There are two types of fat:
- Subcutaneous fat, which lies beneath the surface of the skin
- Visceral fat, which surrounds the internal organs of the abdominal cavity (the stomach, liver, etc.)
While visceral fat has been denounced as the more deadly of the two, both visceral fat and subcutaneous fat in the abdominal region have been linked to higher metabolic disease risk. Excess abdominal fat increases your risk for cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, Alzheimer’s disease, osteoporosis, and certain types of cancer. Excess fatty deposits are breeding ground for pro-inflammatory signaling molecules called cytokines that cause insulin resistance, elevated blood sugar levels, and atherosclerosis.
Excess abdominal fat has earned the reputation as the most “stubborn” type of fat…and for good reason. Despite many people’s dedicated diet and exercise efforts, excess abdominal fat seems to hang on to waistlines with a death grip. New research suggests a possible solution to excess belly fat. It seems a yeast-derived peptide complex can reduce calorie intake and inhibit fat accumulation from excess calories. Participants of a recent study lost 2 full inches from their waistlines—that’s 2 belt sizes!
Shed Pounds with Saccharomyces Cerevisiae-Derived Peptides
Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived peptides are a specialized peptide complex isolated through a natural fermentation process, the same type used in beer production (as in brewer’s yeast). Human studies show that Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived peptides significantly impact weight loss by decreasing abdominal fat and lowering body mass index (BMI). These peptides regulate hormones in the brain by influencing signaling molecules involved in appetite production and control. They also suppress the activity of enzymes responsible for fat storage, thereby inhibiting the accumulation of excess fatty deposits. Let’s take a look at the effects of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived peptides on excess abdominal fat in three human studies:
- The Journal of Food Science and Nutrition: 30 obese female college students received either a placebo or Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived peptides 2 times a day for 6 weeks. The women receiving the peptide supplement lost an average of 2.5 pounds with a 0.44 decrease in BMI. The women taking a placebo only lost 0.4 pounds on average, with a 0.08 drop in BMI.
- The Journal of Food Biology: Young obese women with 28% or higher total body fat took either a placebo or 250 mg of Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived peptides twice daily for 4 weeks. Those supplementing with peptides lost an average of 3.7 pounds, while the control group only lost an average of 1.6 pounds.
- The journal Nutrition: Researchers used CT (computed tomography scans) to measure the abdominal fat stores of young and middle-aged women in the Asia-Pacific region. Subjects either received 500 mg of peptides or a placebo 30 minutes before breakfast and dinner. Those supplementing with peptides saw a daily calorie consumption reduction of 25.3% (about 400 calories) while those taking a placebo reduced daily calorie intake by just 6.3%. These results translated to a decrease in body fat mass of 4.4 pounds!
While more studies need to be conducted, it seems Saccharomyces cerevisiae-derived peptides are emerging as quite a viable aid in reducing excess abdominal fat. Always consult your healthcare practitioner before adding any supplement to your nutritional program.
