Efficacy and safety of Gelidium elegans intake on bowel symptoms in obese adults

Abstract

Background/aims:Gelidium elegans (GE) is known to have antiobesity effects and beneficial effects on functional bowel symptoms in preclinical studies. The aim of this study was to determine the efficacy and safety of GE intake on bowel symptoms in obese human adults.Methods:This 12-week single-center randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study was performed from September 2016 to May 2017. Consecutive obese subjects were randomly assigned (1:1) to either GE (1 g) or placebo (1 g) once daily group for 12 weeks. Patients’ bowel symptoms were evaluated using the Bristol Stool Form Scale, Constipation Scoring System (CSS), and Patient Assessment of Constipation-Symptoms (PAC-SYM) questionnaire.Results:The stool symptom score of PAC-SYM significantly improved in the GE group compared with the placebo group after the 12-week treatment (P = .041). Abdominal discomfort score of CSS significantly decreased at 12 weeks compared to that at baseline in the GE group (P = .003), but not in the placebo group (P = .398). In addition, abdominal discomfort score of CSS slightly decreased in the GE group compared with the placebo group after the 12-week treatment (P = .060). However, stool consistency, total CSS score, and PAC-SYM score did not change significantly in both GE group and the placebo group over the 12-week treatment period.Conclusions:GE treatment for 12 weeks improved the stool symptom score on the PAC-SYM and abdominal discomfort score on the CSS in obese adults. However, further research is needed in large-scale human studies.

Anti-obesity effect of Neoagaro-oligosaccharides with overweight and obese subjects: a 16-week, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial

“…In a previous study, NAOs showed anti-obesity effects through gut microbiome modulation in obese rats [ 15 ]. Additionally, clinical studies conducted with extracts of G. elegans , a raw material for NAOs, showed improvement in stool symptom score on the PAC-SYM and abdominal discomfort scores [ 11 ]. Therefore, future research requires expanded clinical studies to evaluate the effects of NAOs on obesity and gut health.…”

“…Gelidium elegans (G. elegans) is an edible red algae native to Asia. It has been safely consumed for a long time [ 11 ]. Agar is a major component of the cell wall of red algae.…”

Sulfated Galactans from Agarophytes: Review of Extraction Methods, Structural Features, and Biological Activities

“…Obesity, one of the greatest health concerns, was recently proven to be associated with various gastrointestinal diseases and symptoms [121]. Various in vitro and in vivo models indicated the efficiency of SGs from Gracilaria spp.…”