The extract comes from seaweed sourced off the coast of Brittany in France. It was launched in 2006 and can be used in the US, Europe and other countries, in supplements, functional foods and beverages. It is said to represent the full spectrum of seaweed’s nutritional components and is especially rich in iodine, which is thought to play a role in energetic metabolism, thermogenesis and fat reduction.
The new study, which was monocentric, randomized, placebo controlled in parallel double-blind in design, involved 60 overweight women who took 400mg of ID-alG a day for two months. It followed preliminary in vitro research which showed that the extract could inhibit lipase and amylase, two digestive enzymes, by more than 50 per cent.
NutraIngredients-USA.com has not seen the full methodology or findings. A company spokesperson said there are plans to publish in a scientific journal.
But for now the company says the study “confirms” the weight management properties of its ingredient. “By decreasing fat and carb assimilation, ID-alG helps to control caloric intake, reducing thus body weight and fat storage, without any side effects,” it says.
Results
According to the company, the weight loss of the women taking the algae extract was seen to be 2.8kg on average, compared to +0.9kg for those taking the placebo.
Fat mass reduction is said to be around 3kg compared to +0.94kg, and shrinkages in thigh and buttock size were observed.
When the women were asked about their satisfaction, some 76 per cent of those in the ID-alG group said they would like to buy the product and carry on using it, compared to just 49 per cent in the placebo group.