Exploring the Health Benefits of Hydroxycitric Acid

by Aviva Natural Health Solutions November 19, 2012

B.E. Conrad

There are many health supplements on the market today, but one of the most promising goes by the simple initials HCA. Those initials stand for hydroxycitric acid, also known as Citrimax and Garcinia Cambogia or brindle berry.

No matter which name you use, hydroxycitric acid is one of the most fascinating substances to hit the market in recent years. Hydroxycitric acid comes from the Garcinia Cambogia tree, specifically from the dried rind of the fruit that grows on that tree.

The companies that sell hydroxycitric acid as a supplement isolate the active ingredient from that fruit rind and purify it to preserve its health benefits and give consumers the benefits that have historically been associated with Garcinia Cambogia.

There are a number of healthful ingredients in hydroxycitric acid, including many phytochemicals like xanthones, benzophenones and flavonoids. These antioxidant chemicals are known to have a positive impact on health, helping to retard the breakdown of cells and prevent the breakdowns that can lead to common diseases.

The research into the health benefits of hydroxycitric acid is still ongoing, but preliminary results look good. Recent studies have suggested that the xanthone present in hydroxycitric acid provides a number of health benefits, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and antifungal properties.

In addition to these antioxidant properties, hydroxycitric acid has also shown great promise as a weight loss remedy. In particular, hydroxycitric acid has been shown in studies to increase the oxidation of lipids, in essence helping to break down fatty acids and remove them from the body. There is also evidence that hydroxycitric acid may help to decrease appetite, further enhancing its fat fighting and weight loss properties.

There is also some evidence that hydroxycitric acid may be able to help individuals with high cholesterol levels fight back against this dangerous condition. Recent studies have suggested that hydroxycitric may be able to lower triglyceride levels, as well as levels of LDL, or low-density lipoprotein, also known as bad cholesterol.

While modern medicine is just catching on to the possible health benefits of hydroxycitric acid, practitioners of natural healing and traditional medicine like Ayurveda have long known about its health benefits. In fact, practitioners of Ayurvedic medicine often use hydroxycitric acid as a general tonic for good health, using it to treat everything from diabetes and parasites to stomach ulcers and rheumatism. In addition to these uses, there is evidence that the anti-inflammatory properties of hydroxycitric acid make it a good choice for treating conditions like inflammatory bowel disease.

As with any dietary supplement, it is important to weigh the benefits and the risks of hydroxycitric acid. Talking to your doctor and discussing your health concerns is always a good place to start. Then you and your health care providers can determine whether or not hydroxycitric acid has a place in your healthy living regimen.