Hydroxycitric acid is an offshoot of citric acid and is typically found in a variety of plants, including hibiscus subdariffa, garcinia cambogia, and a sweet fruit called Malabar tamarind. Animal research shows that the acid has a favorable effect on metabolism, which may be helpful in treating obesity and weight loss. Subsequent studies on humans, however, remain equivocal. Hydroxycitric acid is known to cause serious side effects and aggravate other underlying health conditions. It usually should be administered only under direct the supervision of a trained physician.

The acid is thought to prevent carbohydrates from forming fatty acids, therefore suppressing the appetite. It is the main ingredient in some dietary supplements and weight-loss products. Supplements are believed to check the conversion of excess carbohydrates to fat and increase the storage of glycogen in the liver, thereby enhancing endurance capacity and facilitating weight loss. Other benefits include the conversion of fat to energy during extended periods of exercise, and the suppression of appetite by increasing the amount of serotonin in the blood.

Theories behind the fat-burning properties of hydroxycitric acid are that it inhibits an enzyme called citrate lyase from converting excess carbohydrates into fatty tissue. The body instead burns all excessive carbohydrates and boosts carbohydrate oxidation. Research conducted on animals has demonstrated the ability of the acid to decrease body fat by suppressing the appetite; the effect on human beings, however, is unclear. The precise mechanism by which the acid exerts its apparent appetite suppressing effect is unknown.

While hydroxycitric acid in its natural state poses no harmful side-effects, research has demonstrated that supplements based on the acid are responsible for numerous health issues. The most serious of the issues is liver damage. Hydroxycut™, a hydroxycitric acid-based weight control supplement, was recalled by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in early 2009 due to the risks associated with it.

Common symptoms associated with hydroxycitric acid supplements include jaundice, fever, chills, fatigue, nausea, and vomiting. The acid affects the body’s glucose, or blood sugar, levels. An elevated glucose level poses a serious health risk to people with diabetes.