Sensa: Get a whiff of this diet

Sprinkling calorie-free flavorings on foods can help people feel full faster and lose weight, according to a study presented today at the annual meeting of the Endocrine Society in San Francisco. The research was performed by a neurologist who was intrigued by the fact that people who lose their sense of smell and taste from severe head injuries often gain weight rapidly.

Dr. Alan Hirsch, director of the Smell & Taste Treatment and Research Foundation in Chicago, created crystals he calls tastants to stimulate the sense of taste and enhance a food's flavor. In the study, the salt-free tastants were labeled as savory or sweet but produced such flavors as cheddar cheese, onion, horseradish, ranch dressing, cocoa, banana, strawberry, malt and other flavors. He asked 1,436 overweight or obese men to sprinkle the tastants on all their food for six months but not to otherwise alter their diet or exercise habits. At the end of six months, those who had stuck with the tastants lost an average of 30.5 pounds or about 15% of their body weight. A control group of 100 people who used non-flavored crystals that looked like tastants lost an average of 2 pounds over six months.

Hirsch thinks the flavorings work by improving the taste of bland but healthful foods, such as tofu and vegetables. But he also believes that powerful tastes and smells send messages to the brain that trigger satiety. The tastants made people feel full faster and therefore eat less.

"How can you feel full faster? That is what this study looked at," said Hirsch in a news conference this morning. "But this uses natural physiology. The more they liked the taste, the more they used it and the more weight they lost."

Hirsch is gearing up to sell his product, called Sensa. A one-month supply of flavorings cost $53. If the commercial product smells fishy to you, you can still test the smell-more-eat-less concept. Hirsch says to eat low-calorie foods with lots of seasonings, sniff your food before you eat it and then chew it a lot.

- Shari Roan

Comments

[Cheryle Johnson]

I've ordered Sensa, and am willing to try it for 6 months. I need to lose 90 pounds. I'll keep you posted.

[Shari Roan]

Hi Cheryle. Sensa sounds too good to be true, doesn't it? I'm interested in your experience. Keep us posted here at Booster Shots. Regards,
Shari Roan
By the way, a public relations consultant working for Dr. Alan Hirsch wrote us to say: "The calorie-free Tastants are not flavorings or seasonings--they actually won't change the flavor of your food at all. The Tastants enhance the way the food tastes, making people feel fuller faster. Dr. Hirsch hypothesizes that the Tastants could improve the flavor of healthy foods, but the product actually works by accelerating sensory-specific satiety and curbing appetite, making it effective people's favorite foods. One month supply of Sensa is $59."

[Melissa Yarbrough]

I found the product for sale at trysensa.com. There is a lot of information about the study and how the product works. I am so sick of counting points am ready for something new. I am anxious to hear how other people do as well....

[SB]

Research the ingredients - I wouldn't feed them to a dead dog, and some are being phased out in the EU because of health concerns. Why would you eat a product with boiled insects, ground up rock solids, and known carcinogenic materials?? Break the ingredients down and see for yourself this isn't a miracle cure, it's a snake oil sales pitch. This is just another scam diet built on a little tiny bit of logic.

[Janet]

Would love to know where SB got her info on the Sensa ingredients!!

[Janet]

Would love to know where SB got her info on the Sensa ingredients!!

[Carrie]

I too have decided to give Sensa a try. I've been on it for a week. No weight loss yet, but I'm not expecting to see anything happen for a couple of months. It seems it works on women differently than men. I have noticed a slight change in my appetite. Not craving sweets as much. I have a problem with binging on sweets and I am finding I have a little more control over that now. I'll keep you posted on how it's working.

[marcia]

My daugthter bought this for me after seeing it on the news. I have been on weight watchers on and off. It can be a pain. I tried Sensa now for almost a month and I have lost 5 pounds. It seems to be controlling my appetite - especially cravings when I am not really hungry. It can be a little hard to remember to use at first, but now it is second nature. I think this seems like a safe, natural way to lose weight without taking drastic measures. I am interested in hearing other's reviews....

[Kristie P]

From their website -- this does not look unusual to me...
What are the ingredients in Sensa?
Sensa contains Maltodextrin, Tricalcium Phosphate, Silica, Natural and Artificial Flavors, FD&C Yellow 5, and Carmine. Sensa also contains Soy and Milk ingredients. There are no calories, no sugar, no stimulants, less than 1 mg of sodium, and no MSG.

[Leigha K]

I just saw this last night on my local news and I am thinking about trying this product. For the ones who have used it....does it really work? I am wondering about the taste...I am hoping it really doesn't change the taste of the food, as I have tried other things that makes things horrible!

Hope to hear good things!

[Gen J]

I've been using Sensa for about 2 weeks now along with my partner. Our appetites are less but no weight loss yet. I am curious to know if anyone else is suffering from gas and loose bowels with Sensa. Both my partner and I have noticed this unpleasant side effect. It's not bad enough for me to quit Sensa since I want to lose weight so badly but I've gotten to be afraid to eat for fear of what will happen.

[Cheryle Johnson]

I've been on Sensa for a month now. I don't have any scales at home, so I have to depend on my clothes! They're not any tighter (maybe a little loose). I've found that Sensa DOES help curve the appetite. Proof...I'm a popcorn craver. Even if I've just got up from a full meal....If I smelled popcorn, I coudl eat the whole bag! Not now, the smell doesn't even tempt me to eat any! I go back to the doctor in another two months, so I'll see then how much weight (if any) that I've lost. I say Sensa is worth a try for people who aren't really hungry, but like to "graze" or use food for "comfort"!

[Nancy]

Initially interested in trying this, but SB appears to be correct in describing the ingredients. Internet search of ingredient "carmine", oddly enough, describes it as "insect based" and informs me that it is used in many products. Amazes me what can go into our food without our knowledge. This ingredient may not appeal to some for a variety of reasons . . . I won't be trying it because I'm a vegetarian.

[lynn]

where are comments on sensa beyond July 8th? I'm weighing 350 lbs after crushing my ankle and ripping out most of the ligaments in both knees--I ache to return to a managable weight and am praying for a kick=start from sensa. Lynn

[lynn]

I'm interested in following someone beyond June 18th. I really need to lose at least 100 lbs after a year of recovering from a crushed ankle and two blown-out knees---major inactivity and being too-well taken care of--killer combination. I ache to return to a manageable weight, HELP! Lynn

[Christina]

I have used Sensa a little bit, but am starting with a vengeance today (ok, not a vengeance, but a real attempt at making a habit of using it anyway). Hope it goes well - I do think it makes me feel full much quicker. I don't eat much junk food at all - my problem really is volume, and lack of exercise. I think the science behind this is fascinating - been watching this product come around for years.

[carolyn]

Sensa was on the Shopping Channel in Canada early on Aug 1 - was tempted to order it, then they mentioned it would be on 20/20 on ABC Aug 1 evening. Just looked at the transcript on the 20/20 website - the so'called "study" that they base their claims on doesn't seem to hold up to scrutiny. I suggest everyone look at the 20/20 website and read their comments on Sensa. I won't be ordering it unless I can get some other scientific evidence for Sensa's claims.

[hbgirl]

i have been using sensa and i love it. it totally works. i've lost 5 pounds so far and i feel great. it's portion control which is exactly what i needed. now i don't have to worry about over eating. i would totally recommend this for anyone who needs to drop a few.

[Charlie]

I have been using Sensa since the middle of June. Total weight loss to date is around 13 pounds. The first month was slow but now seems a bit more accelerated. There is no taste change at all. The sweet side of Sensa does have a sweet smell. To date I have no complaints. No side effects or issues that I have any concern about. I too feel like everyone else, I hope this works, it would be nice to use a product that works. This is not a quick weight loss program, but it does help curb your appitite. If you have the ability to be patient and can wait a month to start to see results, I would give it a try. It is working for me!

[Beth]

Sounds great, now does it work?

[L1onherd]

I have been on sensa now a little over a month! I too was a little skeptical at first! But I decided to give it a try. After the first week I noticed a change!! I no longer had cravings for sweets and I begin to feel full before my plate was clean!! So far I have lost a total of 9 lbs and counting!!! I recomend this product for those who have been struggling with their weight! The best part is that this product does not give you jitters or any other bad side effect!

[LA]

If you are worried about the "bugs" people are talking about......the ingredient is carmine. It is in TONS of food that people consume everyday. Such as, juice, yogurt and so much more. READ YOUR LABELS PEOPLE!!!
As for me, my husband saw the story on our local news station and kept talking to me about it. I gained 60 pounds with my pregnancy and for two years only successfully lost 30lbs. So he thought this might help. I am only on my second day but I am so excited to do this!!! Plus I do eat semi healthy and I excercise everyday!! I am curious to see how others are doing and I will check back and update on my progress as well. I to am curious of any side affects that people experience.

[Breezie42]

You know, being obese is very unhealthy. You're worried about a little carmine that is commonly found in alot of foods? You've been eating it for years most likely. Can't be worse than packing around 100 or so extra pounds. I'm all for it.

[Kadms]

I have bee using Sensa for about a week now and my experiences thus far are stomach pains (not bad), loose stools and gas.....Sensa does seem to control my appetite including not much desire for sweets......No weight loss to speak of thus far......

[Betty Jean]

I am just starting my second month on Sensa. My appetite has changed alot, I am not hungry, in fact I have to make myself eat on weekend because I don't watch the time like I do during the work week. I have lost 4 lbs as of last week. Haven't weighed yet this week but I can tell my body is starting to change and I am getting my waist back. I am giving it the 6 months to see if I can loose the reported 30.5 lbs everyone looses in 6 months.
So far so good!