HCA

WHAT IS HYDROXY CITRIC ACID?
HCA has been gaining popularity quite fast over the past couple of years since it's introduction as a diet aid initially to help treat obesity. HCA is obtained from the rinds of the garcinia fruit of South Asia. Although used as an aid to fat loss, this substance, unlike ephedrine and caffeine and the like, does not stimulate the central nervous system, nor does it pose problems in burning off lean body tissues. HCA is supposed to be able to prevent the conversion of carbohydrates into fat.

OUR BODY, CARBOHYDRATE AND INSULIN
When we ingest carbohydrate or sugar, our bodies turn this into blood glucose. And blood glucose is facilitated into cells by the hormone insulin. Some of the glucose is stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen, where when needed the body converts back into blood glucose. The other primary metabolic route of glucose is to be broken down into smaller subunits by way of the citric acid cycle.

When there is an abundance of blood glucose which is not needed by our bodies, simply it is converted via lypogenesis into fat. Any time there is an abundance of blood gluocose the bodies ability to burn fat is compromised. The last step of glycolysis (the breakdown of glucose) takes place inside the mitochdria - the cells energy storing organelles. The product produced is citrate, which is then sent outside the mitochondria to be broken down into subunits used in the production of fat. 

Now in order for citrate to be broken down, the enzyme ATP citrate lyase must be present. HCA is reported to block the activity of this enzyme and alters the bodys fat and glucose metabolism in the following ways. First, the pathway for glycogen production becomes easier than continuing with glucose metabolism into fat. Second, with fat production slowed down the body begins to burn more stored body fat as an energy source. Finally, pyruvate - the substance that enters the mitochondria to be converted into citrate - ends up either completely burned in the citric acid cycle or is recylced to form lactate and phosphoenolpyruvate. These two substances can also be used for fuel during the production of glucose and ultimately glycogen. The increased glycogen supplies are then stored in the liver and muscles, and while liver storage is not noticeable, muscles full of glycogen appear larger and fuller - a benefit for the athletes using HCA.

HCA AS AN APPETITE SUPPRESSANT
Besides the direct effect on fat burning, HCA has added benefit of indirectly suppressing appetite. This is possibly due to the fact that the body believes that it has full reserves of energy and so the brain decreases the sensation of hunger. Due to the properties of this substance it has become quite popular to combine it with the ever popular ephedrine/caffeine style mixtures in order to enhance the effects further of these powerful fat loss stimulants.

Most HCA products are available as calcium salts, three of the most popular brands being Citrimax, Neway's Citrate and MuscleTechs Hydroxycut.

HOW MUCH DO I NEED?
Effective doses tend to be quite high, around 1000mg (1g) 2 - 3 times a day. This is usually timed about 45 minutes before the biggest meals of the day.

HCA USE AND SIDE EFFECTS ASSOCIATED WITH IT
There have been few side effects noted with healthy individuals using HCA however the odd few people do find they experience nausea when taking the product on an empty stomach. This is easily rectified by taking the dose with a meal. It is also highly unlikely to ever over dose on HCA however studies have shown a dose greater than the recommended amount yields no further benefits. Much of the research on HCA however, has been conducted on animal trials with rather limited data on human subjects.