My Journey With Garcinia Cambogia (Summit Nutritions' Review)

With all the hype that has surrounded the ubiquitous appetite suppressant and fat-blocker Garcinia Cambogia -- and all the scrutiny, for that matter -- within the last year, my interest in this natural weight loss supplement has only increased over time. So, what better way to start off this new year (2015) than to try it myself?

To introduce you briefly, the Garcinia Cambogia supplement from Summit Nutritions' is natural, pure product that is "water extracted," so it's free of harsh solvents. It's also free of artificial ingredients, GMOs, soya, gluten, fillers, binders, milk, and sugar. Its ingredients and capsules are kosher certified. I love that I can expect actual purity, and know  that the manufacturer went above and beyond to produce a pure product, and leave out all those harmful ingredients. There are so many of them that are commonly found in supplements and even are food, so it's super nice to know that it isn't in this, at least.

All Summit Nutritions' products are "thoroughly and professionally formulated by a team of licensed Pharmacists and pharmaceutical chemists."

To further quote the label on the supplement's box, "only after exacting primary research of possible nutrient combinations, do we select the purest active ingredients and additives. Clinically effective dosages are determined and our unique formula is designed, based on the most up-to-date available clinical studies."

On one hand, I've been extremely hesitant about trying Garcinia Cambogia, mostly because 2014 featured constant news about the ever-growing scams by manufacturers and companies who caught wind of this new product on the market and wanted to make a quick buck off of the masses... by targeting their appearance, no less. We humans are constantly proving that the best way to take our money, no questions asked is to make huge claims that your product -- no matter how unrealistic it might seem --  can enhance our appearance in any way. But we're always holding onto the hope that perhaps it is possible, right?

Special thanks to Summit Nutritions' for allowing me the opportunity to put all my questions and fears to rest, and try Garcinia Cambogia myself!

With the promise of a safe, natural, quality product, manufactured in a cGMP facility, I was able to squelch some of the fears embedded into my subconscious by those horror stories that have been running rampant on the internet  regarding the use of Garcinia Cambogia.

With all that said, Summit Nutritions' products, including the Garcinia Cambogia sure sounds promising, and I'm so excited to have the opportunity to share my journey with a product that everyone seems to have questions about, right here on Ribbons & Pearls. So follow along while I start off by sharing the specifications such as what Garcinia Cambogia is, details on the specific brand I'm using and an on-going timeline documenting everything about my actual experience.

Note:

Keep in mind, using any supplement typically takes time to really get any ideas on what the results, effects and side-effects will be, so this will be a review that I'll update as I go. Updates on longer term reviews are posted under the title "update" at the bottom of the page. That is where I update with any new information regarding my experience with a product.

So, let's jump right in!

First, I'd like to elaborate on some important aspects of the Garcinia Cambogia supplement:

What is Garcinia Cambogia and How's it Supposed to "work?"

To put it briefly, Garcinia Cambogia is a tropical plant that blocks fat production, suppress appetite and even increase serotonin, which may help improve mood for some folks. It is primarily used for its huge weight loss properties.

The HCA is the active ingredient that blocks fat, keeping it from forming on your body while serotonin levels are increased, helping suppress appetite for some people, especially "emotional eaters."

Garcinia Cambogia not only "blocks" fat, but also "forces the body to burn existing fat to get energy." - Summit Nutritions, informational pamphlet on Garcinia Cambogia.

Another very interesting excerpt about how Garcinia Cambogia works:

"As you eat less, the body senses this and it releases stored fat from the fat cells, thus reducing fat from the body and resulting in weight loss."  - Summit Nutritions, informational pamphlet on Garcinia Cambogia.

Sounds like pretty intelligent stuff, this Garcinia Cambogia! Like they say, God really has put everything we could ever possibly need right here on earth. I never thought he took the need for weight loss into consideration, though, until now. That guy upstairs... I tell you, he never seizes to amaze me.

Why does this "HCA" matter?

HCA (HydroxyCitric Acid) is a derivative if citric acid that's found in plants like Garcinia Cambogia where it's extracted from the rind of the Garcinia Cambogia plant. It's the active ingredient, the ingredient that prevents fat from forming.

HCA modulates lipid metabolism. 

You may have noticed that Summit Nutritions' Garcinia Cambogia supplement says "85% HCA, enhanced formula, maximum strength" on box's the label. 

*Note: On this products' Amazon page, the HCA content is listed at 72%. I'm not exactly sure what to make of this... Perhaps the bottle I received is a newer formula or something since on the label, it says "enhanced formula, maximum strength," and the 72% listed on the Amazon page is referring to an older version? 

The HCA percentage (which should always be listed on the bottle. If not, then that's a huge red flag to NOT purchase the supplement.) basically stands for potency, to put it simply.

According to Consumer Survey.org  

and Consumer Review.org,

"an effective Garcinia Cambogia supplement should contain between 1,500-1,600 mg, with at least 60% HCA, and potassium to help with absorption-- and nothing else."

The Summit Nutritions' brand comes in at 1,500 milligrams of Garcinia Cambogia extract (daily amount, which is 2 capsules.)

At 85% HCA, the Summit Nutritions' brand exceeds the "at least 60% HCA" requirement laid out by the two sites above who thoroughly researched the many Garcinia Cambogia supplements on the market. So, in order for this stuff to actually meet its full potential (and actually give us results) it needs to fit those two criteria -- contain at least 60% HCA and 1,500-1,600 milligrams Garcinia Cambogia extract.

Note: Some recommend the daily minimum of 1,600 milligrams Garcinia Cambogia daily for maximum results. That means, one could take 3 capsules of the Summit Nutritions' Garcinia Cambogia without reaching the 3,000 milligrams, which the label warns against exceeding daily. So, I suppose this is something that may require playing around with for proper, individual dosage, although it should be done in extreme caution and carefulness. I will see how the suggested 2 caps a day go before upping  it to 3. 

So far, I really don't feel like I will need to go any higher than the 2 caps a day. For folks like me who do not require extreme amounts of weight loss, but only somewhere between 5-30, I would suggest just staying with the 2 capsules a day (1,500 mg) for at least a couple of months and only upping if necessary.

In one study, evaluating the safety and efficacy of HCA, participants used  between 1,500 and 4,667 milligrams per day and said "no adverse events were attributable to the intake of G. Cambogia." 

Source: Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of hydroxycitric acid or Garcinia cambogia extracts in humans. Critical Reviews in Food Science and Nutrition, 2012;52:585-594

Note #2:  The Consumer Survey.org article states that an effective Garcinia Cambogia should contain nothing but the active ingredient and potassium. Potassium does not appear on the Summit Nutritions' Garcinia Cambogia supplement label, so it wouldn't hurt to make sure you're getting plenty of it elsewhere, whether it's through a multi-vitamin, diet or other supplement.

The article also mentioned that "recent studies have shown that it's possible calcium can work against absorption" of Garcinia Cambogia, and this one does contain calcium since it occurs naturally in the plant.Upon researching this myself, here's what I've found:

"Salts of (-)-hydroxycitric acid have been used in dietary supplements because thismodification may increase the stability of (-)-hydroxycitric acid and prevent it from being converted into its lactone form. However, the calcium and magnesium salts of (-)- hydroxycitric acid are slightly soluble in aqueous media and, therefore, poorly absorbed in the gastrointestinal tract" (Clouatre & Dunn, 2002).

"The peak plasma level of (-)-hydroxycitric acid was 8.4:g/ml at two hours after the oral administration of 2 g of Garcinia cambogia extract (Super Citrimax™) to normal subjects, suggesting a limited efficiency of (-)-hydroxycitric acid absorption. (-)-Hydroxycitric acid was also detected in the urine." (Loeet al., 2001).

 That said, this particular supplement does in fact contain calcium. The label says it contains "naturally occurring calcium, from the Garcinia Cambogia fruit rind."

Product Specs:

Bottle came with 60 servings.

Active Ingredients :

Contains 85% Garcinia extract (Garcinia Cambogia) (fruit rind) [standardized to 70% hydroxycitric acid (HCA) = 750 milligrams.

Close-Up of the Capsules

Another Close-Up. What can I say, images are great and wonderful, and you can't ever have enough.

HCA stably bound to calcium and potassium salt: 525 milligrams.

Natural calcium from Garcinia Cambogia plant (fruit rind): 45 milligrams.

Sodium salt: 75 milligrams.

Other ingredients: Water Extracted, Traditional Ayurveda methods (no harsh chemical solvents used in processing).

Manufactured in a cGMP facility (Current Good Manufacturing Practice)

"Traditional Ayurveda method."

Quality tested against standardization of USP/NF. 

Pure, 100% natural

85 HCA Complex, "extra strength," as per the label.

Pure, natural, water extracted (no harsh solvents)

Made in the USA "with pride"

100% satisfaction guaranteed 

Kosher certified ingredients and capsules

No artificial ingredients, binders, fillers, sugar, gluten, milk or soy. 

Non-GMO

A natural source of calcium

How to Use Garcinia Cambogia

The label says to take one capsule two times daily with 6 ounces of water and 30 minutes before meals.

Health Benefits of Garcinia Cambogia

Aside from being an aid to help you meet your weight goals, Garcinia Cambogia also has its own health benefits.

A natural source of Calcium, naturally occurring in the plant.

Has been used in the treatment of various health ailments including rheumatism, toxin removal, menstrual issues, stomach disorders and intestinal ones such as parasites.  In Indian medicine, it has been used in the treatment of "dyspepsia,

tumors, ulcers, hemorrhoids,  diarrhea, dysentery, fever, open sores, and parasites. 

 It has been reported to be indicated for constipation, rheumatism, obesity, and high levels of triglycerides and cholesterol"

 
Source: (Duke et al., 2002; Mahendran & Shyamala Devi, 2001;

Springwater Beverages Ltd, 2003; Tru Health, 2003).

Thanks to a study done on rats, which was intended to monitor the appetite side of Garcinia Cambogia's effects, the results also suggested that it may  benefit folks with insomnia, migraines, depression, and serotonin-deficiencies. 

*I personally have suffered with migraines for as far back as I can remember. Even my childhood was filled with them, so I'll keep an eye out where that's concerned.

Some people have said that taking Garcinia Cambogia has provided them with relief from IBS-C (constipation.) One thorough example that was laid out by a man sharing his personal experience as an IBS-C sufferer who found relief through Garcinia Cambogia can be read here.

Possible side-effects:

Countless reputable sources report that so far, Garcinia Cambogia has not been shown to have any negative effects what-so-ever. Of course you'll want to take into account your own personal health state, pregnancies, and medications before diving into any new supplement.

However, according to Wikipedia, people who take supplements containing HCA can experience "gastrointestinal adverse effects." This is something I have to be very careful about, as someone who's battled through hell and back (and then back again a few times) with IBS/Candidiasis. 

On the other hand, Garcinia Cambogia has actually been used to help with many intestinal issues and stomach disorders including parasites, and even in the treatment of rheumatism in Hindu medicine. So, we'll see how the whole stomach thing goes & as always, I'll report back with whatever turns out for me.

Further Studies:

Study with rats given Garcinia Cambogia showed appetite control. (Source: PubMed.) 

For those of you interested in following my journey as I go, you can subscribe (only if you want) via e-mail to my blog or just keep an eye out for updates to this page. All updates on my personal experience and comments I might want to add regarding how I feel as I continue to use Garcinia Cambogia, and anything else that occurs including any changes in appetite, diet, weight, etc. will be posted here.

Also for those who will be following closely my journey, I wanted to include my goals and what I hope to accomplish by using Garcinia Cambogia. This way, you guys can better see where I get results and learn more about what you might be able to expect if your goals or desired results match my own or the results that I end up with. 

For an extensive list of even more studies, you can view this page.

My Goals/Why I'm Using Garcinia Cambogia and What I hope to Accomplish:

At the time of writing, my goal is to lose 5 pounds, for starters, off my lower abdomen area. This is the area I find tends to hold the most fat for me. Since I already follow a very great abdomen exercise routine daily, yet haven't exactly been able to fully flatten out that lower abdomen fat, I'm hoping and pretty confident that the Garcinia Cambogia supplement I'm taking will help me to accomplish that.

2. I tend to be a late-night snacker, and I have a hellish cravings for sweets that's almost uncontrollable at times. In fact, I have come to the conclusion that the fat I do have is most likely coming from the sugar snacking I can't seem to stop doing.

I hope that since Garcinia Cambogia is an appetite suppressant, I will benefit from this aspect and hopefully be able to gain more control over my sweet snacking habits. My realistic goal is to at least cut down half or close to half of this junk food snacking I do every night.

3. Additional hopes, things I hope that will also come as added benefits to using Garcinia Cambogia include: mood improvements, more energy and perhaps even more muscle mass or a more toned body. Some people have said that taking Garcinia Cambogia seems like it caused them to not only lose weight, but to also build more muscle. I'm not sure how factual this is, but people do claim to have experienced this as an additional result. That would be delicious icing on the cake for me if I could improve there and have more toned muscles. 

 My Results:

I'm still very new to this journey I've begun, so I don't have too much to report on the results side of things just yet. However, I can say that so far, I've completed day 1 and had a slight decrease in hunger, soon after dumping the powder of one capsule into my mouth (for the simple purpose of know what the powder itself tasted like.)

As Summit Nutritions' recommended, I took it with water, drinking about half a bottle of water as soon as I took the supplement. I was hungry, very hungry in fact as I'd only eaten 5 saltine crackers since 11 AM and it is now 2 AM, so hunger was almost uncontrollable and I did not expect to be able to quell this kind of hunger. I figured being so hungry, it wouldn't do anything to stop me from wanting to eat, but my desire to eat went from about 8 to 5. We'll see when the hunger returns before I eat.

Update: 1/18/2015

It's been a couple of weeks now since I started using Garcinia Cambogia, and so far, I have not noticed much in the way of any appetite changes. The very first time, I thought it seemed like I was significantly less hungry, and I was able to hold off on eating for hours. To be totally transparent with you guys, that may or may not have been some kind of placebo effect. 

As it stands, I haven't had some magical change in appetite or hunger, and I have not noticed a decrease in  cravings. I've also not seen any changes in my portion sizes. In other words, I'm still eating the same amounts I did before taking the supplement. I still get hungry all the same, and I still have cravings. My body doesn't seem to be requiring any less food, either. 

That said, it's still quite early in the journey, so those things could very well change. I might also want to take into account that the last week has been the time each month when I eat and crave foods the most. So, it's possible that in a few days, my appetite could very well start changing in some ways.

Don't worry. I'll be documenting the entire process, so stay tuned!

 Disclaimer: I was provided with samples by the company mentioned in my review, as a means to 'test' the product for myself.
 I am not a specialist, expert, professional or doctor of any kind. Content on this blog is not intended to be taken as medical advice, diagnosis, treatment or advice of any sort. I'm simply sharing information about my own experiences and results from use of a product or activity in hopes of providing useful information to readers, not to be taken as a patient/medical adviser relationship. I am not responsible for what readers choose to do after viewing the content here. Furthermore, I do not hold an "exceptional" or other special relationship with any company mentioned on this site. I'm simply a consumer who worked with the company on a review that is in compliance with FTC's guidelines. That means, everything you read here is my own words, not anything of the company's. I was not provided with monetary compensation for my review. All information posted has been done so with complete honesty. No action should be taken based solely on the content of this publication ( I'm not responsible.) Readers who rely on the information in this blog to replace the advice of an appropriate health care provider assume all risks of such behavior.