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 (R) (PGX (R)) is a highly viscous polysaccharide manufactured by reacting glucomannan with other soluble polysaccharides using a proprietary process (EnviroSimplex (R)). 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. MATERIALS & 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<0.05) in weight (-5.79 +/- 3.55 kg), waist circumference (-12.07 +/- 5.56 cm), and percentage body fat (-2.43 +/- 2.39%) compared to baseline values. In addition, subjects employing PGX had a significant reduction of 19.26 percent (n=17; p<0.05) and 25.51 percent (n=16; p<0.05) in total and LDL plasma cholesterol values, respectively, at the end of the study period. CONCLUSION: The consumption of PGX in concert with lifestyle modifications may be a useful strategy for weight loss in overweight and obese individuals. (Altern Med Rev 2010;15(1):68-75)