Caralluma Fimbriata Cuts Waist Size in Overweight Adults

clinical-trial PMID: 23642949

Quick Summary: A 2013 pilot study tested Caralluma fimbriata extract, a supplement from an edible plant, on overweight and obese adults. When paired with diet control and exercise, it helped reduce waist size more than a placebo. This could aid in managing belly fat, a big risk for metabolic syndrome, which raises chances of heart disease and diabetes.

What The Research Found

Researchers looked at how Caralluma fimbriata affects belly fat and other health risks like high blood sugar, high cholesterol, and high blood pressure. The extract group saw better results in shrinking waist size and improving body shape ratios compared to those taking a fake pill (placebo). Both groups improved overall, but the extract seemed to boost the effects of healthy eating and moving more.

Key results include:
- Waist circumference drop: By week 12, the extract group lost 6.5 cm around the waist, while the placebo group lost 2.6 cm (difference of about 3.8 cm).
- Waist-to-hip ratio improvement: The extract group reduced this ratio by 0.03 (showing less belly fat relative to hips), while the placebo group saw a slight increase of 0.01.
- Appetite changes: People taking the extract found test meals less appealing in look, smell, and taste, and they cut back on sodium.
- Other benefits: Both groups lost weight, lowered BMI, trimmed hip size, reduced systolic blood pressure, heart rate, triglycerides (a type of fat in blood), and total fat intake. These wins likely came from the diet and exercise monitoring.

Study Details

Who was studied: 33 overweight or obese Australian adults aged 29-59, with a BMI over 25 or large waist sizes (over 94 cm for men, 80 cm for women). Out of 43 starters, 33 finished.

How long: 12 weeks, with weekly check-ins on diet and exercise.

What they took: 500 mg capsules of Caralluma fimbriata extract twice a day (total 1 gram daily), or matching placebo pills. Everyone followed a controlled diet and activity plan.

What This Means For You

If you're overweight and worried about belly fat or metabolic syndrome risks, Caralluma fimbriata might give a small edge when added to healthy habits like eating better and exercising. It could help curb appetite, making it easier to stick to lower-calorie meals and cut salty foods. Start with lifestyle changes first—think balanced meals and 30 minutes of walking daily—then talk to a doctor about supplements. This isn't a magic fix, but it shows promise for targeting stubborn central fat that raises health risks.

Study Limitations

This was a small pilot test with just 33 finishers, so results might not apply to everyone. The waist loss difference was close to the edge of statistical significance, meaning more research is needed. Diet and exercise were tracked weekly but not double-checked for honesty. We don't know long-term effects or safety past 12 weeks, and the extract's exact active ingredients weren't detailed. Larger studies could confirm if it's truly helpful for weight management.

Key Findings

Caralluma fimbriata extract combined with dietary and exercise monitoring significantly reduced waist circumference compared to placebo in overweight/obese Australian adults. By week 12, the extract group lost 6.5 cm (placebo: 2.6 cm; difference: -3.847 cm) and showed improved waist-to-hip ratio (-0.033 difference). Additionally, the extract group reported reduced test meal palatability and sodium intake. Both groups saw improvements in body weight, BMI, hip circumference, systolic BP, heart rate, and triglycerides, likely due to lifestyle interventions.

Study Design

This was a 12-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted at Victoria University Nutritional Therapy Clinic (Australia). Forty-three adults (29–59 years) with BMI >25 kg/m² or elevated waist circumference (>94 cm males, >80 cm females) were enrolled; 33 completed the study. Participants received either Caralluma fimbriata extract or placebo capsules, alongside weekly dietary and physical activity monitoring.

Dosage & Administration

Participants took 500 mg capsules of Caralluma fimbriata extract twice daily (1 g/day total) orally. Placebo capsules were identical in appearance. Supplementation was combined with controlled dietary intake and physical activity, monitored weekly.

Results & Efficacy

Waist Circumference: Experimental group lost 5.7 cm by week 9 (placebo: 2.8 cm; 95% CI -5.802 to 0.023) and 6.5 cm by week 12 (placebo: 2.6 cm; 95% CI -7.466 to 0.228).
Waist-to-Hip Ratio (WHR): Experimental group reduced WHR by 0.03 (placebo: +0.01; difference: -0.033; 95% CI -0.064 to -0.002; p < 0.05).
Meal Palatability & Sodium Intake: Experimental group reported significant declines in visual appeal, smell, and taste of test meals (p < 0.05) and reduced sodium intake.
Secondary Outcomes: Both groups showed significant within-group reductions in body weight, BMI, hip circumference, systolic BP, heart rate, triglycerides, and fat intake, but between-group differences were not reported for most.

Limitations

Small sample size (n = 33 completers) and short duration (12 weeks) limit generalizability and long-term conclusions.
Confidence intervals for waist circumference differences approached null values, suggesting borderline significance.
Dietary adherence and physical activity compliance were monitored but not independently verified.
Extract dosage and standardization (e.g., active compounds) were unspecified.
Self-reported palatability measures may introduce bias.
No follow-up data to assess sustainability or safety beyond 12 weeks.

Clinical Relevance

Caralluma fimbriata extract may modestly enhance waist circumference reduction when paired with dietary and exercise interventions, though effects are not definitively statistically significant. The observed WHR improvement (-0.03) and reduced meal palatability suggest appetite-modulating potential. However, results should be interpreted cautiously due to the pilot study’s limitations. For users, this implies Caralluma could complement lifestyle changes for central obesity but should not replace evidence-based weight management strategies. Larger trials are needed to confirm efficacy and optimal dosing.