Macro partitioning
Silibinin (150-300 mg) and thistle extract inhibit human pancreatic lipase in vivo, leading to increased fecal fat excretion and reduced waist circumference, with a significantly lower adverse effect profile compared to orlistat.
Taking 150-300 mg of silibinin or thistle extract with meals may help reduce abdominal fat by blocking some dietary fat absorption, with fewer gastrointestinal side effects than prescription fat-blockers like orlistat. However, this was observed in a very short-term study of healthy, normal-weight people, so long-term efficacy and safety for weight loss in obese individuals remain unproven.
Orlistat showed the highest fecal fat excretion, although thistle extract had similar results (p = 0.582)... Both silibinin and orlistat reduced plasma triglycerides (p = 0.016) and waist circumference (p = 0.001)... The 150 mg/silibinin group reported the fewest adverse effects.
Why this rating
Randomized controlled trial design, but small sample size (n=11), short duration (3 days), and conducted in healthy/normal-weight individuals rather than obese subjects.
Source
Effect of Silibinin on Human Pancreatic Lipase Inhibition and Gut Microbiota in Healthy Volunteers: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Cristina Ponce Martínez et al. · International Journal of Molecular Sciences · 2024
DOI 10.3390/ijms252312853
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