New research supports fibre and mineral formulation to aid weight loss

  • Wednesday, February 17, 2021

A new study, published in the Journal of Functional Foods, suggests that taking a fibre and mineral formulation comprising of glucomannan, oligofructose and chromium alongside a calorie restricted diet may be beneficial in managing food cravings, improving mood and managing obesity related health outcomes.

Image - New research supports fibre and mineral formulation to aid weight loss

Glucomannan is a dietary fibre that expands in the stomach, creating the feeling of fullness, while chromium can regulate insulin response. Oligofructose is a non-digestible prebiotic fibre with well-established benefits on gut microbiota that may also have a role in regulating feelings of satisfaction after eating.

The four-week pilot study involved 12 females with a BMI of 25-35 kg/m2. They followed a 1,500-calorie restricted diet plan, which incorporated OptiBiotix Health PLC’s weight management product SlimBiome®, which contains glucomannan, oligofructose and chromium. The participants saw a significantly reduced body weight (average 1.9kg), BMI, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference, and blood pressure. They also recorded a reduction in sweet and savoury cravings, an improvement in mood, and a positive impact on gut microbiome composition. This suggests that this dietary combination, within an energy restricted diet may be beneficial in managing obesity related health outcomes.

Dr Adele Costabile, Reader in Nutrition and Life Sciences at the University of Roehampton, said “this study is particularly relevant to the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, where growing evidence suggests excess weight can increase the risk of serious illness if infected.”

You can view the paper here: https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464620303819

This research is part of an ongoing research project funded by OptiBiotix Health Plc.

The Department of Life Sciences at the University of Roehampton offers an outstanding undergraduate course in BSc Nutrition and Health, as well as postgraduate courses in MSc Clinical Nutrition and MRes in Nutrition and Metabolic Disorders.