Abstract
BackgroundNumerous natural products are marketed and sold claiming to decrease body weight and fat, but few undergo finished product-specific research demonstrating their safety and efficacy.ObjectiveTo determine the safety and efficacy of a multi-ingredient supplement containing primarily raspberry ketone, caffeine, capsaicin, garlic, ginger and Citrus aurantium (Prograde Metabolism™ [METABO]) as an adjunct to an eight-week weight loss program.MethodsUsing a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind design, 70 obese but otherwise healthy subjects were randomly assigned to METABO or a placebo and underwent 8 weeks of daily supplementation, a calorie restricted diet, and exercise training. Subjects were tested for changes in body composition, serum adipocytokines (adiponectin, resistin, leptin, TNF-α, IL-6) and markers of health including heart rate and blood pressure.ResultsOf the 45 subjects who completed the study, significant differences were observed in: body weight (METABO -2.0% vs. placebo -0.5%, P < 0.01), fat mass (METABO -7.8 vs. placebo -2.8%, P < 0.001), lean mass (METABO +3.4% vs. placebo +0.8%, P < 0.03), waist girth (METABO -2.0% vs. placebo -0.2%, P < 0.0007), hip girth (METABO -1.7% vs. placebo -0.4%, P < 0.003), and energy levels per anchored visual analogue scale (VAS) (METABO +29.3% vs. placebo +5.1%, P < 0.04). During the first 4 weeks, effects/trends for maintaining elevated serum leptin (P < 0.03) and decreased serum resistin (P < 0.08) in the METABO group vs. placebo were also observed. No changes in systemic hemodynamics, clinical blood chemistries, adverse events, or dietary intake were noted between groups.ConclusionsMETABO administration is a safe and effective adjunct to an eight-week diet and exercise weight loss program by augmenting improvements in body composition, waist and hip girth. Adherence to the eight-week weight loss program also led to beneficial changes in body fat in placebo. Ongoing studies to confirm these results and clarify the mechanisms (i.e., biochemical and neuroendocrine mediators) by which METABO exerts the observed salutary effects are being conducted.
Highlights
Obesity, central adiposity, has been increasingly cited as a major health issue in recent decades
METABO administration is a safe and effective adjunct to an eight-week diet and exercise weight loss program by augmenting improvements in body composition, waist and hip girth
Adherence to the eight-week weight loss program led to beneficial changes in body fat in placebo
Summary
Central adiposity, has been increasingly cited as a major health issue in recent decades. Annual obesity-related medical costs in the United States were estimated to be as high as $147 billion in 2009 [3]. Excess body weight is a major risk factor for the development of Metabolic Syndrome. Metabolic Syndrome is a constellation of medical disorders including hypertension, central adiposity, hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia [4,5] that increase the risk of premature cardiovascular disease. Adipocytokines (including leptin, tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin-6, resistin, visfatin, retinol binding protein-4, angiotensinogen and adiponectin) are signaling cytokines produced by adipose tissue. Adipose tissue acts as an endocrine organ producing adipocytokines to regulate insulin signaling, vascular tone, carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, and the inflammatory response. Dysregulation of certain adipocytokines can contribute to insulin resistance, amplified systemic inflammation and lead to the development of Metabolic Syndrome and hypertension [6]. Numerous natural products are marketed and sold claiming to decrease body weight and fat, but few undergo finished product-specific research demonstrating their safety and efficacy
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