Research

The effects of ProAlgaZyme novel algae infusion on metabolic syndrome and markers of cardiovascular health

Julius Oben¹ , Ebangha Enonchong¹ , Dieudonne Kuate¹ , Dora Mbanya³ , Tiffany C Thomas² , DeWall J Hildreth² , Thomas D Ingolia² and Michael S Tempesta²

¹  Laboratory of Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry, Department of Biochemistry, BP 812, University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé, Cameroon

²  Health Enhancement Products, Inc. 7740 East Evans Road, Scottsdale, AZ USA

³  Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Yaoundé I, Cameroon

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Lipids in Health and Disease 2007, 6:20doi:10.1186/1476-511X-6-20

Published:	5 September 2007

Abstract

Background

Metabolic Syndrome, or Syndrome X, is characterized by a set of metabolic and lipid imbalances that greatly increases the risk of developing diabetes and cardiovascular disease. The syndrome is highly prevalent in the United States and worldwide, and treatments are in high demand. ProAlgaZyme, a novel and proprietary freshwater algae infusion in purified water, has been the subject of several animal studies and has demonstrated low toxicity even with chronic administration at elevated doses. The infusion has been used historically for the treatment of several inflammatory and immune disorders in humans and is considered well-tolerated. Here, the infusion is evaluated for its effects on the cardiovascular risk factors present in metabolic syndrome in a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study involving 60 overweight and obese persons, ages 25–60. All participants received four daily oral doses (1 fl oz) of ProAlgaZyme (N = 22) or water placebo (N = 30) for a total of 10 weeks, and were encouraged to maintain their normal levels of physical activity. Blood sampling and anthropometric measurements were taken at the beginning of the study period and after 4, 8 and 10 weeks of treatment. Eight participants did not complete the study.

Results

ProAlgaZyme brought about statistically significant (p < 0.001) reductions in the following: weight, body fat, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, C-reactive protein and fasting blood glucose levels, accompanied by a significant (p < 0.001) increase in HDL-cholesterol levels over the 10-week study period. The infusion was well-tolerated and no side effects were noted.

Conclusion

ProAlgaZyme (4 fl oz daily) consumption resulted in significant reductions in weight and blood glucose levels, while significantly improving serum lipid profiles and reducing markers of inflammation, thus improving cardiovascular risk factors in overweight and obese subjects over a course of 10 weeks with an absence of adverse side effects.

Trial Registration

US ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00489333