Effects ofChungkookjangSupplementation on Obesity and Atherosclerotic Indices in Overweight/Obese Subjects: A 12-Week, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

This study was designed to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-atherosclerotic effects of supplementation with Chungkookjang (CKJ), a traditional fermented soybean food, in overweight/obese subjects. The study was a 12-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial followed by a 3-week screening period. Overweight/obese subjects (both groups having a body mass index ≥23 kg/m(2) and waist hip ratio of ≥0.90 for men and ≥0.85 for women) who were not diagnosed with any disease were included in this study. Sixty subjects were randomly divided into a CKJ (n=30, 26 g/day) or placebo (n=30) group. During the 12-week intervention period, subjects were asked to maintain their usual diet and activity and not to take any functional foods or dietary supplements. Anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computerized tomography, and blood parameters (lipid profile, atherosclerotic indices) before and after the 12-week intervention period were measured. Fifty-five subjects (29 CKJ group, 26 placebo group) finished the study. After the 12 weeks of supplementation, subjects in the CKJ group showed a significant improvement in apolipoprotein B (P<.05) compared with the placebo group. Visceral fat areas by computerized tomography scans and apolipoprotein B/apolipoprotein A1 showed a tendency to decrease in the CKJ group, but there were no significant differences between the CKJ and placebo groups. These results suggested that CKJ supplementation has potential anti-atherosclerotic effects that might be more pronounced when combined with lifestyle modification.

Korean traditional Chungkookjang improves body composition, lipid profiles and atherogenic indices in overweight/obese subjects: a double-blind, randomized, crossover, placebo-controlled clinical trial

“…45 Also, the Apo B/Apo A1 ratio is a simple summary index of cardiovascular risk, 38,46 and a ratio X0.55 is indicative of a patient with an elevated risk of coronary artery disease. 47 In this study, Apo B/Apo A1 in both the placebo and Chungkookjang groups decreased. However, in the Chungkookjang group, Apo B/Apo A1 decreased below 0.55 for both men and women, and regular intake of Chungkookjang may help decrease the risks of coronary artery diseases and cardiovascular-related diseases.…”

Beneficial Effects of Korean Traditional Diets in Hypertensive and Type 2 Diabetic Patients

“…44,45 Fermented soy products are rich in aglycon forms of isoflavone, such as genistein and daidzein. Several investigators [46][47][48] have reported that genistein and daidzein stimulate b-oxidation of fatty acids and thus decrease visceral adipose tissue, conversion of cholesterol to bile acid that can be excreted, and inhibition of de novo synthesis of cholesterol and progression of atherosclerosis by inhibiting tyrosine kinase activities. Capsaicin, which is rich in the red pepper paste called gochujang in the KTD, has also been reported to increase metabolic rate and reduce the accumulation of visceral fat.…”

Specific Oligopeptides in Fermented Soybean Extract Inhibit NF-κB-Dependent iNOS and Cytokine Induction by Toll-Like Receptor Ligands

“…29 The salt free status of fermented CHU makes it a health-promoting food because high-salt diets may increase the risk of cardiovascular and/or other inflammatory diseases (e.g., diabetes). [30][31][32] CHU has been shown to improve blood circulation and intestinal function, and has been used for the treatment of inflammatory skin disorders, hyperlipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. 32,33 Other fermented soybean products have beneficial effects on microbiota, adding value to their anti-inflammatory activity.…”