BASF releases slimming and skin firming ingredient

The medical solutions division of the chemical company showcased its new ingredient Slim-Excess at the trade show that opened today in Holland.

The ingredient targets the ever growing market for slimming and firming products, promising to reduce thigh diameter, as well as firming the skin and acting as an anti-cellulite active.

Beats and boosts effects of caffeine Slim-Excess, which is derived from a red seaweed, beats slimming ingredient leader caffeine with its fast and visible results, according to marketing manager Serge Rogasik.

However, more importantly the active also boosts the effects of caffeine as a slimming ingredient.

The company's clinical trials suggested that Slim-Excess when used in conjunction with caffeine was four times as effective as caffeine alone.

The ingredient targets and attempts to supress two effectors, spermine and spermidine, that play multiple roles in adipocyte metabolism.

Primarily the two compounds play a role in the creation of lipocytes - fat cells that once created cannot be removed without surgery.

In addition the compounds have a positive impact on phosphodiesterase, the target enzyme of caffeine.

In other words spermine and spermidine fight against caffeine treatment, thus explaining the stronger effect that the caffeine can have when in conjunction with a spermine and spermidine inhibiting ingredient.

Slim-Excess contains small sugar molecules that interact with the two compounds, effectively trapping them to make them less bioavailable, explained Rogasik.

US market to explode The ingredient is being launched globally, although the company highlighted differences between the European and Amercian markets that affect marketing strategy and product placement.

The market for anti-cellulite and slimming products is very much a European market, however the growth potential in America is huge, explained Rogasik.

Americans are currently experiencing something of a revolution in terms of health and wellness, he said, with dietary concerns and healthy eating gaining importance.

Slim-Excess targets those consumers who already take significant care of their appearances and for whom that extra centimetre is of particular importance, he said, and it is because of this that the ingredient has attracted significant interest from US customers.