Glanbia says study confirms Prolibra weight loss potential

The Irish dairy ingredients firm has been developing Prolibra since for over three years. A patent has been filed for Prolibra and is in the execution stage, according to the company. Glanbia is looking to expand into the market for healthy weight loss because it says its ingredient helps reduce fat without compromising lean body mass. It makes sense for a European firm to approach the US with a weight loss ingredient as this market is said to be the largest. Approximately one third of Americans are obese and Euromonitor International estimates the US weight management supplements market to be worth $3.93bn, while the European market is valued at $0.93bn in 2005. "The results of the study provide the basis for substantiated fat loss claims which can be used to support finished products containing Prolibra," Sharon Rokosh, business development manager with Glanbia, told NutraIngredients-USA. "We've had the study and resulting claims substantiated by legal review, so our customers can be confident not only in the benefits of Prolibra, but also in how to state them." In a 12-week double-blind, placebo-controlled study, Glanbia claims researchers found that adults consuming Prolibra lost 82 percent more fat than the placebo group, and retained twice as much lean muscle mass. However, the company is not releasing details on results as it says it is awaiting publication. The company is simultaneously launching Prolibra in the US and Europe. It recently introduced these second clinical results in the US market through what it says was a focused and intense marketing effort. " Initial feedback from the market has been very positive," said Rokosh. "We are continuing to research the ingredient, but in a targeted manner with potential licensees." Prolibra is a partially hydrolyzed whey protein isolate, whey mineral complex that is high in protein and low in fat. Glanbia's suggested uses for the ingredient include beverages, powdered beverage mixes and snacks, such as bars. Glanbia says that by helping to retain lean muscle mass, Prolibra could ward off the negative effects of the yo-yo dieting that often occurs with traditional diets. The company announced the results of its first Prolibra study in 2004. A double-blind, placebo-controlled study of 42 participants confirmed the effect of supplementing the diet with Prolibra. The study subjects were asked to reduce their caloric intake to between 600-700 calories for the study yet most failed to do so. However those taking Prolibra still managed to reduce body fat by 6 per cent over a 16-week period, according to the firm. "The results of the second clinical study confirm and significantly strengthen the results of our first human clinical trial, proving that Prolibra is a safe, natural solution to healthy, long-term weight management," said Rokosh. "The research clearly shows that Prolibra promotes significant fat loss and retains lean mass during dieting." Glanbia recently learned it will receive two handouts from the Irish government, totaling approximately €9m. One is for the company to improve its whey protein concentrate production and the other to help the company increase added value cheese capacity and produce specialized dairy proteins for the food and nutritional sectors.

Glanbia says study confirms Prolibra weight loss potential

Glanbia Nutritionals is bringing its whey peptide Prolibra closer to the US weight loss market following a recent study it says backs-up earlier results.

Related Topics

Glanbia buys Seltzer, becomes pan-Atlantic customised formulator

Glanbia turns whey into functional, nutritional emulsifier

Glanbia solves whey protein problems with R&D