According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, nearly three-quarters of American adults 20 and older are considered at least overweight.[1] A survey of 1,012 adults last autumn estimated that approximately 71 million Americans have gained weight since early 2020.[2]
To support brands formulating products aimed at improving consumers’ metabolism, Vidya Herbs, Inc. developed a novel extract of grains-of-paradise (Aframomum melegueta), called AfperFIT.
To make AfperFIT, dried A. melegueta seeds are imported from Africa to Vidya’s state-of-the-art manufacturing facilities in Bangalore, India. Here, the material undergoes supercritical CO2 extraction to create an oleoresin that is then spray-dried with non-GMO maltodextrin, resulting in AfperFIT powder.
Early research by Vidya Herbs identified and examined the mechanisms of action of AfperFIT. AfperFIT was found to stimulate brown adipose tissue (BAT) activity by upregulating several fatty acid metabolism markers such as UCP-1, PGC-1α and PPARγ. Brown adipose tissue produces body heat through thermogenesis, which also results in an increase in energy expenditure, or calorie burning.
More recent research involving overweight adults utilizing a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial design had subjects consume 250 mg of AfperFIT twice daily before meals or a placebo for 12 weeks. The data revealed a significant increase in energy expenditure in the AfperFIT group compared to the placebo group.
AfperFIT is an exciting new tool in a formulator’s toolbox because it imparts a thermogenic effect without caffeine or harsh stimulants, allowing for use in formulas intended to be taken at any time of day.
“AfperFIT stands out as a unique ingredient in this health benefit category due to it having both human clinical trial substantiation and clean-label formulation properties.” noted Steve Geiger, VP/GM of Sales and Operations for Vidya Herbs USA. The material is plant-based, non-GMO, free of the eight major food allergens and contains no residual solvents.
More information on this ingredient is available at https://afperfit.com/
------References:
[1] Fryar CD, Carroll MD, Afful J. NCHS Health E-Stats. 2020.
[2] Cision PR Newswire. December 15, 2020.
