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April 1999; Volume 1: 40

ULTRA BURN™

April 1, 1999

Label Review

April 1999; Volume 1: 40

ULTRA BURN

Label Information
"All Natural Diet and Exercise Plan"

"A weight loss plan to help you burn fat burn calories"

"100% drug free"

"The dietary supplement in this plan is for nutritional use only and does not contribute to loss of weight or body fat."

"30 caplets plus weight loss plan"

"The Ultra Burn all natural diet and exercise plan will help you make the most of your body’s own natural fat burning process. Created to help you burn fat and calories, the Ultra Burn Plan is supplemented by a unique combination of natural ingredients.*"

"The Ultra Burn plan contains Garcinia, an all-natural extract of the Garcinia Cambogia fruit, rich in (-) hydroxycitric acid (HCA). HCA, which is similar to the citric acid in oranges, has been the subject of numerous laboratory studies on body fat and appetite suppression."

"Plus, the Ultra Burn Plan also contains chromium, as well as a special thermogenic herbal blend. And, unlike many other weight loss plans, the Ultra Burn Plan contains Ginseng to compliment your weight loss program."

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.

Suggested Use
As a dietary supplement take 2 caplets with a full glass of water 1 hour before lunch and dinner. This product is intended to be used in conjunction with a well-balanced diet and exercise plan.

Important: This product is not intended for children. If you are pregnant, nursing, have a medical condition or are taking any prescription medication, consult your doctor before starting this or any weight loss program.

An enclosed diet plan contains information on calculating fat grams, low-fat substitutes, advice on exercise, and a seven-day meal plan with "exchange" items. The diet plan supplies about 1200 calories and <16% fat. The following statement appears at the bottom:

"As a healthy and nutritious alternative, substitute an Ultra Slim-Fast® for any breakfast or lunch meal. For variety, substitute an Ultra Slim Fast® Snack Bar for any snack."

Supplement Facts
Serving size: 2 caplets
Amount per serving
% daily value
Chromium (niacin-bound)
60 mcg
50
Garcinia cambogia fruit extract (50% hydroxycitrate)
500 mg
Ginseng root standardized extract (Panax ginseng)
200 mg
Proprietary Herbal Blend
400 mg
(contains naturally occurring caffeine)
Guarana seed extract (Paullinia cupana)
Green tea leaf extract (Camellia sinensis)

Daily value not established
Each serving contains the approximate caffeine equivalent of one cup of coffee
Ultra Burn is a trademark of Thompson Medical Co, Inc, PO Box 024408, West Palm Beach, FL 33402-4408
____________________________________________________________________________

Price: $6.75, 30 caplets

Analysis by Adriane Fugh-Berman, MD

Chromium: Two of three clinical studies of chromium and weight loss demonstrate improvements in body composition in terms of improved lean body mass, but clinically significant weight loss attributable to chromium has not been demonstrated.1 Studies of the effect of chromium on body composition have used doses of 200-400 mcg/d, so the dose in this supplement is low in comparison.

Garcinia: A recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial of 135 overweight adults treated with hydroxycitric acid (active ingredient in Garcinia cambogia) 1000 mg tid ac x 12 weeks found that patients in both groups lost weight, but there were no significant differences between the two groups in weight loss.2 Previous trials (most published in non-peer-reviewed journals) have been mixed.

Ginseng: There is no evidence that ginseng facilitates weight loss.

Guarana and green tea: Guarana and green tea both contain caffeine, a common ingredient in weight-loss products, but there is no evidence that caffeine facilitates weight loss.

Comments

What a mixed message—the statement on the label that the caplets should be used with a diet and exercise plan despite the caveat that "The dietary supplement in this plan is for nutritional use only and does not contribute to loss of weight or body fat" reminds me of the children’s story in which a woman claims to be able to make soup from a stone, then proceeds to make a delicious offering from ingredients wheedled one by one from villagers as flavorings for the magic "stone" soup.

The diet and exercise plan enclosed, if followed, would be expected to result in weight reduction; it is a perfectly reasonable version of the weight-loss plans in "women’s magazines," largely unchanged from the 1950s. (OK, rice cakes and salsa are modern touches.)

References

1. Anderson RA. Effects of chromium on body composition and weight loss. Nutr Rev 1998;56:266-270.

2. Heymsfield SB, et al. Garcinia cambogia (hydroxycitric acid) as a potential antiobesity agent. JAMA 1998;280:1596-1600.