Walled Lake, MI – February 18, 2003 – Living Essentials, makers of Chaser – Freedom from Hangovers and Chaser for Wine Headaches, today announced the results of a clinical trial conducted by Herbal Research Clinic to assess the efficacy and safety of Chaser products. According to the trial’s executive summary, “The efficacy of the product ‘Chaser’ appears to be proven based on the clinical trial. All of the major symptoms associated with moderate alcohol consumption were improved while on the product.” At the conclusion of the test, 83 percent of the subjects said they would “highly recommend” or “recommend” Chaser.

A 1999 report by the National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism stated, “Productivity losses attributed to alcohol were estimated at $119 billion for 1995.” In addition, a survey conducted by Bayer showed it takes an average of just 3.2 drinks to cause hangover symptoms. For 10 percent of people, hangovers occur after just one or two drinks.

“Hangovers are a bigger problem than most people realize,” said Tom Morse, president of Living Essentials. “Hangovers can lead to absenteeism, poor job performance and put people at risk for accidents and injuries. Chaser allows people to enjoy their favorite alcoholic beverages and still meet their personal and professional responsibilities.”

The Institutional-Review Board (IRB)-approved clinical trial featuring randomization, double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover group design showed statistically significant differences for 17 common hangover symptoms including headaches, fatigue, red eyes, gastrointestinal upsets, dizziness and lack of concentration.

Test subjects participated in a series of controlled drinking episodes that included between four and 12 drinks (depending on each subject’s weight and historical tendency for hangovers). Subjects also received doses of either Chaser or placebo. After each episode, researchers measured the subjects’ hangover symptoms.

On average, subjects reported improvement in all 17 hangover symptom categories while taking Chaser. Selected mean improvements are listed below:

The report goes on to state, “There appears to be no drawbacks to this product with respect to safety as determined by this trial. Furthermore, the active ingredients (activated calcium carbonate and activated charcoal) have a long medical history of use and are generally recognized as safe (GRAS) by the FDA.”