Purpose : This study examined the effects of a combined diet/exercise/supplement regimen on weight loss and metabolic parameters.

 

Methods : 32 moderately overweight men and women were recruited to participate in a 12-week program of stress management, nutrition intervention, exercise, and Citricoma supplementation. Subjects followed a moderate calorie-restricted diet based on resting metabolic rate (RMR), plus a moderate exercise program (5 d/wk including aerobic & strength training), stress management techniques (daily) and 200mg of Citricoma supplement (daily) intended to reduce stress and increase energy levels.

 

Participants met weekly for group educational seminars

– Stress management - yoga, guided imagery, deep breathing, etc.

– Exercise - customized by CPT - 5d/wk (3 aerobic/2 strength)

– Nutrition - based on RMR for no more than 500 kcal/d deficit

– Supplementation – 200mg Citricoma (Proprietary blend of Citrus polymethoxylated flavonoids and Eurycoma longifolia extract)

– Evaluation - identification of stressful events and interventions

We measured body weight (BW), RMR, body fat (BF by BIA and skinfold), cortisol and testosterone (C and T by salivary enzyme immunoassay), total cholesterol (TC), LDL, HDL, glucose (G), triglycerides (TG), and global mood state (MOOD by Profile of Mood States) before and after the 12-week lifestyle intervention.

 

Results : Twenty-nine subjects completed the program (91% completion rate), suggesting that the program was easy to follow and not overly restrictive. Results show that the overall lifestyle program led to significant changes in Body Weight & Body Fat. Participants lost an average of ½ pound Body Weight loss per week. The Body Fat loss of ½ pound per week (2% drop in BF% - indicating 100% fat loss in this group of moderately overweight subjects).

In addition, body composition test revealed that Citricoma supplementation with SENSE lifestyle program help to reduce fat mass significantly (-2.4kg). There were no significant change in lean mass or resting metabolic rate.

 

 

Supplementation with Citricoma in conjunction with SENSE lifestyle program helps participants to manage stress level. We have seen stress reduce by 14%. Global Mood State Score also improved by 22% indicating reduction in tension by 27%, reduction in depression by 52%, reduction in Anger by 42%, increased in vigor by 27%, reduction in fatigue by 48%, and reduction in confusion by 14%.

 

 

Cortisol level is at normal range level the entire 12 weeks period indicating the modulation of cortisol according to the body’s need. There is also possible no change in systemic levels due to HSD control in adipose tissue. Testosterone level is elevated to high normal level (+14%), which may contribute to increased vigor and reduced fatigue level. These results suggest that supplementation with Citricoma may help to maintain normal levels of cortisol (low) and testosterone (high) and thus promote an overall “anabolic” hormonal state (versus a “catabolic” state characterized by elevated cortisol and suppressed testosterone) during the SENSE weight loss program.

Supplementation with Citricoma help reduce total cholesterol by 16% and LDL by 20%. There are no change in HDL, Glucose, and Triglycerides level.

 

 

Conclusions : These data indicate that a weight loss dietary regimen in conjunction with aerobic and resistance exercise and a daily Citricoma supplement prevents the expected decline in fat-free mass and resting metabolic rate – and results in favorable changes in body composition, metabolic hormones, mood, and cardiovascular parameters. The low attrition rate suggests that effective weight loss and lifestyle regimens need not be overly restrictive, and thus, may be expected to result in superior long-term adherence and, possibly, better maintenance of weight loss.