Research shows that, on average, we gain between 10 (men) and 16 (women) pounds of body weight from age 25 to 50. Is there anything that can be done to change the slow march of weight gain that precedes middle age? Researchers suggest that the ingestion of four common supplements could.

The researchers reviewed the survey responses of approximately 15,000 respondents with an average age of 55, specifically looking at weight change, energy consumption, and the use of supplements. Fourteen supplements were selected for review by the researchers – multivitamins, fibre pills, soy, gingko, St Johns wort, vitamin B-6, vitamin B-12, chromium and omega-3 fatty acids.

The researchers found that individuals who gained the least weight were those who had consumed multivitamins, vitamin B-6, vitamin B- 12 and chromium, and were categorized as either overweight or obese at age 45. They suggest that chromium, found to help regulate blood sugar for diabetics, led to less food consumption by the study sample. They also hypothesize that individuals lacking micronutrients such as B vitamins might eat in excess; thus correcting B-6 and B-12 vitamin deficiencies could lead to lower caloric intake.

American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP), Sep 8, 2004