Mind & Body - Nutrients help control weight, boost quality of life

Garcinia cambogia and glucomannan reduce weight, improve body composition

In an effort to find effective treatments for overweight and obesity, doctors looked to Southeast Asia for the flowering plant, garcinia cambogia (GC), and a to natural fiber supplement, glucomannan (GNN). This study covered 136 adults aged at least 18, with a body-mass index score greater than 25, who had type 2 diabetes, unbalanced lipids, and/or high blood pressure.

Participants took 500 mg each of GC and GNN, twice per day. Doctors prescribed a Mediterranean-type diet, and encouraged participants to drink lots of water. Beginning at three months, and continuing through six months, GC and GNN reduced weight, abdominal fat, and fat mass, and increased the basic metabolic rate. Triglycerides, glucose, and cholesterol levels also improved.

Reference: Journal of Herbal Medicine; 2021, Vol. 26, 100424

Plant-based polyphenols improve physical, mental health

Being overweight and obese affects the quality of life, which antioxidant polyphenols abundant in a Mediterranean-type diet may be able to improve. In this study, 72 overweight and obese people took a placebo or 900 mg of a botanically sourced polyphenol-rich supplement containing 15 percent flavonoids, 16 mg of vitamin B3, and 45 mg of caffeine per day.

After 16 weeks, while there were no significant improvements for placebo, those taking polyphenols lost an average of 2.4 pounds, most of which was fat mass located in the abdominal area. The polyphenol group also reported an 11.2 percent improvement in physical health, and a 4.1 percent increase in mental health, with less pain, greater physical activity, and a sense of vitality contributing most to these benefits.

Reference: Nutrients; 2021, Vol. 13, No. 2, 492