What Is Super Citrimax?

Super Citrimax is the brand name for a supplement that has Garcinia cambogia, a type of fruit that contains hydroxycitric acid 234. The product is marketed as a weight-loss tool, but before you use it, it's essential that you understand exactly what it is and how it might work. To ensure your safety, always talk to your doctor before adding a weight-loss supplement to your routine.

Garcinia Cambogia 101

Garcinia cambogia is a type of fruit native to southeast Asia. It is often called malabar tamarind or brindle berry, according to pharmacist Donald P. Goldberg, the author of "The Best Supplements for Your Health." Extracts of the fruit are touted to be an effective way to shed excess weight and lower lipid levels, notes Drugs.com 1. The compound in Garcinia cambogia that is said to have these effects is hydroxycitric acid, or HCA 24.

Research Using HCA

The HCA in Super Citrimax is the compound that might support weight loss. According to an analysis of twelve clinical trials that studied HCA -- published in 2011 in the "Journal of Obesity" -- HCA may help with short-term weight loss, but only in small amounts. Theories of how HCA might work included that it may inhibit enzymes in carbohydrate metabolism or increase availability of serotonin in the brain, which could help suppress appetite. Since the studies were short in duration, further research is necessary to determine if HCA produces long-term weight loss effects and if they are significant for larger populations.

Safety and Side Effects

Taken in appropriate doses, extracts of Garcinia cambogia and HCA, such as those in Super Citrimax, have been studied short-term. Many of these studies, however, have been conducted with animals, according to a 2012 article published in "Critical Reviews in Food and Science Nutrition," and they haven't analyzed potential long-term consequences. Some human studies support the claims that Super Citrimax can aid in weight loss, according to Drugs.com. Studies also show that appropriate doses of Garcinia cambogia and HCA are unlikely to cause adverse side effects, the article in "Critical Reviews in Food and Science Nutrition" notes 4. There are potential side effects, however, which can include dizziness, dry mouth, and gastrointestinal issues, such as:

• nausea
  
• diarrhea

Fatal reactions are also possible, Drugs.com notes, in patients who take other supplements containing Garcinia cambogia 2.

Safe Alternatives

You should lose weight by making lifestyle changes, not by trying to find a quick fix, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 7. Reducing your caloric intake and burning calories through exercise are the keys to shedding excess weight. Another key is exercising for 60 to 90 minutes at a moderate intensity level most days.