Disclaimer: This content has been produced purely for informational and educational purposes only and is never intended to be used as a substitute for professional medical guidelines including diagnosis, advice, and treatment.  

Garcinia cambogia is widely popular as a weight-loss supplement and has been gaining interest in treating obesity for many years, particularly for those who are diabetic and find it difficult to lose weight. But have you ever heard of the use of garcinia cambogia for fatty liver? Probably not because it’s a little-known benefit of this tropical fruit.  But it works wonders in certain cases. Continue reading to learn more. 

In this article,  we’ll be exploring the therapeutic effects of using garcinia cambogia for fatty liver according to research findings. But before we get into how garcinia cambogia can help with fatty liver, we need to learn the basics of fatty liver a bit more. So, let’s get started.

Table of contents 

• What is fatty liver? 
• Types of fatty liver disease 
• Symptoms of fatty liver 
• Causes of fatty liver 
• What is garcinia cambogia? 
• Garcinia cambogia for fatty liver 
• How to use garcinia cambogia
• Precautions and side effects 
• Final words 

What is fatty liver? 

Fatty liver, medically known as hepatic steatosis or fatty liver disease, is a common health condition in which a person experiences too much fat in the liver. In general, the human liver contains small amounts of fat in its cells. But when this fat build-up reaches too high (around 10% of the total liver’s weight) and makes it difficult for the liver to function properly, it becomes a concern. 

In the primary stage, the fatty liver usually doesn’t prevent the liver from doing its normal jobs or doesn’t cause any disruptions in the body, but when it gets worse, it might create serious issues. There are mainly four stages through which fatty liver develops: 

Simple fatty liver - a harmless build-up of extra fat in the liver that doesn’t cause any problems if it doesn’t further advance. 

Steatohepatitis - a more serious type of fatty liver where the liver cells become inflamed. 

Fibrosis - scar tissues occur in and around the portion of the liver and nearby blood vessels where persistent inflammation takes place. The liver still functions normally.  

Cirrhosis - the most severe stage of the fatty liver where the healthy tissues are replaced by scar tissues, making the liver shrink and lumpy which is permanent, leading to liver failure and even liver cancer.      

Types of fatty liver disease

There are basically two forms of fatty liver disease: 

• Alcohol-induced fatty liver disease or ALD - occurs in people who are heavy drinkers.  
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease or NAFLD - occurs in people, including children, who are not drinkers. 

Symptoms of fatty liver

In most cases, the fatty liver doesn’t cause any symptoms until it advances to the most severe stage, cirrhosis. People with fatty liver may have some of the following signs and symptoms: 

• A feeling of fullness or pain in the upper right side of the abdomen where the liver is situated 
• Edema with swelling in legs and abdomen
• Loss of appetite, nausea, or weight loss 
• Jaundice with yellowish eyes and skin
• Weakness 
• Mental fatigue and confusion  

Causes of fatty liver

People may get fatty liver without any exact causes, but some factors might play an important role, including: 

• Excess consumption of alcohol (in ALD cases)
• Insulin resistance or type 2 diabetes 
• Obesity or overweight 
• Metabolic syndrome, a mix of several conditions including high blood sugar, high blood pressure, high triglycerides, and high cholesterol levels
• Certain medications such as steroids or amiodarone
• Excess exposure to chemicals or toxins 
• Hormonal disorders such as hypothyroidism or hypopituitarism 
• Infections in the liver such as hepatitis C 
• Malnutrition  

What is garcinia cambogia? 

Garcinia cambogia is a small pumpkin-shaped fruit that is endemic to the tropical climates of southeastern Asia and western Africa. It is also known by many other names including garcinia gummy-gotta, Malabar tamarind, brindle berry, gambooge, bitter kola, and others. 

The rind of the fruit contains a pharmacologically active ingredient called hydroxycitric acid, which reduces fat storage in the body, which is why it is widely promoted as a weight-loss supplement.     

Garcinia cambogia for fatty liver

The major active compound, hydroxycitric acid, in garcinia cambogia shows tremendous antioxidant effects that can favorably modify how the liver stores fat. Studies suggest that it can help inhibit the development of fatty liver by preventing oxidative stress and regulating signaling pathways of lipogenesis, the process in which fatty acids and glycerol convert into fat.   

A recent 2021 study published in Antioxidants concluded the antioxidant effects of garcinia cambogia and its active ingredient hydroxycitric acid can inhibit non-alcoholic fatty liver disease by modifying signaling pathways of lipogenesis and apoptosis.  

How to use garcinia cambogia

The exact dose of garcinia cambogia for fatty liver is individual and may vary from person to person depending on the specific health conditions. However, standard dosing range from 500 mg to 1000 mg that can be taken two to three times a day preferably 30 to 60 mins before meals. 

Precautions and side effects 

Most studies reveal that garcinia cambogia is safe and well-tolerated when taken in the recommended doses. Some people may experience side effects such as headaches, digestive issues, and skin rashes. Intake of garcinia cambogia in a very high dose may also cause liver toxicity. 

Besides, studies have investigated the effects of garcinia cambogia only for up to 12 weeks and its long-term effects are yet unknown. Therefore, it’s important to work with a professional healthcare provider to determine your safety and best method of use prior to using garcinia cambogia. 

Final words 

Garcinia cambogia is a tropical fruit that has traditional culinary and medicinal usage. It contains hydroxycitric acid which has been found to have potent antioxidant properties. The use of garcinia cambogia for fatty liver appears to be helpful in regulating lipogenesis and apoptosis in the liver, which prevents fat storage and reduces oxidative damage. 

Excess intake of garcinia may cause toxicity and hence, it’s important to work with a professional healthcare provider to determine safety precautions and the best possible doses.

Here you can see Vorst’s pure and natural Garcinia Cambogia 500 mg Capsules 

Important resources:

1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8388869/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4053034/
3. https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/garcinia-cambogia-weight-loss#dosage
4. https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/pharmacology-toxicology-and-pharmaceutical-science/garcinia-cambogia
5. https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/diseases/15831-fatty-liver-disease
6. https://www.webmd.com/hepatitis/fatty-liver-disease
7. https://www.drugs.com/npp/garcinia-hydroxycitric-acid.html
8. https://examine.com/supplements/garcinia/