Here is a brief summary of Dr. Lao's encouraging findings.

The Test
The subjects included 50 overweight or obese individuals that were observed over a 90-day period. One bottle of Calorad® 2000 was provided every month for a 3-month period. They were asked to ingest one (1) tablespoon of the product at night with an interval of at least three hours without eating, just prior to sleeping. There were no dietary or exercise prescriptions given, but subjects were asked to eat sensibly.

Doctor Lao first created a baseline average for weight, body fat percentage, body mass index (BMI) classification, waist and hip circumferences.

These averages were as follows:

• Body weight 156 pounds
• Body fat percentage 36.7%
• BMI 32.5
• Waist circumference 36 inches
• Hip circumference 42 inches

• Average weight loss was 5.7 pounds.
• Average body fat percentage loss was .4%.
• BMI was reduced to 28.95.
• Average waist measurements were now 34 inches.
• Average hip measurements were now 40 inches.

• The collective average in weight loss was 5 pounds.
• Average body fat percentage loss increases to 1.4% from baseline.
• Average waist size decreased a further 2 inches.
• Average hip measurements decrease an additional 2 more inches.

• The average weight of our subjects is recorded as 146 pounds.
• The average body fat percentage is now 34.3%.
• The average waistline was reduced to 33 inches.
• The hip measurements are an average 38 inches.

• An average reduction of 10 pounds
• An average of 7 inches lost
• An average inch loss at the waist of 3 inches, 36 down to 33
• An average inch loss at the hip of 4 inches, 42 down to 38
• An average decrease in body fat percentage by 2.4%

INTRODUCTION
Many professionals engaged in the field of health, be they doctors, nutritionists or fitness experts, have expressed their collective alarm on the seemingly hopeless fight in the "battle of the bulge."

Data gathered in the United States, Europe and some parts of Asia have shown that people are becoming bigger and heavier. The clinically tested prescription of proper diet with exercise has apparently not brought its expected effect in the general population.

Foremost among the reasons given were the inability of most individuals to comply with the prescribed diet and the apparent lack of time for formal exercise. Man has since been in constant search for that weight loss panacea which would encourage people to stick to a program with a few lifestyle limitations.

Collagen hydrolysate or Calorad® is a dietary supplement that traces its origin to Canada and has staked its claim in the weight loss arena. The popularity of the product can be due to the fact that no strict changes in one's diet or lifestyle is required in the program. The formula was created fifteen years ago by Michel Grisé and was initially intended for use in the poultry industry. This was later reformulated for human consumption and has been available in North America for more than a decade. The testimonials of thousands of users have fueled its continued patronage in the health food industry.

OBJECTIVE
This clinical observation study was conducted to objectively record various parameters on the effect of collagen hydrolysate or Calorad® among overweight and obese individuals.

Methods and Materials
This is a descriptive study done on 50 overweight and obese individuals with a 90-day observation period. The subjects were provided with one bottle of Calorad® every month for 3 months. They were then asked to ingest 15 ml. of the product at night after at least a 3-hour fast and just prior to sleeping. No dietary or exercise prescriptions were given, but the subjects were asked to "eat sensibly." Baseline and serial measurements of the height, weight, waist circumference, BMI and body fat percentages were done. The presence of any medical disorders were noted, i.e., hypertension, diabetes, as well as any effects noted by the subjects while taking the product.

The following subjects were included in the study:

1. Male or female
2. 18 years old and above
3. Non-pregnant and non-lactating women
4. No history of thyroid disorder
5. Classified as overweight or obese based on:
• body mass index and/or
• body fat percentage utilizing a "body fat analyzer"
6. No medical diseases that would require the subject to limit his daily protein intake
7. Gave their informed consent Calorad® 2000

Body Fat Analyzer
The Omron Body Fat Analyzer is a portable machine that measures body fat percentages based on the bioelectrical impedance principle. The ratio of fat tissues to other tissues is detected using its negative electric conductivity.

Body Mass Index Classification: kg/m2 (IOTF Asia Pacific Guidelines)

Underweight <18.5
Normal Range >/= 18.5 - 22.9
Overweight >/= 23
At Risk 23 - 24.9
Obese >25

Weight Circumference (IOTF Asia Pacific Guidelines)

Male >/= 90 cm or 35 in.
Female >/= 80 cm or 31 in.

DISCUSSION
The apparent mode of action of the product can be summed up in the company phrase of "losing weight while you sleep." This company slogan can be traced to the interplay of events that occur while one is asleep. It has been established that sleep plays a major part in the life of humans, not only for the resting period it provides, but it also allows the body to heal or rejuvenate itself. The delta wave mode part of the non-rapid eye movement sleep is also known as the phase of deep sleep. It is in this part of the sleep process that the growth hormone is apparently secreted.

The growth hormone is placed at the middle of the spectrum of activity upon the ingestion of the dietary supplement. The support in muscle mass mentioned in the product literature is anchored on the anabolic activity of this hormone. As a protein-based food, the product is thought of as not only a stimulant in the secretion of growth hormone, but also as a participant in the build-up of tissues. The idea of a more efficient utilization of food as fuel for energy by the muscle tissues leading to fat loss is also advanced as the final pathway in the whole process.

The product literature also mentions a company statistic of an 86 per cent response among the people who have ingested the product. Half of who have noted the response as early as the first month. A quarter would see the benefit during the next 60 days and another quarter after the third month. The 14 per cent who did not get a response are thought of as having an innate metabolic disorder, specifically one of hypothyroidian in nature.

Out of the initial 50 subjects recruited, only 36 were able to finish the observation period. The most common reason cited for withdrawal was the difficult of keeping up with the prescribed process of intake in the evening. Two people complained of "hyperacidity" and one of menstrual disorder.

The baseline averages were as follows:
Body weight of 70.85 kg., body fat percentage of 36.7 per cent, BMI of 32.5, waist circumference of 92.05 cm. and hip circumference of 105.8 cm. This observation noted that the individuals experienced a collective effect of a decrease in weight by an average of 2.6 kg. and 0.4 per cent difference in fat percentage from baseline after being put on the product for 30 days. Consequently, this modest decrease in weight translated to an impressive figure, as far as the body mass index is concerned, from an initial average BMI of 32.5 to 28.95. The other measurements revealed the following: waist 87.65 cm., hips 101.55 cm. About 16 subjects, or 36 per cent, did not experience any difference on their first follow-up. After the second month, it was noted that the collective decrease in weight was 2.37 kg. and the fat percentage was 1.4 per cent from baseline. The changes ranged from a low of a few grams to a high of 3 kg. in some subjects. The range of changes is more pronounced when the measurements were taken into account. The subjects lost an average of 5.34 cm. at the waist and 4.25 cm. at the hips. The final measurements revealed the following results: an average weight of 66.5 kg., an average fat percentage of 34.3 per cent, average waist circumference of 84.19cm, and an average hip circumference of 96.3 cm. Overall, it was noted that the subjects lost an average of 4.35 kg. in weight, 2.4 per cent in percent fat, 7.86 cm. in waist circumference, and 9.5 cm. in hip circumference. The average BMI of the subjects decreased by an average of 4.9 to a value of 27.6.

CONCLUSIONS
Of the initial 50 subjects, 38 had a BMI of >25 (obese), 5 had a BMI of between 23 and 24.9 (overweight) and the rest had BMI of less than 23, but with fat percentages of more than 30 per cent. At the end of the observation period, only 23 of the remaining 36 subjects had a BMI of more than 25 and the rest of the previously considered obese were now classified as being overweight. Overall, only 4 subjects did not experience any change on the parameters measured during the observation period. However, it should be emphasized that this observational study was not done with control subjects.

Although we saw improvements in the parameters measured, a 3-month weight control program will lose its gained benefits if the subjects in the long run will revert back to their previous obese or overweight status. It is well recognized that obesity is a chronic disease that would need a long-term solution of constant monitoring of energy intake and output. Short-term gains should and must eventually be translated to long-term overall health benefit. Conditions associated with weight problems, including hypertension and diabetes, are not acute conditions that develop in a few days or weeks' time. These diseases develop over time of neglected health and physical conditioning. Still, people with preexisting diseases can reap advantages of better blood sugar and blood pressure controls with good weight control.

In summary, 50 subjects were given a protein-based supplement for 90 days. Their weight, body fat percentages and waist/hip circumferences were monitored. No prescription for diet was provided. Only 36 subjects were able to finish the observation period. An apparent loss in weight with decreases in body fat percentages and waist/hip circumferences was observed.

It is recommended that a larger and well-controlled study be done and the exact mechanism of action of the product be researched further. This observational study was done under the auspices of Essentially Yours Industries Philippines, Inc.

Baseline and Serial Measurements

	Baseline	30 Days	60 Days	90 Days
Body Weight (kg)	70.85	68.79	68.48	66.56
BMI (kg/m2)	32.5	28.95	28.1	27.6
% Fat	36.7%	36.3%	35.3%	34.3%
Waist Circumf. (cm)	92.05	87.65	86.71	84.19
Hip Circumf.(cm)	105.8	101.55	101.35	96.3