Effect of Four Weeks of Aerobic Training and Triphala Supplementation on Levels of Lipid Profile and Body Composition in Obese and Overweight Girls

Supplementation by triphala along with aerobic exercises may affect obesity in various ways including increased metabolism. This study aimed at investigating the effect of four weeks of aerobic training with/without triphala supplementation on levels of lipid profile and body composition in obese and overweight girls. In this quasi-experimental study, 36 obese and overweight girls were selected based on certain criteria and randomly divided into four groups: 1) exercise + placebo 2) supplement 3) exercise + supplement 4) placebo. The first and the third groups performed the aerobic exercises for 4 weeks, and the second and third groups consumed 10 grams of triphala daily in the same period. Blood sampling and physical examination were performed to measure the variables 48 hours before and after the research's protocol. The data were analyzed by paired sample t test, one-way ANOVA and Tukey test at the significance level of 0.05. The present study significantly decreased lipid profiles including cholesterol (p = 0.0012), triglyceride (p = 0.039), low density lipoprotein (p = 0.001), high density lipoprotein (p = 0.004), very low density lipoprotein (p = 0.05), WC (p = 0.009) and body fat percent (p = 0.025) in the placebo + exercise group. Also, the significant decrease in fasting glucose index (p = 0.043), WHR (p = 0.001), WC (p = 0.042) and body fat percent (p = 0.001) was seen in the supplement group. Significant decrease was indicated in glucose level (P = 0.003), WC (p = 0.015), body fat percent (p = 0.001) and body mass index (p = 0.020) in the supplement + exercise group. Considering the significant reduction in body fat percentage and some anthropometric indices in the experimental groups, it was suggested that the obese girls use triphala supplement in addition to the aerobic exercises to improve their body composition.