Effects of a 3-month supplementation with a novel soluble highly viscous polysaccharide on anthropometry and blood lipids in non-dieting overweight or obese adults.

Conclusion:

Beneficial modest effects (weight loss of average of 3.5lbs, decreasing hip and waist circumference, lowering of Total and LDL cholesterol’s – 8.9% and 13.2 % respectively) appeared after several weeks of daily PGX^® intake in non-dieting obese or overweight women compared to ingestion of comparable quantities of the commonly used Inulin fibre.

Abstract:

High viscosity fibre is known to exert many beneficial effects on appetite and metabolism. This study tests the potentiality to help in weight management in nondieting individuals. The present study investigated the effects of the daily intake of the novel high viscosity polysaccharide (PGX^®-PolyGlycopleX^®) over 3 months in nondieting obese or overweight subjects. Participants were told not to change anything in their daily routine.

Methods:

The study comprised a double-blind, randomised controlled clinical trial. Participants ingested 5–15 g per day of either PGX® (29 participants) or the popularly used fibre, Inulin (30 participants) for 15 weeks. Changes in weight, waist and hip circumferences, blood lipids and other parameters were studied over the 15 weeks. Compliance and tolerance were also examined.

Results:

Differences appeared between PGX and inulin supplementation in female participants. At the end of the study of 15 Weeks, a decrease in body weight of approximately 3.5 lbs (1.6kg) or about 2% of initial weight was determine in the PGX group. The women in the Inulin group on average gained weight slightly, approximately 0.45 lbs (0.2kgs). Hip circumference decreased by approximately 1.1/10” (2.8 cm) in women of the PGX group but only by approximately 1/5” (0.5 cm) in the Inulin group. Waist circumference decreased by approximately 1.5” (3.7 cm) in the PGX group and by approximately 0.4” (1 cm) in the Inulin group for female participants.

Cholesterol levels were lower at the end of supplementation in the women of the PGX group by approximately 8.9% for Total Cholesterol and 13.22% for LDL cholesterol. The Inulin on the other hand showed a slight rise in Total Cholesterol of approximately 1.4 % and no change for the LDL levels for female participant. No difference was noted in the number or severity of the adverse effects reported in both groups. Adverse effects were generally mild and agreed with commonly reported reactions to intake of dietary fibre.

Beneficial modest effects appeared after several weeks of daily PGX intake in nondieting obese or overweight women compared to ingestion of comparable quantities of the commonly used Inulin fibre.