Supplementation with Mix of Garcinia cambogia Extract, Yerba Mate Extract, and Guarana Extract Lowers Body Fat but has no Effects on High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol Level

Abstract

Background Obesity and being overweight have become modern health problems due to energy intake being higher than expenditure. The obesity epidemic refers to the worldwide increase in excess weight according to the World Health Organization (WHO). Objective In light of the pressing need to check the progression of obesity, this study attempted to determine the effect of an herbal formula tablet, which contains Garcinia cambogia extract, yerba mate extract, and guarana extract, on weight control. Design We enrolled 30 overweight or obese subjects and randomly assigned them to a control or an intervention group. Subjects were asked to take a placebo or an herbal formula tablet twice a day for 8 weeks. Both groups had five nutrition education courses, and regular anthropometric measurements were taken. At the end of the study, we analyzed blood lipid and glycemic parameters to determine whether the herbal formula tablet had reduced lipid and glucose levels. Results Results showed that the waist and hip circumferences, weight, and body fat were significantly reduced in both groups (p<0.05); basal metabolic rates were simultaneously maintained, although there were no differences between the two groups. In addition, subjects in the intervention group had greater weight and body fat loss than did those in the control group (p<0.05). Blood analytic measurements showed that high-density lipoprotein cholesterol had significantly decreased in the control group (p<0.05). Conclusions In conclusion, the herbal formula tablet along with nutrition education can be helpful in weight control and maintaining the highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol level.