The Diet Dilemma: Garcinia Cambogia

Published: May. 20, 2014 at 5:09 PM CDT|Updated: May. 29, 2014 at 4:41 PM CDT
Email This Link
Share on Pinterest
Share on LinkedIn

MONTGOMERY, AL (WSFA) - Could the magic pills we've all been looking for, a fat buster that melts away pounds without any diet changes or exercise, finally be real? The name alone is intriguing; Garcinia Cambogia. So what is it and does it really work?

Like a lot of people, Cole Williams was looking to get in shape and he needed that extra edge, that's when he learned about a dietary supplement called Garcinia Cambogia.

"It was a news thing about Dr Oz recommending it." Williams says. "Most of the stories people were losing belly fat and that's what I want to do."

It's featured on the Dr. Oz Show where the doctor himself said, "anytime I see scientific research I get excited and that's why Garcinia Cambogia fascinates me."   He went on to say "it just might be the most exciting discovery in natural weight loss to date."

So what's in these pills? It comes from a pumpkin shaped fruit called the Tamaran grown in India and Southeast Asia. The extract inside is hydroxycitric acid and the makers of this supplement say it stops the production of fat and curbs your appetitie.

WSFA 12 News Anchor Judd Davis sat down with a clinical dietician from Jackson Hospital, Ali Pritchett. Pritchett says it's a good idea to check with your doctor, especially if your taking other medications.

"With weight loss we've only seen about 1-2 pounds a week which is the same you get with diet and exercise, not really anything i've seen miraculous about this so far." Pritchette says, "Anything considered a dietary supplement is not necessarily tested for quality and safety."

Cole Williams agrees do your own research. As far as being a fat buster, he's not sure but it he says it has helped. "What really sold me is it controls your hunger." Both cole and our dietician agree without diet and exercise you probably won't see many results.

Here are some things you need to know before you try this pill. There all all kinds of companies that put out the Garcinia Cambogia pill. They all claim to be the best, so you need to do your research.

When doing your research, health experts say go to websites that end in dot-gov or dot org. Those are the most reputable sites, but the FDA website may be the most informative of them all.

Also don't forget there's the cost. This stuff isn't cheap. Cole says he will spend $50 a month on this dietary supplement, so be warned. Even if it does work for you, it'll cost you.

Copyright 2014 WSFA 12 News.  All rights reserved.