Anti‐obesity and anti‐atherogenesis effect of Chungkookjang supplementation in overweight/obese Korean subjects: A randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial

Abstract

To investigated the effects of Chungkookjang (CKJ) supplementation on anti‐obesity and anti‐atherogenesis in overweight/obese subjects. This study was a 12‐week, randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled clinical trial followed by a 3 week screening period. Overweight/obese subjects [both BMI = 23 kg/m2 and WHR = 0.90(men), WHR = 0.85(women)] who were not diagnosed with diseases were included in this study and sixty subjects (38.68 ± 1.47 years, 72.2 ± 1.47 kg) and were randomly divided to a placebo (n=30) or a supplement group (n=30, CKJ 26g/day). We measured anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computerized tomography and blood components before and after the 12 week intervention period. Fifty‐five subjects (29 CKJ group, 26 Placebo group) finished the study. After the 12 weeks of supplementation, subjects in the CKJ supplemented group showed a significant improvement in lean body mass (p<0.035) and Apo B(p<0.027) compared with placebo group. Visceral fat areas (p<0.013) by CT scans and fructosamine (p<0.02) concentrations were significantly reduced in the CKJ group after the 12 weeks, but there was no significant differences between placebo and CKJ group. The results suggested CKJ supplementation that potential anti‐obesity and anti‐atherogenesis benefits might be more pronounced when combined with lifestyle modification.