Study advances West African spice’s weight management benefits
The extract used in the study is manufactured by California-based ingredient supplier Gateway Health Alliances and sourced from Dichrostachys glomerata (sickle bush), commonly used as spice in the traditional Cameroonian Achu soup—a combination of ground spices, crude palm oil and aqueous ash extract.
“This is an important study that expands the known benefits of this remarkable natural food ingredient,” said Heather Hausenblas, PhD, lead study author and a professor at the School of Applied Health Sciences at Jacksonville University. “In addition to weight management, Dichrostachys glomerata supports other aspects of physical and mental health and wellness.”
Published in the Journal of Dietary Supplements and conducted by researchers at Jacksonville University, Wellness Discovery Labs and the University of North Florida, the study was supported by Jacksonville University and Gateway Health Alliances.
A growing body of evidence
In previous studies, D. glomerata has demonstrated, antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, the capacity to regulate fat metabolism and the ability to lower fasting serum glucose levels and glycated hemoglobin.
An initial paper from the same clinical trial, published earlier this year in the European Society of Medicine’s Medical Research Archives, first investigated the sleep-enhancing properties of the Gateway Health Alliances extract (DYG-400). The researchers also cited preliminary research supporting benefits for body composition and some health markers in otherwise healthy adults, as well as its safety in rats and genotoxicity tests.
Marketed as Somnoril with a range of satiety, insulin sensitivity-boosting, free radical-fighting and healthy cholesterol level claims, the ingredient is an aqueous ethanol extract standardized to myricetin 1.6% and luteolin 1.0%.
“Somnoril works by modulating key hormones, including GLP-1, insulin, leptin and adiponectin, while reducing oxidative stress,” Gateway Health Alliances shared in a statement.
The company also sells other D. glomerata products for weight loss under the brand names Dyglomera and DygloFit.
Study details
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial included 56 overweight and mildly obese adults between the ages of 25 and 60 (43 women) who were assigned to consume either the standardized DYG-400 powder of D. glomerata fruit pods at 300 mg/day or a rice protein placebo for two months.
Participants assessed their weight and completed psychometrically validated self-report questionnaires at baseline, day 30 and day 60, in addition to maintaining a 2,000 calorie-a-day diet and a daily diary to track adherence and adverse events. End points included weight, mood, food cravings, anxiety, stress and overall health.
“The results revealed that D. glomerata fruit pod supplementation led to significant weight loss, reduced food cravings, improved mood and decreased anxiety and perceived stress levels, leading to enhanced quality of life,” the researchers wrote. “These preliminary findings suggest the potential of D. glomerata as a beneficial supplement for weight management and overall well-being.”
They called for future research to investigate mechanisms of action, longer-term effects and generalizability of results to other populations.
Source: Journal of Dietary Supplements
doi: 10.1186/ISRCTN10099861
“Efficacy of Dichrostachys Glomerata Supplementation on Overweight and Mildly Obese Adult’s Weight, Mood, and Health-Related Quality of Life: A Randomized Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Trial”
Authors: Heather Hausenblas et al.
