Endpoint
Fat mass
CAT:outcome/fat-massreported in kg12 findings from 10 compounds
What moved it
How to read these marks12 findings · 10 compounds · 5 null · by evidence strength
| Compound | Direction | Findings | Strongest evidence |
|---|---|---|---|
| creatine | no effect | 2 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| (R)-carnitine | no effect | 1 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| L-arginine | no effect | 1 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| resveratrol | down | 1 | Evidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers. |
| Lactiplantibacillus plantarum | no effect 1 · up 1 | 2 | Evidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited. |
| 5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan | down | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
| caffeine | down | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
| L-cysteine | down | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
| melatonin | down | 1 | Evidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence. |
| L-isoleucine | up | 1 | Evidence strength: insufficient. Mechanistic inference, no evidence found, or evidence weakened below very limited. |
Reported to move it
7 findings
resveratrol — decreases
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.Finding“After resveratrol administration, a small but statistically significant reduction in body fat mass was discovered (ES: − 0.3 kg, 95% CI − 0.48 to − 0.12, p = 0.001) (Fig..”
Quoted verbatim from The effect of resveratrol supplementation on obesity indices: a critical umbrella review of interventional meta-analyses.. - Study
- meta-analysis
- Participants
- 1,375
- Dose
- 200 to >1300 mg/day resveratrol across the constituent meta-analyses
- Population
- Pooled across 5 meta-analyses of RCTs of resveratrol supplementation vs non-resveratrol control; mixed clinical and non-clinical adult populations
The effect of resveratrol supplementation on obesity indices: a critical umbrella review of interventional meta-analyses.2025PMID:41317227Permalink
melatonin — decreases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“Lean mass increased (p = 0.025) while fat mass (p = 0.0013) and body mass index (p = 0.034) decreased in TMG compared with TPG.”
Quoted verbatim from Benefits of 12-week self-paced training combined with melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and body composition in multiple sclerosis patients: A randomized controlled trial.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 3 months
- Dose
- 3 mg/night
- Population
- patients with multiple sclerosis (PwMS); training + melatonin (TMG) vs training + placebo (TPG), both arms also received concurrent aerobic-resistance training
Benefits of 12-week self-paced training combined with melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and body composition in multiple sclerosis patients: A randomized controlled trial.2026PMID:42217742Permalink
L-cysteine — decreases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“To test this hypothesis, we gavaged mice with cysteine and observed a decrease in body weight and fat storage.”
Quoted verbatim from Dietary cysteine drives body fat loss via FMRFamide signaling in Drosophila and mouse.. - Study
- animal · not in humans
- Participants
- 10
- Duration
- 2 months
- Dose
- cysteine 4 mmol/kg per day, oral gavage, 60 days
- Population
- C57BL/6J male mice, orally gavaged with cysteine vs water
Dietary cysteine drives body fat loss via FMRFamide signaling in Drosophila and mouse.2023PMID:37055592Permalink
5-hydroxy-L-tryptophan — decreases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“Fat mass decreased significantly post versus pre in the 5-HTP group (p = 0.02) but did not change in the placebo group (p = 0.58).”
Quoted verbatim from The Effects of 5-HTP on Body Composition: An 8-Week Preliminary RCT.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 8 weeks
- Dose
- 100 mg/day
- Population
- Exercise-trained men and women
The Effects of 5-HTP on Body Composition: An 8-Week Preliminary RCT.2023PMID:35583055Permalink
caffeine — decreases
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.Finding“For every doubling in caffeine intake, the mean reduction in weight, BMI, and fat mass increased 2 Beta-fold (20.29 = 1.22, 20.23 = 1.17, and 20.36 = 1.28), which corresponding to 22, 17, and 28 percent, respectively.”
Quoted verbatim from The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.. - Study
- meta-analysis
- Population
- Adults in randomized controlled trials of caffeine intake; dose-response meta-analysis pooling 13 RCTs (606 participants total across the review).
The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.2019PMID:30335479Permalink
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum — increases
InsufficientEvidence strength: insufficient. Mechanistic inference, no evidence found, or evidence weakened below very limited.Finding“LpWJL supplementation effectively limited weight loss and improved growth, and increased fat mass, without any change in energy intake (; Table 3).”
Quoted verbatim from Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WJL ameliorates chronic kidney disease by inhibiting fibroblast growth factor 21 adaptive stress response via low protein diet.. - Study
- animal · not in humans
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 3.108 CFU (as printed) by oral gavage, five times per week for six weeks, in 20% maltodextrin + 2% dextrose
- Population
- Male C57BL/6J mice with chronic kidney disease from 5/6 nephrectomy, fed a low-protein diet (6.1% protein) in both arms; vehicle gavage in the comparator arm
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WJL ameliorates chronic kidney disease by inhibiting fibroblast growth factor 21 adaptive stress response via low protein diet.2026PMID:42438056An author is affiliated with a producerPermalink
Show the remaining 1
L-isoleucine — increases
InsufficientEvidence strength: insufficient. Mechanistic inference, no evidence found, or evidence weakened below very limited.Finding“The results showed that Ile significantly increased both muscle and fat mass, as well as causing insulin resistance and meanwhile upregulating the levels of key adipogenic and myogenic proteins.”
Quoted verbatim from Isoleucine increases muscle mass through promoting myogenesis and intramyocellular fat deposition.. - Study
- animal · not in humans
- Dose
- high-fat diet with 25 g L-1 Ile
- Population
- wild male C57BL/6J mice on a high-fat diet with or without isoleucine (32 mice, two groups)
Isoleucine increases muscle mass through promoting myogenesis and intramyocellular fat deposition.2021PMID:33289736Permalink
Measured, no effect detected
5 findings
creatine — no detected effect on
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.FindingNull resultreplicated ×1“Collectively, in adults < 50 years of age, the combination of resistance exercise and creatine supplementation produces a very small reduction in body fat percentage without a corresponding decrease in absolute fat mass.”
Quoted verbatim from Resistance Exercise and Creatine Supplementation on Fat Mass in Adults < 50 Years of Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.. - Study
- meta-analysis
- Population
- adults <50 years of age performing resistance exercise
Resistance Exercise and Creatine Supplementation on Fat Mass in Adults < 50 Years of Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.2023PMID:37892421An author is affiliated with a producerPermalink
L-arginine — no detected effect on
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.FindingNull result“Six weeks of l-arginine supplementation did not influence body weight, BMI, fat mass or lean mass in either of the ethnic groups (Table 2).”
Quoted verbatim from Effect of L-arginine on energy metabolism, skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue in South Asian and Europid prediabetic men: a randomised double-blinded crossover study.. - Study
- crossover
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 9 g/day L-arginine, divided over three servings
- Population
- Prediabetic overweight South Asian and Europid men
Effect of L-arginine on energy metabolism, skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue in South Asian and Europid prediabetic men: a randomised double-blinded crossover study.2019PMID:30377712Permalink
(R)-carnitine — no detected effect on
ModerateEvidence strength: moderate. Human evidence with one recorded weakness, or capped at moderate by its design or by unread numbers.FindingNull result“There was no significant difference between LCG and PLG, in the mean changes of hip circumference, visceral fat, free fat mass, fat mass, lipid profiles, CRP, MDA as well as stiffness, physical function, decrease of pain and total scores (P > 0.05).”
Quoted verbatim from The effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde in obese women with knee osteoarthritis: a double blind randomized controlled trial.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 3 months
- Dose
- 1000 mg L-carnitine for 12 weeks, both arms on a low-calorie diet
- Population
- Obese women with knee osteoarthritis, all on a low-calorie diet
The effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde in obese women with knee osteoarthritis: a double blind randomized controlled trial.2021PMID:33596883Permalink
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum — no detected effect on
LimitedEvidence strength: limited. Human evidence with several recorded weaknesses, or a design that tops out at limited.FindingNull result“After 6 weeks of administration, no significant differences in BW, BMI, and body fat mass were observed between the Control and TWK10‐HK groups.”
Quoted verbatim from Effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 on exercise performance, fatigue, and muscle growth in healthy male adults.. - Study
- RCT
- Duration
- 6 weeks
- Dose
- 3 × 10^10 heat-killed cells/day (two 1.5 × 10^10 capsules) after meals
- Population
- Healthy untrained males aged 20-40 years; fat mass by bioelectrical impedance (InBody 570), not DXA
Effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 on exercise performance, fatigue, and muscle growth in healthy male adults.2023PMID:37816697Industry fundedPermalink
creatine — no detected effect on
Very limitedEvidence strength: very limited. Human evidence with major recorded weaknesses, or non-human, uncontrolled or unverified evidence.FindingNull resultreplicated ×1“Cr + RT increased total body mass (P = 0.004) and fat-free mass (P < 0.0001) with no effect on fat mass as compared with RT alone.”
Quoted verbatim from Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults-a meta-analysis.. - Study
- meta-analysis
- Population
- older adults (Cr 63.6±5.9y, placebo 64.2±5.4y), resistance training >=6wk, vs RT alone
Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults-a meta-analysis.2014PMID:24576864Permalink
How it is measured
Adipose tissue mass by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry, or by a method recorded with each finding where DXA was not used.
Measured, not recorded
- Subject
- fat mass
- Measurements
- 28 measurements
- Recorded as a finding
- No
Show what was measured
fat mass
unclear
Fat mass results varied, showing reductions, no changes, or mitigated increases during hormone therapy.
PMID:40536429 · both readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect, g = -0.10, p = 0.14, p = 0.14
No significant difference emerged for fat mass (g = -0.10, p = 0.14).
PMID:42765482 · both readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect, p = 0.14
fat mass (WMD = -1.50, 95%CI [-3.48, 0.48], P=0.14)
PMID:15734715 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
increases
addition of fish oil to extra protein (TB+fo+hpr) or fish oil to extra protein and leucine (TB+fo+hpr+leu), resulted in a significant higher fat mass compared with TB-con
PMID:19259092 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
no effect
with no effect on fat mass as compared with RT alone
PMID:24576864 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect
fat mass (WMD, -0.43 kg; 95%CI, -1.69 to 0.84)
PMID:26180255 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect
fat mass (WMD, 0.12 kg; 95%CI, -0.22 to 0.45)
PMID:26180255 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect, p = 0.26
Fat mass (kg) | 33.8±9.0 | 34.5±9.4 | 0.041 | 34.04±7.1 | 34.0±6.5 | 0.94 | 0.26
PMID:26406981 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases
PL | 22.0 ± 6.5 | 21.3 ± 6.6 a | − 0.09 | − 1.59, 0.03
PMID:30064450 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases
Fat Mass (kg) | B | 23.9 ± 11.2 | 21.9 ± 11.4 ab | − 0.22 | −2.76, − 1.30
PMID:30064450 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases, n = 606
0.36 (95% CI: 0.24, 0.48; Q = 167.36, I2 = 94.0%) for fat mass
PMID:30335479 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases
which corresponding to 22, 17, and 28 percent, respectively
PMID:30335479 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
n = 18
Fat mass (kg) | 17.3 ± 8.4 | 17.5 ± 9.9 | p = 0.995 | 18.8 ± 9.1 | 16.4 ± 8.8 | p = 0.589
PMID:31324842 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
decreases, p = 0.007
The l-carnitine significantly increased muscle mass (P = .023) and thigh circumference (P = .027), decreased fat mass (P = .007), and shortened chair stand-up time (P = .002) and 10-m walk test (P = .037)
PMID:32777142 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases, F(1.48) = 21,275; p = 0.000, decreased in intervention, increased in control
Therefore, we found that WHtR [F(1.31) = 12,752; p = 0.001] and fat mass [F(1.48) = 21,275; p = 0.000] of participants in the intervention group decreased from baseline, whereas these variables increased in the control group.
PMID:33322022 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases, p = 0.01
CPS significantly decreased fat mass (-1·21 kg; 95 % CI: -2·13, -0·29; I2 = 0·0 %; P = 0·010)
PMID:35658958 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect, p = 0.612
fat mass (FM) (WMD: -0.24 kg; 95% CI: -1.16 to 0.68; p = 0.612, I2 = 0.0%, p = 0.969)
PMID:35813845 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect
Not recorded as a finding: outcome node fat-mass requires the measurement method (DXA or a stated alternative), which the text supplied does not name
Valine or isoleucine did not affect these endpoint readouts.
PMID:35830259 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases, p = 0.023
Clinical Global Impression of Improvement [CGI-I]; P = .029; fat mass; P = .023
PMID:36639249 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases, p = 0.003
the primary (HQ-CT; P = .037) and secondary end points were all improved (CGI-I; P = .015; Caregiver Global Impression of Change; P = .031; fat mass; P = .003)
PMID:36639249 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
decreases
fat mass (ED: 18.9 ± 1.5 to 18.3 ± 1.5 kg vs. Control: 19.1 ± 1.3 to 18.4 ± 1.2 kg) when compared to the control group
PMID:36862943 · one of two readings recorded this
fat mass
no effect, n = 30
Fat Mass (%) | 15.90 ± 4.84 | 16.13 ± 5.44 | 15.73 ± 4.53 | 15.19 ± 5.27
PMID:37816697 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
decreases, p = 0.001
RESV oral supplementation (500 mg/dose) | Randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐control trial | 500 mg thrice a day for 90 days | 24 patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome | Decreased total insulin secretion (p =.003), body weight (p =.007), waist circumference (p =.004) and fat mass (p =.001) | Méndez‐del Villar et al.
PMID:38628180 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
no effect, WMD -0.54 kg, 95% CI -1.26 to 0.18, p = 0.142, 11 effect sizes, p = 0.142
The overall effect was not statistically significant (WMD = −0.54 kg; 95% CI: −1.26, 0.18; p = 0.142) C and Table 3).
PMID:41097202 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
no effect
FM (WMD: 0.39, 95% CI: -1.10 to 1.88)
PMID:41917882 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
no effect
Fat mass, g | 3.8 ± 0.4* | 2.7 ± 0.3 | 3.3 ± 0.2
PMID:42438056 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
no effect, p = 0.36
Fat mass (kg) | 22.0 ± 5.1 | 9 | 25.6 ± 10.97 | 7 | 0.45 | 21.1 ± 4.3 | 9 | 25.3 ± 10.0 | 6 | 0.36 | −0.9 ± 0.7 | 0.23 | 0.3 ± 1.0 | 0.79
PMID:42438056 · one of two readings recorded this
Fat mass
increases
Fat mass, g | 1.53 ± 0.08 | 0.61 ± 0.02*** | 0.89 ± 0.04€ | 1.28 ± 0.02£££ | 1.73 ± 0.02$$$
PMID:42438056 · one of two readings recorded this
Sources cited
12 papers
- Subject
- fat mass
- Findings
- 12
- Papers
- 12
Benefits of 12-week self-paced training combined with melatonin supplementation on oxidative stress, inflammation, hyperlipidemia, and body composition in multiple sclerosis patients: A randomized controlled trial.record2026PMID:422177421 finding
Lactiplantibacillus plantarum WJL ameliorates chronic kidney disease by inhibiting fibroblast growth factor 21 adaptive stress response via low protein diet.record2026PMID:424380561 finding
The effect of resveratrol supplementation on obesity indices: a critical umbrella review of interventional meta-analyses.record2025PMID:413172271 finding
Dietary cysteine drives body fat loss via FMRFamide signaling in Drosophila and mouse.record2023PMID:370555921 finding
Effects of heat-killed Lactiplantibacillus plantarum TWK10 on exercise performance, fatigue, and muscle growth in healthy male adults.record2023PMID:378166971 finding
Resistance Exercise and Creatine Supplementation on Fat Mass in Adults < 50 Years of Age: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.record2023PMID:378924211 finding
The Effects of 5-HTP on Body Composition: An 8-Week Preliminary RCT.record2023PMID:355830551 finding
Isoleucine increases muscle mass through promoting myogenesis and intramyocellular fat deposition.record2021PMID:332897361 finding
The effect of L-Carnitine supplementation on clinical symptoms, C-reactive protein and malondialdehyde in obese women with knee osteoarthritis: a double blind randomized controlled trial.record2021PMID:335968831 finding
Effect of L-arginine on energy metabolism, skeletal muscle and brown adipose tissue in South Asian and Europid prediabetic men: a randomised double-blinded crossover study.record2019PMID:303777121 finding
The effects of caffeine intake on weight loss: a systematic review and dos-response meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.record2019PMID:303354791 finding
Creatine supplementation during resistance training in older adults-a meta-analysis.record2014PMID:245768641 finding