tuneTypical Dose
500 mg twice daily (1,000 mg/day total)
Supplement
Caralluma Fimbriata
Caralluma Fimbriata
Evidence TierCWADA NOT PROHIBITED
watchEffect Window
Start with 2-12 weeks for most practical outcomes.
check_circleCompliance
WADA NOT PROHIBITED
Overview
Clinical Summary
Caralluma Fimbriata is a medicinal plant used for glycemic and appetite regulation support. It is taken to influence carbohydrate absorption, insulin signaling, or postprandial glucose.
Small trials sometimes show modest reductions in fasting or postprandial glucose and small improvements in insulin sensitivity. Effects on body weight are inconsistent across studies. Minority research examines lipid changes and gut microbiome effects, often with limited replication. Benefits depend on extract chemistry, dose, and background diet, and gastrointestinal upset can limit use.
Human outcome confidence is limited. Plausible mechanisms appear preparation-specific and are not consistently replicated in controlled trials.
Outcomes
What This Is Expected To Influence
Primary Outcomes
- adjunct symptom support
- tolerability improvement
Secondary Outcomes
- function score trend
- subjective wellbeing
Safety
Contraindications and Interactions
Contraindications
- Pregnancy/lactation
- Severe liver or kidney disease
- Medication interactions
Side effects
- GI discomfort
- Drowsiness/sedation (agent-dependent)
- Headache
Interactions
- Drug absorption interactions
- Sedatives/CNS-active agents
- Anticoagulants
Avoid if
- Unknown source quality
- Unstable medical conditions
- Complex medication stack
Evidence
Study-level References
caralluma-fimbriata-SRC-001Secondary evidence synthesis
Sourceopen_in_newSRC-002 | PMID: 34758791
Population: Adult human cohorts; mixed conditions and comparators
Dose protocol: Label or study-specific formulation and dose
Key findings: Mixed to weak, often context-specific
Notes: Strong heterogeneity in dosing, endpoints, and outcome quality
Paper content
No consistent pooled superiority across all outcomes
caralluma-fimbriata-SRC-002Secondary evidence synthesis
Sourceopen_in_newSRC-002 | PMID: 34758791
Population: Adult human cohorts; mixed conditions and comparators
Dose protocol: Variable
Key findings: No consistent pooled superiority across all outcomes
Notes: Inconsistent methods and selective reporting in available literature
Paper content
No consistent pooled superiority across all outcomes
caralluma-fimbriata-SRC-003Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_newRao A, Briskey D, Dos Reis C, et al. The effect of an orally-dosed Caralluma Fimbriata extract on appetite control and body composition in overweight adults. Sci Rep. 2021;11(1):6791. doi:10.1038/s41598-021-86108-2. PMID:33762661.
Population: Overweight adults aged 20 to 50 years.
Dose protocol: Caralluma fimbriata extract versus placebo for 16 weeks in overweight adults
Key findings: CFE group maintained weight while placebo gained 1.33 kg. Waist circumference decreased 2.7 cm. Caloric intake reduced by 245 kcal. Leptin stabilized.
Notes: Strongest controlled evidence for CFE appetite/body composition effects. Predominantly female sample limits generalization to men.
Paper content
This 16-week double-blind RCT tested Caralluma fimbriata extract (CFE) for appetite control and body composition in 83 overweight adults. The CFE group maintained body weight while the placebo group gained 1.33 kg (P=0.03). Waist circumference decreased by 2.7 cm in the CFE group versus a 0.3 cm increase with placebo (P=0.02). Caloric intake was reduced by 245 kcal in the CFE group versus 15.8 kcal in placebo by week 16 (P<0.01). Plasma leptin remained stable with CFE but increased in the placebo group (P=0.04). The study provides the strongest controlled evidence to date for CFE's appetite-suppressing effects, with meaningful caloric intake reduction and waist circumference changes. The predominantly female sample limits generalizability to men.
caralluma-fimbriata-SRC-004Double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Sourceopen_in_newKell G, Rao A, Katsikitis M. A randomised placebo controlled clinical trial on the efficacy of Caralluma fimbriata supplement for reducing anxiety and stress in healthy adults over eight weeks. J Affect Disord. 2019;246:619-626. doi:10.1016/j.jad.2018.12.062. PMID:30609411.
Population: Healthy adults self-reporting mild to moderate anxiety.
Dose protocol: 500 mg twice daily CFE versus placebo for 8 weeks
Key findings: Significantly greater reductions in GAD-7 anxiety and PSS stress scores versus placebo at weeks 4 and 8. Cortisol reduced in males but not females.
Notes: Expands CFE evidence beyond appetite to anxiolytic effects. Adequate sample (n=97) but relies on self-reported baseline anxiety.
Paper content
This 8-week double-blind RCT tested Caralluma fimbriata extract (500 mg twice daily) for anxiety and stress reduction in 97 healthy adults with self-reported mild to moderate anxiety. The CFE group showed significantly greater reductions in GAD-7 anxiety scores and Perceived Stress Scale scores compared to placebo at both weeks 4 and 8. Salivary cortisol decreased significantly in males but not in females. This trial expands the potential use case for Caralluma fimbriata beyond appetite suppression into stress and anxiety management, though the sex-specific cortisol finding and the reliance on self-reported baseline anxiety create interpretation limits. The study is adequately powered and well-designed for a botanical intervention trial.