Nestle Health Science adds ‘new dimension’ to weight management services
Nestlé Health Science has agreed to acquire weight management service, PronoKal (PnK) from investment company, Abac Capital, to “add a new dimension” to its weight management portfolio.
CEO, Greg Behar says the acquisition will enable Nestlé to “help more people lead healthier lives”.
“Figuring out a healthy way to lose weight and to stick to the program can be daunting. With medical supervision, healthy ketogenic meals and always-on support through the app, PronoKal is designed to take the confusion and stress out of weight loss, supporting people through their weight management journey,” he comments.
Keto approach
The PnK Method is a medically supervised holistic weight loss programme designed around science and nutrition. It combines a very low-calorie ketogenic diet combined with physical exercise and applied genomics to help customers attain their optimal weight.
Programmes are personalised to each individual and include unlimited access to nutritionists, medical experts, and lifestyle coaches to discuss any dietary or medical issue.
Ketogenic (keto) diets facilitate weight loss at the expense of fat, but scientific studies only support the efficacy and safety of low-fat ketogenic regimes that include physical activity and medical supervision. PnK’s method has been validated in 25 clinical trials, the company says.
Experts provide protein recommendations for products low in carbohydrates and fats to induce the body to use accumulated fat reserves to produce energy, in a process called ketosis (a natural biological mechanism that metabolises fat when carbohydrate intake is low).
PnK asserts that its diet programme can help customers lose up to 9kg in one month, with 95% of the weight loss from fat reduction.
Protein formula
Customers have access to a range of nutritionally balanced protein-based meals as part of the PnK Method to ensure a healthy diet and prevent muscle loss.
The key ingredient is PronoKal’s patented ProteinDHA formula, which contains high quality protein and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), a type of omega-3 fat, in optimal proportions and has anti-inflammatory properties to fight lipoinflammation and promote fat-burning.
Nutritionists help customers progress to a normal diet once they have reached their ideal weight and offer advice (on portion sizes and micronutrients, for example) based on personal preferences, to help customers plan healthy eating regimes in the long-term.
Participants submit to a medical consultation before taking part in the programme and have access to more than 8,000 doctors to discuss any medical issues.
Broad appeal
Originally launched in Spain in 2004, the PnK programme is available in more than 14 countries and has an estimated 600,000 customers, mainly in Southern Europe.
The product range includes hot and cold drinks (hot chocolate, coffee, orange juice and coconut flavoured drinks, for example), biscuits, bars, savoury dishes and omelettes, soups and creams, desserts, supplements, and sauces.
Similarly, Nestlé Health Science has developed the Optifast range of bars, soups and shakes for weight loss management. The influential Swiss brand acknowledges obesity is “one of the most prevalent health conditions worldwide” and as a leader in the science of nutrition, is committed to redefining health management and “empower healthier lives through nutrition”.
