventeen Garcinia supplements. ConsumerLab.com selected 13
products, and four other products (each indicated with a CL flask) were tested at the request of their
manufacturers/distributors through CL's Quality Certification Program and are included for having passed testing. Also
listed is a product which is very similar to one that passed testing but is sold under a different brand name.
Shown for each product is the claimed amount of Garcinia extract, the percent claimed to be HCA, and the serving
size recommended on the label. The full list of ingredients is available for each product by clicking on the word
"Ingredients" in the first column. Products listed as "Approved" met their label claims for HCA and ConsumerLab.com's
quality criteria (see Passing Score). Be aware that suggested serving sizes on labels may not reflect an appropriate
dosage for your intended use. Adjustments may be necessary, as discussed above and in the section What to
Consider When Using. Cost comparisons appear in the last column.
RESULTS OF CONSUMERLAB.COM TESTING OF GARCINIA SUPPLEMENTS
Click on
beneath a product name to find a vendor that sells it.
To find retailers that sell some of the listed products click here.
Product
Name,
Serving Size,
Garcinia
Extract Per
Unit, and
Servings Per
Day
Suggested
on Label
Labeled Daily
Amount of
Garcinia
Extract and %
HCA
HCA Expected
Per Day
Click on
"Ingredients"
for Full
Listing
Absolute™
Garcinia
Cambogia
OVERALL
RESULTS:
Contained
Did Not
DisLabeled
Exceed
integrated
[Cost per 1,500 mg of
Amount of Contamination Properly
HCA]
APPROVED
HCA
Limit for Lead,
(Passed)
Cadmium,
N/A = Not
Other Notable
or
Arsenic and
applicable
Ingredients/Features1
NOT
Mercury
APPROVED
Price Paid
1,000 mg
NOT
Found only
Garcinia extract APPROVED 21.8% of
(60% HCA)
Cost for Daily
Suggested Serving
on Label
— TEST RESULTS —
claim
N/A
$0.50
[$1.25 based on
(500 mg of
extract per
capsule, 2 per
day)
(130.6 mg
daily)
600 mg HCA
amount claimed]
[$5.74 based on
amount found]
Calcium, chromium,
potassium
Dist. by
Absolute
Nutrition
Ingredients
Bio Nutrition
Garcinia
Cambogia
(500 mg of
extract per
vegetarian
capsule, 2 per
day)
$14.99/60 capsules
1,000 mg
NOT
Found only
Garcinia extract APPROVED 81.1% of
(50%HCA)
claim
(405.5 mg
500 mg HCA
daily)
N/A
$0.34
[$1.03 based on
amount claimed]
[$1.27 based on
amount found]
Calcium, potassium
Dist. by Bio
Nutrition, Inc.
Ingredients
Vegetarian, contains
no wheat, gluten free,
yeast free
$10.29/60 vegetarian
capsules
Futurebiotics
500 mg Garcinia APPROVED
Garcinia
extract
Cambogia
(50% HCA)
Extract 500
mg (500 mg of
250 mg HCA
extract per
vegetarian
capsule, 1 per
day)
N/A
[$1.46]
Calcium
Vegetarian, contains
no wheat, gluten free,
yeast free
Mfd. by
Futurebiotics®
Ingredients
Garcinia
Cambogia
Select (500
mg of extract
per capsule, 3
per day 2)
$0.24
$21.95/90 vegetarian
capsules
1,500 mg
APPROVED
Garcinia extract
(50% HCA)
N/A
$0.93
[$1.86]
750 mg HCA
Calcium, potassium
$27.94/90 capsules
Dist. by
Pacific
Naturals
Ingredients
Garcinia
Cambogia XT
(500 mg of
1,000 mg
Garcinia extract
extract per
capsule, 2 per
500 mg HCA
APPROVED
N/A
$1.11
[$3.33]
Calcium, chromium,
capsule, 2 per
day)6
Calcium, chromium,
potassium
Distributed by
Optimal
Health
Products
Ingredients
$33.33/60 capsules
Genesis
Today™
Garcinia
Cambogia
(400 mg of
extract per
vegetarian
capsule, 6 to
12 per day)
2,400 mg to
4,800 mg
Garcinia extract
(60% HCA)
APPROVED
N/A
[$2.00]
Calcium, chromium,
potassium, black
pepper
1,440 mg to
2,880 mg HCA
Vegetarian
Dist. by
Genesis
Today, Inc.
Ingredients
$19.19/60 vegetarian
capsules
Healthy Clip
1,000 mg
NOT
Found only
Pure Garcinia Garcinia extract APPROVED 16.2% of
Rapid (500 mg
(60% HCA)
claim (96.9
of extract per
mg daily)
capsule, 2 per
600 mg HCA
day)
N/A
$0.50
[$1.25 based on
amount claimed]
[$7.71 based on
amount found]
Dist. by
Healthy Clip
Laboratories
Ingredients
Jarrow
Formulas®
HCActive™
(500 mg of
extract per
capsule, 6 per
5
day)
$1.92-$3.84
Calcium, chromium,
potassium
$14.95/60 capsules
3,000 mg
APPROVED
Garcinia extract
(70% HCA)
N/A
[$1.43]
2,100 mg HCA
Suitable for
vegans/vegetarians,
contains no wheat,
gluten free
Dist. by
Jarrow
Formulas®
Ingredients
Labrada
4,680 mg
NOT
Found only
Nutrition
Garcinia extract APPROVED 60.2% of
Garcinia
(SuperCitrimax®
claim
Cambogia
60% HCA)
(1,690.2
(780 mg of
mg daily)
extract per
2,808 mg HCA
(See
capsule, 6 per
Update)
day) (See
$2.00
$29.99/90 capsules
N/A
$1.20
[$0.64 based on
amount claimed]
[$1.06 based on
amount found]
Calcium, potassium
day) (See
Update)
Calcium, potassium
$17.99/90 capsules
Dist. by
Labrada
Nutrition
Ingredients
Miracle
1,000 mg
Garcinia
Garcinia extract
Cambogia
(500 mg of
600 mg HCA
extract per
capsule, 2 per
day)6
NOT
Found only
APPROVED 14.3% of
claim (85.6
mg daily)
N/A
[$3.05 based on
amount claimed]
[$21.41 based on
amount found]
Calcium, chromium,
potassium
Distributed by
Miracle
Garcinia
Cambogia
Ingredients
Molecular
Research
Labs Pure
Garcinia
Cambogia
(750 mg of
extract per
capsule, 2 per
day)
$1.22
$36.65/60 capsules
1,500 mg
NOT
Found only
Garcinia extract APPROVED 33.5% of
(50% HCA)
claim
(251.4 mg
750 mg HCA
daily)
N/A
$1.14
[$2.29 based on
amount claimed]
[$6.82 based on
amount found]
$34.29/60 capsules
Dist. by
Molecular
Research
Labs
Ingredients
Nature's
Plus®
Citrimax®
1000 mg
(1,000 mg of
extract per
tablet, 1 per
day)
1,000 mg
APPROVED
Garcinia extract
(Citrimax® 50%
HCA)
$0.32
[$0.97]
Vegetarian, hypoallergenic, contains no
wheat, gluten free,
yeast free
500 mg HCA
Dist. by
Natural
Organics
Laboratories,
Inc.
Ingredients
$19.49/60 tablets
NutriGold®
3,000 mg to
Garcinia
Cambogia
6,000 mg
Garcinia extract
APPROVED
NA
$0.90-$1.80
[$0.75]
Cambogia
Gold™ (1,000
mg of extract
per vegetarian
capsule, 3 to
6 per day)
Garcinia extract
(SuperCitrimax®
60% HCA)
[$0.75]
Calcium, Potassium
1,800 to 3,600
mg HCA
Contains no wheat
$26.95/90 vegetarian
capsules
Dist. by
NutriGold®
Inc.
Ingredients
Nutritional
Sciences™
Garcinia Lean
(500 mg of
extract per
capsule, 2 per
day)
1,000 mg
NOT
Found only
Garcinia extract APPROVED 21.9% of
(60% HCA)
claim
(131.4 mg
600 mg HCA
daily)
N/A
[$2.50 based on
amount claimed]
[$11.39 based on
amount found]
Calcium, chromium,
potassium
Dist. by
Nutritional
Sciences
Ingredients
Pure Health
Garcinia
Cambogia
(400 mg of
extract per
vegetarian
capsule, 6 to
12 per day)
$29.95/60 capsules
2,400 mg to
APPROVED
4,800 mg
Garcinia extract
(60% HCA)
N/A
$2.00-$3.99
[$2.08]
Calcium, chromium,
potassium, black
pepper
1,440 mg to
2,880 mg HCA
$9.98/30 vegetarian
capsules
Dist. by Pure
Health
Ingredients
Puritan's
Pride® Super
Citrimax®
(750 mg of
extract per
capsule, 7 per
day)3
$1.00
5,250 mg
APPROVED
Garcinia extract
(Super
Citrimax® 60%
HCA)
N/A
$1.55
[$0.74]
Lowest cost for HCA
Calcium, chromium,
potassium, gymnema
3,150 mg HCA
Contains no wheat,
gluten free, yeast free
Mfd. by
Puritans
Pride, Inc.
Ingredients
$19.99/90 capsules
The Vitamin
Shoppe®
Garcinia
1,000 mg
APPROVED
Garcinia extract
(60% HCA)4
Cambogia
Extract
600 mg HCA4
N/A
$0.334
[$0.83]
Chromium
600 mg HCA4
(500 mg of
extract per
capsule, 2
"before a
meal," daily
amount not
specified)
Contains no wheat,
gluten free, yeast free
$14.99/90 capsules
Dist. by
Vitamin
Shoppe, Inc
Ingredients
Similar to Approved Products*:
Vitamin
Similar to Puritan's Pride® Super Citrimax®.
World® Super
Citrimax®
(750 mg of
extract [60%
HCA] per
capsule, 7 per
day)
Mfd. by
Vitamin
World, Inc.
Ingredients
Tested through CL's Quality Certification Program prior to, or after initial posting of this Product Review.
* Product identical in formulation and manufacture to a product that has passed testing but sold under a different brand. For more information
see CL's Multi-Label Testing Program.
1
Not tested but claimed on label.
2
Suggested use on label says to take 1 capsule prior to "each primary meal". ConsumerLab.com defined a "primary meal" as breakfast, lunch
and dinner.
3
Directions state "take two (2) capsules with breakfast, two (2) capsules with lunch, and three (3) capsules with dinner".
4
Based on 2 capsules as daily amount is not specified on label, which reads "take two (2) capsules 30 minutes before a meal."
5
Added 4/3/14
6
Products were asked to be tested by ConsumerLab.com by The Dr. Oz Show and were added on 4/15/14.
##TABLE_UNLESS_TEXT##
Copyright ConsumerLab.com, LLC, 2013. All rights reserved. Not to be reproduced, excerpted, or cited in any fashion without the express
written permission of ConsumerLab.com LLC.
ConsumerTips™:
What to Consider When Buying:
Garcinia cambogia extracts are typically standardized to contain 50% to 60% hydroxycitric acid (HCA or (-)hydroxycitric acid). The remainder of the extract (40% to 50% of the total) is composed of carbohydrates and fat from
hydroxycitric acid). The remainder of the extract (40% to 50% of the total) is composed of carbohydrates and fat from
the rind of the Garcinia cambogia fruit although these are not significant amounts in terms of calories (3 or 4 calories
per pill).
HCA, in its "free" molecular form, is unstable, so ingredient manufacturers commonly bind it to minerals, such as
calcium, potassium, or magnesium, to stabilize it. Two common branded versions of Garcinia extract are Citrimax®
(which is 50% HCA) and SuperCitriMax® (which is 60% HCA and has also been referred to in clinical studies as
Citrimax HCA 600 SGX), both of which bind HCA to calcium and potassium. Due to the relatively large daily dosing of
Garcinia supplements, these ingredients can be significant sources of minerals. For example, a daily dose of 4,500
mg of SuperCitrimax, would be expected to contain 720 mg of potassium and 495 mg calcium. The company which
sells these branded ingredients, InterHealth, claims that the added calcium/potassium make the HCA more soluble
and better absorbed than other HCA products. However, the research InterHealth cites (Downs, Mut Res 2005)
suggests that even in this form, the HCA is only partially absorbed, as shown in earlier research (Loe, Anal Biochem
2001). Choosing a supplement made with a branded form of HCA might seem to help assure quality but only two of the
three products selected for testing which contained either SuperCitrimax or Citrimax (as noted in the table above)
passed ConsumerLab.coms tests -- the Labrada product contained only 60.2% of its listed HCA.
Garcinia is frequently included as an ingredient in weight loss "formulas" or "blends" which contain multiple ingredients
but do not list the amount of each. It would seem prudent to avoid these multi-ingredient formulas or blends for several
reasons: It is unlikely they have been clinically tested; it is best to use single-ingredient supplements (showing the
amount of the ingredient) to determine if an ingredient actually works for you; and weight loss formula or blend
products are more likely than single ingredient products to contain dangerous, undeclared drug-like substances or
have other problems with their quality (See related Recalls and Warnings of Garcinia-containing supplements).
What to Consider When Using:
When and how to take it:
A study of Citrimax taken as a liquid showed HCA to reach maximum levels in the blood 60 to 90 minutes after
ingestion, falling rapidly thereafter (Westerterp-Plantenga, Int J Obesity 2002). A study of SuperCitrimax showed
maximum levels at 2 hours after ingestion (Loe, Anal Biochem 2001). Consequently, if HCA causes reduced appetite
or is most effective when blood levels are highest, it may be best to take the extract as much as 1 to 2 hours before
eating, rather than the typical 30 to 60 minutes suggested on labels. In addition, research has indicated that taking
Garcinia with a full meal results in significantly lower levels of HCA than when taken on an empty stomach,
underscoring the importance of taking it well before a meal (Downs, Mutat Res 2005).
Concerns and Cautions:
Garcinia has generally been found to be safe, but there are no long term studies. Some side effects that have been
reported include nausea, GI discomfort, and headache.
A three-month study in genetically obese male rats given a range of doses of Garcinia cambogia extract found it to
cause testicular toxicity and atrophy (shrinkage) at the high doses, but not at lower doses. The study also showed the
extract to suppress fat accumulation, but, unfortunately, this effect only occurred at the doses which also caused
toxicity (Saito, Food Chem Toxicol 2005). In terms of body weight, the high doses given to the rats were about twenty
to thirty times as much as normally taken by people, so a similar risk of toxicity may not exist for people, and has not
been reported.
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any
Information on this site is provided for informational purposes only. It is not an endorsement of any
product nor is it meant to substitute for the advice provided by physicians or other healthcare
professionals. The information contained herein should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health
problem or disease. Consumers should inform their healthcare providers of the dietary supplements they
take.
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