Daily intake of

Area of Science:

• Human Nutrition
• Pharmacology
• Obesity Research

Background:

• Obesity is a global health concern with significant implications.
• Kaempferia parviflora extract (KPE) has demonstrated anti-obesity effects in animal studies.
• Limited clinical data exists on KPE's efficacy in humans for weight management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of Kaempferia parviflora extract (KPE) in reducing abdominal fat in Japanese adults.
• To assess the impact of KPE on visceral, subcutaneous, and total fat areas.
• To investigate the safety profile of KPE supplementation.

Main Methods:

• A 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial involving 76 overweight/preobese Japanese subjects (BMI 24-30 kg/m²).
• Participants ingested 150 mg of KPE or a placebo daily.
• Primary outcome: reduction in visceral fat area measured by CT scan; secondary outcomes: changes in subcutaneous and total fat areas, and triglyceride levels.

Main Results:

• The KPE group showed significant reductions in visceral, subcutaneous, and total abdominal fat areas compared to the placebo group.
• Significant decreases in serum triglyceride levels were observed in the KPE group.
• Subgroup analysis in healthy subjects also revealed significant reductions in abdominal fat and triglycerides.
• KPE supplementation was well-tolerated, with no adverse events or clinically relevant abnormal changes reported.

Conclusions:

• Daily KPE supplementation is safe and effective for reducing body fat, especially abdominal fat, in overweight and preobese Japanese individuals.
• KPE shows potential as a natural intervention for managing obesity and associated metabolic parameters.