Abstract

Background: Fiber supplements added to a caloric diet have additional effects on weight reduction in overweight subjects. The aim of this study was to compare the effect of various commercial fiber supplements (glucomannan, guar gum and alginate) on weight reduction in healthy overweight subjects. Material/Methods: One hundred and seventy six men and women were included to receive either active fi ber substance or placebo in randomized placebo-controlled studies. The fi ber supplements consisted of the viscous fi bers glucomannan (Chrombalance[sup]®[/sup]), glucomannan and guar gum (Appe-Trim[sup]®[/sup]) and glucomannan, guar gum and alginat (Glucosahl).Results: All fi ber supplements plus a balanced 1200 kcal diet induced signifi cantly weight reduction more than placebo and diet alone, during a fi ve week observation period. However, there were no signifi cant differences between the different fi bers in their ability to induce weight reduction, which was approximately 0.8 kg/week (3.8±0.9, 4.4±2.0, 4.1±0.6 in the Chrombalance, Appe-Trim[sup]®[/sup] and Glucosahl group, respectively).Conclusions: Glucomannan induced body weight reduction in healthy overweight subjects, whereas the addition of guar gum and alginate did not seem to cause additional loss of weight.

Keywords: Alginates - therapeutic use, Dietary Fiber - therapeutic use, Galactans - therapeutic use, Glucuronic Acid - therapeutic use, Hexuronic Acids - therapeutic use, Mannans - therapeutic use, Weight Loss - drug effects, Alginates - therapeutic use, Dietary Fiber - therapeutic use, Galactans - therapeutic use, Glucuronic Acid - therapeutic use, Hexuronic Acids - therapeutic use, Mannans - therapeutic use, Obesity - diet therapy, Plant Gums, Weight Loss - drug effects