Global life sciences company, OptiBiotix Health PLC (‘OptiBiotix’) has unveiled innovative new research into how a scientific approach to weight loss could help reduce obesity-related outcomes and an increased risk of serious illness.

Independent research, conducted by the University of Roehampton, has discovered that the company’s patented and multi-award-winning weight management ingredient, SlimBiome^®, has a positive impact on the gut microbiome. The academic study highlighted that the formulation, comprising of glucomannan, oligofructose and chromium, can be used as part of a calorie-controlled diet to reduce body weight, body fat, waist and hip circumference, as well as cravings for sweet and savoury foods in obese female adults.

Dr Adele Costabile, Reader in Nutrition and Life Sciences at the University of Roehampton, commented: “There is now growing evidence that suggests excess weight can increase the risk of serious illness, ICU admission and death from COVID-19, as reported by Public Health England and other international bodies. With positive coronavirus cases surging globally, it’s now more important than ever to tackle the obesity epidemic.”

The study, which was piloted with 12 obese and overweight women aged between 18-65 years, explored the effect SlimBiome had on weight loss, satiety, mood and gut microbiota. After following a 1,500-calorie restricted diet plan using a range of nutritionally diverse foods, including the company’s consumer GoFigure^® meal replacement shakes and flapjacks, the results showed that SlimBiome is an effective means of supporting consumer weight loss goals.

Dr Sofia Kolida, R&D Director at OptiBiotix, added: “When consumers rely on willpower alone, they are less likely to maintain their weight loss goals and return to former eating habits. Our four-week pilot human intervention study demonstrated that the science behind SlimBiome helps consumers change their eating behaviour by controlling their hunger and food cravings, leading to an improvement in mood and a more achievable and sustainable approach to weight loss. Essentially, it helps them to help themselves.

“The results demonstrated that taking SlimBiome for four weeks led to significantly reduced body weight (average 1.9kg), BMI, body fat percentage, waist and hip circumference, and systolic blood pressure. In addition, participants showed a reduction in sweet cravings, a statistically significant reduction in savoury cravings, and statistically significant positive impact on mood and gut microbiome composition.”

Backed by strong science and demonstrated efficacy, the award-winning SlimBiome can be easily added to a range of applications including shakes, snack bars, dairy products and supplements. By using a tri-mechanism approach, the ingredient stimulates the growth of healthy bacteria and helps to regulate the body’s insulin response, further supporting the effective metabolic breakdown of carbohydrates and fats.

Dr Frederic Narbel, Managing Director of the Prebiotic Division at OptiBiotix, commented: “For our global partners, the results continue to support that SlimBiome^® offers a scientifically developed and clinically tested approach to help tackle the growing global obesity epidemic. With its versatile nature and demonstrated efficacy backed by strong science, the nutritional blend helps consumers across the world adopt a healthier lifestyle, reducing their potential risk of serious illness amidst the COVID-19 pandemic.”

Credit : https://optibiotix.com/