THE EFFECT OF COMMERCIAL THERMOGENIC WEIGHT LOSS SUPPLEMENT ON BODY COMPOSITION AND ENERGY EXPENDITURE IN OBESE ADULTS

Abstract

W. JEFFREY ARMSTRONG, PATRICK JOHNSON AND SIMONE DUHME. The Effect Of Commercial Thermogenic Weight Loss Supplement On Body Composition And Energy Expenditure In Obese Adults. JEPonline. 2001;4(2):28-34. The purpose was to determine the effects of an herbal preparation containing ma huang, bitter orange and guarana on resting energy expenditure (REE), blood chemistries, and body composition in obese adults. Five males and 15 females (age=31 ± �6.6 yr, height=168.1 ± � �8.4 cm, weight=93.4 ±�17.1 kg, %fat=43.8 ±�6.5%) were matched, randomly assigned to either the supplement (N=12) or placebo (N=8) group, and participated in a 44 d aerobic exercise program (3 d/wk). REE was determined by open-circuit spirometry, and serum samples were analyzed for glucose, cholesterol, triglycerides, HDL, and LDL. Changes in body mass (BM), %fat, fat mass (FM), and fat-free mass (FFM) were determined using DEXA. Due to limited compliance, pre- and post-treatment diet recalls were analyzed for only 14 subjects (supplement=9, placebo=5). Analysis included doubly MANOVA repeated measures (diet recalls and blood chemistries) and independent t-tests (REE and body composition) at a<0.05. The only significant difference was in FM (p=0.033). When a more liberal alpha (a<0.10) is considered, %fat and BM were significant (p=0.096 and 0.087). The supplement, thus, may result in reductions in FM, %fat and BM, but has little effect on energy expenditure, diet or blood chemistries following a six-week period of supplementation and training.