A clinical study demonstrated compelling weight loss effects of Ashitaba chalcone powder, from Japan Bio Science Laboratory (JBSL-USA). In the randomized, double-blind, parallel group study, 26 slightly obese male and female patients with BMI between 25 and 30 took 200 mg day of Ashitaba chalcone as an active ingredient after dinner for 8 weeks.

The patients were measured by CT scan (total, visceral and subcutaneous fat areas), weight, waist and hip. After the 8 weeks, researchers observed a marked reduction in the visceral and subcutaneous fat, as well as in weight, and waist and hip ratio. They also noted the rate of change in visceral fat was greater than that of the subcutaneous fat, and attributed this to the fat-burning promotion and fat accumulation-inhibition effects of the ingredient.

Ashitaba is a native plant to the lush Izu Islands on the Pacific coast of Japan, where its leaves have been consumed as a food and medicine for centuries. The rich golden sap from the stalks contains a potent cache of 20 unique flavonoids called chalcones. Of these, clinical investigations have discerned that two—4-hydroxyderricin and xanthoangelol—have the most aggressive action in reducing amounts of visceral fat and subcutaneous fat, thereby improving overall health and cardiovascular status, plus helping to manage weight and obesity by improving fat metabolism. For further information: www.jbsl-net.com/english/index.html