The beneficial effects of α-cyclodextrin on blood lipids and weight loss in healthy humans.

α-Cyclodextrin (α-CD) is a soluble fiber derived from corn. It has previously been reported that early intervention with Mirafit fbcx, a trademarked name for α-CD, has beneficial effects on weight management in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes, and that it preferentially reduces blood levels of saturated and trans fats in the LDL receptor knockout mice. The current investigation involves overweight but not obese nondiabetic individuals and was intended to confirm the effects of α-CD on both weight management and improving blood lipid levels. Forty-one healthy adults (age: 41.4 ± 13.6 years) participated in this 2-month, double-blinded, crossover study. In 28 compliant participants (8 males and 20 females), when the active phase was compared to the control phase, there were significant decreases in body weight (-0.4 ± 0.2 kg, P < 0.05), serum total cholesterol (mean ± s.e.m., -0.295 ± 0.10 mmol/l, 5.3%, P < 0.02) and low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol (-0.23 ± 0.11 mmol/l, -6.7%, P < 0.05). Apolipoprotein B (Apo B) (-0.0404 ± 0.02 g/l, -5.6%, P = 0.06) and insulin levels also decreased by 9.5% (-0.16 ± 0.08 pmol/l, P = 0.06) while blood glucose and leptin levels did not change. These results suggest that α-CD exerts its beneficial health effects on body weight and blood lipid profile in healthy nonobese individuals, as previously reported in obese individuals with type 2 diabetes.