METABOLIC syndrome (MetS), or Syndrome X, is a cluster of risk factors associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), stroke and Type 2 diabetes.
The definite characteristics of MetS include abdominal obesity (>102cm for men; > 88cm for women), elevated blood pressure (≥130/≥85 mmHg), triglycerides ≥ 150 mg/dL, HDL cholesterol (< 40 mg/dL for men; < 50mg/dL for women) and elevated fasting glucose (≥ 110 mg/dL). The diagnosis is based on the presence of any three out of five risk factors. [1]
MetS affects approximately 25% to 40% of Malaysian adults. [2]
Although common, MetS has received little attention in the general population.
Considering this scenario, Gold Choice Food Industries Sdn Bhd entered into a collaboration with Universiti Sains Malaysia (USM), a renowned Apex University in Malaysia.
The collaboration focused on conducting clinical trials for its product Bioley Toco Oats, titled Efficacy of Tocotrienols Incorporated Oat Supplement in Metabolic Syndrome Patients.
This joint collaboration has resulted in the successful conduct of a pioneer human clinical trials, using Bioley Toco Oats as complementary regimen among MetS patients.
(From left) Catherine Ewe, Gold Choice Food Industries Sdn Bhd managing director Wincent Cheah, Dr Lee Lai Kuan, Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian, Cheah Kooi Hong and Gold Choice Food Industries Sdn Bhd executive director Lim Choon Chooi at the press conference to present findings on Efficacy of Tocotrienols Incorporated Oat Supplement in Metabolic Syndrome Patients.
The ground-breaking efficacy of Bioley Toco Oats, a tocotrienols incorporated oat functional food, was recently shared by the principal investigator of the clinical trials, Dr Lee Lai Kuan, at a press conference organised at VE Hotel & Residence in Kuala Lumpur on June 13.
Dr Lee, who is a Good Clinical-Practice Certified Clinical Nutritionist from the School of Industrial Technology at USM and also led the trial for 24 months, elaborates that the trials were held at USM Bertam Medical Centre in Penang.
Joining Dr Lee in this clinical project were family medicine specialist Dr Mastura Mohd Sopian, Assoc Prof Dr. Foo Keng Yuen and postgraduate candidate Camilla Wahida Norazman.
Trial findings
The study involved the participation of 81 MetS patients, who were required to consume two sachets (equivalent to 60g) of Bioley Toco Oats daily for up to 12 weeks.
The study showed improvements in the fasting blood sugar (5.5% reduction), diastolic blood pressure (4.3% reduction), HDL-cholesterol (23.0% increase) and triglyceride (11.8% reduction) levels, respectively.
The study also reported an elevation in both total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) levels, while protein carbonyl and some inflammatory biomarker concentrations were reduced in the Bioley Toco Oats clinical trial group.
Gold Choice Food Industries Sdn Bhd managing director Wincent Cheah, funded RM360,654.40 to confirm the scientific value of Bioley Toco Oats.
He adds that Bioley Toco Oats is an enhanced formula, when compared to the regular oats, as the functional food contains a substantial amount of tocotrienols, with 40 to 60 times more potent antioxidant properties than tocopherols[3].
In additional to oats and tocotrienols, Bioley Toco Oats also contains oligofructose, brown rice, soy lecithin, soy protein, malt extract (barley), mineralized seaweed calcium and lutein. It is high in dietary fiber, Calcium, Magnesium, Vitamin B1 & E and a source of oat beta glucan, protein, and Iron.
Cheah also shared at the press conference that he hopes the clinical trial results demonstrate the company’s commitment to innovate and refine its products, and its contribution to improving the overall health and well-being of existing and future customers.
The company also strives to expand its functional and scientific-driven research and development to cater to consumers’ needs, in line with their mission and vision to cultivate a healthier nation.
In addition to Bioley Toco Oats, the Toco series is available in three other forms: purple sweet potato, beetroot and black sesame. These variations are derived from the same formulation as Bioley Toco Oats and feature 100% naturally-derived raw ingredients.
Clinical trial summary:
>Two sachets (60g) daily of Tocotrienols-incorporated oats supplementation (Bioley Toco Oats) consumed up to 12 weeks improved the fasting blood sugar, diastolic blood pressure, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol and triglyceride levels in MetS individuals.
>The beneficial TAC and SOD levels were significantly elevated, while the protein carbonyl concentration was reduced in the Bioley Toco Oats group.
>Tocotrienols incorporated oats supplementation lowered the concentrations of multiple inflammatory biomarkers in MetS patients, as indicated by reduced tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF- α), histidine sensitive C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6 (IL-6) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3).
>Supplement groups showed tolerable gastrointestinal side effects, and these effects were well tolerated following prolonged consumption.
Malaysia Independence Day Promotion
Bioley Toco Oats is now available for a limited time at a special offer price of RM69 per can/box pack.
Shop now at Bioley’s Shopee and Lazada pages, or by visiting the Gold Choice official website.
Alternatively, you may also find Bioley Toco Oats at major health food stores and Caring Pharmacy outlets nationwide.
For more information, visit Bioley’s Facebook or Instagram page. Alternatively, you can also email feelgood@goldchoice.com.
References:
[1] National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III). Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program (NCEP) Expert Panel on Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Cholesterol in Adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) final report. 2002. Circulation, 106, 3143–3421.
[2] Lim, K. G., & Cheah, W. K. (2016). A Review of Metabolic Syndrome Research in Malaysia. The Medical journal of Malaysia, 71(Suppl 1), 20–28.
[3] Serbinova, E., Kagan, V., Han, D., & Packer, L. (1991). Free radical recycling and intramembrane mobility in the antioxidant properties of alpha-tocopherol and alpha-tocotrienol. Free radical biology & medicine, 10(5), 263–275.
