Is Taking Garcinia Cambogia during Breastfeeding Safe?

Gaining extra weight in pregnancy is almost inevitable, and some women would want to shed all that as soon as possible. Weight loss supplements such as Garcinia Cambogia are quite popular because of the way they help shed extra pounds. But before we even look at its magnitude of benefits, is consuming garcinia cambogia when breastfeeding even safe, and how would it affect the baby? Garcinia cambogia and breastfeeding have a very complex relationship, with many unaware of it. The prevalence of herbal items and supplements for weight loss has been there for centuries, but how and how much we incorporate them matters.

What Is Garcinia Cambogia?

Garcinia Cambogia is an herb belonging to the Clusiaceae family, and the fruit’s rind is used to make medicine and other health supplements. Various research talk that the administration of extracts from this plant in both humans and animals leads to fat and weight loss. The supplement interferes with the storage of fat in the body and thus helps in losing weight sooner. However, there is still no concrete evidence (1). The fruit rind has a compound called hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which controls the production of Lyase. The enzyme Lyase is needed in the conversion of carbohydrates to fats, which means those taking the supplement have a reduced tendency to get fat even when they overeat. Its regular usage is also known to curb the appetite which makes people want to eat less. Generally, the herb is well tolerated by adults and non-pregnant women, and there are very few side effects associated with it.

Garcinia Cambogia is also known to provide relief for joint pain and digestive issues (2).

Is It Safe to Take Garcinia Cambogia While Breastfeeding?

Doctors recommend against the use of Garcinia Cambogia in breastfeeding mothers due to the way it affects the body. A healthy weight and intake of nutritious food are necessary for nursing mothers to feed their infants adequately. Since the herb interferes with the appetite of both the mother and the child, it can create unsafe imbalances in the nutrition regulation of the body and lead to complications. Therefore, can you take Cambogia Garcinia while breastfeeding? The answer is that it’s best avoided (3).

Why Should Garcinia Cambogia Be Avoid While Breastfeeding?

Due to its mode of function, taking Garcinia Cambogia while breastfeeding is best avoided and here are the reasons laid out more clearly:

1. Can affect the nursing baby

It is thought that a nursing baby can ingest the HCA from the mother’s milk. This can lead to appetite loss and a high metabolic rate in the baby, which is highly undesirable. Studies also show that it could affect the baby’s blood sugar levels.

2. Loss of appetite

One of the functions of the herb is also to curb the appetite of the users. Pregnant and nursing women need to be on a diet rich in all the essential nutrients to feed the growing infant. A loss of appetite would leave nursing mothers with less than optimal nutrition and little energy to feed the baby and deal with the changes in their own bodies.

3. Undesirable interactions with the mother’s body

Post-pregnancy, the body reacts differently to health supplements. They could upset the body’s natural regulatory functions and even interfere with the postpartum medications. The HCA also interferes with the body’s metabolic process and lowers blood sugar levels. It would make the mother weak and affect the quality of breast milk.

4. Lack of research on the effects

There isn’t enough research to quantify the amount of supplement extracts that can cause adverse effects on the mother or the child. Further research is needed to determine how much Cambogia Garcinia concentration is present in the breast milk of nursing mothers.

Should a Breastfeeding Mother Totally Avoid Weight Loss Supplements?

Dietary supplements do not need extensive approval from a regulatory body such as the U.S. Food and Drug Administration before their marketing. The manufacturers are only responsible for the quality of their products but do not need to prove the effectiveness or the safety of the supplements before they are marketed. Although they consult independent organizations to test for the quality, it doesn’t certify safety for the end user. Also, the ingredients in the dietary supplements may be different from their label, and clinical testing of one brand cannot apply to the other. Therefore, ideally it is not good for nursing mothers to use any sort of weight loss supplements available in the market. Doctors advise making healthy food and exercises for mothers until they stop breastfeeding their infants instead.

FAQs

1. Can Garcinia Cambogia supplements affect the breast milk quality or quantity?

There is no evidence of Garcinia Cambogia affecting the quality or quantity of breast milk (3).

2. How can you lose weight healthily during breastfeeding?

First and foremost, it is important to consult your doctor about how to reduce your weight during breastfeeding because any supplement or medicine could have a varying effect. Incorporating healthy fats, fresh fruits and vegetables, proteins, loads of water, low-fat milk, and omega-3s into your diet will ensure proper nutrition without gaining weight. Regularly indulging in physical activity, at least brisk walking, will help you maintain your weight and lose excess fat (4).

In the interest of your infant’s health and yours, it is advisable to avoid Garcinia Cambogia during breastfeeding. It is rather beneficial to stick to healthy ways of maintaining weight by regularly exercising and eating meals rich in protein rather than taking medical or herbal supplements. Always consult a doctor before consuming any supplements.

References/Resources:

1. Márquez. F, et al.; Evaluation of the safety and efficacy of hydroxycitric acid or Garcinia cambogia extracts in humans; Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr.; PubMed; https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22530711/; 2012

2. Garcinia Cambogia; NIH; https://www.nccih.nih.gov/health/garcinia-cambogia

3. Garcinia; National Institute of Child Health and Human Development; https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK501896/

4. Losing Weight While Breastfeeding; Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics; https://www.eatright.org/health/pregnancy/breastfeeding-and-formula/losing-weight-while-breastfeeding

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