Effect of Natural Blend of Plant Extracts on Waist Circumference in Overweight and Obese People: Open-Labelled Observation

Mihaela Petrova
2018 Gastroenterology & Hepatology Open Access  
Aim: Obesity and its metabolic consequences are major health problems. The lifestyle changes are insufficient or often fail. We have studied a proprietary blend of plant extracts and minerals (Cinnamomum zeylanicum, Trigonella foenum-graecum, Coffee Arabica, Magnesium citrate and Chromium picolinate; BM Nutraceuticals, Sofia) aiming to determine effects on body composition in obese and overweight NAFLD patients. Material and methods: We have prospectively studied 53 (40 females) subjects with
more » ... I ≥ 25 kg/m2 mean aged 45 years (range 27-68) and ultrasound features of fatty liver disease. The participants were given one capsule of the nutraceutical blend twice daily for 8 weeks and were advised to keep their usual lifestyle, diet and physical activity. Measured outcomes were efficacy (anthropometric parameters, BMI, body fat percentage) and safety (adverse events, laboratory tests and vital signs). Results: The natural blend supplementation was associated with significant decrease of the waist circumference. The mean reduction at week four was 3.3 cm (95% CI: 2.6 to 4.0), and 6.2 cm at week eight (95% CI: 5.0 to 7.5, p< 0.0001 for all comparisons). Mean change in hips circumference at week 8 was -4.1 cm (95% CI: 2.9 to 5.2, p< 0.0001). At the end of week eight was observed significant decrease in BMI (mean 29.3 vs28.4 kg/m2) and body fat percentage (p<0.001 for both). All participants reported substantial decrease in sugar cravings. There were no serious adverse events reported. Conclusion: Supplementation with a proprietary blend of plant extracts efficiently decreases waist and hip circumference, WHR and BMI with favorable tolerability. Further long term controlled studies are needed to underline the place of the plant extracts blend in weight loss programmes in metabolic syndrome patients.
doi:10.15406/ghoa.2018.09.00288 fatcat:gyi4nzfv6zhjndfyfgcmmj3ryi