EFFICACY AND SAFETY OF 'GARSY', A GARCINIA-BASED MULTI-INGREDIENT HERBAL SUPPLEMENT, IN WEIGHT MANAGEMENT AND METABOLIC HEALTH: A RANDOMISED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL

Abstract

Visceral fat accumulation, characterised by central obesity, is the primary cause of insulin resistance and significantly increases the risk of associated conditions such as cardiovascular diseases, hypertension, and type 2 diabetes mellitus. This randomised, single-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of "Garsy," a novel multi-ingredient herbal supplement comprising Garcinia cambogia, Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Piper nigrum, curry leaves, and bee honey. Eighty-one overweight and obese adults aged 20–65 years were randomised to receive either "Garsy" or a placebo for 12 weeks. Outcomes measured included anthropometric parameters, body composition, and metabolic markers.

Following intervention, the "Garsy" group exhibited significant reductions in body weight (from 73.16 ± 13.0 kg to 72.6 ± 13.1 kg, p<0.05), waist circumference (from 91.0 ± 9.86 cm to 88.1 ± 9.9 cm, p<0.05), and total body fat percentage (from 38.6 ± 8.0% to 38.2 ± 8.4%, p<0.05). Additionally, significant improvements were observed in metabolic parameters, including triglycerides (from 155.5 ± 85.6 mg/dL to 133.9 ± 73.7 mg/dL, p<0.05), fasting blood glucose (from 108.6 ± 29.2 mg/dL to 103.1 ± 17.9 mg/dL, p<0.05), and the triglyceride-glucose index indicating reduced insulin resistance (from 8.9 to 8.7, p<0.05). No significant changes were found in the placebo group. Only a few mild and occasional gastrointestinal complaints were reported in both groups, and no significant changes were observed in renal function measurements or C-Reactive Protein, an inflammatory marker, indicating a favourable safety profile.

This study provides robust evidence supporting the therapeutic potential of "Garsy," a multi-ingredient herbal supplement, in weight loss and improving metabolic health among overweight and obese adults, thereby highlighting its clinical utility as a safe adjunctive intervention for the management of obesity and metabolic syndrome.