Daily consumption of prebiotic oligofructose may lead to
weight loss by suppressing levels of hormones linked to hunger,
says a new study from Canada.
Overweight and obese adults receiving supplements of oligofructose
lost an average of one kilogram over 12 weeks, compared to
a general increase in weight in the placebo group of almost
half a kilo, according to results of a randomised, double-blind,
placebo-controlled trial published in the American Journal
of Clinical Nutrition.
Jill Parnell and Raylene Reimer from the University of Calgary
report that the prebiotic fibres were associated with lower
levels of the hunger hormone ghrelin, and higher levels of
a hormone in the gut, peptide YY (PYY), linked to increased
feelings of fullness (satiety).
“Independent of other lifestyle changes, oligofructose
supplementation has the potential to promote weight loss and
improve glucose regulation in overweight adults,” wrote
the researchers.
As obesity levels continue to rise around the globe, the
study of food components for weight management is gaining
momentum. Several studies have reported that daily supplement
of prebiotic inulin and oligofructose may help in the maintenance
of an appropriate body weight and BMI.
Indeed, a study, published in the Journal of Pediatrics (Sept.
2007, Vol. 151, pp. 293-298), reported that the prebiotics
supplements of inulin/oligofructose (eight grams, BeneoSynergy1,
Orafti) resulted in a much lower increment in BMI over the
one year, compared to the control group. Body weight and body
fat mass were also significantly lower in the prebiotic group,
compared to the controls.
The new study, funded by the Canadian Institutes of Health
Research and the University of Calgary, used Beneo Orafti’s
Orafti P95 (formerly Raftilose 95).
Study Details
Parnell and Reimer recruited 48 overweight and obese, but
otherwise healthy, adults and randomly assigned then to receive
daily supplements of oligofructose (21 grams) or placebo (maltodextrin)
for 12 weeks.
At the end of the study, people in the oligofructose lost
on average 1.03 kg of body weight, while people in the placebo
group gained an average of 0.45 kg.
While levels of ghrelin were suppressed by the prebiotic
supplements, and PPY levels increased, no effects were observed
on the satiety hormone glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1).
Furthermore, the oligofructose group reported a reduction
in self-reported caloric intake, in addition to decreased
levels of glucose and a mirroring effect on insulin concentrations.
No adverse events were reported, showing that the ingredient
was well tolerated.
Source: American Journal of Clinical Nutrition
