Where can I buy raspberry diet pills and raspberry plasters?  They are
using this in Japan.  Kanebo cosmetic co. is involved.  Now the US is
testing these pills in a lab.

Hello

I am afraid but I don't think the product is available for purchase in
the US yet. According to the Washington red rasberry commision
http://www.red-raspberry.org/cosmaceuticals.htm it was recently
presented by Kanebo in New Orleans at the Experimental Biology 2002
Conference May 24

The new Kanebo raspberry product line is called Vita Rosso you can
find more information on the Japanese website 
http://www.vitarosso.com/ (if you can read Japanese).

Sorry not to have more encouraging news 

silviares

---

Clarification of Answer by silviares-ga on 23 Jun 2002 23:37 PDT

I have also found the information for Kanebo USA, they might be able
to tell you when vitarosso will be available in the US.  You can
contact them at

KANEBO Cosmetics USA, Inc. 
693 Fifth Avenue, 
17th Floor, 
New York, NY 10022

Tel:@1-866-271-6815
Fax: (212) 750-3600
E-mail: cosmeticsinfo@kanebo.com

I suspect that if they're still in the testing phase, it won't be
available over-the-counter yet.

An article of interest,
http://www.kmov.com/health/health_stories/kmov_health_020305_raspberry_diet.6be2e1.html
However, no mention of when he is planning to come out with it. 

Another one, http://wfla.tbo.com/health/703.htm
Quote - "THE RESEARCHERS SAY SIMILAR RESULTS COULD BE GAINED FROM
EATING SEVERAL POUNDS OF FRESH RASPBERRIES EACH WEEK, BUT WARN THAT
RASPBERRY JAMS AND CANDIES MAY HAVE THE OPPOSITE EFFECT"

My personal opinion - Buying fresh raspberries will be as good as
buying the pills, and it will be healthier & cheaper

Several articles I saw mentioned that the Japanese research planned to
release a product on the market in May 2002, but I saw no reports of
an actual release -- I suspect it hasn't happened.  But the articles
do say that eating fresh raspberries has the same effect as a pill!

There actually is a proprietary product in the USA that is a
combination of pills and cream with concentrated ellagic acid.  This
is the componant in raspberries that appear to have the desirable
effects.  This product was discovered during clinical trials on
cancer.  Individuals in the trial noticed improvements (some
profound)in their skin.  Age spots disappeared and wrinkles were
dimished.  I don't have any info on weight loss associated with this
product however the positive effects with skin appearing more youthful
is creating quite a lot of interest as you might expect.  If you would
like more info, feel free to contact me at globebb@juno.com.