Pharmachem’s new DietSpice combines popular flavors with its Phase 2 Carb Controller in functional seasonings that can be sprinkled on top of, or mixed into, healthy meals to promote weight loss.
"There are many people who balk at swallowing more pills to derive health benefits or specific objectives, and for those who want the benefits of reduced carbohydrate absorption, DietSpice was formulated to provide that benefit in a more wholesomely appealing way," explained Mitch Skop, senior director, new product development, Pharmachem.
“Because of its versatility, we think our manufacturing customers will readily see the marketing advantages of this new delivery system for Phase 2. It’s also a concept that is so easy for consumers to understand: use the tasty seasoning in their foods, and the seasonings will immediately start going to work. Plus, there is definitely a 'yum' factor, which of course is a priority for consumers."
DietSpice flavors include Italian, Asian, Butter & Spice, and Cinnamon Sweetener. According to third-party sensory testing of Phase 2 by Tragon Corp., the ingredient does not affect the taste or texture of foods in which it was added, including baked goods.
As a functional seasoning, DietSpice provides numerous flexible packaging options, from individual stickpacks to boxes of assorted flavors to actually incorporating it into frozen foods. Each stickpack contains 1000 mg of Phase 2, a dosage shown in studies to reduce starch absorption and aid in weight loss.
A recent placebo-controlled 12-week study, published in the journal Obesity, showed that from as early as week four, subjects who took the supplement lost significantly more weight than their placebo counterparts. The same trend was observed in the body fat mass measurements: The Phase 2 group showed a significantly more marked reduction compared with the placebo group at weeks four, eight and 12. The authors concluded that the body weight reduction stemmed from loss of fat mass, not muscle mass.
A 2010 meta-analysis conducted by J. Udani et al, concluded that in totality, studies performed with Phase 2 on people who were overweight or obese indicate that it reduces the rate of absorption of carbohydrates, thereby reducing the GI of foods. The evidence also indicates that Phase 2 promotes weight loss when taken concurrently with meals containing carbohydrates.
"DietSpice has been formulated to be a tasty, easy-to-use enhancement for foods so that consumers are indeed taking the supplement concurrently with meals," Skop said.