Weight loss may be a difficult goal to achieve, but with the right kind of diet and the right amount of exercise, you can shed kilos faster. There are a number of fruits and vegetables which may expedite weight loss by various methods including blocking the body's ability to store fat and even suppressing appetite. Garcinia Cambogia, commonly known as Malabar tamarind or kudam puli has been gaining considerable attention for its purported weight loss benefits.
ORIGIN OF GARCINIA
The fruit looks like a small pumpkin and its colour varies from green to yellow. The fruit is well known in Southeast Asia, coastal Karnataka and Kerala and the fruit is also made into a supplement, which is now sold commercially. Along the coast of these states, the fruit is often put to culinary use which is similar to that of the regular tamarind.
GARCINIA CAMBOGIA AND HCA
The active ingredient in G. cambogia, hydroxycitric acid (HCA), is a competitive inhibitor of adenosine tri-phosphate citrate lyase, a key enzyme in the synthesis of fatty acids,
cholesterol, and triglycerides. HCA is thought to improve the body’s ability to break down fat, increase satiety, and increase high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. These effects may improve exercise tolerance, decrease fat storage, and improve lipids.
HCA has also been reported to increase the release or availability of serotonin in the brain, thereby leading to appetite suppression. Other postulated weight loss mechanisms include inhibition of pancreatic alpha amylase and intestinal alpha glycosidase, thereby leading to a reduction in carbohydrate metabolism. Ultimately we can say it prevents carbohydrate to get converted into fat.
OTHER HEALTH BENEFITS OF MALABAR TAMARIND
Weight loss is not the only health benefit that the Malabar tamarind has. It can easily be termed as a 'super food' due to the amazing health benefits like
1. Reduces Inflammation
2. Decreasing Insulin levels
3. Helps in controlling blood sugar
4. Boosts digestive process
5. Releases happy hormones
6. Controls the cholesterol in the body
7. Helps protect against stomach ulcers
8. Improves cardiovascular health
9. Boosts energy
10. Detoxifies the body
11. Strengthens bones
12. Helps in inducing sleep
Obesity is associated with an increased risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Although G. Cambogia has received media attention for control of weight and cholesterol, the evidence of its benefits remains limited. Patients with CVD risk factors should be encouraged to manage their hyper-tension, diabetes, and dyslipidemia.
How To Consume Malabar Tamarind For Weight Loss
Malabar tamarind rind is usually sun dried and then smoked to a dark brown or black colour and is then used to prepare a drink, which is claimed to burn fat. Usually, to make the drink the rind is first washed and then soaked in some water for about 10 or 15 minutes. Then you can take some water in a stainless steel or clay pan and transfer the soaked Malabar tamarind into it. Cook this for some time, until the water comes to a boil. Allow it to cool down and filter the drink into a jar. Consuming this drink 30 minutes before each meal, may help you lose weight faster.
AMOUNT OF MALABAR TAMARIND SUPPLEMENT
Many G. Cambogia products exist, with each containing different HCA concentrations. For weight loss, an extract containing 50% HCA, 1,000 mg three times daily or 500 mg four times daily, has been used.
ADVERSE EFFECT
Mild adverse effect profile has been established, including headache, nausea, upper respiratory tract symptoms, and gastrointestinal symptoms.
In 2009, FDA warned patients about the risk of liver toxicity with the dietary supplement Hydroxycut, which contained G. Cambogia at the time. However, FDA was unable to determine if G. Cambogia was the true cause of the events or if they were attributable to other ingredients.
But no such marked adverse effect is reported yet. So it can be used for weight loss without any hassles.
References
1. www.cdc.gov/obesity/data/adult.html
2. https://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/Weight-LossHealthProfessional/#en3
3. Obesity. 2014;22(S2):S1–S410
4. www.naturaldatabase.com
5.www.fda.gov/downloads/ForConsumers/ConsumerUpdates/UCM152222.pdf
6.Hindawi Publishing Corporation, Journal of Obesity,Volume 2011, Article ID 509038 ,9pagesdoi:10.1155/2011/509038
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