Obesity is a chronic medical condition of excess body fat and increases the risk of many health conditions in a person. The 21st century has seen the number of people with obesity increase so rapidly that it is widely considered one of the most serious public health crises.
Due to the climbing obesity rates around the world, many scientists have started looking at what medicines, compounds, vitamins, minerals, and supplements can help.
A recent study listed chamomile as a potential agent to help fight obesity.
Obesity and Metabolism
Obesity is closely related to many comorbidities that affect metabolism, including the condition of metabolic syndrome.
Metabolic syndrome is a clinical diagnosis that includes at least 3 of the following:
- High Blood Pressure
- Elevated Levels of Blood Glucose
- High Blood Triglyceride Levels
- Abdominal Obesity (Increased Waist Size)
- Low HDL Cholesterol (the ‘good’ kind of cholesterol)
Metabolic syndrome can lead to development of Type 2 diabetes, and is a contributor to heart disease risk, particularly when people also have elevated Total Cholesterol levels, as well as fatty liver disease. Research has been ongoing for years now trying to determine if obesity causes metabolic syndrome or metabolic syndrome causes obesity, making it hard to determine what leads
to what.
Chamomile & Obesity
Chamomile refers to several plants of the asteraceae family and the compounds produced from them. Traditionally chamomile has been used for its flavoring, antioxidant properties, and as an anti-inflammatory.
The anti-inflammatory properties of chamomile have been the most noteworthy when considering use for obesity. Research has shown that obesity may prevent obstacles for anti-inflammatory agents produced by the body.
More recent studies have primarily looked at the antihyperglycemic and anti-hyperlipidemic properties of chamomile extracts. The lab-controlled results of recent research have been promising, suggesting benefits including reductions in body mass gains, prevention of metabolic overloading, reduction of insulin resistance, and reduction of blood glucose levels, among others.
Chamomile Tea & Supplements
Several recent tests with human participants consuming supplements & teas derived from chamomile had positive initial results as well. Chamomile tea specifically has shown to be potentially effective when managing obesity and type 2 diabetes on a longer-term schedule.
Research using human participants and chamomile tea noted improved inflammatory markers and insulin resistance.
Chamomile supplements are still undergoing animal testing. The chief obstacle has been how lifespan affects obesity. Measuring how early chamomile supplement use affects animals and finding an effective method to understand how this relates to effects on the human lifespan is still being researched.
Research at Biofortis
Biofortis is dedicated to protecting consumer health throughout the world by delivering a wide range of testing and consultancy services to the food, supplement, and nutrition industries. Biofortis supports this mission in two ways—through clinical trials and sensory and consumer insights testing. We specialize in clinical research targeting foods, ingredients, and dietary supplements that affect body structures, function, and overall health. Contact us with any clinical trial or scientific consulting needs.