Influence of Garcinia cambogia extract on metabolic profile, weight loss, and eating behavior of humans

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of Garcinia cambogia extract to cause changes in body composition, biochemical parameters, and eating behavior in overweight and obese individuals. Thirty-four female volunteers between 20 and 61 years of age, BMI ≥ 25 Kg/m2 were divided into two groups: control and treatment. Both groups received a diet plan and the treatment group received 500 mg of G. cambogia extract three times a day for a period of 4 weeks. Weight loss and body composition were assessed by anthropometry and bioimpedance data; the biochemical parameters analyzed were: total cholesterol and fractions, triglycerides, fasting glucose, urea, creatinine, creatinine clearance, and transaminases. The eating behavior was assessed using the Three Factor Eating Questionnaire. The treatment group showed a significant difference (p<0.05) in creatinine values, creatinine clearance, waist circumference, basal metabolism rate, and cognitive restraint eating behavior when compared to the control group. Other parameters evaluated, essentially body weight and body mass index, suffered significant changes resulting from experimental intervention in both control and treatment groups. G. cambogia extract showed an assistant action to the dietary plan. It resulted in improvements in morphological and biochemical parameters such as decrease in waist circumference, an increase in basal metabolism rate, a decrease in creatinine value, improvement in creatinine clearance, and an increased cognitive restraint on eating behavior. Therefore, G. cambogia extract represents a complementary alternative for overweight and obese individuals.