Benicia, CA—Two published studies on a branded ingredient show much promise for overweight individuals. The herbal formulation studied combines Sphaeranthus indicus and Garcinia mangostana (Meratrim, from InterHealth Nutraceuticals, based here).

First up, the Journal of Medicinal Food published a study in which 100 obese individuals (BMI 30–40 kg/m2) took either 400 mg of the herbal blend or a placebo. All participants ate the same meals (2,000 calories/day) and walked for 30 minutes a day, five days a week. After two months, the herbal group had more reductions in body weight (average 11.5 pounds), BMI (about 2.2 kg/m2) and waist (4.7 inches)/hip (2.5 inches) circumference than the placebo group.

There were other promising changes, too, like reductions in fasting blood glucose (12.2%), total cholesterol (13.8%) and triglycerides (41.6%). Some of these results were evident after two weeks.

 In a separate study from Obesity, 60 participants (BMI 30–40) took part in a similar trial involving the same herbal blend or placebo, standard diet and exercise protocol. Again, after eight weeks, the herbal group had more reductions in body weight (8 pounds), BMI (1.61 kg/m2), and waist circumference (2.1 inches) than the placebo group.

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, September 2013 (online 7/2/13)