The Effects of Spinach-Derived Thylakoid Supplementation in Combination with Calorie Restriction on Anthropometric Parameters and Metabolic Profiles in Obese Women with Polycystic Ovary Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial conducted in 2020, researchers studied the effects of spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation in combination with calorie restriction on 44 obese women with polycystic ovary syndrome. The participants were divided into two groups: 21 received a 5g/day spinach-derived thylakoid supplement and 23 received a placebo, both alongside a calorie-restricted diet for 12 weeks. The study found that the thylakoid group experienced greater decreases in weight, BMI, waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, and fat mass compared to the placebo group. Additionally, the thylakoid group showed significant improvements in insulin levels, total testosterone, HOMA-IR, HOMA-B, and QUICKI, indicating an increase in insulin sensitivity. The study concluded that spinach-derived thylakoid supplementation, combined with a calorie-restricted diet, could be a potential therapeutic approach for managing obesity and metabolic disturbances in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.