Potato extract shows satiety benefits for healthy women: Slendesta data
The benefits of the ingredient are reported to be related to the proteinase inhibitor II (PI2), a protein naturally found in white potatoes. The ingredient, when taken in the form of a tablet or capsule, one hour before taking a main meal, is said to enhance the body's own release of cholecystotinin (CCK), an appetite-suppressing hormone that works by delaying the emptying of the stomach (gastric emptying) and thereby promoting the feeling of fullness.
New data, published in Food & Function, supports such claims with a 15 mg dose of the ingredient also associated with significantly higher postprandial fullness in healthy women.
“Results from the study revealed that consumption of potato PI2 at the examined doses [15 and 30 mg] was well tolerated, suppressed subjective appetite in a dose-dependent manner, and increased plasma concentrations of cholecystokinin,” wrote the researchers.
Slendesta – building the science
Kemin launched Slendesta in 2006, at a time when the market was interested in weight loss claims, explained Emily Pankow, PhD, technical services manager active wellness for Kemin Human Nutrition & Health, and many of the early studies were focused on weight loss as the primary outcome.
Over time, consumer awareness has increased around satiety and its role in weight management and maintaining a controlled diet, said Dr Pankow. “We wanted to have data that provided additional support for those claims,” she said. “As the article indicates, the aim was to collect data on the acute satiety benefits of Slendesta and provide additional evidence to support the efficacious dose and mode of action.”
“In addition to providing support for satiety claims there are other aspects of this study that complement the existing evidence with regard to dose size and subject population,” said Dr Pankow. “Early studies of protease inhibitor II (PI2) showing increased satiety used very high doses between 1,000 mg and 1,500 mg of PI2. In the late 1990's a few studies were conducted that elucidated efficacy at lower doses, which Kemin used in the weight loss studies, but we had not done a study with the primary outcome of satiety at these lower doses (15 and 30 mg PI2).
“Another key compliment of this study is that the subject population used in this study included healthy women who were both normal weight and overweight. Most of our previous research with Slendesta was conducted on healthy, overweight adults with BMIs > 25 kg/m2. This is valuable because we were able to support the acute satiety benefits of Slendesta in a range of healthy normal weight and overweight women who might be looking for efficacious weight management ingredients at the consumer level.”
Study details
At least 22 different products formulated with Slendesta are available in the US market with more in development, said Dr Pankow. These products are available through a variety of market channels including multilevel marketing, internet and natural retailers.
Led by Kemin’s Dr Yong Zhu, the researchers recruited 44 healthy women to participate in their randomized double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over trial. After an overnight fast, the women were randomly assigned to receive a single dose of the potato extract at 15 or 30 mg PI2 or placebo. One hour later all of the women consumed a standard breakfast (390 kcal).
The results showed that, compared with the placebo, both doses of the potato extract produced significantly lower postprandial hunger ratings, as well as a lower desire to eat, and prospective consumption. Postprandial fullness was significantly increased, added the researchers.
The 15 mg dose of PI2 also produced significantly higher postprandial levels of cholecystokinin, compared to placebo, said the researchers. No significant effect were observed for insulin and glucose.
Dr Pankow confirmed that Kemin continues to explore new research and partnerships with other researchers and/or customers in areas that can expand our understanding of the science behind Slendesta, but no large clinical studies scheduled this year.
“Slendesta already has 11 Kemin-sponsored studies supporting its claims on satiety and weight loss,” she noted.
Source: Food & Function
2017, 8, 1988
“Potato protease inhibitor II suppresses postprandial appetite in healthy women: a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial”
Authors: Y. Zhu, J.A. Lasrado, J. Hu
