From 20 years of development to leading appetite control: the journey that shaped CalStop™

An observation that set everything in motion¹

The journey that eventually led to CalStop™ began more than 20 years ago, when founder Bjørn Edvardsen visited a community in Kenya. There he saw a man chewing a local root to dampen an overwhelming feeling of hunger – while selling bananas he could not eat himself. In the region this was a common way of dealing with hunger in a life where food was scarce. The experience made a deep impression and planted a seed that would later grow into a completely new product concept.

If nature can quiet hunger where food is lacking – what can it do where food is plentiful?²

The experience sparked a fundamental thought: if natural plants can support people where hunger is a daily struggle, knowledge about plants can also be used in the Western world – but for the opposite reason. In the UK, as across most of Europe, it is rarely about eating too little. It is more about cravings, stress eating, overeating and a lifestyle that makes it hard to stick to weight goals.

An idea takes shape – nature's knowledge about appetite in a modern context³

After the journey, Bjørn began studying traditional plants and newer research into the regulation of appetite. He saw parallels between what he had seen in Kenya and modern nutrition research into hunger signals, reward mechanisms and physiology. The goal became to develop a safe, natural solution based on the body's own mechanisms – adapted to people in Europe who want a better balance in what they eat.

From idea to collaboration with experts – development begins⁴

The following years were spent gathering knowledge, testing ingredients and assessing which plant extracts can demonstrably contribute to appetite control and energy balance. Eventually the work continued in collaboration with Norwegian specialists, who laid the foundation for CalStop™ – a product developed in Norway based on documented claims and claims still awaiting approval.

Made in Norway, scientifically based and safe to use⁵

CalStop™ is produced by Pharmatech AS in Norway, under strict quality requirements. The formula is based on documented active ingredients and ingredients with recognised functions in the regulation of appetite, the absorption of fat and sugar and the support of fat metabolism and blood sugar balance.

From a root in Kenya to a leading product for appetite control in Scandinavia⁶

What began with an observation in Kenya led, after many years, to a product that today helps people across Europe with control over their appetite, fewer cravings and a better balance in what they eat. The story shows that nature's principles are universal – whether the challenge is hunger or eating too much.

CalStop was created over the 20 years that followed

CalStop™ was not created overnight. It is the result of decades of insight, testing and development. From a root in Kenya to a Norwegian innovation: CalStop™ shows that knowledge from nature and modern insight into nutrition can be combined safely and effectively.

The science behind CalStop™ – how the ingredients work

Why appetite control takes more than willpower

Appetite control is not just a matter of willpower. The body is governed by biological mechanisms that influence hunger, cravings, fat absorption and blood sugar. CalStop™ has been developed to support these processes with ingredients with documented functions, or functions still awaiting approval, for appetite control⁷, carbohydrate absorption⁸, fat metabolism⁹ and the regulation of blood sugar¹⁰.

NeOpuntia™ may reduce the absorption of fat and sugar

NeOpuntia™ consists of plant fibres from Opuntia ficus-indica, which in EFSA on-hold assessments are linked to reduced absorption of fat and sugar⁷, support for appetite control⁷ and help with weight management programmes⁷.

Cacti-Nea™ may support normal elimination of fluid

Cacti-Nea™ is a cactus extract that is linked to normal elimination of fluid and drainage¹⁴.

Gymnema may contribute to fewer cravings

Gymnema sylvestre is linked in EFSA's on-hold register to fewer cravings and support for the regulation of appetite¹¹.

Phaseolus may reduce the absorption of carbohydrates

Phaseolus vulgaris (bean extract) has an on-hold claim linked to reduced absorption of carbohydrates⁸.

Garcinia may support the body's fat metabolism

Garcinia cambogia contains hydroxycitric acid (HCA), which is traditionally used to support fat metabolism⁹.

ID-alG™ is linked to weight management in on-hold data

ID-alG™ is linked to support for weight management and reduced fat absorption¹².

Choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism (authorised claim)

Choline has an authorised claim: choline contributes to normal lipid metabolism and to the maintenance of normal liver function¹³.

Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels (authorised claim)

Chromium contributes to the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels¹⁰.

In short, the ingredients support the body's own regulation

All in all, CalStop™ can support appetite control, fewer cravings, reduced absorption of fat and sugar, normal lipid metabolism and the maintenance of normal blood glucose levels – important factors for people who want more control over their eating habits.