Update 12/6/22. At one time, Anatabloc was a SUPER popular anti-inflammation supplement. It was sold online and at GNC and elsewhere. It was touted to help reduce pain, help joints and arthritis pain, and reduce chronic inflammation. Anatabloc was unique. It contained an ingredient not found in any other supplement I've EVER seen in over 20 years of investigation. This unique ingredient also contributed to its own downfall. In this unbiased, updated review, I reveal everything you need to know about Anatabloc, from its rise – and fall – to the research and proof and the company which made it. I'll also shed light on other anatabloc supplements too.
What Is Anatabloc
Before we talk about Anatabloc (sometimes misspelled Anatablock), I need to tell you about Anatabine (also called anatabine citrate). Anatabine is the active ingredient in Anatabloc. Anatabine is a chemical found in
- eggplants
- potatoes
- green tomatoes
as well as tobacco and tobacco smoke (remember this).
Chemically, anatabine “looks” like nicotine. Because of this, it was also used some anti-smoking supplements. Anatabine has a longer half life than nicotine, so it stays in the body longer. That's why it was thought it might help people quit smoking.
How Does Anatabloc Work?
Here is the way Anatabloc was supposed to reduce chronic inflammation:
1. Anatabine enters the cells of the body where it…
2. Deactivates a protein called NFkB.
3. When NFkB is deactivated, it can't enter the nucleus of the cell (the brain center of the cell) to cause excessive cellular inflammation.
Inflammation is thought to play a role in MANY diseases, such as:
and many others.
So, if Anabloc worked, it might have disease-modifying benefits. If you read the comments below, you will see some people have said some pretty amazing things too.
Anatabloc Ingredients
Anatabloc contains these ingredients
| Anatabine | 1 mg |
| Vitamin A | 500 IU |
| Vitamin D3 | 40 IU |
This review will focus only on Anatabine because this is “secret sauce” in Anatabloc.
Other Ingredients
These other ingredients are also found in this supplement: Mannitol, natural and artificial mint flavors, sucralose, silicon dioxide, stearic acid, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide (color), natural glaze, methylparaben, propylparaben, triethyl citrate, citric acid, BHT, mono and diglycerides, and polysorbate 80
These ingredients played no role in the results or benefits of Anatabloc.
Anatabloc Research
When this review was originally created, the proof for Anatabloc was mostly on lab animals. There is now human proof. This review will focus only on human research. Much of the research is on Anatabine, which is an active ingredient in Anatabloc. Still, proof for anatabine is proof for Antabloc.
Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals (more on them below) supports and plays a role in much of the research.
Studies On Anatabloc
In one report, researchers in the US gave Anatabloc or a placebo to 146 people with Hashimoto's disease – the most common form of hypothyroidism. People were given 9-24 mg of anatabine in the form of lozenges. Those taking Anatabloc saw a significant reduction in thyroid autoantibodies.
Some people saw over a 20% decrease in thyroid autoantibodies. This means better working thyroid glands.
One small study (10 people) noted a face cream containing anatabine improved skin appearance, reducing redness and blotchy skin appearance. This does make some sense. Niacin, which looks a little bit like anatabine has been used in skin creams for years.
Niacin is also VERY popular in the anti-aging world. See the Niagen review for more on this.
Anatabine cigarettes have been shown to reduce nicotine levels in smokers significantly. This study reflects the interest in using anatabine to help people quit smoking.
Because inflammation follows exercise, researchers were interested in seeing if anatabine would reduce inflammation after people worked out. In this study, 18 men were given either a placebo or 6-12 mg of anatabine per day for 10 days. They also performed an intense exercise program.
Unfortunately, this noted anatabine did not reduce pain, or swelling or help muscle strength. This is noteworthy, given TV commercials featuring pro golfers John Isner and Fred Couples.
In another exercise study, researchers gave Anatabloc or a placebo to 17 men. The dosage of Anatabloc used was 6-12 mg. While these researchers saw that Anatabloc did not reduce exercise-induced muscle damage, it did appear to reduce markers of inflammation such as C reactive protein (CRP). That is interesting.
Preliminary research suggests anatabine activates NFR2, a substance that raises naturally produced antioxidant defenses such as superoxide dismutase (SOD). This is at the heart of some proposed anti-aging supplements, such as Protandim and PB125.
There are also several lab animals and test-tube studies involving Anatabloc/anatabine. I won't cover them here because we are people and not mice, rats or test tubes.
Summary Of Anatabloc Research
Here is a summary of the Anatabloc human research:
- Anatabine reduced thyroid antibodies in people with hypothyroidism
- Anatabine lowers nicotine levels in smokers
- Anatibine did not reduce muscle damage, pain, or swelling but may lower CPR levels
Anatabloc Questions
Let's now answer some common questions people have asked me about this supplement.
Can Anatabloc help muscle soreness?
Muscle soreness after exercise (DOMS) is very common. Currently, the proof seems to show Anatabloc doesn't reduce muscle soreness, swelling or muscle damage. It may reduce a blood test marker of inflammation called CRP. I think we need more exercise research.
Can Anatabloc Help Concussions?
There is brain inflammation when someone gets a concussion. But there is no proof that taking Anatabloc:
- reduces the risk of getting a concussion
- improves recovery time after getting a concussion
- reduces brain damage from concussions
I cannot find any research involving anatabine and concussions.
In December 2013, the FDA sent a warning letter to Star Scientific – makers of Anatabloc – telling them to remove references on their websites which gave people the impression the supplement might help concussions and other forms of traumatic brain injuries (TBI).
For more on concussions and TBI see these reviews:
Can Anatabloc Help Multiple Sclerosis?
The proof that Anatabloc can help MS is in its infancy. There is some mouse evidence it may help, but no human studies have been conducted yet.
What About Anataboc and Weight Loss?
Websites might discuss how anatabine/Anatabloc can help people lose weight or reduce weight gain, which sometimes happens when people quit smoking. But there is no good proof for this. No study has looked at reducing gaining weight after quitting smoking.
What is CigRx?
This is the anti-smoking product Star Scientific was developing before it began researching anatabine for arthritis pain and other health problems. CigRx contains anatabine too.
Anatabloc Dosage
The general recommendation is to take 2 lozenges per day. Do not use more than 6 lozenges per day. Another dosage recommendations= take your body weight into consideration. Here the Anatabloc dosages would be:
- 100-120 lbs: 2 lozenges 3x per day
- 121-170lbs: 2 lozenges 4x per day
- 171-220lbs: 2 lozenges 5x per day
- over 220lbs: 2 lozenges 6x per day
I've never seen this dosage regimen used in human studies. So, I'm not sure how accurate this is.
Who Makes Anatabloc?
Anatabloc is a product of a company called Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals. Another name for this company is Star Scientific. Star Scientific was the original name of the company. When the research changed directions from looking at Anatabine as a cure for smoking to helping arthritis pain, the company changed its name to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals.
The phone number for the company was 800-778-2031. The company website was Anatabloc.com (the website no longer works). When this review was originally created, the Better Business Bureau listed the company address as 4470 Cox Rd Ste 110, Glen Allen, VA 23060.
There is also a connection to another company called the RosKamp Institute, located in Florida. Some of the research on Anatabloc has been conducted by this company too.
The company has since filed for bankruptcy and is no longer making Anatabloc supplements.
Should I Invest In Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals?
Star Scientific formally changed its name to Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals in 2014. Its stock symbol is RCPI. It's a publicly traded company. Regardless of what you invest in, do your homework.
Be careful with “gurus” who talk stocks up on websites, as you don't always know who you are dealing with. Sometimes unscrupulous people say things about a company to create interest so they can pump the stock price up so they can dump it for a profit. This trick is sometimes called “pump and dump.” Unless you’re an investing pro (think Warren Buffett), I recommend you talk to a financial advisor before risking any money.
Anatabloc And The FDA
Many people think the FDA does not regulate supplements. Anatabloc is proof it does. Almost from the start, the FDA claimed anatabine contained a new dietary ingredient (NDI). A new dietary ingredient is any substance that was not sold as a supplement before 1994.
Products containing new dietary ingredients need to prove to the FDA they are safe. There is also the issue that anatabine is found in tobacco. Tobacco cannot be called a dietary supplement. I think this may also have played a role in the demise of Anatabloc.
Rock Creek pharmaceuticals state that because anatabine is found in things like peppers and eggplants, it is not new and can be sold as a supplement. In the end, the FDA won, and Rock Creek stopped making Anatabloc.
Calls To Bring Back The Sale Of Anatabloc
Problems with the FDA have not stopped people from hoping for the return of Anatabloc.
This has not stopped people who loved Anatabloc from continuing to hold out hope. Former customers have launched a petition at Change.org to petition the FDA to reverse their decision and let Anatabloc be sold again.
They created the website BringBackAnatabloc.org where you can share your testimony of how the supplement helped you, sign an FDA petition to bring Anatabloc back, and read news about the supplement.
How To Buy Anatabloc: Can You Still Purchase It?
While this supplement was once VERY popular and sold at GNC and other stores, it is no longer permitted to be sold in the US. The FDA forced Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals to stop the production of Anatabloc.
Anatabloc Supplements
While Anatabloc is no longer able to be purchased in the US, I did notice other companies selling supplements said to contain anatabine.
One such company is HydraPharm (PredatorNutrition.com). They sell a supplement literally called “Anatablok” which they say contains “pure anatabine.” Predator Nutrition is not based in the US. I am not sure if they are allowed to ship their Anatablok supplement to the US.
The supplement is marked as an anti-inflammatory nootropic (brain enhancer) used to support memory and attention.
The Va Governor Controversy
As if things could not get worse, Rock Creek Pharm found itself at the center of a very public controversy involving the former Virginia governor, Robert McDonnell, and his wife. It's alleged Rock Creek gave $165,000 in gifts to the former Va governor and his wife in exchange for helping Rock Creek's development of Anatabloc.
Anatabloc Side Effects
Anatabloc is probably safe for healthy people, at least for short-term use. Human research shows no significant negative side effects. Mild to moderate side effects reported have included:
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Headache
- Tingling feelings
- Insomnia
In the comments section below, one person reported feelings of depression. This has not been observed in clinical studies.
Does Anatabloc Work?
Despite the problems with the FDA, several people swore Anatabloc worked. I never experimented with it when it was being sold and the only person I knew who did try it told me it did not reduce his pain. Pain is complicated and its possible others may have had better results.
Unfortunately, Anatabolc supplements are no longer available in the US. While, in the past, I have been rather hard on this supplement and Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals, I was sad it was taken off the market. I am happy to see some human research on anatabine, look forward to more and hope one day to see it sold once again.
Joe –
This non-peer reviewed, preliminary study, coupled with the history of certain of this company’s top figures, leads me to smell the possibility of a classic “pump and dump” here. Investors, be careful!
R walker, I agree investors need to be very careful.
Hi Joe,
This product review sure reflects a large investment of your time and energy – kudos to you for that.
One of the comments above mentions autoimmune issues, an area where several experts think Anatabloc could be very helpful because it seems to suppress the proclivity of the human body to go over board in terms of mounting an autoimmune response to any number of issues.
You may want to take a look at the PR release from Star Scientific on Monday night. Johns Hopkins discusses preliminary data from a double-blind, placebo controlled clinical trial with 146 subjects.
Quote: “The preliminary examination of the primary outcomes shows a clear and statistically significant difference in the treated group as compared to the placebo group by the end of the trial, with declines in anti-thyroglobulin antibody levels.”
This did not surprise me, because my wife learned about Anatabloc back in 2011 and has made great progress in terms of her thyroid health since starting on Anatabloc in January of 2012. Her thyroid prescription was actually reduced by her doctor in terms of potency in July because her thyroid is not as inflamed and is simply performing better.
Thanks again for your work.
Chris, thanks for writing and I am seeing the preliminary thyroid research trickling down the internet also. Star Scientific is very good at putting out press releases, which I am glad they do since they are a publicly traded stock and it helps keep people informed. This can of course lead to increases in stock prices. This lead the Motley Fool to mention this recently here is the link http://www.fool.com/investing/general/2013/01/08/why-star-scientific-shares-jumped.aspx
The Thyroid research has always intrigued me since I first learned of it and I am looking forward to the “published” study. As of right now, its just preliminary stuff. I want other competent researchers looking at how the study was done.
In my opinion, I view the releasing of preliminary data – ahead of the peer review process – as a publicity stunt. Remember this is a publicly traded company. Their stock price might go up when people learn of good results. There are a LOT of people talking about this stock on the internet.
That said, I’m intrigued by what you said about your wife needing less thyroid meds. I’d be interested if the doctor did test for thyroid antibodies to see if the antibodies are reduced.
I tried Anatabloc thanks to a “free trial” offer that came online. Before I could even go through the first small bottle, I got notice that an unauthorized payment had been made on my credit card for $80, and it was for my next order of the stuff.
I am still trying to determine if the Anatabloc was responsible for the sudden outbreak of facial Hives I experienced. I am not a smoker, and am concerned that the relationship of this supplement to nicotine and tobacco is playing havoc with my system.
Anyone else reported this possible side effect?
Joe, thanks for all this! I’ve also read through this site and found it relevant and refreshingly direct. I started Anatabloc a month ago. Definite reduction in rheumatoid arthritic pain in knee and wrists. I’m concerned about the nicotine relationship and wonder about addictive possibilities.
Also, is there any sense that if the inflammation can be reduced, another kind of product (boswellia or hyaluronic acid?) might actually be able to work on the underlying causes of arthritis? I’m not too fond of the idea that if one stops a product, the whole condition returns.
Is anyone else finding they can reduce the volume of Anatabloc by working with it along side other herbs?
Thanks for the site, and all the dialogue! LILA
Lila, those are very good questions. I don’t know about the addictive properties of Anatabloc. I’d think by now somebody might have noticed it, so if it exists, I think it might not be much.
As for correcting the underlying cause of rheumatoid arthritis, I doubt if any supplement can do that. Since rheumatoid arthritis is an autoimmune disorder, we’d have to stop the immune system from attacking the joints. This can be tricky because by subduing the immune system might bring about other problems (like cancer). you hear these “possible side effects” often mentioned on TV commercials for arthritis drugs.
As an aside, most of the evidence for hyalurinic acid stems from injecting it. I don’t think hyaluroinic acid supplement do anything because Im not convinced we can absorb it.
I do think eventually we will cure rheumatoid arthritis – and osteoarthritis also.
Some points:
1. It’s hard to swallow the back-story that Anatabloc was developed in response to CigRx users reporting improvement in their inflammatory conditions, since the dose in one Anatabloc lozenge is 25 times higher than CigRx. Daily intake of Anatabloc is 6mg where as CigRx is only 0.24mg
2. The headline of the Anatabloc product/website is wrong. “…is able to support a natural anti-inflammation process in the body”. According to the actual biological processes on which their theory is loosely based, the correct statement would be “…is a naturally derived inhibitor of the body’s inflammation process”. Anatabine does not “support” anything, it inhibits and disrupts a natural part of the human inflammatory cascade.
3. I don’t like all the artificial ingredients and preservatives (like BHT) placed in this product. This is one reason I will not try it.
4. It is way over-priced! As far as I know, it’s not a proprietary ingredient with patent protection (let me know if I’m wrong), so if it is eventually proven to work, I’m sure other low-priced suppliers will come to market.
Joe,
Ordinarily I would not give Anatabloc a second glance because of the questionable promotional efforts being used for both the product and the stock of its parent company, Star Scientific. (Potential investors should research the business history of Star’s CEO.)
That being said, after reading the positive postings on your site I did take a chance of wasting $100 and purchased a bottle. I am 65 and episodic lower back problems appeared to be transitioning into a chronic problem. I am in generally good health and take no other medications or supplements.
I started taking three pills a day and have now been doing so for a month. I am happy to say that after five days, 95% of the pain/discomfort suddenly disappeared and has not returned.
I am very impressed with anatabine and I will continue taking it. If it continues to provide so much relief for so many people, one can hope that other companies will market their formulations and competition will bring the price down to a reasonable level.
Thank you for providing this site to enable people to get objective information.
Bob, thanks for your feedback and I am happy that you are finding relief with it.
Very helpful info! The price scares me away, but I reckon if the stuff DID work, it would be worth it. I got an email offering a sample for free, but don’t want to get on a list that will send me more SPAM than I already get.
Thank-you for the useful info you provide. Best wishes for 2013!
I read every single word on this page. All the research reviews, all the comments, criticisms, praises & testimonials, and I gotta say: Man am I interested in this!
I have spent so much time and money on lumbar stretchers, massages, chiropractors, doctors, ER visits, prednisone prescriptions, Flexeril, Aleve, Ibuprofen, Advil, Tylenol, Capsaicin, Curcumin, Tiger Balm, personal adjustable node-massages, pretty much anything and everything under the sun except surgery or acupuncture (which I admit I would like to try).
I suffer from mid-back pain on the right side which is localized to the joints/muscles at the bottom of my ribs. It’s been diagnosed as osteoarthritis of the back which is odd considering I am only 27 and my muscles/joints don’t hurt anywhere else on my body. But when I flare up, all of the inflammation only reduces my motion more which in turn creates more inflammation and pain.
I am interested in trying this product to see if it would work for me, but I’m not wealthy and…as of the new year, unemployed (not good). Is there a way to request a sample from the company, or at a GNC store, or anything? I WOULD pay the ridiculous $100 price if I knew it would work, but after trying and failing at so many other alternatives I can’t justify it at this time.
I’ll be following this blog for updates, definitely interested in the results of the studies underway.
Matthew, I have heard that some people have gotten samples of Anatabloc from GNC. I dont know how many pills are in this sample. So If your curious, go to a GNC and ask them for a few samples. Some people report they feel changes in a day or so but since I dont know them personally, I’d think if it was going to work, it might take longer, so hence why I say ask for a few samples.
If that doesn’t work you might also try to call Star Scientific (or as they call themselves in ads Rock Creek pharmaceuticals) and ask the customer service people for some samples.
If it helps you or doesn’t, I hope you will report back to me what happens.
Matthew, you can get a free 10-day trial supply from the company by calling this number: 800-589-9550. This will get you 60 lozenges. The recommended daily dose is 6 lozenges per day, but some have had success with less while others require more. There is also a $9.95 shipping fee that you can get reimbursed by signing up for a 3rd-party free shipping promotion. If you don’t call back to cancel within 10-days, they’ll ship you another 200 lozenges and charge your credit card $80.
Also, they’re not very strict about handing out these free trial supplies. I’ve already received one for myself, one for my wife and one for my brother using the same credit card and address. In other words, you could probably get a couple months of this product for free if you’re willing to keep going through this process every 10 days.
While I don’t suffer from any debilitating afflictions, I did notice that my minor aches and pains subsided while taking this product and my overall mood and vibrancy improved. Hope it works for you!
Joe, I’m Baack! What can I say; it’s been a very happy holiday season. Anyhow, now that I’ve re-read my post I guess I came off a little strong with the glucosamine comment. Perhaps because I was an early adopter and eventually quit the supplement because it did not offer the relief I was looking for. Nothing did except for the occasional steroid injection of which I quit too because, well, because it was steroids.
I still daily dose Vitamin C , a circuminoid complex w/pepper extract, and ubiquinol but Joe, nothing I’ve ever taken has made a material difference in my low back pain the way Anatabloc has. I’m an engineer not a scientist but my own human trial on myself has been an unqualified success.
Both my wife and I are in our mid 50s and try to eat right and exercise (lightly) and we both take Anatabloc. My wife still suffers from a joint issue in one of her thumbs but we understand it is a structural damage issue and not arthritis and not surprised Anatabloc hasn’t helped or cured it…at least not yet.
Personally I wish it was less expensive and hope for a price drop to help the budget though I reconcile the cost with the belief that my major joints won’t need replacing. We’ve enjoyed other benefits from Anatabloc as others have reported too.
Gary C, I think in time the price of Anatabloc will drop. Either way I’m glad its continued to help you and I’m also glad you had a nice holiday too 🙂
Joe,
Sorry that your blog now appears to have been invaded en masse by interested parties whose motives are suspect and who apparently have forgotten everything they learned in 4th grade about the scientific method.
r walker, no worries. It was a long post however it brought out some interesting points that I wanted to respond to. I want to address their questions head on because if investors/others are saying the same things on other websites, unchallenged, I want to give people a place where they can see the other side.
No worries about me being “invaded” because talk of stocks or things that are “over the top” or devoid of anything useful to the conversation won’t be published.
Hi Joe
What is puzzling is you say ” No testimonials.Just the facts – in plain English. If a supplement works, I’ll tell you. If a supplement doesn’t work, I’ll tell you.”
How can you possibly tell if a supplement works if you do not try it ???
In Anatabloc we are talking about a safe nutraceutical supplement available at over 4,000 GNC stores.
I have never met anyone who does not review testimonials when contemplating taking a supplement. GNC website has over 135 testimonials on their site.
A former director of the FDA is the chief scientist behind Anatabloc but you somehow discount this?
What is telling to me is your statement ” As for me trying the product myself, I’m not sure if I have any issues that might warrant trying it ……….” I happen to know there is huge benefit that Anatabloc would likely provide you. It is telling in that you have yet to discover it. I am just waiting to see how long it takes you. If you do not discover it in next two months I will show you how.
Regards
Adam
As stated in the following PDF:
http://anatabloc.com/wp-content/themes/anatabloc/pdf/Anatabine_General_Info_IB_v11_30Aug2012.pdf
OVERALL SAFETY SUMMARY- Anatabine products used as nutritional supplements have a very good safety record when used as directed. The most common adverse effects are in individuals intolerant of the mint flavored products and users who have exceeded the recommended doses. Adverse events do occur, most commonly in frail older individuals or individuals taking multiple medications and supplements. We recommend careful, supervised introduction of the supplement especially in such cases. Safety surveillance has not revealed any particular case or pattern of specific drug-supplement or drug-disease interactions of concern, but prudence and careful oversight is recommended. We encourage feedback from customer and clinician experiences that may yield more refined insights.
Anatabine and Humans—note HUMANS
A 55 year-old, 56 kilogram female with active Hashimoto’s thyroiditis, self-supplemented with 15 mg a day of anatabine (0.267 mg/kg per day) in divided doses with the consent of her physician. Medical follow-up over 12 months has shown no progression of her disease, as well as sonographic, serological, and clinical evidence of possible reduction in active thyroid inflammation. This case, coupled with the epidemiological evidence and animal studies cited above led to interest in the potential for anatabine in supporting human thyroid health.
A 50 year-old, 82 kilogram female with autoimmune thyroiditis reported baseline antithyroid antibodies (AbTPO, normal range 0-60 IU/ml) of 2720 IU and 3655 IU taken six months apart. She started taking anatabine 10 mg/day (0.12 mg/kg per day) three months following the latter baseline measure, with follow-up antibodies of 300 IU/ml after 16 days of treatment. Follow-up is ongoing and shows continued reduction in anti-thyroid antibodies.
A 75 kilogram male patient with Alzheimer’s disease self-supplemented with 30 mg a day of anatabine (0.4 mg/kg per day) in divided doses with the consent of his physician. His subjective experience, supported by his family was an improvement in memory and cognition. Clinical examination of his case is ongoing, showing possible improvement in serological markers, but the period of observation has been too brief (3-6 months) to reach a definite conclusion regarding disease progression or to document improvement on standardized
tests.
Scheduled 2013 studies and reports on Anatabine
Report on Human Thyroid Study
Report on Human CRP (Flint) Study
Report/Publication on the Multiple Sclerosis Animal Studies
Report/Publication on the Traumatic Brain Injury Studies
Report/Publication on Anatabine Abuse Liability in Primates
Results of Human Leukocyte Responsiveness with Anatabine
Preliminary Study of Anatabine in Diabetes
Results of the Controlled Trial of Topical Anatabine (Cream)
Completion of Human Alzheimer’s Study (at Roskamp)
Design and completion of Human Arthritis/Joint Health Study
Report of the Animal Inflammatory Bowel Study (UVA )
Scientists involved with Anatabine / Anatabloc Research
Dr. Curtis Wright, Senior Vice President and Medical/Clinical Director of Star Scientific’s wholly owned subsidiary Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Curtis Wright, IV MD has been Senior Vice President and Medical & Clinical Director of Rock Creek Pharmaceuticals Inc. since February 2008. Dr. Wright serves as Senior Vice President of Star Scientific Inc. Dr. Wright served as Vice President of Clinical and Regulatory Affairs for Adolor Corporation from 1997 to 1998, and Executive Director, Medical Affairs and subsequently Executive Director of Risk Assessment for Purdue Pharma from 1998 to 2004. Dr. Wright served … as an Executive Vice President for Risk Management and Regulatory Affairs at Javelin Pharmaceuticals, Inc. from 2005 to 2008. Dr. Wright’s career at the FDA, from 1989 to October 1997, included multiple senior scientific positions in the Center for Drug Evaluation and Research, including Deputy Director and subsequently Acting Director of that division. Dr. Wright serves as Member of Scientific Advisory Board of Pear Tree Pharmaceuticals Inc. Dr. Wright holds medical degree, with distinction, from George Washington and received a master’s degree in Public Health from the John Hopkins University.
Here is the scientist handling the Thyroid clinical study that is soon to be realized at John Hopkins ( Worlds foremost Endocrinology Research Institute). By the way he was nominated in 2012 by the American Thyroid Association for Doctor of the Year for his work with Anatabine the main element of Antabloc. Dr. Paul W. Ladenson, Director of Endocrinology and Metabolism at Johns Hopkins, John Eager Howard Professor of Endocrinology and Metabolism Professor of Medicine, Pathology, Oncology, and Radiology & Radiological Sciences Medical School: Oxford University, Harvard Medical SchoolResidency: Massachusetts General Hospital Fellowship: Massachusetts General Hospital.
Adam, I’m curious, are you an investor in Anatabloc / Star Scientific? Just wondering because of the singular alacrity you seem to have with this product. Let me try to address your questions.
If people report that something works for them, I’m happy. That said, almost EVERYBODY ELSE who reviews supplements online relies almost entirely on testimonials and vague, foggy, fancy language designed to sell the product. I refuse to do that. I base my reviews on science and logic. That is where I get my “no hype. no spin. no testimonials, just the facts in plane English” slogan from.
Also, most people on the web who review supplements have ZERO scientific background and are not qualified to analyze the research. I’ve investigated supplements for well over 10 years and have even written a book on supplements that contains over 900 references!
I don’t need to try a product to know if it works or doesn’t. By their research, I will know them.
You wrote a lot in your comment but even the “human research” you quoted were just case studies. For example:
1. A 50 year-old, 82 kilogram female with autoimmune thyroiditis – that’s 1 person
2. A 50 year-old, 82 kilogram female with autoimmune thyroiditis – that’s 1 person
3. A 75 kilogram male patient with Alzheimer’s disease – that’s 1 person
I’ll mention case studies in my reviews if they are relevant but I’ll be up front and call them a “case study.” Case studies are interesting but they do not hold as much weight as a scientific study. ALSO, you didn’t give me the references for where these case studies are listed. How do I know these are not just made up by somebody?
As for your statement “How can you possibly tell if a supplement works if you do not try it ???” – this is illogical. You’re assuming that the only way to know if something works is to try it? That’s just not true. For example, most people never feel the differences of eating well, but on a molecular level, decades of doing the right thing, reduce the risk of heart disease and other conditions.
As for your statement that Anatabloc is a “safe nutraceutical supplement available at over 4,000 GNC stores.” are you stating that everything in GNC is safe? Let me be clear, I don’t think, at this point that Anatabloc is going to hurt anybody, but GNC was being sued for selling a product that contained a hard core stimulant called DMAA here’s a link:
GNC – and many other health food stores – also sell ephedrine, a stimulant chemically similar to ephedra which has been linked to several deaths.
I am unimpressed with a former FDA director now working for star scientific. How much did he make at the FDA and how much is he making now? In my opinion, this is like a former senator/congressmen who takes a big job as a lobbyist when he/she leaves public office (BTW, I think this should be illegal for senators/congressmen, but that’s another story).
If you have been taking Anatabloc and its helped you, Im really glad Adam. I know chronic pain can be debilitating. That said, the bottom line is that you have not shown me anything new here. While I don’t discount testimonials, but they alone cannot be the foundation of an unbiased review of a dietary supplement like Anatabloc. This is why I put the emphasis on published peer reviewed human studies. Anything less would not be keeping with who I am or what this website is about.
Francis,
I also saw that John Maudlin letter to his readers. Abloc seems to curb my appetite and I have lost 12 pounds. Like you, I think it also helps with my mood. I am 53 but have an 80 year old friend who is a keen paddle tennis player. He says he could not be playing consistently without Anatabloc. He also says he and his wife drink less wine in the evenings and claims Abloc is mostly likely the reason. I, however, have not noticed I drink less…yet!
Greetings! I’ve never done this blogging before, and I really don’t know this site, as I have been surfing about anatabloc after taking it for about 3 weeks now. I am business professor, woman, and experiencing what I saw referred to as “flash aging” on another site (at 51, I have other phases to deal with) — my joints were giving me real stiffness in the last year, and I’ve had painful thumbs for 4-5 years.
Been on thyroid for about 10 years. Anyway, a financial blogger I’ve read for a couple of years John Mauldin, has become like a trusted friend as sometimes happens when you follow a blogger, and he was extremely enthusiastic about Anatabloc, so I thought I’d try it (trying to be very transparent on my sources).
By the way, I am a person who tries things, and if they work, great, if not, no big loss. (I love my Novamin toothpaste (3 years), Bach’s Rescue cream (5 years for skin), and Move Free is good stuff, Amberin helps some – no help from Sensa, or instaflex, or..well there is a longer list there)
Anyway, this Anatabloc has been absolutely amazing for me! Thumbs great, stiffness down 80% at least, energy great, and (the reason I’m surfing today) I was wondering about mood – I have been decidedly “happier” in recent weeks (I wasn’t “depressed” before I don’t think).
Now all that said, my husband is still waiting for results (57) but given my results he’s staying with it awhile longer. So, it may just be genetic needs, but I honestly don’t think all those testimonials out there are made up by paid for people.
As I said, I’m a tried and true “will try anything” type of person. Let’s put it this way, I was finally going to upgrade from a Tracphone to a smartphone (don’t ask where my money goes, two teens 13 & 15) and I am going to delay that decision until I can swing it.
Because I will not give up my anatabloc now for anything. PS, I’m easy to find on the net, but I don’t post to blogs as I usually try to remain off the grid. I just figured if this is a site where people really care about this, I’d share my story.
What I don’t get is if someone is really skeptical (Joe? ) why don’t you try it? I say that knowing you might have nonresults like my husband…but it just seems so easy an investment to try (I paid the full $100 on amazon for my first jar because I didn’t want to sign up for anything.)
HI Francis, I really do appreciate you taking the time to write and share your results with Anatabloc. Believe me when I say I’m not trying to come off as a “skeptic” really but rather just trying to pose some of the questions that need to be asked. Questions that I don’t think anybody else is asking about this product. As for me trying the product myself, I’m not sure if I have any issues that might warrant trying it but I have considered it from time to time just to see what happens. I may at some point (no promises) and if I do, I will update my review with what I experienced. Either way I’m happy that is working for you and I really do hope that it helps your husband also.
I for one originally purchased this anatabine product when it first came out as cigrx as an aid to stop smoking for my wife. The funny thing is that as long as I remember I used to get cold sores and in the mouth canker sores many times during the year. They would become very large, unsightly and painful. The only product that would help just a little was L-Lysine if I caught it immediately. Now since I have been taking Anatabloc Regularly I haven’t had a cold or canker sore since. It works. Just my honest testimony.
Thanks for your great blog.
Joseph, thanks for mentioning that bit about the cold sores! Ill keep it in the back of my mind as more research comes out
@Ed
Here is the testimony of a person suffering from Crohn’s disease. She is as neutral as this site is.
There are 4 parts , this is the final one
http://www.urbandomesticdiva.com/2012/12/lifestyle-quick-anatabloc-update-dec-4.htmlr
Looks pretty good to me
Claud, I went to her site and read her results. She does appear to be unbiased. It looked like one comment leaver was had some sort of investment website (the investor segment appears to be very aggressive at trying to pump up the stock)
AS far as I can tell..any person who has had positive results using Anatabloc is possibly having a placebo effect or prior to taking Anatabloc they probably were suffering from a condition that was healing itself..therefore, they concluded that Anatabloc was a wonder cure..
I am yet to find any person who has an actual medical condition that is based on inflammation that can honestly say Anatabloc does work..or at least help…believe me, I wish it did work..but unfortunately it did nothing for me.
I went to GNC to ask about something for advanced osteoarthritis of the hip, I am currently undergoing prolozone injections at $100.00 per injection, already received 4 injections with very little relief, they feel good at first bur wear off quickly, about 2 days!! i was given a free sample of Anatabloc 20 pills, and have taken 3 doses and still waiting for results in how I feel.
Vince, I hope it works for you. Let me know if it does or doesn’t.
‘Glucosamine sulfate is not perfect’ is as close to the truth as you’ve written. In fact every study of this, one of the first nutraceuticals marketed (10+yrs ago), has been inconclusive. The reason being is that it is a food supplement that presupposes deficiency that may or may not be the case for each individual. In other words Glucosamine sulfate may provide joint pain relief if your body can no longer produce it on it’s own.
Anatabine on the other hand is not a supplement to fill a deficiency but a nutraceutical that naturally down regulates chronic low level inflammation in the body. Google chronic low level inflammation and find you don’t want it in your body. Google NF-kB along with any auto-immune disorder and you will find it implicated in all those diseases. In fact medical research now suggest chronic inflammation is implicated in 98% of all diseases we humans must battle to stay alive.
At 55 I’ve been taking Anatabloc for 15 months now and it has rid my body of joint pain we ALL have as we age. I’ve had severe low back pain for 25yrs of my life and could expect 2 – 3 debilitating episodes per year where the pain was excruciating. Not one episode since starting Anatabloc. Not one.
Arthritis pain in my hands and shoulders have disappeared I have 3 full blood panels in the past 12mos that show a continued decline in my CRP-hs levels that now sit at 0.68mg/dL. I paid for two of the complete blood panels out of pocket through healthcheckusa and showed the results to my GP who, apparently skeptical of the results, prescribed the third set of test which came back with yet a lower CRP-hs level .68 than the first two.
Google CRP levels and find you too want <1.mg to minimize your risk for heart disease. I could go into cell apostisis and telemere lengths as it relates to life extension but probably best left to those interested in finding more on the subject themselves.
Bottom line is anatabine citrate mechanism of action is unique in that it does not suppress the immune system but safely down regulates chronic inflammation. Though I'm no scientist the mechanism of action is such that it is hard for me to believe that anatabine citrate isn't beneficial to everyone who takes it. Harder still that some post negative results to the point where I suspect ulterior motives at play regarding the stock.
Garry C. I don’t understand how you can say “as close to the truth as I’ve written” when all I did in my review is show people the actual published research on anatabloc. Nobody can show me ANY human arthritis research for anatabloc. Instead people say things like “google this” and “there are patents” and “go talk to this researcher” – but where is the research?
Seriously Gary, I’ve tried to be as truthful as I could in my review and there is no better truth than showing the actual published scientific studies on anatabloc. They don’t even do that on the Anatabloc.com website. Why don’t they?
So Gary, instead of attacking me about not being truthful, and instead of talking to me about mechanisms of action, ask yourself these questions:
1. where is the human research on anatabloc showing it helps arthritis or muscle pain?
2. Why don’t the makers of anabolic show the studies on their website?
3. Why TV commercials are saying its “proven inflammation in joints and muscles” when the “proof” seems to be 1 study showing reduction of CPR levels in mouse thyroid glands? MOUSE Thyroid glands!
I’m not an investor in anatabloc and I’m not trying to sell anatabloc. I just want to ask questions that few others online seem to want to ask.
As for glucosamine, I never said it was a “slam dunk” but I know more people who tell me it’s helped them than people who have tried anatabloc. And glucosamine is cheaper too. So, wouldn’t you prefer people (especially those strapped for cash) started with a less expensive alternative before spending a $100 for a bottle of anatabloc? I would. And, inconclusive findings or not, there ARE human studies on glucosamine (a LOT of them). Right now there are ZERO human studies published on Anatabloc. I know that’s going go change someday but not today.
Gary, if you say Anatabloc is helping you, I’ll take you at your word that it is. That said, in the words of Carl Segan, Extraordinary claims require extraordinary evidence.
Well, it’s not been a month and I can tell you I’ve had fantastic results. I take 2, 3 times per day. I just have a little pain in one wrist. I am able to work out and play with my kids. I have even been able to start up p90x again. This past summer i was in quite a bit of pain. I feel great and hope that anatabloc continues to be effective.
Great David, glad its working for you.
“Yet the TV commericials make antabloc out to be the best thing since sliced bread.” The commercials I’ve seen do not portray what you are saying. Do you have a reference for the commerical you are referring to?
Adam, yes the TV commercials I’m seeing on the East Coast say “turn back the clock with Anatabloc” – that sounds pretty impressive to me. They also say its “proven to reduce inflammation in joints and muscles” also. That sounds pretty over the top also considering I see no good proof of this. These are very strong words for a supplement that – right now – only has some mouse and test tube studies to back it up.