• Igho J Onakpoya and Carl J Heneghan.
• University of Oxford, Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health Sciences, New Radcliffe Houses, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Oxford, UK. Electronic address: igho.onakpoya@phc.ox.ac.uk.
• Clin Nutr. 2015 Dec 1; 34 (6): 1109-14.

Background & AimsHundreds of dietary supplements are marketed as weight loss pills, but the evidence for effectiveness for most is unproven. The objective of this review was to critically appraise and evaluate the evidence from published randomized clinical trials (RCTs) examining the effectiveness of polyglycoplex (PGX), a novel functional fibre, on body weight and metabolic parameters.MethodsWe conducted electronic searches in Medline, Embase, Amed, Cinahl and The Cochrane Library. Only double-blinded RCTs were considered for inclusion. The reporting quality of included studies was assessed using the Cochrane criteria. Two reviewers independently determined eligibility, assessed the quality of reporting, and extracted the data.ResultsWe included four RCTs with a total of 217 participants. The RCTs varied in the quality of their reporting. The evidence from the RCTs suggested that PGX has no significant effects on body weight; however, significant reductions were noted for total and LDL cholesterol. Adverse events reported included diarrhea and abdominal bloating.ConclusionThe evidence from available RCTs does not indicate that PGX intake causes reductions in body weight. PGX may cause reductions in total and LDL cholesterol. Few trials examining the effects of PGX have been conducted; they are characterized by small sample sizes, deficiencies in reporting quality, and are funded by a single manufacturer. Future clinical trials evaluating its effect should be adequately powered and better reported.Copyright © 2015 Elsevier Ltd and European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism. All rights reserved.

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