Getting in shape and back to your original size may be very challenging after the birth of your baby. Keeping in shape is usually the first option, but It is no secret that weight loss supplements are dominating the market. The problem is that most of them contain scientific ingredients that, let's be honest, sound like gibberish which leaves us frantically googling the side effects or precautions and we still do not know if they are good for us. One of these ingredients that we are looking at today is common in most supplements and goes by the name of Garcinia Cambogia, a tropical fruit that has gotten a lot of controversy throughout the years, but did you know about the rest of its health benefits?
What Is Garcinia Cambogia?
Garcinia Cambogia or otherwise known as Garcinia gummi-gutta, Malabar tamarind, and Brindleberry, is a small pumpkin shaped tropical fruit that is light green or yellowish in color and originates from tropical settings such as Southeast Asia, India, and Central Africa. Various parts of the fruit and extracts are used in health supplements to burn fat or used as a flavor profile in most curry dishes because of its sour taste.
Garcinia Cambogia And Weight Loss?
In recent years, Garcinia Cambogia has been in the spotlight for its ability to shed pounds and maintain a healthy weight in those faced with obesity. The secret is the hydroxycitric acid (HCA) content found within the peel of this fruit. Hydroxycitric acid inhibits enzymes from storing calories as fats and converts them to glycogen which is used to build muscle mass instead and prevent fatigue when exercising.
HCA also influences an enzyme known as citrate lyase which is responsible for fatty acid biosynthesis. Citrate lyase has two important roles in the metabolism, it either converts carbohydrates into energy or it stores it as fat. HCA blocks this enzyme which prohibits it from storing fat.
Bottom Line:
Losing weight is challenging especially after the birth of your child. Using additional supplements that contain Garcinia Cambogia, a yellowish green pumpkin shaped tropical fruit can be beneficial because it inhibits enzymes from storing calories as fat.
What Are The Other Health Benefits?
Garcinia Cambogia is not only helpful for losing weight but there are a variety of health benefits that you can obtain from this fruit.
Depression
Low levels of serotonin are directly linked to depression as it influences factors such as mood, appetite, sexual desire and social behavior. The HCA levels found in Garcinia Cambogia have been shown to increase the levels of serotonin in the brain which helps to regulate your moods, suppress your appetite, and other social behaviors.
Cholesterol
The HCA found in this tropical fruit is also beneficial to those who suffer from high cholesterol. When cholesterol levels are high, it starts to build up in the artery walls which prevents blood from flowing to the heart properly. HCA effectively lowers the LDL cholesterol (the bad cholesterol) levels and increases HDL cholesterol (the good cholesterol). By optimizing your cholesterol levels you reduce the risk of heart attacks, strokes, and atherosclerosis.
Increases Energy
Since Garcinia Cambogia prevents calories from being stored as fat, it converts them to glycogen which is a multibranched polysaccharide of glucose that is used for fuel and energy while exercising because it is more readily available for the body to use.
Reduces Stress
If you are prone to stress-induced binge eating, Garcinia Cambogia may be the solution. It is believed to balance the cortisol levels in your body. Cortisol is a steroid hormone which is released when your body is under stress. When cortisol levels are high, you may experience Cushing Syndrome, a disorder that can lead to weight gain, menstrual and skin changes. Garcinia Cambogia regulates the cortisol levels and effectively suppresses the appetite which curbs emotional binge eating.
Bottom Line:
There are a variety of health benefits that you can get by using Garcinia Cambogia due to its high Hydroxycitric acid levels. Some of the benefits include lower levels of cholesterol, stress, and an increase in energy and serotonin.
What Are The Side Effects?
Garcinia Cambogia is safe to use provided that you follow dosage instructions very carefully. It is important to note that Garcinia Cambogia should only be used after you have given birth and once you are done breastfeeding. The daily dosage of Garcinia Cambogia depends on your body weight and metabolism, however, it is safe to use 500-1500 mg daily. In some cases, you may experience side effects if you overuse the recommended daily allowance.
These side effects include:
- Nausea
- Digestive tract discomfort
- Headaches
As with most supplements, always make sure that you consult your doctor first if you are suffering from any medical condition or are taking any medication.
Bottom Line:
Side effects may include nausea, digestive tract issues and headaches. Make sure to take the correct dosage of Garcinia Cambogia as well as to consult with your healthcare provider before taking any supplements.
Our Ultimate Take Home Message
If you are considering using weight loss supplements after the birth of your child, you should consider looking at is Garcinia Cambogia because of its ability to burn fat by converting calories into energy. If you lead an active lifestyle, it's also beneficial to take these supplements because another added bonus is that Garcinia Cambogia produces glycogen which is a readily available form of energy that also helps to build muscle mass. In addition to that, Garcinia Cambogia can help you ward off depression as well as lower your cholesterol levels which means that you lower your risk of cardiovascular disorders such as atherosclerosis.
Everyone is different so it's important to make sure that you ask all the questions you need to before taking any nutritional supplement, especially if you have any known medical condition. The key to losing weight is to exercise regularly, make sure you are eating a balanced diet and that you are getting enough essential vitamins and minerals needed to keep you going because we all know being a mother requires a fully recharged body and mind.