Dr. Cho and Dr. Arciero discuss results of study on Isagenix products.
Isagenix has reinforced a continued commitment to investment in scientific research and providing independent clinical validation of its products by partnering with a number of universities, colleges, and independent organizations in the United States and Europe.
Building on prior independent research demonstrating the clinical efficacy of Isagenix products for healthy weight loss, the company is now pleased to share findings midway through a year-long study on the products for weight loss followed by weight maintenance.
“We want to be known as the company that sets the standard when it comes to efficacy and safety. We’re about no-compromise, evidence-based products that hold up to scientific scrutiny,” said Isagenix Chief Science Officer Suk Cho, Ph.D., at the company’s 2014 “Strength in Momentum” Celebration in San Diego on Aug. 24.
The new study’s findings strengthen evidence found previously when evaluating Isagenix products from University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and other universities and independent organizations, Dr. Cho said.
Recap of the UIC Study
The prior UIC study conducted in 2012 was a major milestone for the company because it demonstrated that using an Isagenix system was superior to a traditional physician-prescribed, heart-healthy diet for healthy weight loss. The system designed by Isagenix incorporates IsaLean® Shakes, a high-protein meal replacement for use on Shake Days, and Cleanse for Life®, a botanical-rich beverage used to supplement intermittent fasting on Cleanse Days.
The study found that overweight women on Isagenix lost 56 percent more weight, 47 percent more body fat, twice as much visceral body fat, and showed a greater reduction in oxidative stress and cardiovascular risk markers (attributed to the greater visceral fat losses). The UIC study was published in two high-profile, peer-reviewed journals Nutrition & Metabolism and Nutrition Journal (1,2). In addition, it received a prestigious award in obesity research at the American Society for Nutrition (ASN) 2013 meeting at the Experimental Biology conference.
Skidmore College Study
At the annual event, Dr. Cho introduced the audience of more than 10,000 Isagenix Associates to the principal investigator of the new study, Paul Arciero, Ph.D., at Skidmore College, Director of the Human Nutrition and Metabolism Lab and a professor in the Department of Health and Exercise Sciences at Skidmore College.
“He is well respected among his scientific peers and has won grants from NIH, NSF, and other organizations in the past,” Dr. Cho said. Dr. Cho added that the company selected Dr. Arciero to head up the research because of his extensive background in researching and designing nutrition programs for weight loss and athletic performance. Dr. Arciero has been quoted regularly in newspapers and magazines including The Wall Street Journal, Men’s Health, Time, and, most recently, Good Housekeeping. He was also an invited guest commentator on NBC’s Olympic Zone during the recent summer and winter Olympic Games.
Last April, the initial results of the 10-week weight loss results of Dr. Arciero’s study were presented at Isagenix Top Achievers 2014 and as an abstract at Experimental Biology. The abstract of the 10-week trial was also published in the April issue of The FASEB Journal (3). The study was patterned after the UIC study; however, it also included men as subjects and added on other physiological and metabolic markers including resting metabolic rate and arterial status.
Similar to the UIC study, the subjects lost significant weight on the system without the accompanying slowdown of metabolism that is usually seen during weight loss and a major cause of weight regain. Also impressive, the subjects had a 10 percent improved arterial flexibility and blood flow suggesting better cardiovascular health.
In an unprecedented move, the study is thought to be the first to measure increased circulating toxins (e.g. PCBs) as a result of a comprehensive weight-loss system incorporating calorie restriction and intermittent fasting. An increase in circulating toxins is an essential first step in detoxifying and eliminating these compounds from the body.
Dr. Arciero called the findings “very exciting”, leading him to extend the study beyond its original timeframe to include a 12-month weight-maintenance period. The year-long study would be the first to evaluate how well subjects could maintain weight loss results with the Isagenix system.
Isagenix gave him the go-ahead with funding for the year-long study. Dr. Cho said, “Not a lot of companies are willing to make the commitment to invest in a 12-month study to demonstrate the efficacy of their products. We did. We want to show people that using our products in the long-term leads to lasting benefits.”
Six-month Findings
With the initial 10-week weight-loss results from the Isagenix intervention in mind, Dr. Arciero randomly divided the subjects into either continuation of the Isagenix system (with less stringency and more “real-life” compliance) or into a dietitian-counseled heart-healthy food group.
After six months of this weight-maintenance period the results with Isagenix were no less impressive than during the 10-week initial weight-loss phase. The study’s results are expected to be submitted for publication in a peer-reviewed journal in the near future.
Moreover, the metabolic and cardiovascular improvements observed during the weight-loss phase were also either maintained or even improved. For example, individuals on Isagenix maintained their metabolic rate, which is essential for preventing weight regain and also continued to improve both their blood flow and release of toxins from their stored fat. Again, this toxin release is the essential first step to elimination.
Although the final study results are still months away, the preliminary results are promising and add greater validation that Isagenix—the company that has targeted solutions for weight loss, healthy aging, and energy and performance—is providing effective products that assist in optimizing health and wellness.
Aside from UIC and Skidmore College, Isagenix has also invested in independent research at Arizona State University, Brigham Young University, Kansas State University, New York Chiropractic College, and the Spanish National Cancer Research Centre.
References
- Klempel MC, Kroeger, CM, Bhutani S et al. Intermittent fasting combined with calorie restriction is effective for weight loss and cardio-protection in obese women. Nutr J 2012 11:98.
- Kroeger CM, Klempel MC, Bhutani S et al. Improvement in coronary heart disease risk factors during an intermittent fasting/calorie restriction regimen: Relationship to adipokine modulations. Nutr Metab 2012;9:98. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-9-98
- Gumpricht E, Ward E, He F et al. Effects of a high-protein low-calorie intermittent-fast diet on plasma toxins and oxidative stress following weight loss. FASEB J 28 (supplement) LB435.
