A nutraceutical product composed of a combination of Garcinia cambogia, l-carnitine and a seaweed extract of Ascophyllum nodosum has been recently developed. The aim of the present study was to characterize its effects on subjective satiety sensations and food preferences in healthy volunteers. In a crossover design, 28 subjects (21 females and 7 males, aged 31 ± 5, BMI 22.6 ± 1.7) were randomly assigned to receive the active treatment (LIS) or placebo (PL) over one week. At the end of each treatment period, subjects were instructed to consume ad libitum a test meal. Food preferences and appetite sensations were evaluated by means of the Leeds Food Preferences Questionnaire and visual analog scales, before and after meal, over three hours. There were no differences in energy intake between study groups. LIS was associated with a reduction in subjective hunger sensations (p = 0.018) and to an increase in satiety (p = 0.02) and fullness (p = 0.01) ratings. The preference for high fat foods was reduced after consuming the test meal in both study groups. There was a significant effect of LIS treatment on food explicit liking and implicit wanting, as evidenced by an increase in preference for sweet foods (relative to savory foods; p = 0.03 and p = 0.004, respectively), but no differences were observed regarding the preference for low or high fat foods (NS). These results provide proof of principle for the satiating properties of a nutraceutical containing Garcinia cambogia, Ascophyllum nodosum extract and l-carnitine and suggest that it might be useful as an appetite modulator.

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Different studies have assessed the influence of chewing gum to aid control of appetite and reduce food intake.Purpose: The aims of the present study were to evaluate the effects of chewing gum on satiety, food hedonics and snack intake, and to explore the potential effects of the combination of Garcinia Cambogia, green coffee extract and L-carnitine on satiety, when administered in a gum format.Methods: This was a prospective study in which fifty seven subjects randomly received three kinds of treatments, in a cross-over design: 1) active gum; 2) placebo gum; and 3) no gum. Food preferences and appetite sensations were evaluated by means of the Leeds Food Preference Questionnaire and visual analog scales. Results: There was a significant reduction in low fat sweet snack intake with placebo gum and the active gum compared to no gum, and a reduction in high fat sweet snack intake with the active gum compared to placebo gum and no gum. Total caloric intake was only reduced in the active gum condition. Both the active and placebo gum conditions significantly reduced hunger and prospective food consumption and increased fullness compared to no gum, and were associated with a reduced wanting for sweet food in the LFPQ, consistent in a reduction in the relative preference for sweet snacks vs. savoury snacks.Conclusion: This study supports the notion that chewing gum containing nutraceutical products might aid in the control over snack intake and reduce hunger sensations.3

Introduction:The increased prevalence of sleepdisordered breathing (SDB) and its association with obesity and hypertension (HTN) have not been thoroughly explored in adolescents. The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence of SDB and snoring in this population and analyze its association with obesity and HTN. Population and methods: This was a descriptive, cross-sectional study in a sample of adolescents. Weight, height, waist and neck circumference, and blood pressure were measured, and the Pediatric Sleep Questionnaire (PSQ) was administered. Results: A total of 826 adolescents participated, 58 (7 %) had SDB (males: 5.8 %; females: 8 %), and 80 (9.7 %) were considered snorers (males: 10.4 %; females: 9.1 %). Overweight and obesity were detected in 216 (26.2 %) and 149 (18 %) participants, respectively. A higher proportion of subjects with obesity had SDB compared to those who were not obese (12.8 % versus 5.8 %; p = 0.004). The same association was observed with snoring (18.2 % versus 7.8 %; p < 0.001). Also, 24.6 % slept less than 8 hours a day and 12.6 % had values compatible with HTN, with a significant association with obesity and sleep hours. Conclusion:A high prevalence of SDB and snoring was observed in adolescents, together with an association with obesity and HTN, which highlights the relevance of addressing this problem in an early manner in order to prevent complications.