The effects of Xanthigen in the weight management of obese premenopausal women with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease and normal liver fat

Diabetes Obes Metab. 2010 Jan;12(1):72-81. doi: 10.1111/j.1463-1326.2009.01132.x. Epub 2009 Oct 13.

Abstract

Aim: To investigate the effects of Xanthigen (brown marine algae fucoxanthin + pomegranate seed oil (PSO)) on body weight, body fat, liver lipids, and blood biochemistry; and Xanthigen and its individual components on resting energy expenditure (REE) in obese, non-diabetic female volunteers with non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and normal liver fat (NLF) content.

Methods: Sixteen-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Food record data, body composition, REE (only 41 volunteers with NAFLD) and blood sample analysis were assessed weekly for 16 weeks in 151 non-diabetic, obese premenopausal women with liver fat content above 11% (NAFLD) n = 113, and below 6.5% (NLF) n = 38.

Results: Xanthigen-600/2.4 mg (300 mg PSO + 300 mg brown seaweed extract containing 2.4 mg fucoxanthin) resulted in statistically significant reduction of body weight (5.5 +/- 1.4 kg NAFLD group and 4.9 +/- 1.2 kg NLF group, p < 0.05), waist circumference (NAFLD group only), body (3.5 +/- 1.9 kg NAFLD group, p < 0.001; 3.6 +/- 0.7 kg NLF group, p < 0.05) and liver fat content, liver enzymes (NAFLD group only), serum triglycerides and C-reactive protein. Weight loss and reduction in body and liver fat content occurred earlier in patients with NLF than in patients with NAFLD. Fucoxanthin (> 2.4 mg) and Xanthigen-400/1.6 mg (200 mg PSO + 200 mg brown seaweed extract containing 1.6 mg fucoxanthin) significantly increased REE in NAFLD subjects compared to placebo.

Conclusions: Xanthigen promoted weight loss, reduced body and liver fat content, and improved liver function tests in obese non-diabetic women. Xanthigen and Fucoxanthin also increased REE. This product may be considered a promising food supplement in the management of obesity.

Publication types

  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Anti-Obesity Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Body Mass Index
  • Body Weight
  • Double-Blind Method
  • Drug Combinations
  • Energy Metabolism / drug effects
  • Fatty Liver / drug therapy*
  • Fatty Liver / metabolism
  • Fatty Liver / physiopathology
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Obesity / drug therapy*
  • Obesity / metabolism
  • Obesity / physiopathology
  • Plant Oils / therapeutic use*
  • Premenopause
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Weight Loss / drug effects
  • Xanthophylls / therapeutic use*

Substances

  • Anti-Obesity Agents
  • Drug Combinations
  • Plant Oils
  • Xanthophylls
  • fucoxanthin