Obesity

Green tea extracts plus exercise may boost fat metabolism: Mouse data

08-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining exercise with extracts from green tea may slash body mass by almost 30% and abdominal fat by almost 40%, according to a study with mice fed a high-fat diet.

Chardonnay Grape Seed Flour shows anti-obesity benefits: Hamster data

24-Feb-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementing a high-fat ‘Western’ diet with Chardonnay grape seed flour may significantly reduce cholesterol levels, abdominal fat and weight gain, compared to a high-fat diet alone, says a new study from California.

Meta-analysis supports calcium’s weight management potential

11-Feb-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased intakes of calcium may help cut body weight, says a new meta-analysis from Denmark.

Certain probiotics could help women lose weight, study finds

04-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with certain probiotics containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus may help women lose weight and keep it off, according to new research.

Flavonoid-rich diet may reduce risk of type 2 diabetes: Study

20-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

High consumption of flavonoid-rich foods may be associated with a lowering the risk of developing type 2 diabetes by improving blood sugar management, say researchers.

Lawsuit drives home real damage tainted weight loss products can cause

10-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

Cases of sibutramine tainting in weight loss products are nothing new. But a recently-filed lawsuit drives home the real harm such products can cause, and the insidious way in which they have penetrated the marketplace.

Omega-3 DHA may help reduce energy intakes, but does this affect body weight?

03-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Twelve weeks of supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA may help reduce energy intakes in overweight and obese women, but the effects of this on body weight are uncertain.

New info details size of potential Chinese export market for US supplements

18-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

New information released by the US-China Health Products Association gives insight into the massive export opportunity that awaits US dietary supplement manufacturers. A high proportion of Chinese consumers buy health products, and a large proportion...

Yeast hydrolysate shows weight management potential in obese subjects: RCT

09-Dec-2013

A hydrolysate from spent brewer’s yeast may help reduce body weight and fat levels in obese men and women, says a new human study from South Korea.

Bean extract shows weight management potential, says new study

14-Nov-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Extracts from white beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) may enhance the results of weight loss and management diets, according to a new study.

Melatonin may offer weight management potential: Animal data

26-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of melatonin could help control weight gain by stimulating the development of ‘beige fat’ cells that burn - rather than store - calories, say researchers.

Live from the 20th International Congress of Nutrition

Prof: 'GI can be more powerful obesity-fighting tool in Asia than the west'

20-Sep-2013 By Shane Starling in Granada, Spain

Prebiotics and other fibres have a big role to play in curbing spiraling obesity, diabetic and pre-diabetic rates in emerging economies like India and China, according to one respected nutrition academic here at the ICN in Granada.

Pre- vs post-workout for creatine? Post exercise leads to greater strength gains, says new study

12-Sep-2013 By Stephen Daniells

The timing of creatine supplements can influence gains in strength and lean body mass, with post-workout supplementation yielding better results, says a new study from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Citrus extract shows weight management potential: Study

03-Sep-2013 By Shane Starling

A blend of extracts from red orange, grapefruit, sweet orange, and guarana can reduce abdominal fat, waist and hip circumference, French researchers have found.

"An amazing result with possibly enormous implications for the treatment and even prevention of the greatest public health issue of our time"

Microbiome breakthrough: Gut flora implicated in metabolic disorders

29-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

There is a distinct link between the composition of our gut bacteria and incidence of obesity related conditions including heart disease and diabetes, according to new data from the MetaHIT project.

From Paleo to Atkins: Which diet plans are popular in different regions of the world?

20-Aug-2013 By Elaine WATSON

With more than half of consumers in developed countries over the age of 14 now classified as overweight or obese, and obesity rates in China and India expected to double by 2020, global interest in weight management products “will likely remain high for...

Probiotics may ‘counter obesity and diabetes’: NIH study

10-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily dose of probiotics may prevent weight gain and insulin resistance in mice, says a new study from scientists at the US National Institutes of Health (NIH) with implications for obesity and diabetes.

Worldwide macro trends favor Herbalife, president says

09-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Three mega trends will drive Herbalife’s continued expansion, said president Des Walsh. The world is getting fatter, it’s getting older, and in the hangover from the 2008 financial crisis economic expansion still lags in much of the world leaving many...

‘A valid substantiation for manufacturers’: Meratrim gets clinical trial support for weight management

02-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of InterHealth’s proprietary blend of Sphaeranthus indicus flower heads and Garcinia mangostana fruit rind may reduce body weight by 11.5 pounds (5.2 kg), compared to placebo, says new data.

CLA community hits back at safflower oil claims: "Science wise, safflower oil is not a serious alternative to CLA for improved body composition"

14-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Leading CLA researchers and suppliers have slammed product claims that safflower oil is superior to CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) for reducing 'belly' fat, as the CLA community unites to set the record straight on the science.

Cocoa may help control diabetes, claims mice study

13-Jun-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Research by Penn State University has found that mice fed cocoa have a reduced risk of obesity-related inflammation and type-2 diabetes.

First krill powder study shows potential for metabolic syndrome

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of krill powder may reduce the overactive endocannabinoid system in obese subjects, and offer potential for ameliorating metabolic syndrome, says a small study using Aker BioMarine’s new Superba Krill powder.

Science brief

Weight loss leads to significant gut microbiota changes

10-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Gastric bypass surgery can boost the richness of the gut microbiota and increase the number of associations between gut microbiota and genes in fat tissue, says a new study that deepens our understanding of how gut bacteria may influence weight.

The Lancet: 'Undernutrition cripples global economic growth and development'

07-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

Undernutrition causes the deaths of 3m children each year and retards developing world economic growth, commentators have said in The Lancet.

Special edition: Battling malnutrition

Food insecurity in America: Can you be obese and malnourished at the same time? You bet

24-May-2013 By Elaine WATSON

From 2000 to 2007, around 34-36m Americans were classified by the government as ‘food insecure’. In 2008, that figure shot up to 49m, where it has stayed, stubbornly, ever since. And almost 17m of them are children.

Multi-component supplement may boost weight loss, says new human study

17-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A multi-component supplement containing raspberry ketone, caffeine, capsaicin, garlic, ginger and bitter orange extracts may enhance body composition, and reduce hip and waist girth in overweight men and women, says a new study.

Probiotics again linked to fat and weight loss: RCT data

30-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 (LG2055) may help weight loss in people with obese tendencies, says a new study from Japan.

Vitamin E a ‘potential weapon’ against obesity related disease: Study

29-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of vitamin E could help to battle the symptoms of liver disease brought on by obesity, according to new research.

Grape intake may protect against MetS-related organ damage: Rat data

25-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consuming polyphenol-rich grapes may help protect against organ damage associated with the progression of metabolic syndrome, according to new research in rats.

Juice powder shows antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits for obese women

23-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Capsules containing a blend of fruit, berry, and vegetable juice powder may decrease markers of oxidative stress and inflammation in obese women, says a new study from Austria.

There’s no such thing as a ‘miracle food’ warn experts

03-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Researchers and global media should better consider the validity of single scientific studies that report on supposed ‘miracle foods’ in addition to considering that people do not eat foods or nutrients in isolation, warn researchers.

Special edition: New trends in weight management

Is 2013 the year that CLA breaks through in foods and beverages in the US?

27-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

After years of relative success in the supplement zone, and a couple of small scale food and beverage launches, 2013 promises to be a ‘breakthrough’ year for CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) in the US food & beverage sector.

Low-dose L-carnitine can yield weight loss (in motivated overweight individuals): Study

26-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

A daily dose of 500mg of L-carnitine coupled with motivation training can help weight loss in overweight individuals, according to a Lonza-sponsored pilot study.

InterHealth: Lowat herbal formulation may help shed 9 pounds in 8 weeks

20-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A novel herbal formulation called Lowat may increase levels of a satiety hormone by 17% and help consumers’ weight management efforts, says a new study.

FDA seizes supplements over sibutramine tainting, disease claims

16-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

FDA seized tainted dietary supplement products from a Florida company called Globe All Wellness, the agency said Friday.

Soy-based S-equol supplement shows heart health benefits for obese

08-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A newly developed fermented soy germ-based nutritional supplement delivering S-equol may boost heart health by reducing LDL cholesterol in overweight & obese people, says a new study.

Calcium plus vitamin D may slash body fat levels

10-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Adding calcium and vitamin D supplements to an energy-restricted diet may boost the loss of body fat, compared to the diet alone, says a new study.

Workout supplement takes high road with trio of branded ingredients

09-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

The latest offering in Reservage Organics’ Re-Body line of weight loss supplements has a sports positioning and seems to borrow a line from sports lore: Go big or go home.

Probiotics may help cut body fat levels: RCT data

14-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily probiotic yogurt consumption may improve energy metabolism and reduce body fat levels by up to 4%, say results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over clinical trial in Canada.

Resveratrol may not have heart health benefits, says study

31-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

The red wine compound resveratrol may not have the metabolic benefits that previous research has suggested it may possess, according to new research data.

Resveratrol study results don’t tell the whole story on benefits: Expert

31-Oct-2012 By Joseph C. Maroon, MD

A new study that concluded resveratrol does not have metabolic benefits in relatively healthy middle-aged women is "flawed" and "tells us very little about the benefits or non-benefits of resveratrol", says the chairman of GNC’s Medical...

Bean extracts show blood sugar management potential

29-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing extracts from beans (Phaseolus vulgaris) with a meal may improve glucose and insulin levels, according to results of a clinical trial from Indena.

Resveratrol supplements backed for vascular benefits: DSM study

22-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the red wine compound resveratrol could have ‘sustained’ benefits on cardiovascular functions and hold promise for cognitive functions, according to new research backed by DSM.

Polyphenol-rich apple juice shows obesity benefits

28-Sep-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A daily glass of cloudy apple juice may decrease body fat in obese people, compared to a control beverage, with greater effects noted in individuals with certain genetic profiles.

As America fattens, faulty claims still dog weight-management sector

21-Sep-2012 By Hank Schultz

A study released this week shows that the obesity crisis in the United States shows no sign of abating; in fact it’s getting worse. But sales of dietary supplements in the weight management category haven’t kept pace with the nation’s swelling waistlines. ...