"Scientific Study # 1: One recent 8-week randomized, double-blind placebo study of 30 moderately obese individuals yielded some interesting results. The group was broken up into three groups of 10.
Group 1 received just the calcium/potassium salt of 60% HCA extract from Garcinia cambogia. Group 2 received Garcinia cambogia extract, chromium polynicotinate, and Gymnema sylvestre extract. Group 3 received a placebo.
All individuals were placed on a 2000 kcal/day diet; ingested the recommended test supplements 3 times a day, 30 to 60 minutes before meals; and completed their supervised walking 5 times per week.
The results: Group 1 lost, on average, 12.1 pounds. Group 2 lost, on average, 14.99 pounds. Group 3 (just diet and exercise) lost, on average, 3.06 pounds. Obviously, these ingredients work together to increase fat oxidation and promote weight loss.
Scientific Study # 2: In this double blind study, 60 moderately obese individuals were assigned to the same three groups as study # 1. After 8 weeks, group 1 lost an average of 10 pounds. Group 2 lost 12.54 pounds. And the placebo group lost 3.53 pounds.
The overwhelming conclusion from both studies is that supplementation with the combination of hydroxycitric acid, niacin-bound chromium, and Gymnema Sylvestre Extract can help people with weight management."
The cohort size (number of people in study) for both examples is 30 and 60 respectively, which is many times smaller than what science demands (200+). Anyone who believes this ad needs to work more hours to pay for a diet one could make with help from a dietician for far cheaper!!!
As well, there is no statistical breakdown of weight-loss which adds up to the total of the group. Rather, averages are used. Furthermore, no standard deviation for each group is given.
When you compare the groups that lost weight, the difference in loss ranges from 2.54 to 2.89 pounds, which is not a big difference. The only conclusion one can make is that placebo diets do not help you lose weight. Another conclusion that can be made from a quick reading of the ingredients in the diets mentioned is that regularity is a normal part of any diet, that is, regular excretion of faeces guarantees that you will lose weight, probably due to dehydration.
Overall, this part of the ad for the diet is unscientific.
1 comment:
the acai berry is being plugged as a weight loss aid:
"There is a special berry that comes from an Amazon palm tree that is harvested in the rainforests of Brazil, which tastes like a blend of berries and chocolate.
And after years of scientific research, this ‘acai berry’ is quickly gaining a rep-
* It has more protein per pound than an egg.
* It is almost the perfect food for amino acids, and also has critical trace minerals important for muscle regeneration.
* It has a remarkable concentration of antioxidants including twice as many antioxidants as blueberries, ten times as many antioxidants as red grapes and 10 to 30 times the antioxidants of red wine
* It promotes cardiovascular and digestive health as a result of an amazing combination of healthy fats (monounsaturated), phytosterols and dietary fiber.
* It contains fatty acids which are full of the goodness of monounsaturated oleic acid which when combined with omega 3 fish oils help all your hormones, insulin receptors and neurotransmitters function more effectively. (note: this helps lower insulin levels and reduce inflammation. Very important, because inflammation causes aging.)"
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