Is Garcinia Cambogia Safe While Breastfeeding

 Ask Dr. John: Garcinia cambogia, itchy throat

Dr. John Torres from Premier Urgent Care answers your questions every week. 9NEWS at 8 a.m. 04/09/14.

KUSA - Dr . John Torres from Premier Urgent Care answers your questions each week.

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Question 1
Hi, I heard you recently talking about Garcinia Cambogia. I am a medical mother, is it safe to take while nursing? Or will it be bad for my baby? Many thanks! Katy

Answer
Garcinia cambogia is a fruit extract that's currently being touted since the new weight loss darling. It contains an ingredient known as hydroxycitric acid, HCA, which within mice has been shown to help them lose weight. Unfortunately in human studies the results have been combined with some studies showing a weight loss, others not showing any benefit whatsoever. But this supplement has not been studied in pregnant women or nursing mothers so the most sage advice is for them to avoid it all together. Garcinia cambogia also can drop someone's blood glucose level so diabetics, especially those taking insulin, need to be extra cautious about this particular extract because it could cause their blood sugar to drop to dangerous levels. But for the majority of others, it's a safe fruit and safe extract, just one that we aren't certain yet whether it will actually help anyone lose weight or not.

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Question 2
What can cause an itchy throat, and burning feeling in the chest, and not being able to consume solids because it makes you sick afterwards? Heather

Answer
Although there are a few things that might trigger these types of symptoms the one that seems most likely is known by many names including acid reflux disease, GERD, or simply heartburn. This happens when acid that is produced in our stomach, as well as normally stays in our stomach, gets up into our esophagus, the serving tube. When it enters this area it can cause a burning sensation in the chest, a kind of heartburn. If it goes higher into the throat area it can cause a burning as well as itching in the throat. Things that make reflux worse include being overweight and cigarette smoking. Certain foods can also cause this to happen more often, including fatty foods, chocolate, peppermint and drinks with caffeine. So to can alcohol. So for someone suffering from poisson or heartburn it's best to avoid these foods as much as possible. Some things that help with symptoms consist of eating smaller meals, not eating just before bedtime and elevating the head of the mattress so gravity can help keep that acid in the stomach. And one strange point that might help some with heartburn is chewing gum on a regular basis. Of course it's always better to make sure reflux is the cause of any type of chest pain and rule out any more serious problems, especially ones concerning the heart.

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