Supplementation with two patented dietary supplement ingredients by Gateway Health Alliances was associated with significant increases in blood GLP-1 levels, reduced body weight, and improved metabolic biomarkers, in a 12-week clinical study involving 90 overweight or obese subjects. The findings were presented at the 32^nd International Conference of the Function Food Center in San Diego by lead author Julius Enyong Oben, PhD.
 
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study found that two ingredients as standalone supplements, Dyglomera Dichrostachys glomerata extract and CQR-300 Cissus quadrangularis extract, each significantly increased endogenous levels of GLP-1. GLP-1 is a peptide hormone which stimulates insulin release in response to meals, promoting stable blood sugar levels, reduced hunger, and satiety.
 
The mechanism for elevating GLP-1, for each of the two ingredients, appeared to be the inhibition of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 (DPP-4), the enzyme responsible for breaking down GLP-1. As a result, it appeared that GLP-1 remained in the body longer at significantly higher levels in the treatment groups.
 
“This clinical study offers new insights into how these remarkable natural ingredients help individuals achieve and maintain healthy body weight while improving their metabolic health,” said Shil Kothari, president of Gateway Health Alliances. “Dyglomera and CQR-300 may be the first natural ingredients in low doses to show direct, measurable, and sustainable increases in GLP-1 levels and significant weight loss.”
 
Study Details
 
The study involved 90 overweight participants assigned to take either 300 mg of CQR-300, 400 mg of Dyglomera, or a placebo daily for 12 weeks. Measurements of BMI, body fat percentage, GLP-1 levels, blood lipids, and fasting blood glucose were assessed at baseline and at weeks four, eight, and 12.
 
GLP-1 levels increased significantly in the Dyglomera (68%) and CQR-300 group (56%) compared to the placebo group which saw an increase of 15%.
 
Both extracts inhibited DDP-4 activity over the course of the study, with Dyglomera decreasing DDP-4 levels by 59% and CQR-300 decreasing DDP-4 by 54%. Those in the placebo group saw a 129% increase in DPP-4 activity.
 
There were also significant decreases in the amount of calories consumed in the Dyglomera (24%) and CQR-300 (20%) groups, while the placebo group only reduced caloric intake by 3%.
 
Participants in the Dyglomera group saw an average decrease in body weight of 17%, while the CQR-300 group saw a 14% decrease. The average body weight loss for the placebo group was 1.67%.
 
The treatment groups also saw significant body fat reductions of 31% for Dyglomera and 27% for CQR-300, while the placebo group only experienced a 1% reduction in body fat. BMI decreased by 17% in the Dyglomera group and 14% in the CQR-300 group, compared to just 2% in the placebo group.
 
Both treatment groups experienced statistically significant, beneficial changes in total cholesterol, LDL and HDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting blood glucose, which were significantly greater than modest changes in the placebo group.
 
“Our findings are consistent with numerous studies demonstrating the efficacy of Dyglomera and CQR-300 in reducing appetite and promoting weight loss,” said Oben. “In this study, both the Dyglomera and CQR-300 groups showed a significant increase in the GLP-1 levels compared to the control group. The likely mechanism behind this GLP-1 increase is the inhibition of the enzyme DPP-4.”
 
“This is a well-designed study that further illuminates the multiple mechanisms by which Gateway’s botanical extracts modulate the body’s regulation of body weight and metabolism,” said David Foreman, RPh, president of Herbal Pharmacist Media, LLC.  “These latest findings highlight why I have always been a fan of this company. They never rest on the laurels of their science and always strive to learn more about their ingredients.”
 
“The study findings observing significant increases in GLP-1 levels and significant decreases in DPP-4 levels are extremely compelling,” said Chris Noonan, president of HealthGuidance, Inc. “GLP-1 agonist therapies represent possibly the greatest breakthrough in tackling chronic obesity and metabolic disorders in the last 50 years. This study’s findings are made more significant with the impressive anthropometric changes observed. CQR-300 and Dyglomera offer a novel and promising natural alternative to the cost-prohibitive class of GLP-1 agonist drug therapies.”
 
Prior Studies
 
According to Gateway Health Alliances, Dichrostachys glomerata has a long history of use as a traditional medicine across West Africa. Previous randomized, placebo-controlled clinical studies involving 670 subjects associated the ingredient with significant weight loss and improved metabolic balance. Previous research found that supplementation with Dyglomera may have restored sensitivity to metabolic hormones like insulin, leptin, and adiponectin, which play crucial roles in metabolic homeostasis, satiety, and appetite.
 
CQR-300 comes from a plant native to India, Asia, and West Africa. Five peer-reviewed, placebo-controlled clinical studies involving 476 participants associated supplementation with reduced body weight, body fat percentage, and waist/hip circumference in six to eight weeks. CQR-300 is evidenced to inhibit enzymes (lipase, a-amylase, and a-glucosidase) which are critical to digestion and absorption of fat and carbohydrates.