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Consumers will take drastic measures to lose weight. In fact, in theU.S., where the CDC estimates that greater than 30% of adults are obese,consumers spend up to $50 billion a year to combat fat. That includes anestimated $5 billion spent in weight loss and appetite suppression supplementsand 200,000 bariatric -- or weight loss -- surgeries in 2007.
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Nowhere are there more promises -- and questionable results -- than in thesupplement market.
A "Who's Who" of health organizations caution against weight loss andappetite suppression products. Harvard Medical School, the Mayo Clinic, andConsumer Reports all have lists of ingredients that don't work or arepotentially harmful.
Even when safe, there are factors that cause concern about appetitecontrol products. Thermogenic ingredients, like caffeine, are powerfulstimulants that can be highly addictive. And non-thermogenic remedies canrequire daily doses of as much as 3 grams to be effective.
Ervolino has watched patients grapple with a common enemy -- the urge toeat. Appetite Down is an all-natural appetite suppression lozenge that usesGymnema sylvestre in a proprietary formulation to curb hunger cravings. It'salso caffeine-free and ephedrine-free.
Gymnema has been used as a natural remedy for blood sugar regulation forcenturies. A 2003 Harvard Medical School meta-analysis reviewed over 100clinical trials involving over 4,500 patients with diabetes or impairedglucose tolerance. It concluded that Gymnema sylvestre was safe anddemonstrated "positive preliminary results."
Ervolino was impressed by another feature of Gymnema sylvestre. Researchindicates that delivering gymnemic acid in a slow-dissolving lozenge can blockthe sense of sweetness and discourage appetite for up to 2 hours. AppetiteDown does this in a slow-release lozenge that uses high-impact sweeteners tomask Gymnema's natural bitterness.
Diet management and weight loss in the U.S. are urgent and seriousmatters. Ervolino's research suggests that stimulant-free, non-addictivenatural products like Appetite Down may provide a useful aid in the battleagainst obesity.
Appetite Down is a new product, and has not yet been tested in a clinicalsetting, but its potential is promising, Ervolino concludes.
SOURCE Zurich Pharmaceuticals
