Fusion Ingredient Inhibits Fat Absorption-without Side Effects?

In an effort to create a safe, effective alternative to conventional fat blockers, American Medical Holdings Inc. (New York City) and Bio Actives Japan Inc. (Tokyo) have partnered to develop a new herbal fusion ingredient. Inspired by traditional Ayurvedic remedies, the ingredient, FB³, attempts a three-pronged approach to block fat absorption and curb negative side effects that the companies say are associated with similar ingredients.

The FB³ fusion ingredient is a patent-pending blend of ingredients shown to inhibit fat absorption-Coleus forskohlii, Salacia reticulata, and Sesamum indicum. According to a press release, each of the herbal components of FB³ has individually “been shown to inhibit fat absorption with differing degrees and dynamics,” but this is the first time a combination of the three fat-blocking ingredients has been used or tested for weight-loss application.

Like other fat blockers on the market, such as obesity drug tetrahydrolipostatin, FB³ is intended to work by way of pancreatic lipase inhibition. What sets the fusion ingredient apart is how the ingredients complement each other while also acting as a “safety mechanism” against undesirable side effects, says Vladimir Badmaev, MD, PhD, president, American Medical Holdings.

“The synergistic action of FB³ provides twice the fat-blocking activity as each of its individual components,” says Badmaev. “It also helps prevent negative gastrointestinal and metabolic side effects often associated with fat blockers.”

According to Badmaev, conventional pancreatic lipase inhibitors like tetrahydrolipostatin have been associated with side effects such as gastrointestinal distress, compromised vitamin absorption, increased appetite, and diminished drug efficacy over time. Among the three components in FB³, he says Sesamum indicum helps to curb the more extreme fat-blocking abilities of the other two ingredients at high doses, thereby acting “as a safety mechanism preventing any potential side effects resulting from excessive inhibition of pancreatic lipase activity.”

A clinical study pending publication in The Journal of Functional Foods suggested that taking “FB³ led to diminished visceral fat, liver fat, body triglycerides, food craving, and caloric intake,” according to a press release. The release also claims an unpublished in vitro study found synergistic action of two of the three FB³ components, Coleus forskohlii and Salacia reticulata, “inhibited fat absorption by 20.7%-almost double the sum of the fat-blocking activity generated by each component alone.”

Unlike tetrahydrolipostatin’s possible tendency to lose efficacy over time, Badmaev says FB³ “will not incur the wear-off of the weight-loss action.”

FB³ is available for use in capsules, tablets, nutritional bars, water-dispersible powder, or functional beverages. Badmaev recommends three 415-mg doses per day for optimal results.

Michael Crane
Associate Editor
Nutritional Outlook magazine
michael.crane@ubm.com

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