In the UK, the number of obese people rose from 12.7 per cent to 13.2 per cent in the case of men and from 15 per cent to 16 per cent of women, between 1991 and 1994. In the US, reports indicate that three out of ten adult Americans exceed their ideal body weight by more than 20 per cent.

Little wonder then that the slimming industry is thriving, with sales figures exceeding $30 billion per annum.

But here's also the bad news. Almost all the synthetic drugs available act on the central nervous system, with all the attendant problems and side effects. In fact, a number of these drugs have been withdrawn by the US government's Federal Drug Authority (FDA). Scientific tests have also shown that chronic use of these synthetic drugs may lead to a ``rebound effect''--a rapid increase in weight after the weighthas been lost.

So, if a compound has been found which can reduce obesity by simply blocking appetite, it should be lapped up? The extract of a fruit, garcinia, largely found in southern Indian, has a high content of hydroxycitric acid which has anti-obesity properties. The Chinese herb, Ma huang, is another popular herbal remedy for obesity. ``But the problem with the Chinese herb, is that researchers have found, that it contains a form of ephedrine, which promotes weight loss but prolonged use may lead to free-radical damage (and hence cancer) unless great care is taken to include antioxidants,'' says Prof P V Subba Rao, director of the Vittal Mallya Scientific Research Foundation (VMSRF).

The hydroxicitric acid (HCA) present in Garcinia has anorectic properties and does not have any of the side effects that other products have. Garcinia, known as Malabar tamarid or kokum, has ample amounts of this acid in its rind. And clinical trials on laboratory mice and human trials have shown that HCA extracts ofgarcinia are the best slimming agents available.

Manufacturers have been exploiting this and producing an insoluble calcium salt formulations. The commercially available HCA, however, is brownish in colour with 72 per cent purity containing less than 55 per cent of HCA. ``The problem with all these formulations is that they have an extremely acidic Ph, which imparts a sour taste to food. Furthermore, on heating the free HCA in these products gets converted to an inactive form of lactone, which does not help in reducing obesity,'' says Rao.

The VMSRF has patented a new formulation of the extract of garcinia which is highly soluble, tasteless and has an amorphous, free-flowing form. The product also has a near neutral Ph and has just gone commercially. It is being marketed by the UB Global Corp.

Rao claims that his new formulation, called hydroxycitrisol, could change the way the world looks, as this form of HCA can be added to any food supplements or beverages, without changing its taste. ``It has a longshelf life and can be incorporated into beverages, chocolates and other formulations,'' says Rao. This HCA formulation also contains soluble calcium and could be used as a daily calcium supplement in obese post-menopausal patients, says Rao.

With this product ready for take-off, it's time you packed away that exercise bike and threw out your gym instructor, for being slim has never been this easy.