1. Introduction
obesity, muscle mass, weight gain, overweight, mitochondrial dysfunction, weight loss
OBESITY, OBESE, INFLAMMATION, MITOCHONDRIAL DYSFUNCTION, OXIDATIVE STRESS, PATHOGENESIS
Background: Despite the growing recognition of the obesity crisis, its rates continue to rise. The current first-line therapies, such as dietary changes, energy restriction, and physical activity, are typically met with poor adherence. Novel nutritional interventions can address the root causes of obesity, including mitochondrial dysfunction, and facilitate weight loss. Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of a multi-ingredient nutritional supplement designed to facilitate mitochondrial function and metabolic health outcomes over a 12 wk period. Methods: Fifty-five overweight and/or obese participants (age (mean ± SEM): 26 ± 1; body mass index (BMI) (kg/mThe obesity epidemic continues to grow unabated on a global scale. Over the last 30 years, the incidence of obesity has nearly tripled [Ultimately, the development of obesity can stem from an increased energy intake concomitant with reduced energy expenditure [Another factor in the etiology of obesity is excessive energy intake, which can cause oxidative stress [To address the constellation of factors underlying obesity, a multi-faceted approach must be taken. To counteract the cycle of ROS-associated weight gain, mitochondrial dysfunction, and subsequent inflammation, several natural ingredients have exhibited antioxidant properties. Supplementation with coenzyme Q10, an intermediate in the electron transport chain (ETC), has been shown to rescue pro-oxidative markers in serum and lower lipid peroxidation [While these ingredients have often been examined individually, there is limited utilization regarding the potential for a multi-ingredient supplementation strategy targeting the multiple pathways known to be involved in the pathogenesis of obesity. Our pre-clinical data suggested that such a strategy lowered body fat, preserved muscle mass, and improved mitochondrial function in white adipose tissue [