Nature Reveals Three Surprising Foods for Accelerated Fat Loss and Improved Health

The Science of Curvelle, Part II

Dr. Z shares the science behind raspberries, elderberries, and cinnamon, and how they can help us improve our health as well as our fat loss in the Science Behind Curvelle series.

Interview with Dr. Tim Ziegenfuss

There are some natural ingredients that catch us by surprise. They're so powerful, so remarkable, we can hardly believe they've been part of our natural world for, well... forever.

Foods, it turns out, have amazing effects on our bodies. They provide energy. Help our bodies recover and heal. Strengthen our immune systems. And help us lose fat—faster!

Common, familiar foods we've been eating all our lives, like delicious raspberries, exotic elderberries, and spicy cinnamon have all found themselves in the laboratories recently, as scientists coax them to reveal their natural secrets.

Once again, we've asked our good friend Dr. Tim Ziegenfuss—or Dr. Z—to join us to share the science behind raspberries, elderberries, and cinnamon, and how they can help us improve our health as well as our fat loss in our second installment of the Science Behind Curvelle series.

So again, sit back, and prepare to be astonished by nature! You'll discover an abundant amount of useful information about these three delicious, remarkably healthy foods.

RS: Dr. Z, what does the research tell us about raspberries?

Razberi-K®, the patented extract form of raspberries, is found in iSatori's new Curvelle natural weight-loss supplement.

TZ: When looking in the research, you'll find raspberries, particularly raspberry ketones, have some significant benefits for those of us interested in losing fat:

• increased lipolysis [fat breakdown]
  
  
• increased resting energy expenditure [the rate at which calories are burned]
  
  
• increased fat loss during dieting

But first, let me share a bit of background on the common raspberry. European red raspberry (Rabus idaeus) is a common fruit that has been widely consumed in numerous countries for centuries. Its molecular structure is similar to capsaicin, found in chili peppers, which has potent thermogenic properties. Like many other fruits, raspberries contain a number of biologically active constituents that are beneficial to health.

Raspberry ketone is unique to raspberry and appears to have the potential to decrease bodyfat.

RS: What does the science say about raspberry ketones?

TZ: In a 2005 study by Morimoto et al, raspberry ketone was fed at various dosages to growing mice for 10 weeks. Results indicated that mice fed a high-fat diet—to induce obesity—plus one or two percent raspberry ketone [approximate equivalent to 100 to 300 mg/day in humans] gained less bodyfat than control animals. Raspberry ketone also decreased the weights of the liver and visceral adipose tissues [epididymal, retroperitoneal, mesenteric], i.e., fat around the waist.

Raspberry ketone has at least two anti-obesity effects: decreased absorption of dietary fat and increased norepinephine-induced lipolysis or fat breakdown.

Regarding decreased fat absorption, raspberry ketone given at concentrations of 1 to 20 mg/mL after oral administration of corn oil reduced the elevation of plasma triacylglycerol in mice and inhibited pancreatic lipase in rats. This suggests raspberry ketone suppresses dietary fat absorption by inhibiting trioleoylglycerol hydrolysis.

Regarding enhanced fat breakdown, raspberry ketone did not bind to beta 1, 2, or 3-adrenergic receptors, which is good since binding to beta receptors typically co-stimulates the cardiovascular system, but enhanced glycerol release in a concentration-dependent manner.

Raspberry ketone also increased the translocation of hormone sensitive lipase (HSL, the rate-limiting enzyme for lipolysis) from the cytosol to the lipid droplets in fat cells.

Finally, as reported by Morimoto et al (2005), raspberry ketone may also increase brown adipose tissue thermogenesis [calorie burning through heat] and lower the respiratory quotient, the end result of which is increased thermogenesis and oxidation or burning of bodyfat.

RS: Could you simplify your explanation a bit? What's the bottom line?

TZ: Put simply, raspberry ketone helps increase fat breakdown and increase fat burning by a number of different mechanisms. However, it does so without stimulating the cardiovascular system, in stark contrast to other thermogenic supplements.

RS: Interesting! Now, we've heard a lot recently about cinnamon and its positive benefits for people battling diabetes. Could you share the science of cinnamon and how it might help healthy individuals as well?

TZ: Cinnamon Extract or Cinnulin PF® is one of the most exciting ingredients in the research right now in my opinion. Some of the benefits you'll find in the scientific literature include:

Cinnulin PF®, the only patented extract of cinnamon found in iSatori's new Curvelle, has astounding benefits for boosting both health and fat loss.

• helps support healthy blood glucose levels
  
  
• helps support healthy cholesterol levels
  
  
• helps support healthy blood pressure levels
  
  
• helps improve body composition

Actually, a number of spices and herbs have a long history of traditional use in treating elevated blood sugar levels. The recent subject of intense research is cinnamon, a compound granted GRAS [Generally Recognized As Safe] status by the FDA.

Although a rich source of chromium, the beneficial effects of cinnamon on glucose control do not appear to be the result of chromium per se, but rather a specific water-soluble extract containing doubly-linked polyphenol type A polymers.

Based on ongoing research from USDA scientist Dr. Richard Anderson, as well as a recently completed study by the Ohio Research Group, the patented extract known as Cinnulin PF has a bevy of health benefits, including improvements in glucose [blood sugar] regulation, cholesterol metabolism, body composition, and high blood pressure [hypertension].

RS: What does the research say?

TZ: A recent placebo-controlled, double-blind clinical trial was performed on 22 adults with "prediabetes." Prediabetes is defined as a fasting blood glucose level of 100 to 125 mg/dL. I was the lead researcher in this study designed to ascertain whether supplementing with Cinnulin PF would affect blood sugar levels, lipid profiles (i.e., cholesterol levels), and body composition. After consuming 500 mg/day of Cinnulin PF for 12 weeks, subjects in the Cinnulin PF group had significant decreases in fasting blood sugar (-8.4%), systolic blood pressure (-3.8%), and bodyfat (-0.7%), while simultaneously increasing their lean mass by 1.1%. Please note, body composition was measured using state-of-the-art dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry [DEXA].

No changes in standard clinical chemistry panels of serum and plasma were noted, which supports the safety of Cinnulin PF under the conditions of the study. Thanks to a Creative Research and Development Agreement with the USDA in Beltsville Maryland, Integrity Nutraceuticals International also expects data on the antioxidant effects of this novel cinnamon extract in a few weeks.

RS: What does this mean for people in the "real world"?

TZ: In a world increasingly dominated by physical inactivity and poor dietary habits, more and more scientists are reporting a strong link between blood sugar regulation, obesity, and the risk of cardiovascular disease. By promoting healthy blood sugar levels, Cinnulin PF may play a major role in stemming the effects of several chronic diseases of modernization.

Because subjects in the above-mentioned study were not required to follow any specific diet or exercise program, it is possible that combining Cinnulin PF with a nutrient-dense diet along with a regular exercise program may lead to even greater health benefits.

As noted earlier, impaired fasting glucose is rarely an isolated event. According to a new scientific statement by the American Heart Association and National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, elevated fasting glucose is one of several interrelated factors comprising "The Metabolic Syndrome." Individuals with abnormal levels of any of the following three factors are considered to have the metabolic syndrome: elevated waist circumference [35 inches or more for women, 40 inches or more for men], elevated triglycerides [150 mg/dL or higher], reduced HDL-cholesterol [< 40 mg/dL for men, < 50 mg/dL for women], elevated blood pressure [130/85 mm Hg or higher], and elevated fasting glucose [100 mg/dL or higher].

Current estimates are that the metabolic syndrome affects over 26% of adults, or over 50 million Americans, and that it increases the risk for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease up to threefold and the risk for type 2 diabetes up to fivefold. With this in mind, the data supporting the efficacy of Cinnulin PF supplementation on reducing fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure, and improving body composition are particularly noteworthy.

RS: Thank you, Dr. Z. The cinnamon I've been pouring on my oatmeal every morning now seems much more significant. And I'm really impressed by the research on Cinnulin PF. Thanks for enlightening us on the impressive new extract.

There's one more food ingredient found in Curvelle. Elderberry. Could you share with us its key health benefits?

TZ: I'd be glad to. First, the benefits we see documented in the scientific literature include:

A very special, pure form of elderberry (with C3G)—found in Curvelle—has recently been shown to have interesting fat-fighting benefits.

• supports a healthy immune system
  
  
• supports a healthy cardiovascular system

Elderberry (Sambucus nigra L., Caprifoliaceae) is another fruit that has been used in folk medicine for literally hundreds of years. We can even find reference to it as far back as 400 B.C. in the writing of Hippocrates, who called the elder tree his "medicine chest." It's long held the reputation as one of nature's "greatest healing plants" and has been used for everything from stimulating bowel function to promoting healthy stomach function to being used as a diuretic to an anti-rheumatic therapy. But more typically, you'll find elderberries in juices, jams, and yogurts, though it's now finding its way into more and more health supplements.

That's because recent research has supported some of the "folk lore" benefits of elderberries. It's been found that this fruit is a potent source of anthocyanins, which have numerous health benefits, not the least of which is as powerful antioxidants. Even more potent than Vitamin C. It's also been found to increase production of cytokines, which help upregulate the immune response and defend against disease.

At Austria's University of Graz, Doctors Werner Pfannhauser and Michael Murkovic have performed studies which show elderberry anthocyanins are absorbed into plasma and possess in vitro antioxidant activity. They further discovered elderberry extract reduces oxidation of LDL cholesterol. This is significant because oxidation of LDL cholesterol has been shown to contribute to cardiovascular disease, especially heart attacks and strokes.

Research at Tufts University supports this as well, showing that elderberry anthocyanins protect vascular cells against oxidative stress, thereby helping prevent changes in these cells.

Additionally, elderberries appear to have antiviral effects. One oft-cited Israeli study demonstrated that in vitro elderberry extract inhibited replication of both influenza A and B in cell cultures. As well, subjects enjoyed a reduction in the duration of flu symptoms.

Perhaps most impressive is elderberry's potential to help reduce stress. Austrian endocrinologist Dr. Sepp Porta conducted stress studies using elderberry concentrate with a group of volunteers. He explained, "We gave these people the elderberry for only 10 days. We put them through typical stress tests, all the usual physical challenges, and the results were so remarkable, I checked them over and over."

Various markers of stress, including blood sugar and magnesium, were reviewed. "What we found was that elderberry has this extraordinary effect for reducing stress," he said. The elderberry extract increased glucose uptake, dramatically dropped ionized magnesium, and increased basal granulocytes. It also significantly shortened recovery time after physical exertion.

RS: I had no idea elderberry was so beneficial! Does elderberry have any positive effects on body composition or fat loss?

TZ: Elderberry contains an anthocyanin known as cyanidin-3-glucoside (C3G) and thus a promise of reduced bodyfat and improved carbohydrate metabolism.

In recent studies, young male mice were fed diets normal or high in fat [beef lard], with or without the C3G. The C3G-containing diet provided 0.2 percent C3G by weight.

The 12-week study showed the high-fat group that did not receive C3G gained a significantly greater amount of bodyweight, despite the food intakes of both groups on the high-fat diet being the same.

The average bodyweight of the normal fat plus C3G group did not differ from the control diet group (no PCE; normal fat), but regional tissue fat weights showed strong trends of being less. The average fat weight of regional tissue compartments in the high fat plus PCE group was significantly less than that in the high-fat group. Scientists explained the difference as, "The expression of proteins involved in the regulation of fatty acid synthesis and adipose mass expansion were influenced in a manner that would reduce tissue fat accumulation and the attendant increase in circulating pro-inflammatory mediators released by fat cells."

Finally, elderberry also is an excellent sudorific [sweat inducer] and diuretic and a significant source of vitamins A, B, and C.

RS: Thank you again for taking the time to share the research on these three common foods, extracts of which are found in iSatori's new fat-loss supplement Curvelle. Nature really has provided us with some amazing health-promoting and fat-burning ingredients.

TZ: You're very welcome. I've enjoyed sharing this information and the research.

Editor's Note: For a full list of references, please email us at Editors at RealSOLUTIONSmag.com with Foods for Fat Loss References in the subject line.

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