BOISE, Idaho--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 19, 1998--The FDA approved
another diet drug, Meridia, despite the objections of its own
scientific advisers, who stated potential side effects make the drug
too risky for use by the public. Meridia can cause an increase in
blood pressure and pulse rate that may endanger patients with
hypertension (high blood pressure) or certain heart conditions, the
FDA warned.
In the wake of the removal of the diet drugs Redux and
fenfluramine -- the ``fen'' in fen-phen, patients and physicians alike
are looking for safe and effective alternatives to potentially
dangerous prescription drugs. Redux and fenfluramine were pulled from
the market after a Mayo Clinic study showed 24 users had developed
serious heart valve damage subsequent to use.
In an effort to respond to the need for safe and effective
treatments for obesity, The National Research Council for Health
(NRCH), a non-profit organization based in Boise, Idaho, is conducting
research on natural compounds designed to aid weight loss. The NRCH
research testing program involves study protocols designed to
substantiate the effectiveness of natural compounds in a clinical
setting using the latest scientific methods.
``The need for a safe and effective natural alternative for the
treatment of weight management is of the utmost importance,'' reports
Dr. Gilbert Kaats, director of the Health and Medical Foundation, San
Antonio, TX, advisory board member of the NRCH and chairperson of the
Obesity Health Initiative developed by the NRCH. Dr. Kaats is one of
several prominent research scientists and medical doctors who are
helping to coordinate obesity research through the NRCH. According to
Dr. Kaats, the goal of the NRCH is to design and implement clinical
studies which demonstrate the safety and effectiveness of natural
compounds in the treatment of obesity.
While many diet drugs can aid weight loss, Dr. Kaats is quick to
point out that healthy weight loss involves more than just shedding
pounds. ``We've all heard of yo-yo diets, where people regain the
weight they've lost. This is common with many of the diet drugs
including those that were recently banned. The yo-yo effect occurs in
part, because people on those drugs lose both fat and lean muscle.
When you lose lean muscle, your ability to maintain your weight loss
is greatly reduced.'' Dr. Kaats further explains that the NRCH is
currently conducting a number of research trials including one on a
new over-the-counter patented natural compound called Biotrol.
In previous clinical studies, subjects taking Biotrol were shown
to have lost 69% more body fat and 28% more weight than subjects
taking a placebo. Of the nearly 12 pounds of weight the Biotrol group
lost, virtually all of it was body fat with no loss of lean muscle
mass.
For people following a healthy diet and a moderate exercise
routine, the addition of a natural compound like Biotrol provides
significant weight loss without the risk of dangerous side effects.
Thursday February 19, 10:02 am Eastern Time
Drug Safety Concerns Spark Research on Natural Diet Compound for the Treatment of Obesity
Company Press Release
Contact:
Sheldon Baker Public Relations
Sheldon Baker, 209/325-7191