An Anti-Obesity Chewing Gum

In the past, we have discussed lifestyle modification tools that can aid in weight loss. Now, the Switzerland based company, Ventana Biotech Inc, is working on another tool. The company is working on a chewing gum that might be an aid in weight loss. Of course, this wouldn't be the first time that chewing gum was employed to improve health.

Chewing gum is used to help smokers quit smoking. Chewing gum can serve as a substitute for smoking a cigarette, enabling a smoker to replace the smoking habit with chewing gum. Indeed, nicorette gum also gives the smoker a small amount of nicotine to reduce the effects of nicotine withdrawal.

And chewing sugar-free gum can help fight tooth decay. According to the American Dental Association (ADA), chewing gum containing the sugar substitute, xylitol, can prevent tooth decay.

Further, suggestions that chewing gum can be an aid in weight loss are not new. Contestants on the TV reality show, "The Biggest Loser," are told by the trainers and the nutritionists on the show to chew sugar free gum to help lose weight. And a 2007 Scotland study demonstrated that chewing gum can be an aid in weight management. Chewing gum can help as an aid in weight management because chewing gum can reduce hunger.

While chewing gum can reduce hunger, most chewing gum is not produced with an appetite suppressant as a key active ingredient. Ventana's gum contains an extract from the hoodia gordonii plant, and active ingredients in the plant can suppress appetite. Moreover, the gum is patented as an anti-obesity gum. The gum is currently in trials. And if the gum proves to be save and effective, Ventana hopes to license the gum to large pharmaceutical companies.

Indeed, if Ventana's chewing gum proves successful, it will be a useful tool for weight control. And the gum will be another weapon in the weight loss service provider' s arsenal.

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Tags: environmental scanning, swot, strategic planning, strategic management, bariatric marketing