Some people are just loathe to give up their bacon, brie or barbecue. They want to be able to eat what they want and maintain or lose weight. While that is an unrealistic expectation, one small Michigan company is trying to make those dreams come true.
ArtJen Complexus USA LLC, formed by two University of Michigan professors, has begun distribution of its new dietary supplement Mirafit. The brainchild of Joseph Artiss, associate professor of pathology at Wayne State University’s School of Medicine and K-L Catherine Jen, chair of nutrition and food science in Wayne State's College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, this daily supplement reduces the absorption of consumed fat.
Mirafit is a soluble corn-based fiber comes in tablet form. Taking 6 tablets per day theoretically provides weight loss of approximately 1.5 pounds per week. Each tablet (one gram) of Mirafit FBCx® removes 81 calories (9 grams) of dietary fat. One fat gram has double the calories of protein and carbohydrates making it a natural target for weight loss. Taking the recommended dosage of 6 tablets per day will wipe out 486 fat calories. In seven days that equates to 3402 calories, just under 1.5 pounds. A 30-day supply (180 tablets) is $74.99 which equates to a cost of $12.50 per pound lost.
The active ingredient in Mirafit fbcx alpha-cyclodextrin, has been designated by the FDA as Generally Recognized As Safe (GRAS). Alpha-cyclodextyrin is a naturally occurring cyclic oligosaccharide produced enzymatically from starch and commercially available in large volumes in food-grade quality. It is utilized in cholesterol-free foodstuffs.
Note that this product is considered a “dietary supplement,” not a weight-loss drug like Alli or Xenical, which would require FDA approval. Alli, whose main ingredient is orlistat, also works by preventing absorption of a quarter of fat that is eaten. But Alli is meant to be taken with a low-fat diet and can have nasty side effects like regular runny bowel movements. Mirafit is meant to be taken with a regular diet and will be less effective with a typical low-fat diet, as there is less fat for the alpha-cyclodextrin to bind to. No side effects of Mirafit are noted on the site or in any press releases.
If you are looking for a weight loss plan that does not include dietary supplements like Mirafit, visit the HealthNews diet pages and test out our Individual Diet Selection tool, which can help find the right diet for you lifestyle.
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