For many, body weight control proves to be a truly critical element in everyday life.
This is due to various factors as there are those who cannot do it for personal reasons, there are those who have difficulties which instead depend on the outside, such as rhythms imposed by work activities and finally we find a whole series of intermediate situations where personal characteristics and external factors contribute equally.
Regardless of the motivations, have help available that can support you in the transition period towards a more virtuous lifestyle or in any case by buffering what you are able to do due to external events.
Which nutraceutical substances can be useful in weight control?
There are many of which some may be of particular interest.
Fucoxanthin
A first nutraceutical resource is fucoxanthin, a natural pigment from the carotenoid family, responsible for the typical color of brown algae.
Its use in the treatment of overweight and obesity has been proposed with multiple mechanisms of action including mainly:
- Stimulation of the uncoupling proteins of the UCP-1 line which translates into an increase in calorie consumption which is particularly evident at the fat level.
- Suppression of the activity of the enzyme glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase, which manifests itself with a reduced capacity for differentiation and maturation of adipocytes, this factor seems to hinder the accumulation of fat in a very interesting way.
- Regulation of PPAR-γ activity, factor responsible for the expression of adipogenic genes.
Studies carried out on animal models have also correlated the intake of fucoxanthin to the reduction of glucose levels, a further potentially very useful effect in promoting a metabolic profile more favorable to weight loss.
White mulberry
Traditionally the fruit is used in oriental ethnic medicines in numerous preparations. From a nutritional point of view it shows interesting contents of micronutrients and above all of a large variety of polyphenols, probably responsible for the biological effects found. The ability of the white mulberry fruit extract to act with a double mechanism of action is particularly interesting:
- As a hypoglycemic thanks to the ability on the one hand to promote a reduction in insulin resistance and
- As an inhibitor of α-amylase and α-glucosidase. The inhibition of α-amylase and α-glucosidase is the basis of the ability of this extract to reduce the absorption of carbohydrates consumed in the diet.
Bean
Bean extract is traditionally used to promote body weight reduction for at least two potentially useful effects attributed to the presence of phaseolamine, a protein naturally produced in the plant:
- Appetite suppressant thanks to the ability of phaseolamine to act on cholecystokinin (a substance with hormonal action with anorectic function)
- Inhibition of the action of α-glucoxidases, reducing the body’s ability to obtain and therefore use carbohydrates from ingested foods.
Several studies in the scientific literature report interesting data in support of the use of this nutraceutical tool, where in general, in addition to a reduction in weight, a reduction in anthropometric parameters mainly examined after just 30 days of treatment is also reported.
A rational and balanced use of these nutraceutical resources can prove to be an extremely interesting tool in supporting a weight reduction program, supporting the transition towards an increasingly virtuous lifestyle.
Read also: From nature the solution for body weight balance
Bibliography:
- 1) A E Jeukendrup, R Randell: Fat Burners: Nutrition Supplements That Increase Fat Metabolism. Obes Rev, 12 (10), 841-51 Oct 2011
- 2)Hayato Maeda, Shogo Kanno… Kazuo Miyashita: Fucoxanthinol, Metabolite of Fucoxanthin, Improves Obesity-Induced Inflammation in Adipocyte Cells. Mar Drugs, 13 (8), 4799-813 2015 Aug 4.
- 3) Qingxia Yuan, Longyan Zhao: The Mulberry (Morus Alba L.) Fruit-A Review of Characteristic Components and Health Benefits. J Agric Food Chem, 65 (48), 10383-10394 2017 Dec 6.
- 4) Sirichai Adisakwattana, Thanyachanok Ruengsamran… Weerachat Sompong In Vitro Inhibitory Effects of Plant-Based Foods and Their Combinations on Intestinal α-Glucosidase and Pancreatic α-Amylase BMC Complement Altern Med, 12, 110 2012 Jul 31. (the graphs come from this article).
- 5) Jay Udani, Ollie Tan, Jhanna Molina: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of a Proprietary Alpha-Amylase Inhibitor From White Bean ( Phaseolus vulgaris L.) on Weight and Fat Loss in Humans. Foods, 7 (4) 2018 Apr 20.
- 6) Leonardo Celleno, Maria Vittoria Tolaini… Harry G Preuss :A Dietary Supplement Containing Standardized Phaseolus Vulgaris Extract Influences Body Composition of Overweight Men and Women. Int J Med Sci, 4 (1), 45-52 2007 Jan 24.
