24 replies to this topic

[stephen_b]

Results of a recent study on green coffee bean extract.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects (PMID 22291473).

Quote

BACKGROUND:

Adult weight gain and obesity have become worldwide problems. Issues of cost and potential side effects of prescription weight loss drugs have led overweight and obese adults to try nutraceuticals that may aid weight loss. One promising nutraceutical is green coffee extract, which contains high concentrations of chlorogenic acids that are known to have health benefits and to influence glucose and fat metabolism. A 22-week crossover study was conducted to examine the efficacy and safety of a commercial green coffee extract product GCA™ at reducing weight and body mass in 16 overweight adults.
METHODS:

Subjects received high-dose GCA (1050 mg), low-dose GCA (700 mg), or placebo in separate six-week treatment periods followed by two-week washout periods to reduce any influence of preceding treatment. Treatments were counterbalanced between subjects. Primary measurements were body weight, body mass index, and percent body fat. Heart rate and blood pressure were also measured.
RESULTS:

Significant reductions were observed in body weight (-8.04 ± 2.31 kg), body mass index (-2.92 ± 0.85 kg/m(2)), and percent body fat (-4.44% ± 2.00%), as well as a small decrease in heart rate (-2.56 ± 2.85 beats per minute), but with no significant changes to diet over the course of the study. Importantly, the decreases occurred when subjects were taking GCA. Body mass index for six subjects shifted from preobesity to the normal weight range (<25.00 kg/m(2)).
CONCLUSION:

The results are consistent with human and animal studies and a meta-analysis of the efficacy of green coffee extract in weight loss. The results suggest that GCA may be an effective nutraceutical in reducing weight in preobese adults, and may be an inexpensive means of preventing obesity in overweight adults.

This seems pretty remarkable to say the least, at first glance. They did not mention what happened to the groups during the placebo phase though.

Edited by stephen_b, 09 June 2012 - 05:03 PM.

[Kevnzworld]

I am a male with normal weight.  I take my blood sugar occasionally, and I noticed that my post prandial reading was sometimes above 130.  My fasting blood sugar ranges from 92-6.    I started taking green coffee bean extract, 400 mg, 50% chlorogenic acid, 1/2 hour before eating.   My post prandial sugars 2 hours after eating " similar " meals, was reduced to 105- 110.  
Anecdotal of course.   I am now going to reduce the dosage by 1/2 , and test the results

[health_nutty]

stephen_b, on 09 June 2012 - 05:01 PM, said:

Results of a recent study on green coffee bean extract.

Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, linear dose, crossover study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a green coffee bean extract in overweight subjects (PMID 22291473).



This seems pretty remarkable to say the least, at first glance. They did not mention what happened to the groups during the placebo phase though.

It looks like chlorogenic acid is already present in abundance in roasted coffee despite what the green bean extract seller's claim.  Also, it looks like it is the substance responsible for increased homocysteine.

------------------
Consumption of high doses of chlorogenic acid, present in coffee, or of black tea increases plasma total homocysteine concentrations in humans.

Olthof MR, Hollman PC, Zock PL, Katan MB.

Source

Division of Human Nutrition and Epidemiology, Wageningen University, Wageningen, Netherlands. margreet.olthof@staff.nutepi.wau.nl

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

In population studies, high intakes of coffee are associated with raised concentrations of plasma homocysteine, a predictor of risk of cardiovascular disease. Chlorogenic acid is a major polyphenol in coffee; coffee drinkers consume up to 1 g chlorogenic acid/d.
OBJECTIVE:

We studied whether chlorogenic acid affects plasma total homocysteine concentrations in humans. For comparison we also studied the effects of black tea rich in polyphenols and of quercetin-3-rutinoside, a major flavonol in tea and apples.
DESIGN:

In this crossover study, 20 healthy men and women ingested 2 g (5.5 mmol) chlorogenic acid, 4 g black tea solids containing approximately 4.3 mmol polyphenols and comparable to approximately 2 L strong black tea, 440 mg (0.7 mmol) quercetin-3-rutinoside, or a placebo daily. Each subject received each of the 4 treatments for 7 d, in random order.
RESULTS:

Total homocysteine in plasma collected 4-5 h after supplement intake was 12% (1.2 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) higher after chlorogenic acid and 11% (1.1 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.5) higher after black tea than after placebo. Total homocysteine in fasting plasma collected 20 h after supplement intake was 4% (0.4 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.8) higher after chlorogenic acid and 5% (0.5 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.9) higher after black tea than after placebo. Quercetin-3-rutinoside did not significantly affect homocysteine concentrations.
CONCLUSIONS:

Chlorogenic acid, a compound in coffee, and black tea raise total homocysteine concentrations in plasma. Chlorogenic acid could be partly responsible for the higher homocysteine concentrations observed in coffee drinkers. Whether these effects on homocysteine influence cardiovascular disease risk remains to be established.

[nittybitty]

Purely anecdotal, but I have committed to taking 800-1200 mg per day for 2 months without changing my exercise or eating habits.  I will follow up my results here.  Unfortunately. I wasn't smart enough to take my blood pressure or resting heart rate before I started -- all I did was a weigh-on and measured my waist size.  

After reading these forums over the past few weeks, I know anecdotal evidence isn't given too much credence, but it has helped me make a few supplement decisions and hopefully my experiences will help someone else as well.

[niner]

stephen_b, on 09 June 2012 - 05:01 PM, said:

This seems pretty remarkable to say the least, at first glance. They did not mention what happened to the groups during the placebo phase though.

The full text is available.  If you look at Figure 1, you'll see that in one of the three groups, the largest weight loss was in the placebo arm.  In the other groups,  the largest weight loss was in the high dose extract group.  The three groups were not randomized; two were equal in weight, while one of the groups was a lot lighter at the start.  All three groups lost weight, but the fact that one of them lost most of the weight on the placebo is a little worrying.  Overall, it still looks like there's something to it.  Although roasted coffee contains chlorogenic acid, might the green bean extract have something in it that roasted coffee lacks?

[gwgaston]

I've been taking 400mg 2-3  times a day (depending on meal count and composition) for 3 month or so now. I saw a drop in my fasting and postprandial similar to Kevnzworld. I previous saw a drop when I added Metformin as well. I have added 500mg each of raspberry ketones and Cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) and fasting is averaging 87 mg/dl with 1hr PG ~112 mg/dl typically depending on the meal. Will probably drop raspberry ketones as I've noticed more anxiety (likely from an increase in norepinephrine). My last HbA1C was close to six months ago and was 5.0... I'm expecting a couple tenths drop when I re-test. I'm not trying for a net weight loss, just get rid of some of the fat and gain back muscle. I have to be careful though as it took a while to get some of the fullness back in my face when I temporarily went CR a couple of years ago. I don't want to get back down that low as I was looking very gaunt in the face and everyone thought I was deathly ill.

http://www.livestron...-losing-weight/

[tintinet]

Thanks for this information. Did you separately test for effects of raspberry ketones and Cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G)?

Edited by tintinet, 11 July 2012 - 10:56 AM.

[gwgaston]

@tintinet - I was taking RK 2 weeks prior to starting C3G. I started with 100mg  twice a day, noticed nothing the fist 10 days and bumped up to 500mg after that. Thats when I noticed the increase in anxiety (within a couple of days of moving to 500mg) that I could not correlate with added stress or other supplements. C3G is very expensive compared to the others, but its seems to have made for the biggest change. It could just be the synergy of it all. I really should have tested each component of my stack separately for a longer period to better understand what is given me the best results.

[Richeal Yao]

Fucoxanthin is also aid to weight loss.
Fucoxanthin[1] is found naturally in brown seaweed, specifically wakame and hijiki, is able to help white fat cells behave as brown fat cells. This seaweed is used in many Japanese dishes to improve the flavor of certain dishes and to wrap rolled sushi. If these particular dishes don’t please your palate, the extract can be taken in dried or capsule form as well.In it’s dried form, fucoxanthin can be added to other food or even blended with a shake for convenience.

A Japanese study was published late last year that is especially interesting in that it shows that fucoxanthin can promote fat burning within fat cells in animals. And apparently, the type of fat most affected is "white adipose tissue" -- the kind of fat that concentrates around organs -- such as abdominal fat.

[Mind]

An even more natural way to lose weight, which has been proven very effective over the course of decades, is to cut some carbs out of your diet.

[dear mrclock]

gwgaston, on 11 July 2012 - 09:20 AM, said:

I've been taking 400mg 2-3  times a day (depending on meal count and composition) for 3 month or so now. I saw a drop in my fasting and postprandial similar to Kevnzworld. I previous saw a drop when I added Metformin as well. I have added 500mg each of raspberry ketones and Cyanidin 3-glucoside (C3G) and fasting is averaging 87 mg/dl with 1hr PG ~112 mg/dl typically depending on the meal. Will probably drop raspberry ketones as I've noticed more anxiety (likely from an increase in norepinephrine). My last HbA1C was close to six months ago and was 5.0... I'm expecting a couple tenths drop when I re-test. I'm not trying for a net weight loss, just get rid of some of the fat and gain back muscle. I have to be careful though as it took a while to get some of the fullness back in my face when I temporarily went CR a couple of years ago. I don't want to get back down that low as I was looking very gaunt in the face and everyone thought I was deathly ill.

http://www.livestron...-losing-weight/

Will probably drop raspberry ketones as I've noticed more anxiety (likely from an increase in norepinephrine).

i have never heard of raspberry ketones as being effective at all, and then to actually be able to cause anxiety because (supposely) increase in norepinephrine ? this is all new to me and it seems interesting. anything to contribute to this either prove or disaprove your statement ?

[gwgaston]

http://lmgtfy.com/?q... norepinephrine

[health_nutty]

I would NOT use this supplement because it raises homocysteine which is linked to heart disease.

"Total homocysteine in plasma collected 4-5 h after supplement intake was 12% (1.2 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) higher after chlorogenic acid and 11% (1.1 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.5) higher after black tea than after placebo. Total homocysteine in fasting plasma collected 20 h after supplement intake was 4% (0.4 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.8) higher after chlorogenic acid and 5% (0.5 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.9) higher after black tea than after placebo."

[Kevnzworld]

health_nutty, on 08 September 2012 - 12:23 AM, said:

I would NOT use this supplement because it raises homocysteine which is linked to heart disease.

"Total homocysteine in plasma collected 4-5 h after supplement intake was 12% (1.2 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) higher after chlorogenic acid and 11% (1.1 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.5) higher after black tea than after placebo. Total homocysteine in fasting plasma collected 20 h after supplement intake was 4% (0.4 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.8) higher after chlorogenic acid and 5% (0.5 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.9) higher after black tea than after placebo."

Often times these things are calculated tradeoffs.  Most of us test for and do things to suppress homocysteine already. The increase in homocysteine seen was relatively minor, 4 - 12%, or 1 point or less.  I've been using green coffee bean extract for a year, my last homocystiene reading was 7.5, would it otherwise have been 7?   Fortunately homocysteine is one of the easier markers to control.  Postprandial blood sugar spikes AREN'T.  If chlorogenic acid can reliably reduce my HbA1C, it's worth watching my homocysteine closely, something I already do.

Edited by Kevnzworld, 08 September 2012 - 01:27 AM.

[health_nutty]

Kevnzworld, on 08 September 2012 - 01:05 AM, said:

health_nutty, on 08 September 2012 - 12:23 AM, said:

I would NOT use this supplement because it raises homocysteine which is linked to heart disease.

"Total homocysteine in plasma collected 4-5 h after supplement intake was 12% (1.2 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.7) higher after chlorogenic acid and 11% (1.1 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.6, 1.5) higher after black tea than after placebo. Total homocysteine in fasting plasma collected 20 h after supplement intake was 4% (0.4 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.8) higher after chlorogenic acid and 5% (0.5 micromol/L; 95% CI: 0.0, 0.9) higher after black tea than after placebo."

Often times these things are calculated tradeoffs.  Most of us test for and do things to suppress homocysteine already. The increase in homocysteine seen was relatively minor, 4 - 12%, or 1 point or less.  I've been using green coffee bean extract for a year, my last homocystiene reading was 7.5, would it otherwise have been 7?   Fortunately homocysteine is one of the easier markers to control.  Postprandial blood sugar spikes AREN'T.  If chlorogenic acid can reliably reduce my HbA1C, it's worth watching my homocysteine closely, something I already do.

You're right.  I think I overreacted.  If you test you keep the dosages sane, the impact is pretty minor.

[dear mrclock]

so basically one should avoid any stimulants to not get rise in homocysteine. like avoid coffee, any tea or energy drinks. is it really worth not taking stimulants for fear of any elevation in homocysteine ?

[Turnbuckle]

niner, on 11 July 2012 - 03:02 AM, said:

stephen_b, on 09 June 2012 - 05:01 PM, said:

This seems pretty remarkable to say the least, at first glance. They did not mention what happened to the groups during the placebo phase though.

The full text is available.  If you look at Figure 1, you'll see that in one of the three groups, the largest weight loss was in the placebo arm.

Something seems to be wrong with that figure. The two week washout periods are shown to be as long as the six week treatment periods, and a lot of weight is being lost in those washouts. In fact, the rate of loss is highest there, especially when the placebo is being washed out.

[Andey]

Kevnzworld, on 10 June 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

I am a male with normal weight.  I take my blood sugar occasionally, and I noticed that my post prandial reading was sometimes above 130.  My fasting blood sugar ranges from 92-6. I started taking green coffee bean extract, 400 mg, 50% chlorogenic acid, 1/2 hour before eating.   My post prandial sugars 2 hours after eating " similar " meals, was reduced to 105- 110.  
Anecdotal of course.   I am now going to reduce the dosage by 1/2 , and test the results

  Are you made any conclusion on this ? What dosage do you think would be optimal ?

[Kevnzworld]

Andey, on 19 December 2012 - 06:36 PM, said:

Kevnzworld, on 10 June 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

I am a male with normal weight.  I take my blood sugar occasionally, and I noticed that my post prandial reading was sometimes above 130.  My fasting blood sugar ranges from 92-6.    I started taking green coffee bean extract, 400 mg, 50% chlorogenic acid, 1/2 hour before eating.   My post prandial sugars 2 hours after eating " similar " meals, was reduced to 105- 110.  
Anecdotal of course.   I am now going to reduce the dosage by 1/2 , and test the results

  Are you made any conclusion on this ? What dosage do you think would be optimal ?

I found that for myself, the 200 mg dose was adequate.   I take it twice a day, so I opted for the lower amount.   I just did a post prandial after dinner glucose test and got a 97 which in my mind is good. I also take metformin, and a chromium / cinnamon pill before the same two larger meals.

Edited by Kevnzworld, 20 December 2012 - 05:15 AM.

[Andey]

Kevnzworld, on 20 December 2012 - 05:15 AM, said:

Andey, on 19 December 2012 - 06:36 PM, said:

Kevnzworld, on 10 June 2012 - 05:24 PM, said:

I am a male with normal weight.  I take my blood sugar occasionally, and I noticed that my post prandial reading was sometimes above 130.  My fasting blood sugar ranges from 92-6. I started taking green coffee bean extract, 400 mg, 50% chlorogenic acid, 1/2 hour before eating.   My post prandial sugars 2 hours after eating " similar " meals, was reduced to 105- 110.  
Anecdotal of course.   I am now going to reduce the dosage by 1/2 , and test the results

  Are you made any conclusion on this ? What dosage do you think would be optimal ?

I found that for myself, the 200 mg dose was adequate.   I take it twice a day, so I opted for the lower amount.   I just did a post prandial after dinner glucose test and got a 97 which in my mind is good. I also take metformin, and a chromium / cinnamon pill before the same two larger meals.

  Thank you for sharing ) I will go your way. Am I understand right that metformin is prescription drug ?

[Andey]

Kevnzworld, on 20 December 2012 - 05:15 AM, said:

I found it (metformin) in local drug store. What dosage is preffarable 500 or 800mg per meal ?

[dear mrclock]

i forgot why i was subscribed to this thread. seems extreme stupidity. nobody cares for GREEN coffe. seriously....

[RJ100]

I'd like to get my HbA1C down (it's at 5.7) and chlorogenic acid looks like it might be a good option. I am concerned about raising my homocysteine, though, as I have no idea what it is currently.

Kevnzworld, on 08 September 2012 - 01:05 AM, said:

If chlorogenic acid can reliably reduce my HbA1C, it's worth watching my homocysteine closely, something I already do.

I assume you take a blood test? I see the one at lef is 86 bucks a pop.

[maxwatt]

dear mrclock, on 20 December 2012 - 01:19 PM, said:

i forgot why i was subscribed to this thread. seems extreme stupidity. nobody cares for GREEN coffe. seriously....

It's like that restaurant no one goes to anymore, because it's too crowded.

[Kevnzworld]

RJ100, on 20 December 2012 - 02:41 PM, said:

I'd like to get my HbA1C down (it's at 5.7) and chlorogenic acid looks like it might be a good option. I am concerned about raising my homocysteine, though, as I have no idea what it is currently.

Kevnzworld, on 08 September 2012 - 01:05 AM, said:

If chlorogenic acid can reliably reduce my HbA1C, it's worth watching my homocysteine closely, something I already do.

I assume you take a blood test? I see the one at lef is 86 bucks a pop.

I take 500mg of metformin twice a day. It has been shown to reduce cancer incidences among its diabetic users significantly vs those on other diabetic meds. It can raise homocystiene by affecting B12, so it's important to supplement B12.  Of note, of all the substances Spindler tested on his mice to increase lifespan, metformin was one of the only things that did.  In a parallel mice trial with one of his colleagues, the life extension reached statistical significance.
In the US you can get an HbA1C home blood test at CVS or Walgreens.  The LEF version is more accurate and goes on sale every spring.  It's easy to do the at home prick your finger glucose testing to test fasting and post prandial glucose levels, and inexpensive.
To reduce HbA1C , which is a measure of glycated hemoglobin ,it's also helpful to take some of the antiglycating supplements talked about in various threads on longecity.  They include carnosine, benfotiamine, P5P ( B6 ) and Taurine.