The SACIANS study (Advanced Strategy of Food Supplements for the Optimization of Satiety and Lipid Metabolism in Middle-Aged Adults) aims to evaluate the combined effect of commercially available food supplements on satiety and lipid metabolism in adults over 45 years of age who are overweight. This 12-week randomized controlled clinical trial will include 80 participants divided into two parallel groups: a control group without supplementation and an experimental group receiving a specific combination of food supplements with proven nutritional safety and previous evidence of functional effects on metabolism. Primary outcomes include changes in biochemical parameters related to lipid metabolism (cholesterol profile, triglycerides, and glucose), as well as markers of oxidative stress and inflammation. Secondary outcomes include variations in body composition, perceived satiety, emotional well-being, sleep quality, and lifestyle habits such as diet adherence and physical activity. The study will be conducted at the University of Alicante and the EIEH Clinic (Elche Institute of Exercise and Health), following the principles of the Declaration of Helsinki. The goal is to provide scientific evidence on the synergistic potential of existing food supplement combinations to promote metabolic balance and healthy aging.
Overweight and metabolic alterations in adults over 45 years old represent a growing public health concern, frequently associated with conditions such as type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease. Although numerous food supplements are currently available on the market with reported effects on satiety or lipid oxidation, most lack personalization and evidence regarding their combined effects. The SACIANS project (Advanced Strategy of Food Supplements for the Optimization of Satiety and Lipid Metabolism in Middle-Aged Adults) is a 12-week, randomized, controlled, parallel-group clinical trial designed to evaluate the efficacy of different combinations of commercially available food supplements on metabolic and emotional parameters in adults with overweight or mild obesity. Participants (n = 80; 40 per group) will be randomly assigned to one of two arms: Control group: No supplementation. Experimental group: Daily intake of a combination of registered food supplements selected based on their nutritional profile, labeling, safety, and prior evidence of functional efficacy. Assessments will include biochemical parameters (glucose, lipid profile, oxidative and inflammatory biomarkers), body composition (via bioimpedance and 3D scanning), blood pressure, and psychological well-being (stress, anxiety, and sleep quality). Lifestyle factors such as Mediterranean diet adherence and physical activity (recorded with Fitbit) will also be monitored. The trial will follow the ethical standards of the Declaration of Helsinki and has been approved by the Ethics Committee of the University of Alicante (approval date: May 29, 2025). Statistical analyses will be performed using SPSS v24.0, applying repeated-measures ANOVA and appropriate post hoc corrections. This study aims to identify potential synergistic effects among existing food supplement formulations, contributing to the rational and evidence-based use of these products for improving satiety, lipid metabolism, and metabolic health in adults.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
PREVENTION
Masking
SINGLE
Enrollment
80
Participants in the experimental group will receive a combination of commercially available food supplements daily for 12 weeks. The specific supplements will be selected based on safety, labeling accuracy, and prior evidence of beneficial effects on satiety and lipid metabolism. All supplements are registered as food supplements and are commercially available in pharmacies and herbal stores. The combination aims to enhance satiety, improve lipid metabolism, and promote metabolic health in overweight adults. Participants will be instructed to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle habits throughout the intervention period.
European Institute Of Exercise and Health
Elche, Alicante, Spain
Change in total cholesterol
Variation in plasma total cholesterol concentration after 12 weeks of supplementation.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in LDL-cholesterol
Variation in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol levels to evaluate lipid metabolism response.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in perceived satiety levels
Evaluation of subjective satiety using a validated visual analog scale (VAS) for appetite and fullness.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in HDL-cholesterol
Variation in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol levels as an indicator of cardiovascular health.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in triglycerides
Variation in plasma triglyceride concentration
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in fasting glucose
Difference in fasting blood glucose concentration after the intervention period.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in body weight
Change in total body weight measured using a calibrated scale.
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in body fat percentage
Variation in body fat percentage measured by 3D body scan (SCANECA).
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in lean mass
Difference in lean body mass determined by bioimpedance and 3D body scan (SCANECA).
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in C-reactive protein (CRP)
Variation in serum CRP concentration as a marker of systemic inflammation
Time frame: Baseline and after 12 weeks of intervention
Change in malondialdehyde (MDA)
Difference in plasma MDA concentration as an oxidative stress biomarker
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Change in total antioxidant capacity (TAC)
Variation in total antioxidant capacity of plasma
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Change in perceived stress (PSS questionnaire)
Range: 0-40. Interpretation: Higher scores indicate greater perceived stress. Description: The PSS-10 is a 10-item self-reported questionnaire that measures the degree to which situations in one's life are appraised as stressful during the past month. Items are rated on a 5-point Likert scale (0 = never to 4 = very often). Scores are summed to obtain a total perceived stress score, where higher values reflect greater stress perception.
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Change in sleep quality (PSQI)
Range: 0-21. Interpretation: Higher scores indicate worse sleep quality. Description: The PSQI is a self-reported questionnaire that assesses sleep quality and disturbances over a 1-month period. It consists of 19 items grouped into seven components (subjective sleep quality, sleep latency, sleep duration, habitual sleep efficiency, sleep disturbances, use of sleeping medication, and daytime dysfunction), each scored 0-3. The sum of the components yields a global score (0-21).
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Change in Mediterranean diet adherence (PREDIMED score)
Range: 0-14. Interpretation: Higher scores indicate better adherence to the Mediterranean diet. Description: The PREDIMED questionnaire evaluates adherence to the Mediterranean dietary pattern through 14 items covering key aspects such as olive oil intake, fruit and vegetable consumption, fish intake, and limited consumption of red meat and sweets. Each affirmative answer scores 1 point.
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
Change in physical activity level (IPAQ questionnaire)
Range: 0 to unlimited MET-min/week (commonly categorized into 3 levels: low, moderate, high). Interpretation: Higher scores indicate higher levels of physical activity. Description: The IPAQ-SF measures physical activity over the last 7 days through 7 items that estimate the time spent walking, and performing moderate and vigorous activities. Results are expressed in MET-minutes per week or categorized according to intensity.
Time frame: Baseline and week 12
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