A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi

The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine

A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Clinical Study of the General Effects of a Standardized Lycium barbarum (Goji) Juice, GoChi
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To cite this paper:
Harunobu Amagase, Dwight M. Nance. The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine. May 1, 2008, 14(4): 403-412. doi:10.1089/acm.2008.0004.

Harunobu Amagase, Ph.D.
FreeLife International, LLC, Phoenix, AZ.
Dwight M. Nance, Ph.D.
Susan Samueli Center for Integrative Medicine, University of California at Irvine, Orange, CA.

ABSTRACT
Background: This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial is the first study reported from outside China that has examined the general effects of the orally consumed goji berry, Lycium barbarum, as a standardized juice (GoChi ; FreeLife International LLC, Phoenix, AZ) to healthy adults for 14 days.

Methods: Based upon the medicinal properties of Lycium barbarum in traditional Asian medicine, we examined by questionnaire subjective ratings (0–5) of general feelings of well-being, neurologic/psychologic traits, gastrointestinal, musculoskeletal, and cardiovascular complaints as well as any adverse effects. Also, measures of body weight, body–mass index, blood pressure, pulse rate, and visual acuity were assessed before and after consuming 120 mL of GoChi/day or placebo control solution. Data were statistically analyzed for changes between day 1 and day 15.

Results: Significant differences between day 1 and day 15 were found in the GoChi group (N = 16) in increased ratings for energy level, athletic performance, quality of sleep, ease of awakening, ability to focus on activities, mental acuity, calmness, and feelings of health, contentment, and happiness. GoChi also significantly reduced fatigue and stress, and improved regularity of gastrointestinal function. In contrast, the placebo group (N = 18) showed only two significant changes (heartburn and happiness). No significant changes in musculoskeletal or cardiovascular complaints were observed in either group. All parametric data (body weight, etc.) were not significantly different between groups or between day 1 and day 15 for either group.

Conclusions: These results clearly indicate that daily consumption of GoChi for 14 days increases subjective feelings of general well-being, and improves neurologic/psychologic performance and gastrointestinal functions. The data strongly suggest that further research is indicated to confirm and extend knowledge of the potential effects of Lycium barbarum upon human health.

FreeLife International Launches New Product Backed by Clinical Research

GoChi™

.fullpost{display:inline;}FreeLife International Launches New Product Backed by Clinical Research

Goji® Juice, recently announced a revolutionary new product in Laguna Beach, Calif. at the company’s annual Leadership Summit. Developed with input from scientists around the globe, GoChi™ represents a significant advance in the goji and nutritional beverage categories, and is one of the first and only juice products backed by clinical research.

GoChi is preservative-free, halal and kosher, and contains 30 percent more polysaccharides (the active ingredient) than FreeLife’s original Himalayan Goji Juice. It also tastes great. More importantly, 9 out of 10 people who used GoChi in a recent study felt a significant health benefit in the first 14 days.

In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial, GoChi proved beneficial for human health in 13 key areas in just 14 days. Results included reduction of stress, less fatigue, increased energy, better quality of sleep, and increased regularity. The findings of this study were analyzed by top statisticians at the University of California, Irvine, and all were declared to be statistically significant, with an impressive confidence level of 90-99 percent. To the contrary, the lead researcher, who is a member of FreeLife’s Scientific Advisory Board, noted that in 12 out of the 13 areas studied, the test subjects taking the inactive placebo experienced no statistically significant improvements. FreeLife has verified these findings with similar results in a subsequent controlled follow-up study, and the company is in the process of designing and conducting further research.

“The study on GoChi represents a monumental leap in the entire juice category,” FreeLife CEO & Co-Founder Ray Faltinsky said. “It raises the credibility of this product to a standard never before seen in the juice industry. We have taken the science to a higher level with our own clinical research specifically on our product.”

Since Himalayan Goji Juice was introduced to the market by FreeLife in 2003, the company has achieved four straight years of record growth. “When we introduced Himalayan Goji Juice, no one had yet heard about the goji berry,” said Faltinsky. Since then, hundreds of thousands of people around the world have benefited from Himalayan Goji Juice and tens of thousands of sales reps have joined FreeLife.

“GoChi has been developed through FreeLife’s worldwide research efforts, and represents the next generation of Himalayan Goji Juice, delivering an unprecedented potency and balance of the unique Lycium barbarum polysaccharides in the goji berry,” Faltinsky added. “We anticipate that millions of people around the globe will benefit from this new product.” The market in the United States alone represents about 300 million adults and children.

Founded in 1995, FreeLife International is a financially solid, Inc. 500 direct sales company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Operating in 24 countries, FreeLife’s leading products are GoChi and Himalayan Goji Juice. FreeLife’s mission is “to serve each other by promoting good health, well-being and the opportunity for an abundant life” and this statement is used to guide company decisions every day – starting with the Co-Founders and emanating to all employees at the corporate offices and the sales representatives in the field.

Article Copyright:Freelife International

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