ProAlgaZyme Supplement Found to Reduce Body Weight, Blood Glucose Levels in Clinical Trial

Tuesday, April 08, 2008 by: David Gutierrez, staff writer
Tags: weight loss, metabolic syndrome, health news

(NewsTarget) A proprietary supplement derived from freshwater algae may help stave off metabolic syndrome, a cluster of symptoms linked to cardiovascular disease and diabetes, according to a study published in the journal Lipids in Health and Disease.

The symptoms of metabolic syndrome include central obesity, low HDL ("good") cholesterol levels, elevated triglyceride and uric acid levels, high blood pressure and high fasting blood sugar levels.

Researchers tested the effects of ProAlgaZyme, a proprietary product of Health Enhancement Products, Inc., on 52 people between the ages of 25 and 60. All participants were overweight or obese.

Participants were given four 1-ounce oral doses of either ProAlgaZyme or a placebo daily. The participants were randomly assigned to either the intervention or placebo group, and neither they nor the researchers knew who was in which group until the study was completed. All participants had a variety of health markers tested at the beginning of the study and after four, eight and 10 weeks. They were encouraged to maintain the same level of physical activity as before they had entered the study.

At the end of the study, participants who had taken ProAlgaZyme showed significant reductions in weight and body fat, as well as levels of LDL ("bad") and total cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and fasting blood sugar levels. The participants in this group also showed significantly higher HDL cholesterol levels. No side effects were observed from the supplement.

ProAlgaZyme is made from an infusion of freshwater algae, and prior studies have found it to be well-tolerated by the body. Animal studies have suggested that it has low toxicity even in high doses.

The researchers concluded that consuming 4 fluid ounces of ProAlgaZyme per day significantly reduced the indicators of metabolic syndrome, leading to overall improved cardiovascular health and a reduced risk of diabetes.