Anti-obesity effect of Neoagaro-oligosaccharides with overweight and obese subjects: a 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Background This trial aimed to evaluate the anti-obesity effects and safety of Neoagaro-oligosaccharides (NAOs) in humans in a 16 week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.Methods One hundred overweight or obese subjects with a body mass index of 23 to 34.9 kg/m(2) and a percent body fat of > 25% for males or > 30% for females were enrolled. NAOs or placebo products were administered at 3 g (twice a day, four capsules once) each for 16 weeks. Efficacy and safety biomarkers were measured before and after intervention.Results After 16 weeks of intervention, the group administered with NAOs had statistically significant decreases in visceral fat area and visceral-subcutaneous fat area ratio compared to the placebo group. The NAOs group suppressed the increase in weight and BMI compared to the placebo group, which was significant between groups. High-density lipoprotein- cholesterol was increased in the group administered with NAOs, which showed a significant trend compared to the placebo group. Clinical changes were not observed for any safety biomarkers.Conclusions These results suggest that NAOs have a beneficial effect on obesity. Thus, NAOs could be used as an anti-obesity supplement without side effects.

Automated summary

This study found that the use of NAOs significantly reduces visceral fat area and the ratio of visceral-subcutaneous fat area. Compared to the placebo group, the NAOs group showed smaller increases in weight and BMI. Additionally, the NAOs group had an increase in high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol levels. No clinical changes were observed for any safety biomarkers.