Mangosteen and Garcinia—a Powerful Weight Loss Team

Although you don’t often make the connection, these two plants are very closely related, and well-researched for weight loss. Garcinia cambogia is getting the most press right now, but mangosteen (garcinia mangostana) is also quite effective for losing weight. Both of these herbs have been featured on programs like the Dr Oz show, and both have been used for centuries by various cultures throughout the world. And neither of these herbs is considered a stimulant, so you don’t have to be concerned about blood pressure issues or jittery side effects.

Weight Loss Success with Garcinia Cambogia

Garcinia cambogia has a long history of use in Asia, not just for weight loss, but also to aid with digestive issues such as diarrhea, colic, ulcers and inflammatory conditions. In the West it is mostly known for its beneficial effects on weight loss and blood sugar. The main active compound in garcinia is hydroxycitric acid (HCA). This compound has been studied off and on since the 1970’s with some remarkable findings. One of the main mechanisms of action for HCA is its ability to prevent fat storage related to elevated glucose levels. When glucose is too high, the body converts it to glycogen and stores it in the liver for later use as a quick source of energy. Once glycogen levels become too high, the body begins to convert the glucose into fat for storage instead. HCA competes with the enzyme that makes this process possible. So basically it stops you from creating and storing fat!

Garcinia also helps increase serotonin levels in the brain. When serotonin is balanced, so is your appetite! So you don’t get as many cravings, and generally just aren’t as hungry. It seems to be quite helpful for people that have an unusually hard time losing weight.

Mangosteen—Garcinia’s Fat Fighting Sister in the Battle for Weight Loss

Mangosteen (garcinia mangostana)  has also shown a lot of promise as a weight loss product. Most of the studies used mangosteen along with another herb known as sphaeranthus indicus. Though it is virtually unknown in the west, this herb has been used widely for centuries by Ayurvedic practitioners. When these two herbs are taken in combination by people who are overweight, the results can be quite spectacular. They seem to inhibit fat storage and increase fat burning by affecting cells on a genetic level. In fact, scientists have discovered that the dual extract of these plants works on at least six different pathways to benefit weight loss. Mangosteen by itself is also a natural carb blocker and a potent anti-inflammatory agent. To learn more about this potent dual extract, check out one of our earlier blog entries on the subject: http://tinyurl.com/bz7txgm

We live in a time where obesity and overweight have reached nearly epidemic levels. And while much of this is due to personal choices like poor diet and sedentary lifestyle, there is no mistaking the usefulness of incorporating medicinal herbs into a weight loss regimen. These days there are all kinds of choices for people who are trying to shed some pounds, and many of them are safe and gentle. Mangosteen and garcinia most definitely fit this description, and they are both highly recommended for anyone who truly wants to get results from a weight loss campaign.