09.01.04
The Functional Medicine Research Center, which is the research arm of Metagenics, Inc., San Clemente, CA, recently completed a randomized, prospective 12-week trial comparing the UltraMeal® Plus Program to a standard diet and exercise program recommended by one of the leading heart heath organizations to promote healthy cholesterol levels. Fifty-three subjects randomly assigned to either program completed the study. Subjects on the UltraMeal Plus Program showed a 15% decrease in low-density cholesterol and a 50% decrease in the triglyceride to high-density cholesterol ratio compared with no significant decrease in either marker for participants on the standard program. The UltraMeal Plus Program was also twice as effective in decreasing fat mass (-10.7 lbs) and increasing relative lean body mass (+2.89%) when compared to the standard intervention program (fat mass -5.1 lbs; relative lean body mass +1.23%). UltraMeal Plus is a functional food beverage formula that provides two grams of plant sterols and 15 grams of soy protein per serving along with a combination of vitamins and minerals to promote a healthy body composition.