Looking for a boost to lose weight? Participants needed for herbal weight loss product trial

The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of the herbal supplement in aiding overweight Australians to lose weight.

It is widely documented that being overweight has been found to increase the risk of health conditions such as heart and cardiovascular disease, strokes, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, certain types of cancer, kidney issues and osteoarthritis.

Lead investigator Dr Janet Schloss says there is a collective global fight to find ways to assist people to lose weight with many companies developing products to try to assist, however there is still limited data on the efficacy of certain formulas.

“Losing weight can be a very difficult and frustrating experience for a lot of people and it is common for those trying to lose weight to try many different diets, exercise regimes and products, often with little success and sustainability.

“This trial offers an opportunity for people who are overweight to try a new product which may assist them in losing weight in conjunction with nutrition information and exercise consultation,” says Dr Schloss.

The trial will last for 16 weeks, with participants visiting a local health practitioner once a month for four months. Registered practitioners are available in the following locations:

· Northern Rivers, New South Wales

· Blue Mountains, New South Wales

· Sydney, New South Wales

· Dubbo, New South Wales

· Coffs Harbour, New South Wales

· Brisbane and Redlands Bay, Queensland

· Sunshine Coast, Queensland

· Gold Coast, Queensland

· Townsville, Queensland

· Melbourne and Mornington, Victoria

· Sale, Victoria

· Mildura, Victoria

· Scamander, Tasmania

· Adelaide, South Australia

· Perth, Western Australia

· Palmerston, Northern Territory 

Participants will receive either an active product or a placebo treatment which is designed to have no therapeutic value, but is similar in look, taste and smell to the active treatment being used.

For more information about how to participate, go to https://bit.ly/weightlossstudy23

This study has been funded by Pharmacare, a health and wellness product manufacturer.

This research has been approved by Southern Cross University Human Research Ethics Committee, SCU/HREC no. 2021/033.

Key points:

· Southern Cross University researchers are seeking participants for a trial investigating the efficacy of a herbal weight loss product.

· Participants will take either the product or a non-active product (placebo) along with nutrition and exercise consultation.

· Must be in generally good heath, but considered overweight (BMI between 25 and 30), aged 18-60 years, open to men and women.

· Trial runs for 16 weeks; participants required to visit a local health practitioner once a month (up to 6 times).

· Participants will receive a $100 Coles Group & Myer gift card plus a one-year subscription to health and wellbeing app MyFitnessPal Premium version.

· Check eligibility here: https://bit.ly/ClinicalTrialsNCNM

· The study is funded by Pharmacare, a health and wellness product manufacturer.

· This research has been approved by Southern Cross University Human Research Ethics Committee, SCU/HREC no. 2021/033.

The National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine (NCNM) at Southern Cross University is an innovative centre for health research, education and advocacy dedicated to addressing current and emerging challenges through premier academic courses, clinical programs and pioneering research. The NCNM creates, promotes and advocates a strong culture of incorporating evidence-based science into naturopathic education and clinical practice.