Medical Strategy To Help Weight Management Problem

Media Release

10th September 2003

NEW MEDICAL STRATEGY TO HELP NEW ZEALAND’S INCREASING WEIGHT MANAGEMENT PROBLEM

With one in two New Zealanders overweight or obese the key question is how can our increasing weight problem be stopped?

Dietary restriction and regular exercise should theoretically solve the problem of being overweight, but although this sounds simple, the fact remains that many people are unable to adhere to a dietary or exercise regime because quite simply they are unable to give up the food they enjoy eating.

A new alternative to weight management based on the ability to reduce calories from starch is about to launch in New Zealand and will allow people to lose weight without denying them the food they enjoy.

This starch stopper weight management programme relies on Phaseolamin (Phase 2TM) - the result of more than 30 years of research, development and testing. Phase 2TM is a natural extract from the white kidney bean that neutralizes starch by binding with the enzyme that digests starchy carbohydrates. This action lasts up to an hour and so when Phase 2TM is taken before meals, starch passes through the system releasing up to 70% less calories than usual, a third of total daily calories , which would be turned into sugar and potential weight gain.

Dr Steven Rosenblatt, one of America’s leading authorities on complementary medicines and co-author of the Starch Blocker Diet book, believes that the success of this approach is that it recognizes the power of the natural human desire to eat, and does not try to subvert, alter, or deny this urge.

“Denial diets that focus on abstinence or partial abstinence are currently the heart and soul of the diet industry and can be quite capable of inducing weight loss – if people can stay on them,” says Dr Rosenblatt. “This is the first realistic weight management program that relies on the power of science, rather than upon the willpower of people."

Phase 2’sTM action is limited to the starchy calories found in foods including breads, pasta and cakes. It does not interfere with the absorption of other nutrients including vitamins, minerals, proteins and fat. Reducing the availability of starch calories and combining the programme with sensible, daily exercise means that less calories will be available for conversion to fat.

This will come as good news to New Zealanders who want to lose or manage their weight without giving up the foods they enjoy; potatoes, pasta, rice and bread. It is not a license to pig out, rather a safe, effective adjunct to sensible eating and regular exercise.

Dr Steven Rosenblatt is the first to admit that far too many alternative products on the market have been driven by commercial considerations rather than science, particularly in the weight management industry. However, he points out that starch blockers are a medical strategy – developed and refined in some of the worlds leading university laboratories such as UCLA and major research hospitals such as the Mayo Clinic.

This is because most of the early research on starch blockers was aimed at developing a product to help control diabetes. Researchers were well aware that eating excessive amounts of starch was dangerous to people with diabetes, because it rushes glucose into the bloodstream. They hoped Phase 2TM would help. Because of this Phase 2TM has sound science and research to back it up.

“At the end of the day, the starch blocker strategy makes good science and therefore good sense,” said Dr Rosenblatt.

Starch Stopper with Phase 2TM from Nutra-Life Health & Fitness is the new approach to weight management.

Containing no harmful drugs or stimulants it is a completely natural product manufactured on site at Nutra-Life’s manufacturing facility in Auckland. Each capsule contains 500mg Phaseolus Vulgaris (White Kidney Bean) extract (Phase 2 TM).

For best results take 2-3 capsules with a large glass of water immediately before each starchy meal.

- Starch Stoppers come in a pack containing 50 blister-packaged capsules.

- Recommended Retail Price $34.95.

- Available from pharmacies and health food outlets

At last a sensible diet for New Zealanders.

Background information

- One in two New Zealanders is overweight or obese, and according to the New Zealand Ministry of Health, more than 1000 people die from medical conditions related to obesity every year; more than twice the annual road toll. The direct cost of this is estimated at about $247 million a year.

- Left alone, obesity could soon overtake cigarette smoking as the most preventable cause of death.

- Potatoes are the number one vegetable in New Zealand with 87% of New Zealanders eating them at least three times per week (source Vegfed).

Ends.

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