Can We Achieve ‘High-Quality’ Weight Loss Through Anabolic and Weight Loss Supplementation in Combination with Exercise in Overweight and Obese Males and Females?

Abstract

Introduction: In 2022, 32.6% and 29.4% of the Canadian adult population from 18 to 49 years of age were considered overweight and obese, respectively, and therefore may become predisposed to developing a myriad of serious health problems and diseases, as well as psychological problems from discrimination and stigmatization. A traditional method to achieve weight loss is to impose an energy restricted diet, however this method has proven to be problematic as it reduces lean body mass (LBM). The loss of LBM can impede ability to perform daily physical activity, increase risk of injury, and increase risk of sarcopenia and thus it is important to implement exercise and/or increase protein intake to promote high-quality weight loss. Many seek alternatives, such as over-the-counter appetite suppressants, herbal products, or weight-loss supplements, to aid in the process. Purpose: To determine if the consumption of a fat oxidizing, TRIM7, and anabolic, MUSCLE5, supplement while performing a mixed-mode training for 12 weeks can promote a high-quality weight loss in the absence of an energy deficit diet. Furthermore, sex and aerobic fitness and strength outcomes will be examined to observe other differences. Methods: Seventy-four overweight/obese, sedentary males (n=35) and females (n=39) were recruited and randomized into group A and group B (active or placebo supplementation) and performed a 12-week mixed-mode exercise intervention. Prior to training, participants underwent anthropometric, body composition (dual energy x-ray absorptiometry), aerobic fitness (VO2max test) and strength (3-5 repetition max test) assessments. Training consisted of 3 weekly sessions involving 30-minutes of aerobic and 30-minutes of resistance training. Supplementation consisted of one group consuming TRIM7 and MUSCLE5 while the other consumed a placebo, every day for 12 weeks. Results: Analysis was completed for group A (n = 11 males and n = 13 females) and group B (n = 10 males and n = 13 females) who had completed the trial by August 2024. There was no change in body mass in either group (p=0.24) after the 12-week intervention. Group A had a significant increase in percent change of LBM after the intervention, with males gaining 1.2% and females gaining 1.7%, while group B had a slight decrease in LBM post intervention by 0.8% for males and 0.4% for females (p=0.05). There was no difference between the sexes in how the intervention influenced any other body composition measurements (all p≥0.34). Both group A and group B improved aerobic fitness (p=0.003) and strength (all p≤0.05), with no difference between groups, sexes, or interactions. Conclusion: The addition of TRIM7 and MUSCLE5 to a 12-week mixed-mode exercise routine did not elicit a high-quality weight loss in overweight/obese males and females. Furthermore, there were no sex differences observed in body composition measures. Group A did have an increase in LBM, thus surmising group A’s consumption of the active supplements based on the increase in protein intake as the trial remains unblinded.