Overview
Garcinia cambogia is all over the news. You’ve probably heard the claims about how this “miracle” fruit can help you shed pounds and boost your workout. But does this tropical fruit really hold the key to better physical and mental health?
Garcinia cambogia contains a substance called hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA has
Low serotonin levels are
Because HCA is derived naturally from a fruit, it’s technically safe to consume. But removing HCA from the fruit and processing it into supplement form has its risks. While the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) recalls products if they’re found to be unsafe, they do not regulate supplements. The
There have been no significant studies to test whether or not garcinia cambogia or HCA supplements can treat depression. However, some
While low serotonin levels have
With only minimal research conducted on lab animals, it’s a long stretch to think that one unprescribed, unregulated herbal supplement can treat such a debilitating and serious disorder. If you think you may be suffering from depression, contact your healthcare provider and work together to get past it safely and effectively.
Depression can be caused by one or a combination of factors, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. These can include: genetic, environmental, biological, and psychological factors. Treatment is often strongly tied to the cause. The first step to getting help is to visit a doctor to find out the cause and determine how to treat it.
If you’re looking to simply get out of a funk, boosting your mood through certain serotonin-enhancing foods, exercise, increased light exposure, and just finding your happy place will help. Garcinia cambogia supplements probably can’t hurt, but they may not help either.
True depression, on the other hand, requires medical treatment, which should not be substituted with an herbal supplement. Unfortunately, it’s just not that simple.