3H LABS has announced the results of a new study investigating the effects of its steamed ginger (Zingiber officinale) extract on weight loss.
Researchers found that the proprietary steamed formulation, sold under the brand Zinoact, helped reduce body fat and total weight while improving cholesterol levels.
The company also stated it would introduce the patented ginger extract, along with other branded ingredients, at Vitafoods Europe in Barcelona, at booth #3D154G.
Ginger has long been used not just as a culinary staple but also for multiple wellness benefits. Traditional uses span a wide range, from relieving fever, flu, nausea and digestive discomfort to easing joint pain and reducing inflammation.
The spice contains a wealth of valuable bioactive phenolic compounds, including volatile essential oils and non-volatile oleoresins such as gingerols, shogaols, paradols and zingerone. These compounds have already been demonstrated in hundreds of studies to exert antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.
The volatile nature of certain compounds in ginger can lead to instability and degradation, particularly during processing and storage. As a result, there is often significant variability in the phytochemical composition and biological effectiveness of many ginger products.
To address this issue, 3H LABS says it has developed a unique controlled steaming process to enhance the beneficial effects of ginger, improve its bioavailability and enhance the potency of its active compounds.
"By applying a special steaming process to ginger prior to extraction, key bioactive compounds — such as 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione — are increased up to ten times compared to untreated ginger," said Jerry Bae, CEO and founder of 3H LABS.
"This allows the extract to deliver maximised anti-inflammatory and antioxidant efficacy."
Our patented steaming process not only can help boost functional efficacy and bioavailability but also improves shelf stability and the flavour profile of the extract.
The study
The new study was published in the research journal Nutrients in January of this year.
Led by Dr Jeong Eun Kwon, the researchers assigned participants to either a daily 480mg dose of Zinoact or an identical placebo while being instructed to maintain their usual diets and physical activity routines.
After 12 weeks of supplementation, the Zinoact group showed marked reductions in weight, body fat percentage and body fat mass compared with the placebo group, as measured by the gold-standard dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA).
Decreases in BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference were also observed among those subjects taking Zinoact. Moreover, blood triglycerides and total cholesterol levels were also significantly lowered in this group compared to the placebo and no adverse reactions were noted, indicating that Zinoact was well tolerated.
"It is known that obesity raises the risk of developing other metabolic disorders such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, unhealthy fat levels and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease," explains Dr Ryan Lee, Research Director of 3H LABS.
This study demonstrated the potential of our highly concentrated ginger extract to exert a positive impact not only on weight management but also on metabolic function.
Zinoact has shown beneficial effects on weight and glucose metabolism in preclinical studies. In high-fat diet animal models, it significantly reduced body weight and fat while improving blood lipid profiles and liver function.
This is attributed to the activation of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), which decreases fat production and storage.
Zinoact also enhances muscle cells' ability to absorb glucose by increasing key proteins involved in insulin signalling and glucose transport, leading to better regulation of blood sugar levels.
Eco-friendly ginger
3H LABS added that its proprietary ginger extract has been sourced from carefully selected farms, which ensures a sustainable supply of high-quality ginger.
The raw ginger is steamed and dried before extraction, producing a powder that contains ten times the active compounds.
High-performance liquid chromatography confirms the presence of at least 0.9 mg/g of thermally stable 1-dehydro-6-gingerdione, the key compound responsible for ginger's health benefits, which is not typically found in raw ginger.
Strong on joints, gentle on the tummy
Another recent study has shown that Zinoact can reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), including joint pain and inflammation. In a trial with 100 participants suffering from mild knee OA, those taking Zinoact experienced nearly a five-fold decrease in pain and more than a 60% improvement in stiffness and knee function compared with the placebo group.
Zinoact also improved exercise endurance, increased pain tolerance and reduced knee swelling and cartilage degradation while preserving important joint components such as type II collagen and aggrecan. Additionally, levels of inflammatory markers decreased.
"Ginger extract's ability to relieve pain in OA patients is well documented, yet a generous dose is required to achieve this effect, which can overwhelm the digestive system," adds Bae.
Zinoact was developed to provide increased beneficial effects at modest doses while being gentle on the gut.