Q: What is the current overweight/obesity status in the United States?
A:Obesity has become a global public health problem, which affects millions of people worldwide. In fact, the increasing prevalence of obesity in the United States is an extremely costly public health issue. Currently, more than one-third (~35% or 78.6 million) of U.S. adults are obese. New information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2014 tells us that there are no U.S. states with a prevalence of obesity less than 20%. Twenty-three states had a prevalence equal to or greater than 25% and three states (Arkansas, Mississippi and West Virginia) had an obesity prevalence of 35% or greater. From 2009 to 2012, the prevalence of obesity among children aged 2–5 years was 10.2%. The rate grew to 17.9% among children aged 6–11 and 19.4% among adolescents aged 12–19. This new information portrays a health care system thatcontinues to be weighed down with secondary complicationsassociated with obesity, such as type-2 diabetes, hypertension,hypercholesterolemia and more. Unfortunately, for consumers seeking that magic pill, dietary changes are a critical component in weight management. Overall caloric intake, balancing fat consumption, incorporating whole foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, as well as integrating daily activity and targeted supplementation, are all important aspects inmaintaining a healthy weight.
A: According to the CDC, Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity, people who are obese, compared to those with a normal or healthy weight, are at increased risk for many serious diseases and health conditions, including the following: • All-causes of death (i.e., mortality) • High blood pressure (i.e., hypertension) • High LDL cholesterol, low HDL cholesterol or high levels of triglycerides (i.e., dyslipidemia) • Type-2 diabetes • Coronary heart disease • Stroke • Gallbladder disease • Osteoarthritis (i.e., a breakdown of cartilage and bone within a joint) • Sleep apnea and breathing problems • Some cancers (e.g., endometrial, breast, colon, kidney, gallbladder and liver) • Low quality of life • Mental illness (e.g., clinical depression, anxiety and other mental disorders)
Q: What kinds of natural ingredients are available in the marketplace to help support a healthy weight management program?
A: Successful weight loss and healthy weight management depends on sensible goals, expectations and
most importantly exercise, plus a healthy, well-balanced diet and willpower. However, adding nutritional supplements with natural ingredients, such as Garcinia cambogia fruit rind extract standardized tohydroxycitric acid (HCA), L-carnitine, chromium picolinate, B-vitamins and amino acids may also be beneficial. These particular nutrients can help to promote beta-oxidation (transforming fat into energy), maintain healthy glucose and serotonin levels to control blood sugar levels and promote a sense of fullness, respectively, and enhance the body’s fuel (ATP) production.Q: Does Garcinia cambogia extract work best alone or in conjunction with other nutritional products? What does the research suggest?
A:Super CitriMax®, the patented, branded form of Garcinia cambogia fruit rind extract, is clinically studied to support healthy weight management. Positive weight-loss studies include a randomized, placebo-controlled study on Super CitriMax® that was conducted by Ramos et al., involving 20 overweight adults for a period of eight weeks. It was demonstrated that 500 mg of Super CitriMax® taken three times per day before meals for eight weeks resulted in 215% greater weight loss than those taking a placebo. Another study (i.e., Preuss et al.) evaluated the effects of supplementation with an optimal dose of Super CitriMax® (i.e., 4,667 mg providing 2,800 mg of HCA) alone or in a combination formula on weight loss, BMI, appetite, lipid profiles, serum leptin levels and fat oxidation. This particular study showed that Super CitriMax® and, to a greater degree, the combination of Super CitriMax® with other complementary weight management ingredients like chromium had a positive impact on weight management and promoted a healthy blood lipid profile.
Q: Does Garcinia cambogia extract have a stimulant effect?
A:No, this plant compound is not a central nervous system (CNS) stimulant. Caffeine and other similar thermogenic ingredients common in diet formulas increase basal metabolic rate to help burn calories, but some also stimulate the CNS. Garcinia cambogia and its active component, HCA, on the other hand, work in a different manner to help support healthy weight management. They reduce fat production and burn fat, which is converted to energy without stimulating the CNS and causing jitters, rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, or insomnia. Garcinia cambogia extracts are considered safe with virtually no known side effects except occasional indigestion in some individuals.
ReferencesCDC/NCHS, Health, United States, 2014, Table 64. Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). Preuss HG, Bagchi D, Bagchi M, Rao CVS, Satyanarayana S, Dey DK. Nutr Res. 2004;24:45–58. Ramos RR, Saenz JLS, Aguilar RJA. Extract of Garcinia cambogia in controlling obesity. Invest Med Int. 1995; 22: 97–100.
Trisha Sugarek MacDonald holds a Master of Science in Nutrition from Texas Woman’s University and also a Bachelor of Science Degree in Nutrition and Foods from Texas State University. Mrs. MacDonald is currently the Senior Director of Research & Development as well as the National Educator at Bluebonnet Nutrition where she investigates new ingredients, directs the launch of new products, and provides industry training on numerous subjects as it relates to the connection between nutrition and health. She is a frequent editorial contributor and lecturer on the benefits surrounding the responsible use of supplements.Published in WholeFoods Magazine, February 2016
