title: Licorice flavonoid oil reduces total body fat and visceral fat in overweight subjects: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.
abstract: CONCLUSIONS
  
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate effects of licorice flavonoid oil (LFO) on total body fat and visceral fat together with body weight, body mass index (BMI) and safety parameters in overweight subjects.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, moderately overweight participants (56 males, 28 females, BMI 24-30 kg/m(2)) were assigned to four groups receiving a daily dose of either 0 (placebo), 300, 600, or 900 mg of LFO. Total body fat mass was measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) and visceral fat area by abdominal computed tomography (CT) scan at baseline and after 8 weeks of LFO ingestion. Body weight, BMI, and blood samples were examined at baseline and after 4 and 8 weeks of LFO ingestion.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although caloric intake was similar in all four groups, total body fat mass decreased significantly in the three LFO groups after 8 weeks of ingestion. LFO (900 mg/day) resulted in significant decreases from baseline levels in visceral fat area, body weight, BMI, and LDL-cholesterol. No significant adverse effects were observed.
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Yuji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tominaga
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Kaku
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Nakagawa
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Tatsumasa
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Mae
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Mitsuaki
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kitano
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Shinichi
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yokota
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Toshihiro
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Arai
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan.
authors.forename: Hideyuki
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Ikematsu
authors.affiliation: Depertment of Clinical Nutrition, Kiryu University, Midori-City, Gumma, Japan. Electronic address:ishuji@kiryu-u.ac.jp.
authors.forename: Shuji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Inoue