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Garcinia Cambogia

Tropical fruit extract rich in hydroxycitric acid traditionally used for appetite suppression and weight management support

Scientific nameGarcinia gummi-gutta FormulaC6H8O8 (hydroxycitric acid) Molecular weight208.12 g/mol CAS27750-10-3
65 absorption score
6 safety / 10
25 USD per month
5 documented interactions

Check it against something

Evidence level C

Garcinia Cambogia with:

Compatibility score 75 out of 100
75 out of 100
Works better together Compatible. Timing differs, so follow each supplement's own window.

Check it against your whole stack →

What it does

mechanism and evidence for each claim

Appetite suppression and weight management

Helps reduce appetite and supports healthy weight management

HCA increases serotonin levels reducing appetite and food cravings Evidence C-grade 4-12 weeks

Fat synthesis inhibition

Blocks conversion of carbohydrates to fat storage

HCA inhibits ATP citrate lyase enzyme preventing fat synthesis from carbs Evidence C-grade 6-12 weeks

Carbohydrate metabolism support

Supports healthy carbohydrate metabolism and glucose utilization

Redirects carbohydrates toward glycogen storage rather than fat Evidence C-grade 4-8 weeks

Cholesterol and lipid support

May help support healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels

Inhibition of fat synthesis may improve lipid profiles Evidence C-grade 8-16 weeks

Energy and endurance enhancement

May improve energy levels and exercise endurance

Enhanced glycogen storage provides better energy for physical activity Evidence C-grade 4-8 weeks

Others take these for the same thing

Same goal, different mechanism — check any of them against this one

Every pair we checked

12 combinations scored by the engine
Garcinia Cambogia + Caffeine No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Creatine Monohydrate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Vitamin D3 No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Calcium Carbonate No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Whey Protein No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Lactase No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Bovine Collagen No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + DHA No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Turmeric No documented interaction either way No known interaction 70
Garcinia Cambogia + Chromium GTF Enhanced glucose metabolism and appetite control Works better together 75
Garcinia Cambogia + Green Tea Extract (EGCG) Synergistic weight management and metabolism support Works better together 75
Garcinia Cambogia + Prebiotic Fiber Complex Enhanced satiety and appetite control Works better together 75

Dosage

Before meals
Daily500-1500mg
Weight management500-1500mg daily
Appetite control500-1000mg before meals
Metabolic support500-1000mg daily
Cholesterol support500-1000mg daily

Before you take it

VeganYes

When to expect it

First Effects4-8 weeks for appetite suppression and initial weight benefits
Peak Benefits12-24 weeks for sustained weight management and metabolic support
Deficiency DevelopmentNot applicable - herbal supplement
Toxicity OnsetRare, mainly with very high doses or contaminated products

How to measure it

$80-150
MarkerLiver enzymes (ALT, AST), lipid profile, fasting glucose
OptimalNormal liver function, improved lipid profile
Deficient belowNot applicable for herbal supplement
FrequencyEvery 3-6 months, especially monitoring liver function

What people actually reported to the FDA

CAERS, 92 reports naming it as the suspect

Most reported effects

Headache 15
Nausea 14
Alanine aminotransferase increased 10
Aspartate aminotransferase increased 10
Malaise 7
Named as the suspect 92 reports of 100 that mention it at all
Serious outcome 74% hospitalisation, emergency room or worse
Other Serious or Important Medical Event45
Hospitalization25
Other Outcome16

Reports are voluntary and unverified — they record what someone experienced while taking something, not what the compound caused. Counts skew towards products people take a lot of, and a serious outcome is more likely to be reported than a mild one, so these are not rates. How we filter them →

What actually reaches you

The label counts the carrier, your body does not
Absorption High 65 of 100 · absorbs well relative to other forms
Delivered daily 650 mg
Cost per 100 mg delivered $0.13 comparative — uses the absorption score, not a measured percentage

Works better with

3 documented
+
Chromium

Enhanced glucose metabolism and appetite control

Both support healthy glucose metabolism and may reduce cravings · level C
+
Green Tea Extract

Synergistic weight management and metabolism support

Complementary mechanisms for fat burning and weight control · level C
+
Fiber Supplements

Enhanced satiety and appetite control

Both promote feelings of fullness and appetite regulation · level C

What not to take with Garcinia Cambogia

2 documented
!
High Refined Carb Meals

High carb intake may reduce effectiveness

Opposes carbohydrate metabolism control goals · moderate significance
!
Excessive Calories

Caloric excess may override appetite suppression benefits

Cannot overcome significantly excessive caloric intake · high significance

Medication interactions

Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining
diabetes-medications Minor

May affect blood sugar levels

What to do: Monitor blood glucose levels

antidepressants-ssri Minor

May interact with serotonin-affecting medications

What to do: Monitor for serotonin effects

cholesterol-medications Minor

May enhance cholesterol-lowering effects

What to do: Monitor lipid levels

Available forms

bioavailability compared
Garcinia Cambogia Extract (Standardized 50-60% HCA) 65

Garcinia Cambogia Extract (Standardized 50-60% HCA): Appetite suppression, Fat synthesis blocking, Traditional use, Carb metabolism support

Food sources

before you supplement
Fresh garcinia cambogia fruit Natural HCA content in rind · 60
Dried garcinia rind powder Concentrated HCA content · 65
Standardized extracts Concentrated HCA (50-60%) · 65
Traditional curry preparations Moderate HCA content · 50

Too little

deficiency signs
  • Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):
  • General symptoms addressed by garcinia cambogia:
  • Excessive appetite and food cravings
  • Difficulty managing weight and fat storage
  • Poor carbohydrate metabolism and sugar cravings
  • High cholesterol and triglyceride levels
  • Low energy and poor exercise endurance

Too much

toxicity signs
  • Generally safe with some considerations:
  • Rare liver enzyme elevation with high doses
  • Digestive upset and nausea
  • Headaches (uncommon)
  • Important to use high-quality, pure products

Who benefits most

weight-management-appetite-control

Natural appetite suppression and weight management support

500-1500mg daily (standardized to 50-60% HCA)
carb-cravings-sugar-addiction

Appetite control specifically for carbohydrate and sugar cravings

500-1000mg daily before meals
metabolic-syndrome-support

Metabolic support for those with metabolic syndrome risk factors

500-1000mg daily
cholesterol-lipid-support

Support for healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels

500-1000mg daily
exercise-performance-endurance

Energy and endurance support for physical activity

500mg daily

Where to buy it

compare forms first

Look for Garcinia Cambogia at 500-1500mg per serving. The form that matters here is Garcinia Cambogia Extract (Standardized 50-60% HCA).

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What else affects it

Beyond other supplements
!
High refined carb meals

High carb intake may reduce effectiveness

Opposes carbohydrate metabolism control goals
!
Excessive calories

Caloric excess may override appetite suppression benefits

Cannot overcome significantly excessive caloric intake

How it works

  • HCA inhibits ATP citrate lyase enzyme blocking conversion of carbohydrates to fat
  • Increases serotonin levels in brain reducing appetite and food cravings
  • Redirects carbohydrate metabolism toward glycogen storage rather than fat synthesis
  • May improve leptin sensitivity enhancing satiety signals
  • Supports healthy glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity
  • Potential cholesterol-lowering effects through reduced fat synthesis

Key findings

what the evidence supports
  • Mixed clinical evidence for weight loss with modest effects
  • Some support for appetite suppression and fat synthesis inhibition
  • Important quality and safety considerations with supplements
  • More research needed to establish consistent effectiveness

Sources: NIH Examine.com · data reviewed 2026-08-02

Compiled by Denis, who maintains this database and holds no medical qualification — every figure here is sourced or derived, never asserted. How we calculate it →

Common questions

What are the benefits of Garcinia Cambogia?

Documented effects: Appetite suppression and weight management; Fat synthesis inhibition; Carbohydrate metabolism support; Cholesterol and lipid support. Helps reduce appetite and supports healthy weight management

How much Garcinia Cambogia should you take per day?

The common daily range is 500-1500mg. By goal — weight management: 500-1500mg daily; appetite control: 500-1000mg before meals; metabolic support: 500-1000mg daily; cholesterol support: 500-1000mg daily.

When is the best time to take Garcinia Cambogia?

Before meals. First effects are typically reported within 4-8 weeks for appetite suppression and initial weight benefits.

What are the side effects of Garcinia Cambogia?

At excessive doses: Generally safe with some considerations:, Rare liver enzyme elevation with high doses, Digestive upset and nausea, Headaches (uncommon), Important to use high-quality, pure products. Safety rating at normal doses is 6 out of 10.

What should you not take with Garcinia Cambogia?

Separate it from High Refined Carb Meals, Excessive Calories by two to four hours. High carb intake may reduce effectiveness

Does Garcinia Cambogia interact with medications?

Documented interactions with diabetes-medications, antidepressants-ssri, cholesterol-medications. Discuss these with a pharmacist before combining.

How do you know if you need Garcinia Cambogia?

The marker is Liver enzymes (ALT, AST), lipid profile, fasting glucose, optimal range Normal liver function, improved lipid profile. Common deficiency signs: Not applicable (herbal supplement, not essential nutrient):, General symptoms addressed by garcinia cambogia:, Excessive appetite and food cravings, Difficulty managing weight and fat storage.

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