Nutraceuticals as Dietary Supplements in the Treatment of Childhood Obesity: Myths and Reality
Anatoly I. Khavkin,
Andrew V. Nalyotov,
V. I. Bystrova,
Daniil A. Sergeev,
Maria F. Novikova,
A. O. Vayman,
Evgenia V. Shrayner https://doi.org/10.15690/vsp.v24i5.2965
Abstract
Childhood obesity is crucial medical and social issue due to development of metabolic complications, chronic low-grade inflammation, and insulin resistance as the key factor of metabolic syndrome. Thus, the search of safe and effective methods for prevention and management of childhood obesity remains relevant. The efficacy of obesity complex therapy can be enhanced via nutraceuticals — dietary supplements with established positive effect on health. This review analyzes wide range of nutraceuticals (omega 3 fatty acids, probiotics, inositols, berberine, diindolylmethane, etc.), their mode of action, efficacy and safety indicators, and administration features.
Supporting agencies: Not specified.
About the Authors
Anatoly I. Khavkin
Childhood Research Institute;
Belgorod State National Research University
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Moscow; Belgorod
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
Andrew V. Nalyotov
Donetsk State Medical University named after M. Gorky
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Donetsk
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
V. I. Bystrova
Novosibirsk State University;
Institute of chemical biology and fundamental medicine
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Novosibirsk
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
Daniil A. Sergeev
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Novosibirsk
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
Maria F. Novikova
Novosibirsk State University
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Novosibirsk
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
A. O. Vayman
Novosibirsk State Medical University
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Novosibirsk
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
Evgenia V. Shrayner
Novosibirsk State University;
Institute of chemical biology and fundamental medicine
Russian Federation
Disclosure of interest:
Russian Federation
Novosibirsk,
Disclosure of interest:
Not declared.
References
1. Kanner EV, Maksimov ML, Kanner ID, Gorelov AV. Vitamin D deficiency in children with obesity: consequence or cause? Russian Medical Inquiry. 2022;6(9):516-522. (In Russ). doi: https://doi.org/10.32364/2587-6821-2022-6-9-516-522
2. Frithioff-Bojsoe C, Lund MAV, Lausten-Thomsen U, et al. Leptin, adiponectin, and their ratio asmarkers of insulin resistance and cardiometabolic risk in childhood obesity. Pediatr Diabetes. 2020;21(2):194-202. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/pedi.12964
3. Marcus C, Danielsson P Hagman E. Pediatric obesity-Longterm consequences and effect of weight loss. J Intern Med. 2022;292(6):870-891. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/joim.13547
4. Pkhaladze L, Barbakadze L, Kvashilava N. Myoinositol in the Treatment of Teenagers Affected by PCOS. Int J Endocrinol. 2016;2016:1473612. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/1473612
5. Vasyukova OV,Okorokov PL, Malievskiy OA, et al. Clinical guidelines “Obesity in children”. Obesity and metabolism. 2024;21(4):439-453. (In Russ). doi: https://doi.org/10.14341/omet13194
6. Wu S, Zhu C, Wang Z, et al. Effects of Fish Oil Supplementation on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in Overweight or Obese Children and Adolescents: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Front Pediatr. 2021;9:604469. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fped.2021.604469
7. Li Y, Liu T, Qin L, Wu L. Effects of probiotic administration on overweight or obese children: a meta-analysis and systematic review. J Transl Med. 2023;21(1):525. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12967-023-04319-9
8. Virgolici B, Popescu LA, Virgolici HM, et al. Effects of omega-3 fatty acids associated with antioxidant vitamins in overweight and obese children. Acta Endocrinol (Buchar). 2023;19(2):221-227. doi: https://doi.org/10.4183/aeb.2023.221
9. European Food Safety Authority (EFSA). Dietary Reference Values for nutrients Summary report. EFSA Supporting Publications. 2017;14(12):23. doi: https://doi.org/10.2903/sp.efsa.2017. e15121
10. van der Wurff ISM, Meyer BJ, de Groot RHM. Effect of Omega-3 Long Chain Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids (n-3 LCPUFA) Supplementation on Cognition in Children and Adolescents: A Systematic Literature Review with a Focus on n-3 LCPUFA Blood Values and Dose of DHA and EPA. Nutrients. 2020;12(10):3115. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu12103115
11. Khorshidi M, Hazaveh ZS, Alimohammadi-Kamalabadi M, et al. Effect of omega-3 supplementation on lipid profile in children and adolescents: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Nutr J. 2023;22(1):9. doi: https://doi.org/10.1186/s12937-022-00826-5
12. Chang JP Tseng PT, Zeng BS, et al. Safety of Supplementation of Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Adv Nutr. 2023;14(6):1326-1336. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.advnut.2023.08.003
13. Jones RB, Alderete TL, Martin AA, et al. Probiotic supplementation increases obesity with no detectable effects on liver fat or gut microbiota in obese Hispanic adolescents: a 16-week, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Pediatr Obes. 2018;13(11):705-714. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/ijpo.12273
14. Million M, Angelakis E, Paul M, et al. Comparative meta-analysis of the effect of lactobacillus species on weight gain in humans and animals. Microb Pathog. 2012;53(2):100-108. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micpath.2012.05.007
15. Larsen N, Vogensen FK, Gobel RJ, et al. Effect of Lactobacillus salivarius Ls-33 on fecal microbiota in obese adolescents. Clin Nutr. 2013;32(6):935-940. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.clnu.2013.02.007
16. Zalewski BM, Szajewska H. No Effect of Glucomannan on Body Weight Reduction in Children and Adolescents with Overweight and Obesity: A Randomized Controlled Trial. J Pediatr. 2019;211: 85-91.e1. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jpeds.2019.03.044
17. Duan Y, Wang L, Ma Y et al. A meta-analysis of the therapeutic effect of probiotic intervention in obese or overweight adolescents. Front Endocrinol (Lausanne). 2024;15:1335810. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fendo.2024.1335810
18. Robertson C, Savva GM, Clapuci R, et al. Incidence of necrotising enterocolitis before and after introducing routine prophylactic Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics. Arch Dis Child Fetal Neonatal Ed. 2020;105(4):F380-F386. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/archdischild-2019-317346
19. Pkhaladze L, Russo M, Unfer V, et al. Treatment of lean PCOS teenagers: a follow-up comparison between Myo-Inositol and oral contraceptives. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2021;25(23): 7476-7485. doi: https://doi.org/10.26355/eurrev_202112_27447
20. Antoniotti V, Partenope C, Solito A, et al. Efficacy of myo-inositol and zinc on insulin resistance in a paediatric population with obesity. Diabetes Obes Metab. 2025;27(4):1932-1939. doi: https://doi.org/10.1111/dom.16185
21. Sairally BZF, Dhillon-Smith RK, Jethwani G, Latthe P Myoinositol or D-chiro-inositol for PCOS symptoms in adolescents: a narrative review. J Pediatr Endocrinol Metab. 2023;37(2):91-101. doi: https://doi.org/10.1515/jpem-2023-0458
22. Phelps D, Ward R, Williams R, et al. Safety and pharmacokinetics of multiple dose myo-inositol in preterm infants. Pediatr Res. 2016;80(2):209-217. doi: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2016.97
23. Bizzarri M, Fuso A, Dinicola S, et al. Pharmacodynamics and pharmacokinetics of inositol(s) in health and disease. Expert Opin Drug Metab Toxicol. 2016;12(10):1181-1196. doi: https://doi.org/10.1080/17425255.2016.1206887
24. DiNicolantonio JJ, H O'Keefe J. Myo-inositol for insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome and gestational diabetes. Open Heart. 2022;9(1):e001989. doi: https://doi.org/10.1136/openhrt-2022-001989
25. Rojas J, Arraiz N, Aguirre M, et al. AMPK as Target for Intervention in Childhood and Adolescent Obesity. J Obes. 2011;2011:252817. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2011/252817
26. Guo J, Chen H, Zhang X, et al. The Effect of Berberine on Metabolic Profiles in Type 2 Diabetic Patients: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials. Oxid Med Cell Longev. 2021;2021:2074610. doi: https://doi.org/10.1155/2021/2074610
27. Yang H, Seo SG, Shin SH, et al. 3,3-Diindolylmethane suppresses high-fat diet-induced obesity through inhibiting adipogenesis of pre-adipocytes by targeting USP2 activity. Mol Nutr Food Res. 2017;61(10). doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/mnfr.201700119
28. Liu YF, Wang HH, Geng YH, et al. Advances of berberine against metabolic syndrome-associated kidney disease: Regarding effect and mechanism. Front Pharmacol. 2023;14:1112088. doi: https://doi.org/10.3389/fphar.2023.1112088
29. Suciu I, Delp J, Gutbier S, et al. Definition of the Neurotoxicity- Associated Metabolic Signature Triggered by Berberine and Other Respiratory Chain Inhibitors. Antioxidants (Basel). 2023;13(1):49. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/antiox13010049
30. Li Z, Wang Y Xu Q, et al. Berberine and health outcomes: An umbrella review. Phytother Res. 2023;37(5):2051-2066. doi: https://doi.org/10.1002/ptr.7806
31. Fogacci F, ALGhasab NS, Di Micoli V, et al. CholesterolLowering Bioactive Foods and Nutraceuticals in Pediatrics: Clinical Evidence of Efficacy and Safety. Nutrients. 2024;16(10):1526. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16101526
32. Xiong P Niu L, Talaei S, et al. The effect of berberine supplementation on obesity indices: A dose-response meta-analysis and systematic review of randomized controlled trials. Complement Ther Clin Pract. 2020;39:101113. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ctcp.2020.101113
33. Ilyas Z, Perna S, Al-Thawadi S, et al. The effect of Berberine on weight loss in order to prevent obesity: A systematic review. Biomed Pharmacother. 2020;127:110137. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110137
34. Zhang H, Wei J, Xue R, et al. Berberine lowers blood glucose in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients through increasing insulin receptor expression. Metabolism. 2010;59(2):285-292. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.metabol.2009.07.029
35. Yu M, Jin X, Liang C, et al. Berberine for diarrhea in children and adults: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Therap Adv Gastroenterol. 2020;13:1756284820961299. doi: https://doi.org/10.1177/1756284820961299
36. Wang H, Zhu C, Ying Y, et al. Metformin and berberine, two versatile drugs in treatment of common metabolic diseases. Oncotarget. 2017;9(11):10135-10146. doi: https://doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.20807
37. Malhotra B, Kulkarni GT, Dhiman N, et al. Recent advances on Berberis aristata emphasizing berberine alkaloid including phytochemistry, pharmacology and drug delivery system. J Herb Med. 2021;27:100433. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.hermed.2021.100433
38. Amare DE. Anti-cancer and other biological effects of a dietary compound 3,3'-diindolylmethane supplementation: a systematic review of human clinical trials. Nutrition and Dietary Supplements. 2020;12:123-137. doi: https://doi.org/10.2147/NDS.S261577
39. Hampl SE, Hassink SG, Skinner AC, et al. Clinical Practice Guideline for the Evaluation and Treatment of Children and Adolescents With Obesity. Pediatrics. 2023;151(2): e202206064. doi: https://doi.org/10.1542/peds.2022-060640
40. El Amrousy D, El-Afify D. Effects of alpha lipoic acid as a supplement in obese children and adolescents. Cytokine. 2020;130:155084. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cyto.2020.155084
41. de Ligt M, Timmers S, Schrauwen P Resveratrol and obesity: Can resveratrol relieve metabolic disturbances? Biochim Biophys Acta. 2015;1852(6):1137-1144. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bbadis.2014.11.012
42. Hillsley A, Chin V, Li A, McLachlan CS. Resveratrol for Weight Loss in Obesity: An Assessment of Randomized Control Trial Designs in ClinicalTrials.gov. Nutrients. 2022;14(7):1424. doi: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu14071424
43. Xinmei Xu, Huan Yi, Jiasi Wu, et al. Therapeutic effect of berberine on metabolic diseases: Both pharmacological data and clinical evidence. Biomed Pharmacother. 2021;133:110984. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.biopha.2020.110984
44. Mohammadpour S, Reza Amini M, Shahinfar H, et al. Effects of glucomannan supplementation on weight loss in overweight and obese adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Obesity Medicine. 2020;19:100276. doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.obmed.2020.100276
Review
For citations:
Khavkin A.I., Nalyotov A.V., Bystrova V.I., Sergeev D.A., Novikova M.F., Vayman A.O., Shrayner E.V. Nutraceuticals as Dietary Supplements in the Treatment of Childhood Obesity: Myths and Reality. Current Pediatrics. 2025;24(5):343-352. (In Russ.) https://doi.org/10.15690/vsp.v24i5.2965
Views:
16
Email this article 
