Weight Loss Supplement Effective in Combination With Lifestyle Interventions

Polyglucosamine supplementation can effectively reduce weight, body mass index (BMI), and waist circumference in patients with obesity when combined with lifestyle interventions, according to research published in Nutrients.

Researchers conducted a meta-analysis of four randomized, placebo-controlled, clinical trials that involved 173 participants. Treatment duration varied from 12 weeks to one year across studies, and supplement dosages ranged from 800 mg/day to 850 mg twice daily. Additionally, participants consumed a protein- and fat/oil-rich diet in two of the studies.

In all four studies, polyglucosamine supplementation resulted in decreased body weight (average -1.78 kg [CI 95% -2.78, -.79 kg]), reductions in BMI (average -1.52 kg/m² [CI 95% -3.58, 0.54 kg/m²]), and reductions in waist circumference (average -1.45 cm [CI 95% -2.77, -0.12 cm]).

“A high waist circumference is known to be associated with elevated risk of diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, renal disease, and metabolic syndrome,” researchers noted. “Thus, reductions in the magnitude seen in our analysis are key for reducing the risk of chronic disease occurrence and/or disease progression.”

Articles were gathered from Google Scholar, Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus databases. Studies were included if they were conducted in 2008 or later, involved participants aged older than 18 years, and met Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis guidelines.

Study authors noted that the efficacy of polyglucosamine supplementation without lifestyle interventions has not yet been thoroughly investigated.

“Further studies are needed to examine the effects of polyglucosamine on metabolic parameters such as lipid profile, liver function profiles, glucose levels, and inflammatory markers,” researchers concluded. “Additionally, the use of polyglucosamine in specific disease states, such as mixed hyperlipidemia, type 2 diabetes mellitus, and fatty liver disease ought to be investigated.”

Reference:
Perna S, Basharat SNM, Ali KF, et al. Effect of polyglucosamine on weight loss and metabolic parameters in overweight and obesity: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Nutrients. 2020 Aug; 12(8):2365. doi:10.3390/nu12082365