"Are You Taking This Supplement Consistently? Absolutely Not"... Experts Issue Warning

Warning Against Long-Term Use of Garcinia
Reported Cases of Elevated Liver Enzymes and Gastrointestinal Issues
Intake Should Be Limited to One to Three Months

There are quite a few people who believe that "the more consistently you take supplements every day, the better it is for your health." However, experts have warned that some supplements can actually harm your health if taken over a long period of time. In particular, the ingredient Garcinia, which is widely known as a diet supplement, has been linked to increased liver enzyme levels and suspected cases of acute hepatitis. Experts point out that special caution is needed regarding the duration of intake.

Supplement photo. Clipart Korea

"Do Not Take It Consistently"... Pharmacist's Warning

Recently, a video was uploaded to the YouTube channel "Pharmacist's Stories About Medicine," focusing on supplements that require caution when taken for extended periods. In the video, pharmacist Ko Sangwoon warned, "It is advisable not to take Garcinia for more than three months."

He explained, "Many people take it habitually, hoping for weight loss effects, but there have been reports of side effects such as increased liver enzyme levels with long-term consumption." He added that some cases have also shown gastrointestinal reactions, such as nausea and vomiting.

Gained Attention as a Diet Ingredient, but...

Garcinia is the fruit of a tropical tree native to South Asia, including India and Sri Lanka, and the extract from its rind is used in health functional foods. The hydroxycitric acid (HCA) contained in this ingredient has been reported in studies to inhibit fat synthesis, which is why it has gained attention as a diet supplement ingredient.

The problem lies in the potential for side effects. In fact, there have been suspected cases of acute hepatitis reported among consumers who took certain products containing Garcinia, and in the past, sales of specific products were suspended for this reason.

However, in those cases, it was confirmed that the supplements were taken together with alcohol, leading the manufacturer to suggest that complex lifestyle habits may have played a role. Nevertheless, since the possibility of liver damage itself has been raised, experts emphasize that consumers need to exercise caution.

"One to Three Months Is Enough"

In addition to acute hepatitis, cases of abnormal symptoms such as bloody stool have also been reported. As a result, in January, the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety began safety testing on nine types of functional ingredients in health supplements, including Garcinia cambogia extract.

Pharmacist Ko advised, "If you are taking Garcinia supplements for the purpose of reducing body fat, it is recommended to take them for no longer than one to three months."