Science or snake oil: is Garcinia cambogia the magic weight-loss pill it’s hyped up to be?
Positive and greater weight losses were found in some studies, but this effect is suppressed when looking at all of the studies combined.
With respect to other health benefits from taking this supplement, the evidence to suggest it can improve blood cholesterol levels is lacking.
Most importantly, the product safety profile of Garcinia Cambogia has been adequately tested and there appear to be no issues.
Some complementary medicines have been found to contribute to improved health outcomes, through increased efficacy and cost-effectiveness. However, if there is to be a role for such complementary and alternative weight-loss products and medicines, we must build upon the evidence to investigate whether these increasingly popular products are a viable treatment option.
A recent Obesity Australia and Price Waterhouse Coopers report found obesity cost Australia A$8.6 billion in 2011-2012, with the indirect costs far higher. We must establish whether complementary medicines have a role to play in preventing and treating obesity. If we take no action to reduce obesity rates, an additional 2.4 million people will become obese at a cost of $87.7 billion over 10 years.