Effects of a Dietary Supplement Containing Kurozu Concentrate on Body Fat and Energy Metabolism / 日本補完代替医療学会誌

ABSTRACT

<b>Objectives:</b> Kurozu has long been used as a traditional fermented food product mainly in East Asia, including Japan; various health functions of Kurozu have been reported. This study examined its effects on body fat and energy metabolism by a double-blind placebo-controlled trial.<br> <b>Methods:</b> Mildly obese adults took a dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate for 12 weeks with approximately 10 min of exercise every day.<br> <b>Results:</b> A decline in hip circumference was observed in the group consuming the dietary supplement containing Kurozu. It was shown that fat-derived energy consumption increased while suppressing carbohydrate-derived energy consumption. Therefore, it was revealed that energy was derived from the fat consumed, and a tendency to increase the energy consumption at the time of exercise was also observed. Furthermore, negative correlations were observed between the initial fat volume and both the variation of the total fat area and the variation of the subcutaneous fat area in the examination group. It was revealed that larger the amount of body fat, greater the effect of Kurozu in decreasing the amount of fat. In addition, no safety issues were observed 12 weeks after ingesting the dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate, and it was confirmed as a safe food product.<br> <b>Conclusion:</b> Appropriate exercise and intake of the dietary supplement containing Kurozu concentrate contributed toward the improvement of the metabolic syndrome.<br>