Weight loss

Garcinia cambogia

Also called: HCA, kokum, malabar tamarind

A fruit extract with hydroxycitric acid.

Why people take it
Weight loss.
What the evidence says
No meaningful weight loss in good trials.
How it is usually taken
Products usually give 500 to 1,500 mg of HCA a day; liver injury reports.
Be careful
Cases of liver damage reported.
Medicines it can interact with
Avoid with liver disease, statins and diabetes medicines.

Other weight loss

Raspberry ketonesGreen coffee beanForskolinOrlistat (OTC)White kidney bean extractCapsaicinKeto pillsSemaglutide (not a supplement)

Common questions

What is Garcinia cambogia?

A fruit extract with hydroxycitric acid.

Why do people take Garcinia cambogia?

Weight loss.

Does Garcinia cambogia work?

No meaningful weight loss in good trials.

How much Garcinia cambogia do people take?

Products usually give 500 to 1,500 mg of HCA a day; liver injury reports.

Is Garcinia cambogia safe?

Cases of liver damage reported.

Does Garcinia cambogia interact with medicines?

Avoid with liver disease, statins and diabetes medicines.

Sources and further reading

Last reviewed 31 October 2026. Written by Satya Babu.

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For information only, not medical advice. Supplements are not medicines: they are not tested and approved like drugs before they are sold, and they can interact with medicines. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before you start one, especially if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, take regular medicines, or have kidney, liver or heart disease.