The effects of ingesting an anti-inflammatory nutritional supplement while participating in a resistance training program on indices of body composition and metabolic, cardiovascular, muscular, and hemodynamic function in overweight females.

Sedentary, healthy, overweight women (n=40) participated in a full-body resistance training program 3 days/week. The study was performed in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled fashion. Participants followed a structured, energy-restricted, low glycemic diet. Participants ingested either a thermogenic/anti-inflammatory supplement a placebo supplement. Body composition, performance variables, serum lipid variables, inflammation markers, obesity markers, and GLUT-4 values were obtained at week 0 and after weeks 4 and 8. Data were analyzed by repeated measures MANOVA and are presented as means ± SD. GLUT- 4 values were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA are presented as means ± SD. For body composition, there was a significant time main effect for body mass, BMI, and fat mass. Body mass reduction was significant between weeks 0 and 8 for both groups (p<0.001). BMI also had significant decreases in both groups between weeks 0 and 8 (p<0.001). Fat mass decreased significantly for both groups between weeks 0 and 8 (p=0.034). For performance variables, there was a significant time main effect for relative leg press and bench press strength. Relative leg press strength increased in both groups between weeks 0 and 8 (p<0.001). In addition, relative bench press strength increased in both groups between week 0 and 8 (p=0.000). For serum lipids, there was a significant time main effect for TCHOL, LDL, and HDL. TCHOL decreased between weeks 0 and 8 (p=0.004). LDL decreased between weeks 0 and 8 (p=0.048). HDL decreased between weeks 0 and 8 (p=0.009). Leptin concentrations decreased significantly between week 0 and 8 in (p=0.019). There was a significant time main effect for calories, carbohydrates, fat, and sugar intake. Caloric intake decreased significantly between week 0 and 8 (p<0.001). Fat intake decreased significantly between weeks 0 and 8 (p<0.001). Carbohydrate intake was reduced significantly between week 0 and 8 (p=0.001). Sugar intake also decreased for both group significantly between week 0 and 8 (p=0.004). Results indicate that a full body resistance training program, in combination with an energy-restricted, low glycemic diet promotes weight loss and strength gains. Acknowledgement: Supported by a research grant from Unigen Pharmaceuticals (Lacey, WA).