The new release was announced on Friday. The product, called Fat Release, is based on a brand name ingredient called Litramine, which has been designated Litramine IQP-G-002AS in clinical trials. Its goal is to help consumers mitigate the effects of occasional binge eating high-fat meals.
Significant research history
Litramine has been developed by InQpharm, a firm that specializes in developing functional ingredients from botanical sources. The company has conducted a number of clinical studies on the ingredient, some of which were conducted in conjunction with Berlin-based scientific consultancy Analyze & Realize GmbH.
Lithramine is a fiber ingredient derived Opuntia ficus-indicaor the common nopal, which includes additional soluble fiber from gum arabic and is co-processed with cyclodextrin.
A 2014 review of that research effort included data from four published clinical studies, as well as an unpublished pilot study, which started the research effort in 2009. Taken together, those studies showed that litramine resulted in increased excretion of stool fat compared to placebo. Also, also showed a statistically significant increase in weight loss, of the order of an average of 3.8 kg compared to 1.4 kg.
Additionally, a 2015 study, conducted over 24 weeks, replicated the statistically significant greatest weight loss for the litramine group (in that study, the placebo group actually gained a slight amount of weight on average). More importantly, the study showed that 92% of the litramine group were able to maintain their lost weight.compared to only 25% of those in the placebo group who actually showed weight loss of some kind.
Help consumers mitigate the effects of excess
Litramine is intended to help consumers improve the impact of eating high-fat foods on their weight-management goals and is intended to help consumers make progress within the context of a weight-management plan, not as a standalone weight loss product. Herbalife cites recent consumer research published by OnePoll showing that the average person binge on unhealthy foods three nights a week. Instead of haranguing consumers about improving their diets, the company said the new Litramine-based Fat Release product reaches consumers wherever they are.
“Maintaining a healthy lifestyle can be challenging, and we’re committed to providing consumers with convenient on-the-go options to keep them on track.”said Ibi Montesino, senior vice president and general manager of Herbalife Nutrition, North America region. “This product helps consumers plan for those times when they have limited access to healthy foods.”
The product is packaged in stick packs intended to be mixed with water, and can be consumed up to three times a day. The recommended use is to consume it within two hours of a high-fat meal. Litramine was studied at a dose of 3 grams per serving. Herbalife’s launch information did not include access to a supplemental information panel for the new offering, but the front of the package label indicates that each Fat Release bar package has a total of 2.6 grams. A box of 30 stick packs retails for $58.45.
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