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) Weight loss market already suffering from skepticism, Mintel
The report, which dates from last March, adds more weight to the argument that 'bogus' weight loss supplements are damaging the overall industry.Mintel values the US weight control market - including supplements and foods - at $3.7bn. However, the market has been in decline since 2002, on the back of a negative consumer perception of diet pills, said the market researcher.This has resulted from a number of recent issues in the news, such as ingredient bans (ephedra), personal injury lawsuits, Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fines for false advertising, and manufacturer bankruptcies.The recent petition from drug firm GlaxoSmithKline requesting that weight loss claims be considered disease claims can only exacerbate the situation. Regardless of whether or not the nation's regulator accepts the petition, the negative media attention gathered is sure to leave its mark on weight loss supplement sales.Launches this yearAccording to data drawn from Mintel's Global New Products Database (GNPD), there have been 29 new weight loss supplement products launched in the US from January to May 2008. More>> - (
) GSK petition claims weight loss supplements have no science
GSK filed the petition at the end of last month, together with the American Dietetic Association, The Obesity Society and Shaping America's Health, an association for weight management.It maintains that obesity and overweight are significant risk factors for certain diseases, and so products promoting weight loss should be treated as drugs. However, the petitioners also claim that "there is no credible evidence whatsoever to support any type of qualified health claim for a weight loss supplement".Qualified health claims are those based on emerging evidence for the relationship between a food or supplement and a reduced risk of disease. Because the evidence is not well enough established to meet the significant scientific agreement standard, this type of claim must include qualifying language to indicate that the evidence supporting the claim is limited.No science…?GSK and the other petitioners maintain that during the past decade there have been a number of reviews of scientific literature surrounding weight loss supplements. More>> - (
) Herbalife boosts share buyback program
Herbalife Ltd., which sells nutritional supplements and weight-loss products, said Wednesday its board approved a $150 million increase to the company's share repurchase program.The boost raises the total authorized value of the buyback program to $600 million.
Herbalife has bought back shares since its initial $300 million authorization in April 2007. Since the buyback program started, Herbalife said it has repurchased 11 million shares for about $450 million.
As of April 28, Herbalife had 65.1 million shares outstanding.
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) Weight-Loss Aids Bought on Internet Might Harm Your Heart
THURSDAY, May 15 (HealthDay News) -- Weight-loss supplements widely available for purchase online often include ingredients that are potentially hazardous to your heart, and a new study shows the labels often don't include this warning.One of the hazardous ingredients that was found in the products has been banned on the U.S. market since 2004, according to study author Dr. Alireza Nazeri, an internist and cardiology research fellow at the Texas Heart Institute at St. Luke's Episcopal Hospital, in Houston.
The study was expected to be presented Thursday at the Heart Rhythm Society's annual meeting, in San Francisco.
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) The wider implications of GSK's weight loss petition
"The specific issue at the moment is weight loss. The larger issue is what is a disease?" said Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA), a trade association for the supplement industry.Disease definition"The definition of disease establishes the boundary line of market opportunities," he told NutraIngredients-USA.com.The petition could therefore open up a larger can of worms, as the overall definition of a 'disease' hangs in the balance."This extends far beyond current understanding of the definition of disease, and would have ramifications for many other product categories within the supplement industry," said Israelsen.The American Botanical Council expressed similar ideas."Many in the natural health and natural products community have already expressed their concerns that this petition is a disturbing trend," said Mark Blumenthal, founder and executive director."They ask, what condition might be next? For example, with type 2 diabetes being so prevalent, many herbs and other supplements are being researched and promoted to help with glycemic control. More>> - (
) Weight Loss Web Site TotalWeightLossInfo.com Announces Recent Launch
Information about diet plans, over-the-counter products, surgical procedures and more is available at the new information-only Web site TotalWeightLossInfo.com.Virginia Beach, VA (PRWEB) May 21, 2008 -- TotalWeightLossInfo.com, an online site dedicated to providing consumers comprehensive information about the weight loss industry, announces its recent launch.
"TotalWeightLossInfo.com is designed to be the one-stop location for individuals looking for insight and information about all aspects of the weight loss industry," says Steve Lippincott of TotalWeightLossInfo.com. "From over-the-counter products to surgical procedures, from discount diet pills to nutritional supplements, TotalWeightLossInfo.com has the facts."
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) Probiotics weight loss after bypass surgery
SAN DIEGO (Reuters Health) - In a study conducted at Stanford University, obese patients who took probiotics after undergoing gastric bypass surgery lost more weight than patients who had the surgery but did not take the supplements.These findings were presented Tuesday during Digestive Disease Week 2008 by Dr. John M. Morton, during a session on the management of patients with obesity.
"We have better treatments for crack cocaine addiction than we do for obesity," Dr. Morton asserted, "but there has been a real revolution with bariatric (obesity) surgery. It provides strikingly durable weight loss...As a result, blood pressures will normalize...We have seen diabetes cure rates of 82 percent, and this can occur within weeks of surgery." . More>>