Researchers at Southern Cross University’s National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine are calling for overweight but generally healthy adults in the Northern Rivers to join a clinical trial for weight loss. The trial aims to assess the effectiveness of a herbal supplement in aiding overweight Australians to lose weight.
It’s 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,’ said Dr Schloss.
‘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,’ she said.
The trial will last for 16 weeks, with participants visiting a local health practitioner once a month for four months. Practitioners are available at the NCNM Clinical Trials Centre, Southern Cross University Lismore campus, or at Now for Health in Lennox Head.
Everyone who is selected for the trial 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.
Who should apply?
Participants must be in generally good health, but considered overweight (BMI between 25 and 30), aged 18-60 years. Men and women are invited to apply. Participants will receive a $100 Coles Group & Myer gift card plus a one-year subscription to health and wellbeing app MyFitnessPal Premium version.
For more information about how to get involved with the trial, go here.
This study has been funded by Pharmacare, a health and wellness product manufacturer. The research has been approved by Southern Cross University’s Human Research Ethics Committee.
The National Centre for Naturopathic Medicine at SCU is an innovative centre for health research, education and advocacy dedicated to addressing current and emerging challenges through academic courses, clinical programs and pioneering research.
