The Impact of Glucomannan, Inulin, and Psyllium Supplementation (SolowaysTM) on Weight Loss in Adults with FTO, LEP, LEPR, and MC4R Polymorphisms: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial
What this study found
The fiber supplement produced greater weight loss and better body composition outcomes than placebo, with larger responses in homozygous minor allele carriers. From baseline to day 180, weight change was -7.3% with active treatment versus -2.4% with placebo, and absolute weight loss was -6.5 kg versus -2.2 kg (both p < 0.01); 59.2% reached at least 5% weight loss versus 26.5% with placebo, and 21.1% reached at least 10% versus 8.8% with placebo. BMI fell by -2.2 kg/m2 versus -0.8 kg/m2, fat mass by -19.4% versus -6.4%, and visceral fat rating by -1.9 versus -0.6, all favoring the supplement…
- Study & population
- Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in adults with obesity carrying at least one minor allele in FTO, LEP, LEPR, or MC4R.
- Intervention
- Participants in the active group received an oral fiber powder taken three times daily, one bag 30 minutes before breakfast, lunch, and dinner, for 180 days.
- Key limitation
- The trial was relatively short at 180 days and involved a genetically selected obesity population, which limits generalizability.
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Open PDFOriginal abstract
This study aimed to determine the impact of a fiber supplement on body weight and composition in individuals with obesity with specific genetic polymorphisms. It involved 112 adults with obesity, each with at least one minor allele in the FTO, LEP, LEPR, or MC4R polymorphism. Participants were randomized to receive either a fiber supplement (glucomannan, inulin, and psyllium) or a placebo for 180 days. The experimental group showed significant reductions in body weight (treatment difference: −4.9%; 95% CI: −6.9% to −2.9%; p < 0.01) and BMI (treatment difference: −1.4 kg/m2; 95% CI: −1.7 to −1.2; p < 0.01) compared to placebo. Further significant decreases in fat mass (treatment difference: −13.0%; 95% CI: −14.4 to −11.7; p < 0.01) and visceral fat rating (treatment difference: −1.3; 95% CI: −1.6 to −1.0; p < 0.01) were noted. Homozygous minor allele carriers experienced greater decreases in body weight (treatment difference: −3.2%; 95% CI: −4.9% to −1.6%; p < 0.01) and BMI (treatment difference: −1.2 kg/m2; 95% CI: −2.0 to −0.4; p < 0.01) compared to heterozygous allele carriers. These carriers also had a more significant reduction in fat mass (treatment difference: −9.8%; 95% CI: −10.6 to −9.1; p < 0.01) and visceral fat rating (treatment difference: −0.9; 95% CI: −1.3 to −0.5; p < 0.01). A high incidence of gastrointestinal events was reported in the experimental group (74.6%), unlike the placebo group, which reported no side effects. Dietary supplementation with glucomannan, inulin, and psyllium effectively promotes weight loss and improves body composition in individuals with obesity, particularly those with specific genetic polymorphisms.