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Three Supplements That Battle Metabolic Syndrome

In part three of this series, I hone in on a few choices for supplements and natural remedies in the battle of the bulge. I examine three ones in particular. Are you obese or overweight? Take a look at the evidence and make informed decisions when you are in the pharmacy.

In part three of this series, I hone in on a few choices for supplements and natural remedies in the battle of the bulge. I examine three ones in particular. Are you obese or overweight? Take a look at the evidence and make informed decisions when you are in the pharmacy.

Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) is a natural part of fat made when you ingest meat and dairy products. In a recent study of 18 clinical trials, there is good evidence that CLA given at a dose of 3.2 grams a day produced a moderate loss of body fat and weight at 0.11 kg per week. Specifically, CLA led to a loss of abdominal fat in humans. Some safety concerns with CLA include: worsening of insulin resistance; increase in gallstone formation; and the unknown effects of increased levels of inflammation. More studies are needed.

Forskolin is derived from the plant, “Coleus forskohlii.” In a small study with 30 overweight or obese subjects, 15 were given forskolin (250 mg of 10% extract twice a day) and the other 15 were given placebo for 12 weeks. Results showed that:

– Forskolin treatment significantly reduced body fat mass as compared with the placebo treatment.
– Forskolin treatment led to an increase in lean body mass as compared with placebo treatment.

Green tea is native to China and Southeast Asia. There are several trials that support a role for green tea in losing that extra poundage.

In a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial, 76 overweight and obese subjects were given green tea/caffeine mixture or placebo. Subjects given green tea plus caffeine lost 5.9 kg of body weight. Subjects on high caffeine consumption reduced weight, fat mass, and waist circumference more than low caffeine consumers did.

In a clinical trial, the effect of green tea was examined along with exercise in 132 overweight and obese individuals. Half of the participants were randomized to receive a drink containing 625 mg of green tea catechins with 39 mg caffeine or a placebo beverage with 39 mg caffeine only. The green tea group showed a trend toward greater loss of weight, a greater loss of abdominal fat, and a greater decrease in triglycerides.

A 12-week double-blind study was conducted in Japan with 17 healthy men given one bottle of oolong tea a day containing 690 mg green tea extract and another 18 given one bottle oolong tea with 22 mg catechins. The group that received the green tea extract showed a significant lowering of body weight, BMI, waist circumference, and body fat mass.

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