Test drive: Dr Metz's Erinasolum

EVER seeking the diet miracle requiring neither effort nor abstinence, I stumbled across a pair of rubber insoles that promised weight loss, the regulation of bodily fluid functions and an increased sense of well-being. Dr Metz's Erinasolum may sound like it fell off the back of a mid-19th century gypsy caravan, but the manufacturer insists it is a product based on the sound principles of acupressure.

Erinasolum are pale, foot-coloured specimens with islands of raised pink nodules positioned to stimulate the areas of your feet relating to internal organs. Thus the block of nodules rubbing against your instep is saying a big good morning to your small intestine while, nearer your toes, your stomach is getting a seeing- to.

All this activity will, apparently, speed up digestion and bust fat cells. The insoles fit neatly inside your shoes and are intended to be worn for up to a couple of hours a day, preferably while walking. The experience is uncannily similar to wearing wellies full of grit but seems a small price to pay for a svelte figure and a colon Mr Kellog would have killed for.

Dr Metz's instruction booklet offers handy hints on how to further weight loss, such as "Eat only one piece of fruit cake instead of the usual two pieces of cream cake while drinking your four o'clock coffee." Bearing this in mind, I strolled forth in my magical in- soles but, within half an hour, had to stroll back home again because, believe me, they are not joking when they bandy terms like "elimination" about.

Two days later and I had achieved a stomach that, if not washboard, was no longer in the washtub category. But was this because of the insoles or because, I cut right down on the cream cakes?

A constipation cure second to none but, as far as weight loss is concerned, we should hang onto our calorie counters yet.

Karen McKenzie Dr Metz's Erinasolum, #14.95, mail order only, 0116 274 3000

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