Possible anti-obesity effects of phytosterols and phytostanols supplementation in humans: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Ehsan Ghaedi; Hamed Kord Varkaneh; Jamal Rahmani; Seyed Mohammad Mousavi; Hamed Mohammadi; Somaye Fatahi; Ana Pantovic; Manije Darooghegi Mofrad; Yong Zhang

doi:10.1002/ptr.6319

Possible anti-obesity effects of phytosterols and phytostanols supplementation in humans: A systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Phytother Res. 2019 May;33(5):1246-1257. doi: 10.1002/ptr.6319. Epub 2019 Mar 5.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutritional Sciences and Dietetics, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
² Students' Scientific Research Center (SSRC), Tehran University of Medical Sciences (TUMS), Tehran, Iran.
³ Student Research Committee, Department Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁴ Food Security Research Center and Department of Community Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Food Science, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁵ Students' Research Committee, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran.
⁶ Department of Nutrition, School of Public Health, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
⁷ Institute for Medical Research, Centre of Research Excellence in Nutrition and Metabolism, University of Belgrade, Serbia.
⁸ Department of Nutrition and Food Hygiene, School of Public Health and Health Management, Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, China.

PMID: 30838686
DOI: 10.1002/ptr.6319

Abstract

Present meta-analysis investigates the effects of phytosterols and phytostanol (PS) supplementation on anthropometric indices, using data from randomized controlled trials. We performed a systematic search in the databases: PubMed, Scopus, Cochran, and Web of Science. Weighted mean difference (WMD) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were presented. Overall, 79 randomized controlled trials investigated the effects of PS on anthropometric indices. Meta-analysis results did not reveal any significant effect of PS supplementation on weight (66 trials-WMD: -0.083 kg; CI [-0.233, 0.066]; I² = 42.5%), percentage fat mass (6 trials-WMD: -0.090%; CI [-0.789, 0.610]; I² = 0.0%), and waist circumference (WC; 5 trials-WMD: -0.039 cm; CI [-0.452, 0.374]; I² = 0.0%). However, body mass index (BMI) significantly decreased after PS supplementation (39 trials-WMD: -0.063 kg/m2, p = 0.024, I² = 25.1%). Subgroup analyses showed that PS supplementation in subjects with baseline BMI ≥25 and hyperlipidemic significantly decreased body weight and BMI. The overall results showed that although PS supplementation did not affect anthropometric indices (except BMI), baseline status regarding BMI and hyperlipidemia and also dose and duration could be contributing factors for favorable effects.

Keywords: anthropometrics; body weight; meta-analysis; phytostanol; phytosterol.

Publication types

Meta-Analysis
Systematic Review

MeSH terms

Dietary Supplements / analysis*
Humans
Obesity / drug therapy*
Phytosterols / chemistry*
Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic

Substances

Phytosterols