Weight Management

As the prevalence of obesity and its complications has continued to increase in recent years, people's awareness of health and weight loss has gradually increased. Therefore, a variety of nutritional supplements with weight loss effects have appeared on the market and are used by consumers for weight management. We list some of the relevant ingredients used for weight loss and their mechanisms ^[1].

- Related Ingredients -

Conjugated Linoleic Acid (CLA), found naturally in dairy products and beef, is by far the best known use as a weight loss aid. At present, there are three main aspects of the weight loss mechanism of CLA. (a) CLA inhibits the proliferation of adipocytes and induces their apoptosis to achieve weight loss. (b) CLA accelerates energy metabolism and reduces lipid accumulation in the body. (c) Taking CLA supplements may reduce circulating leptin levels in obese individuals, thereby improving leptin resistance, which may aid weight loss ^[2].

Phaseolus Vulgaris Extracts (PVE) can interact with α-amylase to break down carbohydrates and has antioxidant, anti-cancer, anti-inflammatory, blood sugar-lowering and heart protection properties, which can lead to weight loss. However, the activity of α-amylase inhibitors is highly dependent on pH, temperature, incubation time and the presence of specific ions, so a relatively mature PVE product needs to be selected as a weight loss supplement.

Green tea is used as an effective dietary supplement in the treatment of obesity with virtually no side effects, either alone or green tea in combination with other weight loss interventions. The catechins in green tea have a wide range of biological activities that can help reduce fat absorption by inhibiting the action of lipase in the gastrointestinal tract. They also inhibit amylase and glucosidase, so that the digestion and absorption of carbohydrates is also slowed down, which reduces energy intake.

In our meals, 40 percent of the fat comes from edible oils, which primarily contain triacylglycerol (TAG) and diacylglycerol (DAG). In research studies, it has been found that the DAG content of edible oil is greater than 27.3%, which reduces body fat and inhibits weight gain ^[3]. DAG, as a natural oil, is Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). DAG is healthier and more nutritious than triglycerides, and its fat content is only 5% of triglycerides. DAG can reduce the weight of body fat through the fat decomposition of fat in white adipose tissue and the production of brown adipose tissue. In summary, diacylglycerol has the effect of lowering blood lipids, blood sugar and body fat, as well as promoting fat burning. Therefore, it can be used in supplements for weight management.

Whey protein (WP) is a highly bioavailable protein, including 22 essential amino acids. Researchs on whey protein have demonstrated that it has appetite-inhibiting properties and can be used to control weight. After consuming a large amount of carbohydrates, the blood glucose level rises. Insulin then reduces blood sugar levels, causing the body to become hungry. And whey protein can help maintain the stability of blood glucose for many hours after meals and balance appetite. In conclusion, the supplement of whey protein can be used to control weight, but further dose and response tests need to be performed.

L-carnitine is a natural amino acid derivative derived from animal products such as red meat, fish, poultry and dairy products. It has high safety and can be used to treat obesity, but the most effective and safe daily dose should be sought.

In addition to the above ingredients, weight loss products on the market have other ingredients, such as alpha-lipoic acid, flaxseed, resveratrol, and curcumin. However, there is no strong evidence to prove that they are actually effective for weight management, and further research is needed to confirm this. Therefore, weight loss products should be taken carefully with the advice of a nutritionist or doctor.

References

1. Watanabe M.; et al. Current evidence to propose different food supplements for weight loss: a comprehensive review. Nutrients. 2020, 12(9): 2873
2. Mohsen M.-S.; et al. Effect of Conjugated Linoleic Acid on Leptin Level: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Horm Metab Res. 2018, 50(2): 106-116.
3. Ando Y.; et al. Consumption of alpha-linolenic acid-enriched diacylglycerol induces increase in dietary fat oxidation compared with alpha-linolenic acid-enriched triacylglycerol: A randomized, double-blind trial. Nutr Res. 2017, 48:85-92.

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