Garcinia Cambogia for Weight Loss
Verdict: Safety Review
Across 3 PubMed studies, the evidence for Garcinia Cambogia in Weight Loss grades Tier D — counter-evidence. A safety signal is under review — see warnings below.
D 🔴 D Counter-Evidence Safety Review
Why this grade7-layer evidence engine
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Scoring transparency
All scores computed by a 7-layer evidence engine — fully auditableRaw score 0.23
D
C
B
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← counter-evidence / ineffectiveeffective / strong evidence →
Final grade
D · Safety Review
Confidence
79%
Broadly consistent
Evidence level
E2
Multiple high-quality MAs (≥2 independent, consistent)
▸View the full decision path (audit trail)
- compute_raw_score — 加權公式: L2×0.30 + L3×0.25 + L5×0.25 + L11×0.10 + L1×0.10 = 0.235
- tier_from_score — 依分數區間映射至 tier letter
- apply_hec_rules — 高品質 SR/MA 顯示 positive (1 篇 > 0 negative)
- tier_strict_requirement_check — Tier 條件達標，未降階
- detect_disputes — 偵測到 0 個 hard + 1 個 soft dispute
- decide_status — 依 tier + dispute 結果決定 status
PubMed studies (3)L2 · primary research & systematic reviews
The use of Garcinia extract (hydroxycitric acid) as a weight loss supplement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of RCTs
Finding: Onakpoya 2011 pooled 12 RCTs (n=706) and found Garcinia/HCA produced a small, statistically significant short-term weight reduction of -0.88 kg vs placebo (95% CI -1.75 to -0.00, p=0.05); the magnitude is clinically trivial and the authors conclude the effect is unlikely to be clinically relevant.
View on PubMed A comprehensive scientific overview of Garcinia cambogia
Finding: Semwal 2015 reviewed mechanistic and clinical evidence for Garcinia cambogia and concluded that although HCA inhibits ATP-citrate lyase and may modestly suppress appetite and de novo lipogenesis, clinical weight-loss trials show inconsistent and only marginal effects, with hepatotoxicity case reports raising safety concerns.
View on PubMed Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent: a randomized controlled trial
Finding: Heymsfield JAMA 1998 RCT (n=135) found no significant difference between Garcinia/HCA and placebo for weight loss (3.2 kg vs 4.1 kg, p=0.14) or fat-mass loss when combined with a high-fiber low-calorie diet — the largest and most rigorous single trial of its era was negative.
View on PubMed Regulatory & authoritative positionsL4/L5 · FDA / EMA / NIH ODS / Cochrane / Mayo …
L4a US FDA
Cautious
the FDA recalled all Hydroxycut products and mandated removal of products already in distribution source↗
L4b EU EFSA
Against
L4d TW TFDA / 衛福部
Cautious
藤黃果（Garcinia cambogia）果實可供為茶包、膳食調理包原料或經萃取後作為飲料、錠狀、膠囊狀、粉末狀、顆粒狀等食品之原料，並有限量，以所含之羥基檸檬酸（HCA, hydroxycitric acid）計，每日食用限量為 1,500 mg 以下。 source↗
L5a NIH Office of Dietary Supplements
Cautious
L5b Mayo Clinic
Against
Studies show that garcinia cambogia products produce only minor weight loss, and the weight loss may not last. Garcinia cambogia has been linked to serious liver problems. The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers about the risk. source↗
L5c Cleveland Clinic
Against
Fat burners can contain many other ingredients, too, such as: Capsicum. Chromium. Conjugated linoleic acid. Forskolin. Fucoxanthin. Garcinia cambogia. Kelp. Raspberry ketones. ... I would not recommend using any of these over-the-counter fat burners. ... there is no miracle supplement to safely melt away the pounds. ... In fact, a recent study shows turmeric, green tea, ashwagandha, Garcinia ca… source↗
L5d Harvard Health
Cautious
Hydroxycut removed ephedra from its formulas but included other ingredients such as Garcinia cambogia (or its derivative hydroxycitric acid), green tea extract, caffeine, and 'proprietary mixtures' of undisclosed botanicals. However, the FDA issued a consumer warning in May 2009 to stop using Hydroxycut products due to 23 cases of liver toxicity and one death associated with the supplement. One… source↗
L5e Specialty Society (condition-mapped)
Cautious
Garcinia cambogia, a source of hydroxycitric acid, produced mixed results across several studies. source↗