Experiences with three different fiber supplements in weight reduction.
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.
Birketvedt
Grethe Støa
GS
Laboratory of Gastroenterology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway. gsb42nor@aol.com
Shimshi
Mona
M
Erling
Thom
T
Florholmen
Jon
J
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*
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