NEWS RELEASE
For release: IMMEDIATE (June 30, 2004)

OBESITY OVERBURDENS CANADA’S HEALTHCARE SYSTEM Company urges MDs to start recommending its new weight management program to patients to stem the ever increasing problem

VANCOUVER, B.C. – Almost 50 per cent of the Canadian population or roughly 17.5 million people in this country are either overweight or obese and statistics indicate that obesity is clearly on the rise*. Many overweight Canadians are at increased risk of disability, disease and premature death because of their condition. And, obesity puts tremendous pressure on the country’s already teetering healthcare system.

The total direct cost of obesity is estimated to be at least $1.8 billion -- a figure that corresponds to 2.4 per cent of the total healthcare expenditures for diseases in Canada in 1997**. The three largest contributors to these healthcare costs are hypertension, type 2 diabetes mellitus and coronary heart disease—all conditions that are caused or exacerbated by obesity.

“Clearly, a considerable proportion of our healthcare dollars in Canada is devoted to the treatment and management of obesity-related illnesses and most health care professionals are now acknowledging that fact,” says Roland Gahler, Executive Chairman of Natural Factors Nutritional Products.

“So, our Company decided to dedicate time and resources to finding a natural and healthy solution to the obesity problem which will hopefully have major positive effects on the overall costs of healthcare in this country,” says Mr. Gahler.

Following 15 years of university-based research, the Company developed its new weight management program, ‘SlimStyles’ with its revolutionary new ingredient, PolyGlycopleX (PGX ä). Developed by researchers at the University of Toronto and Natural Factors, the PGX ä proprietary blend of several 100 per cent natural, water-soluble polysaccharides (fibres) absorb over 600 times its weight in water when added to liquid. The product was subjected to rigorous clinical and laboratory testing.

* Source: Statistics Canada

** The cost of obesity in Canada’’ by C.L. Birmingham, J. L. Muller, A. Palepu, J.J. Spinelli and A.H. Anis; published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal, (1999)

“PGX is a breakthrough discovery of uniquely processed, non-absorbable and water soluble polysaccharides. When you take SlimStyles -- with its 18 amino acids and 32 other nutrients -- the PGX expands as it absorbs water. It makes you feel full and keeps your appetite under control for hours. After seeing the effects of PGX in people who have been struggling a lifetime with weight problems, I now consider this to be a highly significant discovery that needs to be widely recognized,” says Dr. Michael Lyon, Medical & Research Director of the Canadian Center for Functional Medicine in Coquitlam, B.C.

Dr. Lyon says that a recent clinical program evaluation at the Center using the ‘SlimStyles’ Meal Replacement resulted in an overwhelming number of study participants losing one to two pounds of body fat per week.

“The control over appetite is very impressive. For people who have never been able to lose weight, using PGX is a bit like having gastric bypass surgery—yet with the safety and benefits of a dietary fibre. Using this product provides many real and positive health benefits which include decreased insulin resistance, lowered cholesterol and improved overall health. In fact, one study was presented this month at the annual meeting of the American Diabetes Association in Florida. The results are very impressive,” says Dr. Lyon.

The ‘SlimStyles’ weight management program from Natural Factors consists of two different products: ‘SlimStyles’ Meal Replacement drink mix in six natural flavors and the ‘SlimStyles’ Appetite Control Fibre Blend—a near zero-calorie naturally sweetened appetite-control product. Both of these products contain the proprietary PGX ä ingredient from Natural Factors.

Natural Factors Nutritional Products Ltd. is a North American leader in the health products industry. The 50-year old, fully integrated Company offers a full range of vitamins, minerals, specialty supplements and functional foods to consumers around the world. The Company is dedicated to researching and manufacturing evidence-based nutraceuticals and in ensuring the highest product quality. With over one half million square feet of production, research and laboratory facilities, the Company’s national head office in Coquitlam includes state of the art manufacturing facilities. It also has offices in Burnaby, Kelowna, Toronto and Everett, Washington.

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