Abstract:
Obesity and its associated degenerative diseases
including heart disease continue to rise in an
unrelenting epidemic. Despite media attention to the
magnitude of the problem, people continue in
lifestyles that promote disease.
However, a growing number in the population
recognize the need for personal responsibility in
health matters. A new food technology bringing a
fresh approach to the problem has helped numerous
individuals recapture many aspects of health
including substantial weight loss. This cleansing
system has captured the attention of the medical
community as well because the results are gained
without added stimulants, herbs or drugs.
An
evaluation of the effects of the nutritional
cleansing* was performed to systematically examine
body composition as measured by deltoid skin-fold or
impedance analysis.
Moreover, analysis of serum chemistries, lipids, and
a comprehensive review of body systems were
performed to identify subjective as well as
objective findings associated with this technology.
Null Hypothesis:
Consumption of the food technology would have no
significant effects on body composition, body
systems review or blood chemistry.
Study Design:
One hundred
volunteers were recruited from four medical
practices in Utah and California. Initial body
composition was obtained by either deltoid skin-fold
measurements taken 8 centimeters below the
acromio-clavicular joint or by impedance using a
Tanita body composition analyzer Model TBF-105. The
volunteers completed a comprehensive review of
systems and blood was obtained for a basic metabolic
profile, lipid profile and in a small subset for
testosterone or oxytocin. Urine was collected for
5-HIAA measurements and a screening urinalysis.
Ketostrips were given to the participants to monitor
their daily ketone levels during the cleansing
cycle. The volunteers were instructed on the
recommended cleansing program which requires nine
days to complete. At the end of the cycle, the
measurements and blood work were again collected.
The participants were also asked to measure the
circumference of multiple sites and track how many
inches were lost over the cleansing period.
Results: Body
composition:
The average weight loss
was 7.6 pounds. For women the average weight loss
was 7.2 pounds. For men it was 8.3 pounds. For women
the body mass index decrease was 2.4 and for men
2.3. The skin-fold analysis involved 25 patients and
these had measurements of circumferences of 13 areas
in addition to the skin-fold measurement.
Two
dropped out and one completed 8 days. Their ages
ranged from 20 to 68. Their average weight was 235
pounds. The average total inches lost in the nine
days was 16.6 inches. In a previous unpublished
trial involving18 women from the ages of 18 to 45
and whose average weight was over 200 pounds, the
total inches lost in nine days was 17 inches.
Basic Metabolic
Profile:
Serum was analyzed for
sodium, potassium, blood urea nitrogen, creatinine,
chloride, carbon dioxide, calcium, and glucose.
These measurements were unchanged with the exception
in men; the average serum glucose declined 11 gm/dl.
Total cholesterol declined an average of 24 mg/dl in
men and 14 mg/dl in women. Triglycerides decreased
by 68 mg/dl in men and 25 mg/dl in women.
Low-density lipoprotein cholesterol dropped an
average 13 mg/dl in men and 7 mg/dl in women. HDL
cholesterol declined 0.7 mg/dl in women but
increased 1.3 mg/dl in men.
Hormones:
In men,
testosterone increased 76 ng/dl (18%). In women,
oxytocin levels were unchanged. An attempt was made
to evaluate urinary 5-HIAA levels as a surrogate for
serotonin. The results showed levels essentially
unchanged. Urinary 5-HIAA proved difficult to
correlate with neuro-chemical serotonin. There are
numerous confounding dietary modifiers as well.
Unfortunately, in a study such as this, it is not
possible to obtain cerebral spinal fluid 5-HIAA
levels which would be a more accurate assessment of
the serotonin system.
Body Systems Review:
As
part of the clinical evaluation, a questionnaire
consisting of 175 questions divided into groups
related to various body systems was asked. Answers
were graded as 0, 1, 2 or 3 from no problem to
severe problem. Each subset was totaled. Overall the
compiled score decreased 11 points demonstrating
lessened somatic complaints and a better overall
sense of well-being. The most changed review of
systems was neurological/psychological. Mood
improved the most. The system groups were labeled
neurological, gastrointestinal, cardiovascular,
musculoskeletal, respiratory, urinary tract, skin,
gynecological, and a total rating.
Discussion:
This study
demonstrates the remarkable safety of the system.
The results are significant in that electrolytes
remained stable, as did renal function and serum
calcium. Lean body mass was generally preserved and
patients reported improved overall health in just a
few days. Blood sugars were stabilized and lipids
levels improved. Body composition was markedly
improved with significant decreases in weight and
body fat percentages. Total inches lost were also
remarkable. We conclude from this that the total
inches lost was a measure of the total body fat lost
as indicated by the drop in the body mass index.
Subjectively, people reported more energy, a more
even temperament, less subjective pain, and
improvements in several body system groups.
This food technology differs from diet programs in
many important aspects. Diets for weight loss
typically attempt to cause imbalances in
carbohydrate, fat and protein rations. Perhaps for
this reason alone, diets are not sustainable and
dieters nearly always yo-yo their weight over time
causing progressive increases in percentage of body
fat. This composition change is a result of losing
lean muscle mass during the diet phase and adding
extra fat as the weight is put back on over time.
This study corroborates company testimonials of
multiple general health benefits in addition to
rapid but safe reductions in adiposity.
Notes:
The Isagenix System
is a multifaceted program incorporating education,
exercise, healthy lifestyle and dietary choices, and
the Isagenix nutritional supplement formulations.
This abstract,
reprinted in its entirety, is intended to provide a
balanced view of the available scientific
information related to the Isagenix System.
This information is
intended for general educational purposes and not to
sell specific products. This does not constitute
labeling, endorsements or advertisements for any
particular products and should not be interpreted as
recommending how to treat any particular diseases or
health-related conditions.
