Press Releases

Further information: Joel Bikman, FreeLife Vice President of Marketing, 602.333.4731 or click here.

FreeLife International Goji Review Paper Published in Prestigious Scientific Journal

Phoenix, AZ — May 25, 2011 —A FreeLife International scientific review paper on the goji berry, Lycium barbarum, has been recently accepted and published by the prestigious peer-reviewed journal, Food Research International.

This article reviewed more than 100 papers on goji published in a wide range of scientific journals worldwide, and it summarized goji’s botanical characteristics, phytochemistry, and clinical relevance in efficacy and safety.  “Lycium barbarum is a very interesting herb. Clinical studies have shown that goji has health benefits for humans, especially for general well-being, for stimulating metabolism, for immune-modulation and for its antioxidant effects,” said Dr. Norman R.  Farnsworth, co-author of this paper, world- renowned Professor of Pharmacognosy at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and founding member of the American Society of Pharmacognosy in 1959.  “The medicinal properties of the goji berry in traditional Asian medicine correlate well with recent scientific studies. It appears that the active compounds in Lycium barbarum are polysaccharides (LBP) on which FreeLife’s GoChi® product is standardized.”

The goji berry has been used for thousands of years in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), primarily as a tonic for the liver, kidneys and the eyes. The fruits are typically dried or freshly squeezed for their juice and concentrated for beverages. Among various constituents, a group of polysaccharides (LBP) with a special structure has been most researched and considered to be responsible for the efficacy of Lycium barbarum. Studies on LBP and other goji preparations have indicated beneficial effects on aging, neuroprotection, general well-being, fatigue/endurance, metabolism/energy expenditure, glucose control in diabetics, glaucoma, anti-oxidant properties, immunomodulation, anti-tumor activity and cytoprotection. The purpose of the present review is to provide background and updated information of goji’s chemical constituents, efficacies, and safety, including an overview of emerging new research and commentary on the current regulatory situation of this once little-known but now ubiquitous Asian berry.

Although the exotic fruit segment of the natural products industry is rapidly growing, most purported “super fruits” have suffered from little or no scientific substantiation. This review offers insight as to how recent and well-controlled modern scientific studies of goji are clarifying the wide-ranging health benefits that have been observed over thousands of years of traditional usage. “Congratulations on a very timely major review, bringing together all the Chinese data with the newer studies.  It will be the reference 'bible' for anyone seriously interested in the goji berry.” said Dr. Vivienne Reeve at University of Sydney who published a paper on the anti-inflammation effects of goji juice, with special emphasis on skin cancer protection and its mechanism. Dr. Chi-Tang Ho, Professor at Rutgers University commented that “I am currently working with my colleague in Taiwan on genomics of goji, the review is very useful.”

FreeLife’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Haru Amagase, co-author of this review article, stated: “We have examined many scientific articles on goji from researchers around the world, and have summarized them into this review.  I strongly believe that goji is very effective in various areas and it is an interesting material for future studies to support its traditional usage and further product development.  We have conducted multiple randomized human clinical studies on our standardized goji products, and we are honored to have had our results published in leading scientific journals and presented at important conferences.  Our studies are included in this review article.” 

FreeLife’s ongoing goji research has yielded significant and sometimes unforeseen benefits, such as the increase in metabolic calorie burning observed with GoChi. This exciting finding led to the development of the TAIslim Total BodySystem for healthy weight management.  Several recent randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled human clinical studies have shown multiple synergies between GoChi and other food ingredients used in the TAIslim System, thereby enhancing even further its calorie-burning capability, which is considered as a key mechanism of effective body weight control.

Rick Handel, Chief Product Officer of FreeLife commented: “GoChi and the TAIslim Total Body System are results of FreeLife’s continuing commitment to cutting edge science and human clinical research. With multiple patents pending and rigorous scientific studies, no other goji or weight management products can approach the scientific innovation or clinically demonstrated efficacy of FreeLife products.”

About Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D.
Dr. Norman Farnsworth has been a pioneer in the development of collaborative research efforts in Pharmacognosy throughout his career. His original research publications number over 500 and have established him as a botanicals expert in both the national and international communities. He has been a member of the World Health Organization Expert Advisory Panel on Traditional Medicine since 1979, and also serves as the Director of the UIC/NIH (National Institutes of Health) Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research. Dr. Farnsworth serves as a Research Professor of Pharmacognosy, Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and helps FreeLife as one of the independent Scientific Advisory Board members.

About Vivienne Reeve, Ph.D.
An expert in photoimmunological research, Dr. Vivienne Reeve received her doctorate in biochemistry from the University of Sydney. A senior research fellow at the University of Sydney since 1989, she is currently a principal research fellow and chief investigator, specializing in research on photoimmunosuppression, photoprotection, and photocarcinogenesis. Dr. Reeve has published multiple articles, and was recently recognized for her pioneering and sustaining research into the immunological significance of the UVA waveband.

About Chi-Tang Ho, Ph.D.
He is the Professor of the Food Science Department at Rutgers University in New Jersey, and has published over 360 papers and scientific articles, and is an editorial board member for a variety of publications, including the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry. He has also won numerous awards including two honorary professorships, and has served in the Division of Agricultural and Food Chemistry of the American Chemical Society in various positions including as division chair. His current research interests focus on the antioxidant and anti-cancer properties of natural products.

About Haru Amagase, Ph.D.
With a rich history in the nutraceutical industry, Dr. Haru Amagase has more than 30 years of experience in Research and Development, has published more than 35 scientific papers, and holds 13 patents.

About Rick Handel
Rick Handel is a 35-year veteran of the nutrition industry, with a strong background in formulation, research and development of dietary supplements. He holds numerous patents and has lectured extensively around the world.

About FreeLife International
Founded in 1995, FreeLife International is a financially solid, Inc. 500 Direct Sales company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Operating in 26 countries, FreeLife’s leading products are the clinically studiedGoChi®, Himalayan Goji® Juice, Jule of the Orient™ and the TAIslim® System (TAIslim liquid, SKINNYs and TAIslim SHAKE).  FreeLife’s mission is “to serve each other by promoting good health, well-being and the opportunity for an abundant life.” 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. For more information, visit FreeLife.com.

Further information: Joel Bikman, FreeLife Vice President of Marketing, 877.954.6244 or Joel Bikman

FreeLife International^® Presents Clinical Research at Major Scientific Conference

ANAHEIM, CA – April 28, 2010 FreeLife International^® presented the results of six human clinical studies on its innovative nutritional products at the recent 2010 Experimental Biology meeting, which was attended by about 13,000 scientists representing total 24 disciplines, such as of nutrition, anatomy, biochemistry, pharmacology, and immunology.

FreeLife’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Haru Amagase presented results of human trials of the company’s Jule of the Orient®, a tonic based on the traditional Chinese herb jiaogulan, showing benefits on resting metabolic rate, blood circulation, and general well-being.

Dr. Dwight Nance, a noted neuroimmunologist and professor at the University of California, says the studies show Jule’s potential. “The rise in energy expenditure and increased circulation observed with this jiaogulan-based product suggests a mechanism by which it can improve feelings of general well-being,” Dr. Nance said.

Dr. Amagase also described FreeLife’s weight management product TAIslim®   and the significant weight loss and general health improvements observed in several human clinical studies. Also discussed at the conference were study results on GoChi®, FreeLife’s industry-leading goji juice product.

Dr. Marie-Pierre St Onge, noted obesity research expert who is a professor at the New York Obesity Research Center at Columbia University, called the TAIslim and GoChi study results “very promising.” She added, “The rise in energy expenditure with these goji-based products suggests a mechanism by which they can assist in weight management.”

FreeLife’s research findings will be published in an upcoming edition of the respected Journal of the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology.

Phoenix-based FreeLife prides itself on its science-based approach to the formulation of nutritional supplements. “Our ongoing commitment to rigorous human clinical research is what distinguishes FreeLife from other nutrition companies,” Dr. Amagase said. “Our work has demonstrated great promise for those seeking better health.”

FreeLife International is a leading nutritional company founded in 1995. Listed among the Inc. 500 Direct Sales companies, FreeLife operates in 26 countries.

FreeLife International^® Presents Results of Successful Clinical Studies at Annual Obesity Society Meeting

PHOENIX, AZ October 28, 2009 FreeLife International^® recently presented the significant results of several human clinical studies on TAIslim^®, its proprietary triple patent pending liquid weight management supplement, at the 27th Annual Scientific Meeting of The Obesity Society. This important conference, held in Washington, DC, brought together the world's leading players in the field of obesity from basic and clinical researchers and clinicians to educators, advocates, policy shapers, and practitioners.

At the conference, FreeLife’s Chief Scientific Officer Dr. Haru Amagase presented research on the impact of TAIslim on weight management. He discussed TAIslim's unique mode of action and the significant reductions in body weight, body mass index (BMI), waist and hip circumferences observed in several controlled human clinical studies. TAIslim was also found to cause significant improvements over placebo in blood pressure, fasting glucose levels, and total body fat content. The formula was developed after weight management benefits were noted in clinical studies on two other FreeLife supplements – GoChi® and Chi3 Energy™, both of which are based on the Asian goji berry (Lycium barbarum).

FreeLife’s findings on TAIslim will be published in the respected journal Obesity. “These results are very interesting and promising,” remarked Dr. Marie-Pierre St-Onge, noted obesity research expert and Assistant Professor at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital and New York Obesity Research Center at Columbia University.   She added, “The rise in energy expenditure (i.e., fat burning) with these goji-based products is interesting and suggests a mechanism by which they can assist in weight management.”

"Lycium barbarum is a very interesting herb,” stated Dr. Norman R. Farnsworth, world-renowned Professor of Pharmacognosy (study of plant-based medicines) at the University of Illinois at Chicago. “Clinical studies have shown multiple health benefits for humans, especially for general well-being, for immune-modulation, and for its antioxidant effects. The medicinal properties of Lycium barbarum in traditional Asian medicine correlate well with recent scientific studies. It appears that the active compounds in Lycium barbarum are polysaccharides (LBP) on which the TAIslim product is standardized.”

FreeLife® is the first company to perfect a difficult and demanding proprietary process and create the most highly standardized form of the goji berry available in the world today. According to FreeLife’s Dr. Amagase, “TAIslim is the only product on the market that combines standardized goji LBP with a proprietary blend of synergistic natural ingredients, and we believe that our research demonstrates great promise for those seeking safe, effective and sustainable weight control. We are honored to have the opportunity to share our significant study results with the best and brightest experts and scientists in obesity research.”

With three patents pending, the TAIslim formula is a result of FreeLife’s continuing commitment to cutting-edge science and human clinical research. No other weight loss product can approach TAIslim’s exclusive formula, scientific innovation, or clinically demonstrated efficacy.

FreeLife is the first company to perfect a difficult and demanding proprietary process and create the only standardized form of this incredible plant available in the world today.

About Marrie-Pierre St-Onge, Ph.D.
Dr. St-Onge is Assistant Professor at St. Luke's/Roosevelt Hospital, and New York Obesity Research Center, Columbia University. Dr. St-Onge is the expert of obesity research and her main research interests include the study of functional foods for body weight control and cardiovascular disease prevention. She examines the effects of various whole foods or food components on energy balance, thermogenesis and appetite/food intake, as well as on metabolic risk factors, such as lipids, insulin, and glucose. She uses indirect calorimetry to assess energy expenditure and magnetic resonance imaging, dual energy X-ray absorptiometry, and computed tomography to examine the ultimate effects of various dietary interventions on body composition. Dr. St-Onge is also interested in the effects of foods on brain responses to food stimuli, using functional magnetic resonance imaging. Dr. St-Onge has won numerous awards and has publications with co-authored several book chapters.

About Norman R. Farnsworth, Ph.D.
Dr. Norman Farnsworth has been a pioneer in the development of collaborative research efforts in Pharmacognosy throughout his career. His original research publications number over 500 and have established him as a botanicals expert in both the national and international communities. He has been a member of the World Health Organization Expert Advisory Panel on Traditional Medicine since 1979, and also serves as the Director of the UIC/NIH (National Institutes of Health) Center for Botanical Dietary Supplements Research. Dr. Farnsworth serves as a Research Professor of Pharmacognosy, Distinguished University Professor and Director of the Program for Collaborative Research in the Pharmaceutical Sciences at the College of Pharmacy at the University of Illinois at Chicago (UIC) and helps FreeLife as one of the independent Scientific Advisory Board members.

About Haru Amagase, Ph.D.
With a rich history in the nutraceutical industry, Dr. Haru Amagase has more than 27 years of experience in Research and Development, has published more than 35 scientific papers, and holds 13 patents.

About Rick Handel
Rick Handel is a 35-year veteran of the nutrition industry, with a strong background in formulation, research and development of dietary supplements. He holds numerous patents and has lectured extensively around the world.

About FreeLife International
Founded in 1995, FreeLife International is a financially solid company based in Phoenix, Arizona. Operating in 26 countries, FreeLife's leading products are the clinically studied TAIslim System (TAIslim^® liquid, SKINNYs™ and TAIslim^® SHAKE), GoChi^®, Himalayan Goji^® Juice, and Jule of the Orient^®. FreeLife's mission is "to serve each other by promoting good health, well-being and the opportunity for an abundant life." 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. For more information, visit FreeLife.com.