Targeted Food Supplements for Appetite Control in Adults with Obesity

This study is about finding out if a special blend of food supplements, when delivered to the lower gut, can help control appetite and reduce food intake in adults with obesity. The idea is that certain nutrients can trigger the release of hormones that control appetite when they reach specific receptors in the colon. By using a new capsule design, the study aims to deliver these nutrients directly to the lower intestine. The potential outcomes of this study could lead to a non-drug approach for managing appetite in obesity, addressing a significant health challenge. The study follows a randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover design. Twenty adults with obesity will participate in two study visits, with a break in between. During each visit, they will receive either the active supplement capsules or identical placebo capsules. Blood samples will be taken at regular intervals to measure the levels of appetite-regulating hormones like PYY, GLP-1, and ghrelin. Participants will be served standard breakfast and lunch meals, and their food intake will be recorded. They will also fill out questionnaires to rate their feelings of hunger, fullness, and desire to eat. The active capsules contain diindolylmethane (DIM) and perilla oil, while the placebo capsules contain an inactive substance.