The herb Garcinia cambogia is a very small purple fruit native to India and Southeast Asia. This herb has been a popular weight loss aid due to its richness in a substance called hydroxycitric acid, or HCA, which is closely related to the citric acid found in grapefruits and oranges and has been marketed for improving body composition. Some extremely limited research has demonstrated that supplementing with Garcinia cambogia flavonoids decreased serum concentrations of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and the hormone leptin; however, evidence is not able to support a direct role in weight loss or decreased body fat.
An herbal agent promoted for the treatment of obesity. Evidence is insufficient to recommend its usage for this purpose.