A proprietary hemp extract shows promise as a supplement to help promote weight loss, according to research funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health. Data from the double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed that all 100 participants who took Nitro-V hemp extract daily lost weight, shedding up to 22 pounds over a 90 days. The minimum weight loss for those taking the supplement was five pounds, while 64% of participants in the placebo group either gained weight or saw no change.

The study subjects taking the hemp extract, which is rich in cannabidiol (CBD), tetrahydrocannabivarin (THCV), cannabidivarin (CBDV) and other cannabinoids, also showed improvements in other metabolic health metrics and key wellness indicators without changing their diet and exercise habits. Participants taking Nitro-V saw their body mass index (BMI) scores drop by an average of three points and lost an average of 2.4 inches from their waist measurements. On average, study subjects in the placebo group gained weight and saw their BMI remain the same.

Nearly 75% Of Americans Are Overweight

According to data from the CDC, more than 73% of adults 20 and older in the United States are overweight or obese. Health risks associated with obesity can be severe and include heart disease, diabetes and high blood pressure. Further CDC data shows that between 2013 and 2016, more than 49% of American adults reported trying to lose weight in the previous 12 months.

“Those working to reduce their weight and enhance their overall health are looking for any advantage they can find to help them stick to their exercise and nutrition regimens,” Arthur Jaffee, CEO of Nitro-V manufacturer ECS Brands, said in a press release. “With the results of these studies, we think that Nitro-V could be the tool to help many unlock their weight-loss potential and feel better.”

To conduct the clinical study, which has not yet been published in a peer-reviewed journal, investigators assembled a group of 125 subjects to participate in the research. A total of 100 participants were given either one or two 50mg servings of Nitro-V daily, with the remaining 25 subjects receiving a placebo. Study subjects were not told that they were participating in a weight-loss trial and made no changes to their diet or exercise habits.

At the beginning and end of the 90-day study period, participants visited the Mayo Clinic’s Scottsdale, Arizona campus and completed standardized surveys for health factors including nutrition, appetite, anxiety and pain. Researchers also monitored subjects’ weight, BMI, abdominal girth and vital signs and performed complete blood analysis panels to measure blood sugar, cholesterol and organ health, as well as other diagnostic tests. A statistician analyzed data collected during the study to identify trends and evaluate the significance of the results. The research was funded by a National Institutes of Health small business grant and was conducted by a contract researcher with 20 years of experience in product safety studies.

Each softgel microcapsule serving of Nitro-V contains 50mg of hemp extract with a combination of cannabinoids including CBD, THCV and CBDV in a base of organic hemp seed oil. The solventless hemp extract contains the complete cannabinoid profile found in the source plant, including less than 0.1% THC. Further processing boosts levels of THCV and CBDV in the supplement.

The ‘Skinny Cannabinoid’ 

Cannabinoids from cannabis including hemp act on the body’s endocannabinoid system, which helps maintain physiological, cognitive and emotional stability. Research has shown that THCV can act as an effective appetite suppressant, earning it the nickname the “skinny cannabinoid.” Other studies have shown that THCV can also help regulate blood sugar levels. THCV has also been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-seizure properties.

Jaffee notes that recent research found that CBD and THCV can affect lipid and glucose metabolism in animals, both important factors for maintaining a healthy weight. The study also found that CBD had multiple beneficial effects on hyperglycemia, mainly due to its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Additional evidence from animal studies shows that CBD modulates cardiovascular response to stress, which plays a role in weight gain and loss. The connection between CBDV and weight loss, however, is “less direct,” he says.

“Research shows that CBDV is a powerful anti-inflammatory, which can play a role in both appetite and weight,” Jaffee writes in an email. “Reduced inflammation in the body helps optimize performance of metabolic organs and fat cells themselves are metabolic organs. Inflamed fat cells don’t function properly, and can contribute toward unhealthy weight gain.”

The Nitro-V study also revealed several other changes in the participants’ health and wellness, including many with the potential to affect weight loss. Participants using the supplement in the research showed a 61% reduction in hunger and had less frequent food cravings. Additionally, all 37 subjects taking Nitro-V who were classified as prediabetic saw their blood sugar levels return to normal at the end of the 90-day study. Subjects also reported less difficulty resisting food cravings and showed improvements in sleep, happiness and anxiety levels. The research also showed the hemp extract to be well tolerated and safe, with blood work revealing that all safety and toxicity levels remained within healthy, normal ranges.

While the study was designed to investigate the effect that Nitro-V can have on weight loss, Jaffee says that the data indicates the supplement may have other health and wellness benefits as well.

“The ultimate goal of the study was to identify the overarching power of the ECS system, and the results point towards effects beyond weight loss and appetite suppression,” he writes. “But as with all cannabinoid and ECS researchers today, we still have many unanswered questions about how interactions between cannabinoids and the ECS lead to health improvements.”