Abstract

CONSEQUENCES OF THE CONSUMPTION OF AN HERBAL SUPPLEMENT WITHOUT A MEAL REPLACEMENT

Patrícia C. dos Santos Bueno, Sandra Maria Barbalho*, Maria Júlia Guimarães Pelegrina Grancieri, Taísa Tatiane Prando Zanco, Winy Sanches Ogura, Claudemir Gregório Mendes

Abstract

Background. The use of herbal products is increasing year by year mainly for weight loss purposes. Although Herbalife® products are commonly used in many countries, including Brazil, there are many scientific lacks about the effects on the metabolic profile. Objective. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Herbalife® shake in the metabolic profile and some aspects of the behavior of Wistar rats without a meal replacement. Methods. Animals were randomly separated in the experimental groups named G1 (control group treated with water and food ad libitum) and G2 (group treated with Herbalife® shake (HLS) and food ad libitum). The shake was prepared daily in a proportion of 30g of powder in 500 mL of water and the treatment lasted 50 days. Animals also performed the Elevated Plus Maze for behavioral assessment. Results. Our results showed increase in body weight, visceral fat and total cholesterol in the animals treated with HLS. No differences were found in the hepatic enzymes and in creatinine and urea levels. No indications of increase in the anxiety was also observed. Conclusion. This study showed that HLS did not reduce body weight when consumed as a meal replacement. Furthermore, it did not improve biochemical parameters and atherogenic index. By the other hand, in this experimental model, this product did not interfere in the hepatic enzymes contradicting many findings of the literature.

Keywords: Herbal product, body weight, glycaemia, cholesterol, liver enzymes.