Benefits
Extra weight loss alongside diet and walking
In an 8-week randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in obese Indian adults, everyone followed a 2,000 kcal/day diet and walked 30 minutes five days a week. The blend group lost 4.76 kg against 1.79 kg on placebo, an extra 3.0 kg (p<0.001); 41 of the 50 people enrolled were analysed. Waist and hip circumference did not differ significantly from placebo. A 16-week trial of the same blend in 140 overweight adults counselled to eat about 1,800 kcal/day reported 5.36 kg against 0.87 kg, an extra 4.5 kg. Both trials were funded by the companies that make and sell the blend, and no independent group has repeated them. The very small weight loss on placebo in the 16-week trial, despite dieting and walking, is unusual.
Resting metabolic rate: one short study, abstract only
Neither weight-loss trial measured metabolic rate. A 7-day randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study in 60 healthy overweight adults aged 20 to 39, published only as a 2023 conference abstract (Murphy and Salter, Current Developments in Nutrition 7:101606) and publicised by the blend's seller, reported higher resting metabolic rate than placebo 1 to 3 hours after the day-7 dose, with no rise in heart rate or blood pressure. It has not been published as a full paper, its funding is not stated, and a short-term rise in energy expenditure is not a measured weight outcome. In the 8-week weight trial, heart rate and blood pressure did not change compared with placebo.
No stimulant effect on heart rate or blood pressure
The blend contains no caffeine or other stimulant, and in the 8-week trial heart rate and blood pressure did not change compared with placebo. The idea that it acts on fat cells comes from laboratory work in mouse 3T3-L1 fat cells and from rat and mouse feeding studies; it has not been shown in people, and appetite was not measured.
Mechanism of action
Fat-cell formation and breakdown (laboratory cells only)
In mouse 3T3-L1 fat cells grown in the manufacturer's laboratory, the blend slowed the development of new fat cells and increased the breakdown of stored fat. These are cell-culture findings and have not been measured in people.
Reduced fat storage (cell and animal studies)
In cell culture, and in rats and mice fed a high-fat diet, the blend reduced fat stored in fat cells, fat mass and weight gain, and in rats it raised resting energy expenditure. These are laboratory and animal results only.
Clinical trials
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (ISRCTN37381706) of 900 mg/day in three divided doses for 8 weeks. Both arms followed a 2,000 kcal/day diet and walked 30 minutes five days a week. Funded by Laila Impex R&D Center, which developed the blend, and run at a hospital in Eluru, India. (Sengupta et al. 2012, Lipids in Health and Disease)
50 obese Indian adults (BMI 30 to 40, ages 27 to 50, about 70% women) without diabetes, thyroid or heart disease; 41 completed and were analysed.
Weight fell 4.76 kg on the blend against 1.79 kg on placebo, an extra 3.0 kg over 8 weeks (p<0.001), and BMI fell 1.90 against 0.70 kg/m2. Resting metabolic rate was not measured. Waist and hip circumference, cholesterol, LDL, HDL, triglycerides and fasting glucose did not differ significantly from placebo; the falls in glucose and lipids were within the supplement group only. Serum adiponectin, a blood marker measured only at week 8, was 21% higher than placebo. Heart rate and blood pressure did not change. Minor stomach irritation, abdominal pain and back pain occurred about equally in both groups.
Randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 900 mg/day of the blend in two divided doses against placebo, in 140 overweight adults (BMI 27 to 29.9, ages 21 to 50, 29.3% male) for 16 weeks. Both arms followed a roughly 1800 kcal/day diet and walked 30 minutes five days a week.
140 overweight adults.
Body weight fell 5.36 kg on the blend against 0.87 kg on placebo, and BMI fell 2.05 against 0.34 kg/m2, both p<0.0001. Waist and hip circumference fell significantly in the supplemented group, with a 2.08-fold reduction of the waist/hip ratio, and the LDL/HDL ratio improved against placebo. No major adverse events were reported. The author list includes staff of Laila Nutraceuticals, which developed the blend. The same blend is sold under another name, Slendacor.