The weight loss market is a billion dollar industry. Numerous weight loss pills and supplements are launching on the scene every year with promises to help persons who take them shed a lot of pounds and usually with very little lifestyle modifications. Recently a new supplement have been creating a lot of buzz and is taking over the market like a storm. This supplement is known as garcinia cambogia and is been endorsed by a lot of health professionals. It was even featured on the popular health show hosted by world renown Dr Oz as being the 'holy grail for weight loss'.

But What Exactly Is Garcinia Cambogia And How Exactly Does It Work?

Garcinia Cambogia is actually small fruit which resembles the shape of a pumpkin but belongs to the citrus family. It is mainly found in Africa and parts of Indonesia. In those regions, its common for persons to use the fruit as a substitute for lemon and tamarind and in cooking as it has an extremely sour taste. However, it's a component known as hydroxyctric acid which is most important to researchers and is the main reason why the garcinia fruit has made it to the spotlight.

Hydroxycitiric acid also referred to as HCA is the main ingredient of the garcinia cambogia supplements. It has numerous health benefits and properties that aids in weight loss. Below you'll discover exactly how the HCA works to boost weight loss:

1. HCA Acts As A Mood Elevator And Appetite Suppressant

One of the main reason why a lot of persons become overweight is their inability to control their calorie intake on a daily basis. The fact is, the more food you consume on a daily basis, the more weight you'll gain as the body will store the extra calories as fat for future energy.

HCA however, does two things to combat that problem. Under normal circumstances, it takes the brain at least 20 minutes to know that you are full when eating. The first thing garcinia cambogia does is to naturally suppress the appetite by sending a message to the brain saying that you are full in advance. By doing so, it allows persons to eat less and thus the end result is weight loss.

The second way the HCA works to prevent overeating is by elevating the levels of serotonin in the brain. Serotonin is actually a chemical in the brain that controls a persons moods. When the level rises, there are less feeling of sadness, depression and anxiety which are all factors that contributes to uncontrollable eating.

2. HCA Blocks The Production Of New Fats

When a person eats a lot of carbohydrates, there will be an excess which the body would then convert to fats and stored. The hydroxycitric acid however has properties that inhibits the enzyme citric lyase which is responsible for such conversions of carbohydrates to fats. Therefore, with garcinia cambogia present fat production from carbohydrates is slowed or even halted completely.

With no new fats being produced, the body is forced to use the excess carbohydrates for immediate energy and also convert stored fat to energy. The end result is weight loss.

Like every other supplement, garcinia cambogia should not be used as a standalone product for weight loss. It should be used in conjunction with a proper diet plan and regular exercising for best results. Although it is advertised as a holy grail for weight loss without lifestyle modifications, research has shown that persons who eat healthier, keep a food journal and exercise regularly experience far better results from the garcinia cambogia extract than those who don't.