The research team, including employees of 3H LABS Research Institute, Ltd, and the ingredient supplier Genencell Co., Ltd, studied the efficacy and safety of the steamed ginger extract (GGE03), standardized to high levels of 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione (GD), in reducing body fat and weight among overweight individuals.
Published in the journal Nutrients, the randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial enrolled 80 overweight adults with a high body mass index (BMI) to receive either a daily 480mg dose of Zinoact or an identical placebo.
The team reported that 12 weeks of supplementation with Zinoact led to marked reductions in weight, body fat percentage, and body fat mass compared to the placebo group.
Additional changes in the Zinoact group including decreases in BMI, waist circumference, and hip circumference, as well as significantly lowered blood triglycerides and total cholesterol levels with no adverse reactions.
“It is known that obesity raises the risk of developing other metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, unhealthy fat levels, and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease,” said Ryan Lee, Ph.D., research director of 3H LABS. “This study demonstrated the potential of our highly concentrated ginger extract to exert a positive impact not only on weight management but also on metabolic function.”
The study
The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted at Santosh Hospital in Bangalore, India, from March 2022 to January 2023.
Assessments were performed at baseline and after intervention. The primary efficacy outcomes measured were body fat percentage and body fat mass, assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Secondary outcomes included anthropometric parameters such as body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), as well as lean body mass and blood biomarkers including total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and adiponectin.
Dietary habits and physical activity levels were assessed using standardized questionnaires. Participants were instructed to maintain their usual eating patterns, daily food intake, and regular physical activity routines throughout the study.
Steamed and potent
Ginger houses a wealth of bioactive phenolic compounds, including volatile essential oils as well as non-volatile oleoresins, including gingerols, shogaols, paradols, and zingerone. These compounds have demonstrated to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
However, the volatile nature of some of ginger’s constituents makes them unstable and prone to degradation, especially during processing and storage. This results in high variability in the phytochemical makeup and biological efficacy of many ginger products.
1-dehydro-6-gingerdione, the key compound responsible for ginger’s strong antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and anticancer effects is not highly present in raw ginger.
3H LABS addressed this hurdle by applying a unique controlled steaming process designed to amplify its beneficial effects and enhance bioavailability and bioactive potency, according to the firm.
“By applying a special steaming process to ginger prior to extraction, key bioactive compounds—such as 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione—are increased up to 10 times compared to untreated ginger,” said Jerry Bae, CEO and founder of 3H Labs. “This allows the extract to deliver maximized anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy.”
He added: “Our patented steaming process not only can help boost functional efficacy and bioavailability but also improves shelf stability and the flavor profile of the extract.”
Through preclinical models, 3H Labs has attributed the weight management and metabolic effects of the Zinoact ingredient to its activation of a specific protein known as adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which lowers the body’s drive to make and store fat.
Source: Nutrients, doi:10.3390/nu18020366, "Efficacy and Safety of Steamed Ginger Extract for Body Weight and Body Fat Reduction in Overweight Adults: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial" Authors: Kwon, J.E., et al
