The effect of a novel viscous polysaccharide along with lifestyle changes on short-term weight loss and associated risk factors in overweight and obese adults: an observational retrospective clinical program analysis.
BACKGROUND
Viscous soluble dietary fiber has been demonstrated to reduce postprandial glycemia and may promote satiety. PolyGlycopleX (PGX) is a highly viscous polysaccharide manufactured by reacting glucomannan with other soluble polysaccharides using a proprietary process (EnviroSimplex). The resulting polysaccharide (alpha-D-glucurono-alpha-D-manno-beta-D-manno-beta-D-glucan, alpha-L-gulurono-beta-D-mannuronan, beta-D-gluco-beta-D-mannan, alpha-D-glucurono-alpha-D-manno-beta-D-manno-beta-D-gluco, alpha-L-gulurono-beta-D-mannurono, beta-D-gluco-beta-D-mannan) is a novel entity with the highest viscosity and water-holding capacity of currently known fibers.


METHODS
A total of 29 sedentary overweight or obese adults (23 women; six men), ages 20-65 with a body mass index (BMI) range of 25 kg/m(2) to 36 kg/m(2) participated in a clinical weight-loss program. PGX (5 g) was consumed with 500 mL water, 5-10 minutes before each meal, 2-3 times daily for 14 weeks.


RESULTS
Significant reductions were observed (p less than 0.05) in weight (-5.79 +/- 3.55 kg), waist circumference (-12.07 +/- 5.56 cm), and percentage body fat (-2.43 +/- 2.39 percent) compared to baseline values. In addition, subjects employing PGX had a significant reduction of 19.26 percent (n=17; p less than 0.05) and 25.51 percent (n=16; p less than 0.05) in total and LDL plasma cholesterol values, respectively, at the end of the study period.


CONCLUSIONS
The consumption of PGX in concert with lifestyle modifications may be a useful strategy for weight loss in overweight and obese individuals.
Lyon
Michael R
MR
Canadian Centre for Functional Medicine, Coquitlam, BC.
Reichert
Ronald G
RG
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001835:Body Weight; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008019:Life Style; D008297:Male; D008351:Mannans / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009765:Obesity / Q000178:diet therapy*; D011134:Polysaccharides / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014783:Viscosity; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult
D008351:Mannans; D011134:Polysaccharides; C022901:(1-6)-alpha-glucomannan