Background: Acute studies with alginate-based preloads suggested
that these strong gelling fibers may induce increased feelings of
satiety and...
» More
Background: Acute studies with alginate-based preloads suggested
that these strong gelling fibers may induce increased feelings of
satiety and reduce energy intakes. However, the long-term efficacy
and safety of alginate supplementation on body weight regulation
are lacking.
Objective: The primary aim of the study was to investigate the
effects in subjects of alginate supplementation in conjunction with
energy restriction (2300 kcal/d) on loss of body weight and fat and,
second, on metabolic risk markers in comparison with in a placebo
group.
Design: In a parallel, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, we
randomly assigned 96 obese subjects to either an energy-restricted
diet plus a placebo preload supplement or an energy-restricted diet
plus an alginate-based preload supplement (15 g fiber). The preload
was administered as a beverage 3 times/d before main meals for
a period of 12 wk.
Results: No differences in loss of body weight and fat between groups
were shown in the intension-to-treat (ITT) analysis (P . 0.1).
However, in the completer analysis (n = 80), we showed a greater
weight loss with alginate (6.78 6 3.67 kg) than with the placebo
(5.04 6 3.40 kg) (P = 0.03), which was mainly attributed to a reduction
in the percentage of body fat (P = 0.03). In the ITT analysis,
a larger decrease in systolic and diastolic blood pressure was shown
in the placebo group than in the alginate group (P , 0.05). Plasma
concentrations of glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, C-reactive protein,
ghrelin, and lipid metabolism did not differ between treatment
groups in the ITT analysis (P . 0.1).
Conclusion: These results suggest that alginate supplementation as
an adjunct to energy restriction may improve weight loss in obese
subjects who complete a 12-wk dietary intervention. This trial was
