Garcinia cambogia (HCA)

Tier 3 — weak evidence · Weight loss · Appetite

The rind of Garcinia fruit contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which inhibits an enzyme involved in fat synthesis. Despite widespread marketing, the largest RCTs found minimal to no meaningful weight loss over placebo. A meta-analysis found only 0.88 kg more weight loss than placebo — clinically insignificant. FDA has warned about liver injury reports. Not recommended.

Dose: 500–1,500 mg HCA three times daily before meals; minimal weight loss in clinical trials