Disclosed is a hydroxycitric acid salt composition comprising calcium and potassium salts of hydroxycitric acid, preferably in a defined proportion which yields a very pure, stabilized preparation that is substantially tasteless for optimal use in a variety of foods items. The HCA salts are prepared by a process that includes treating an aqueous extract of Garcinia cambogia or Garcinia indica fruit with a liquid quaternizing agent such as a trialkylamine in which the alkyl groups are octyl, caprylyl, isooctyl, lauryl or decyl.

A method of making a red pigmented composition is disclosed which includes (a) preparing an aqueous extract of Garcinia indica fruit comprising at least one red colorant; (b) treating the extract with a cation exchange resin so that one or more red colorant associates with the resin; (c) eluting the red colorant from the resin with an eluting solution containing one or more alcohol such as methanol, ethanol and isopropanol and one or more acid such as hydrochloric acid, citric acid, acetic acid, tartaric acid and hydroxy citric acid to yield a red-colored eluate; (d) collecting and concentrating the eluate to provide a concentrate; and (e) adding an antioxidant agent and/or placing the concentrate in an aseptic container in a non-oxidizing atmosphere. A combination comprising the resulting stabilized Garcinia extract in aseptic packaging in a non-oxidizing atmosphere is also disclosed, along with methods of use.

A method whereby in an individual showing evidence of dysregulation of elements of the Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction (PMD), which is defined as the dysregulation of the metabolism of insulin, glucocorticoids, leptin, resistin and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor .gamma. (PPAR.gamma.), this regulation is improved when that person receives an appropriate administration of (-)-hydroxycitric acid. The potassium salt of (-)-hydroxycitric acid is a preferred form of the compound, followed by the sodium salt, then by the amide and other salt forms and derivatives of the acid. The regulation of Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction over any given period of time may be improved with a controlled release form of (-)-hydroxycitric acid. Controlled release can be used to provide a sustained and modulated amount of the active to the body as desired and therefore to regulate the use of the compound as Polymorphic Metabolic Dysfunction regulative agent.

(-)-Hydroxycitrate (HCA) supplementation constitutes a novel means of reducing the loss in bone mineral content such as that usually found in osteoporosis and the related loss in bone quality (protection against the corticoid-induced loss in non-mineral bone components). Similarly, HCA supplementation constitutes a novel means of reducing stress-induced bone loss and of reducing other forms of bone loss induced by glucocorticoid-related mechanisms. The discovery that HCA has bone loss-moderating effects allows for the creation of novel and more efficacious approaches to preventing osteoporosis and for maintaining normal bone metabolic functioning even in the face of diet and exercise habits which are less than ideal and in the face of chronic stress. Furthermore, this discovery makes possible the development of adjuvant modalities which can be used to improve the results realized through the employment of conventional anti-osteoporosis/bone protective remedies. Controlled release can be used to provide a sustained and modulated amount of the active to the body as desired and therefore to regulate the use of the compound.

HCA Supplementation improves wound healing and immunomodulation/immunoregulation, including improving depressed immune function and also reducing excessive immune activity such as is found in elevated humoral immunity linked to allergies and autoimmune diseases. The benefits of HCA are especially pronounced with the use of the preferred salt of the acid, potassium hydroxycitrate, and may be further potentiated by the use of a controlled-release form of the compound.