PLT Health Solutions introduces herbal formula for weight management
The ingredient was developed by PLT’s manufacturing partner Laila in India. Scientists at Laila screened over 400 botanicals and herbs looking for activity towards inhibiting the accumulation of fat into fat cells (lipogenesis) and enhancing the body’s ability to break down fat cells (lipolysis), said Dr Barbara Davis, PLT’s VP of Medical & Scientific Affairs.
“Three ingredients individually rose to the top,” she said, “and then they tried combining them at different ratios to identify a synergistic effect.”
The efficacy of the formula was supported in a clinical trial with 50 obese subjects randomized to receive either 900 mg per of Slimvance or placebo for eight weeks. The results of this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study were published in Lipids in Health and Disease in 2012.
“We felt like all the data was promising, but for our customers to use it we needed to strengthen the data,” said Dr Davis. “The 2012 study involved obese people and lasted for only eight weeks. The new study involves non-obese subjects and lasts for 16 weeks. The conversation with our customers has definitely changed since we finished the recent study.”
“The most recent trial was designed to further demonstrate the efficacy of Slimvance and strengthen our ability to communicate its effectiveness in aiding in weight management. We feel that this approach is the best way to ultimately build trust with consumers,” said Seth Flowerman, exec VP of PLT Health Solutions.
Trial design
The most recent trial was designed with the latest guidance from regulatory agencies in mind, explained Dr Davis, and also so that finished product marketers could have confidence in the ingredient’s performance across a broad section of the population.,
“In the recent study, participants included both men and women,” she said. “The subjects were of a broad age range, and were a healthy population of overweight – not obese – individuals, adding confidence to performance in the general population. The length of this trial demonstrates steady, consistent weight loss – starting early, and supporting long-term weight loss success. Finally, the trial demonstrates significantly significant slimming – with a reduction in waist circumference, and maintenance of lean body mass.”
According to the study’s data, which will be published later this year, consistent body weight reductions were observed throughout the 16-week period, culminating in an average total weight loss of nearly 12 lbs by the end of the study. These overweight subjects taking Slimvance also lost 2 inches in waist circumference, said PLT.
Both trials used daily doses of Slimvance of 900 mg per day.
Source: Lipids in Health and Disease
2012, 11:122, doi: 10.1186/1476-511X-11-122
“Efficacy and tolerability of a novel herbal formulation for weight management in obese subjects: a randomized double blind placebo controlled clinical study”
Authors: K. Sengupta et al.
