Taking common supplements such as multivitamins, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12 and chromium could make the otherwise “fat” years between 25 and 54 a lot leaner time for American adults.

American women gain an average of 16 pounds of body weight from age 25 to age 54. Men gain an average of 10 pounds of body weight from age 25-45. Both sexes begin to see their weight decline at age 55.

Researchers at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center in Seattle used data from a survey taken between October 2000 and September 2002 of individuals between the ages of 50 and 76 in western Washington.

Respondents completed a questionnaire and provided detailed information on vitamin, mineral and herbal supplement use over the previous 10 years and information on diet, physical activity, medical history and demographic characteristics.

The researchers reviewed the responses of approximately 15,000 respondents with an average age of 55, specifically looking at weight change, energy consumption and the use of supplements cited in the survey responses.

Fourteen supplements were selected for review by the researchers, as all promised the user weight loss and increased energy, through either over-the-counter or Internet advertising. Those supplements included multivitamins, fiber pills, soy, gingko, St. Johns Wort, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12, chromium and omega-3 fatty acids.

Respondents were assigned one of three body weight categories at age 45: normal, overweight or obese. Using the survey data, the researchers then correlated body weight changes from age 45 to 55 with the consumption of any of 14 supplements respondents had indicated they had been taking during the same 10 year time period.

The researchers found that respondents who consumed multivitamins, Vitamin B-6, Vitamin B-12 and chromium had less weight gain than their counterparts.

However, the positive effect of less weight gain was found to be most prevalent among those overweight or obese individuals. Gender had minimal impact on the survey results.

The researchers suggest that chromium, found to help regulate blood sugar for diabetics, led to less food consumption by those involved in the study.

The researchers also theorized that individuals lacking B vitamins might eat in excess, noting that individuals who took B-6 and B-12 vitamin supplements may have had lower caloric intakes.

The study was presented at the American Association of Naturopathic Physicians (AANP) annual convention held September 8-11 in Seattle.

Other sources: American Association of Naturopathic Physicians