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.