title: Experiences with three different fiber supplements in weight reduction.
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.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventy six men and women were included to receive either active fiber substance or placebo in randomized placebo-controlled studies. The fiber supplements consisted of the viscous fibers glucomannan (Chrombalance), glucomannan and guar gum (Appe-Trim) and glucomannan, guar gum and alginat (Glucosahl).
  
  
  RESULTS
  All fiber supplements plus a balanced 1200 kcal diet induced significantly weight reduction more than placebo and diet alone, during a five week observation period. However, there were no significant differences between the different fibers 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 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.
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. gsb42nor@aol.com
authors.forename: Grethe Støa
authors.initials: GS
authors.lastname: Birketvedt
authors.forename: Mona
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Shimshi
authors.forename: Thom
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Erling
authors.forename: Jon
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Florholmen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000464:Alginates / Q000627:therapeutic use; D004043:Dietary Fiber / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005685:Galactans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D020723:Glucuronic Acid / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006603:Hexuronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D053149:Plant Gums; D015431:Weight Loss / Q000187:drug effects*
chemical_list: D000464:Alginates; D004043:Dietary Fiber; D005685:Galactans; D006603:Hexuronic Acids; D008351:Mannans; D053149:Plant Gums; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan; D020723:Glucuronic Acid; C007894:guar gum