Functional fiber complex may help trim waist lines, desire to eat: Study

Five grams per day of PGX granules also resulted in an average reduction in waist circumference of 2.5 cm, according to data published in Nutrients​​.

“Supplementation with PGX at the recommended dose resulted in a reduction in body weight (kg), BMI (kg/m2), reduced frequency of eating and reduced intake of white bread,” ​wrote the authors, led by scientists from Curtin University in Australia.

“These results demonstrate the potential benefits of PGX fibre in controlling frequency of eating and in weight loss.”​

PGX​

The researchers explained that PolyGlycopleX is a functional fiber complex, manufactured from konjac glucomannan, sodium alginate, and xanthan gum.

“PGX is a soluble viscous non-starch polysaccharide complex that has been identified as contributing to improved satiety, lipidaemia [soic] and glycaemia,” ​they added.

The new study examined the potential of PGX in softgel or granule form on body weight and composition, frequency of eating and dietary intake, compared to a control intervention of rice flour.

One hundred and eighteen overweight adults were randomly assigned to one of three groups: 4.5 grams per day of PGX as softgels; 5 grams per day of PGX granules; or 5 grams per day of rice flour.

Key results​

The data indicated that participants in the PGX granules group lost an average of 2.5 cm in waist circumference over 12 weeks, and this was significant compared to baseline. A significant reduction in the number of eating occasions per day was also reported for the PGX granules group.

When the researchers focused their analysis of people who consumed the recommended dose, significant reductions in weight, BMI, and the number of eating occasions were observed.

“PGXG at the recommended dose resulted in a reduction in weight and BMI which was significantly greater than that for [rice flour],” ​they wrote.

“Further research on reducing the frequency eating of specific foods, such as junk food is warranted,” ​they concluded.

The study authors were affiliated with Curtin University (Australia), the University of Hawaii Cancer Center (USA), Purdue University (USA), Flinders University (Australia), Factors Group R & D (Canada), InovoBiologic Inc. (Canada), and the University of British Columbia (Canada).

Source: Nutrients​​
2017, 9​(2), 149; doi:10.3390/nu9020149
“Effect of Fibre Supplementation on Body Weight and Composition, Frequency of Eating and Dietary Choice in Overweight Individuals”​
Authors: V.A. Solah et al.