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 Vital stats: NeOpuntia from Bio Serae Laboratories
Study claim: NeOpuntia could help to balance blood-lipid levels and reduce cardiovascular risk due to its beneficial effects on HDL cholesterol levels.
Published: Linarès E, et al. The effect of NeOpuntia on blood lipid parameters — risk factors for the metabolic syndrome (syndrome X). Adv Ther 2007 Sep-Oct;24(5):1115-25.
Abstract: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of NeOpuntia — patented, dehydrated, Opuntia ficus-indica leaves — on blood-lipid parameters and metabolic syndrome. Opuntia ficus-indica leaves are traditionally consumed as a vegetable. Participants in this monocentric, randomised, placebo-controlled, double-blind, six-week study were 68 women, ages 20 to 55 years, with metabolic syndrome and a body-mass index between 25 and 40. Fifty-nine subjects completed the study. All volunteers followed well-balanced diets with controlled lipid input. NeOpuntia or placebo capsules were taken at a dosage of 1.6g/meal. All five syndrome-X criteria were measured on days 0, 14 and 42, including LDL cholesterol (LDL-C), HDL cholesterol (HDL-C), and triglyceride levels.
The 42 females older than 45 years showed a significant increase in HDL-C levels with NeOpuntia and a tendency toward decreased triglyceride levels. At the same time, there was a decrease in HDL-C levels with placebo. Overall, for the entire study population, similar but less pronounced tendencies were demonstrated. Forty-two females taking NeOpuntia with no additional hypolipemic treatment had a pronounced reduction in LDL cholesterol, especially after day 14. At the study's end, 39 per cent of the NeOpuntia group, but only eight per cent of the placebo group, were no longer diagnosed with metabolic syndrome.
Potential applications: NeOpuntia contains a combination of fibre and gelling agents that appear to bind to the fat found near the top of the stomach after a heavy meal. It is suitable for weight-management and metabolic-syndrome finished products due to its lipophilic properties.
More info:www.bioserae.com
+33 4 68 76 76 40
Distributed in North America by Charles Bowman
www.charlesbowman.com
+1 616 786 4000
 Vital stats: B&D Nutritional Ingredients' Zinc-Carnosine
Study claim: Zinc-Carnosine could protect the GI system.
Published: Mahmood A, et al. Zinc carnosine, a health-food supplement that stabilises small-bowel integrity and stimulates gut-repair processes. Gut 2007 Feb;56(2):168-75.
Abstract: Zinc-Carnosine (ZnC) is claimed to possess health-promoting and gastrointestinal-supportive activity. Scientific evidence underlying these claims is limited. Researchers examined ZnC on various models of gut injury and repair, and in a clinical trial.
In vitro studies used pro-migratory (wounded monolayer) and proliferation ([(3)H]-thymidine incorporation) assays of human colonic (HT29), rat intestinal epithelial and canine kidney epithelial cells. In vivo studies used a rat model of gastric damage (indomethacin/restraint) and a mouse model of small-intestinal (indomethacin) damage. Ten healthy volunteers undertook a randomised crossover trial comparing changes in gut permeability (lactulose:rhamnose ratios) before and after five days of indomethacin (50mg 3x/day) with ZnC (37.5mg 2x/day) or placebo.
ZnC stimulated migration and proliferation of cells in a dose-dependent manner (maximum effects in both assays at 100micromol/l using HT29 cells), causing an approximate threefold increase in migration and proliferation. Oral ZnC decreased gastric (75 per cent reduction at 5mg/ml) and small-intestinal injury (50 per cent reduction in villus shortening at 40mg/ml). In volunteers, indomethacin caused a threefold increase in gut permeability in the control arm; lactulose:rhamnose ratios were 0.35 before indomethacin treatment and 0.88 after five days of indomethacin treatment, whereas no significant increase in permeability was seen when ZnC was co-administered. Effects were seen at normal supplement concentrations. Researchers concluded that ZnC, at concentrations likely to be found in the gut lumen, stabilises gut mucosa.
Applications: Applications for ZnC include sensitive stomachs, irritation from occasional heartburn and acid indigestion. It has been shown to inhibit the proliferation of unhealthy bacteria in the GI tract. It is suitable for tablets, capsules, wafers, soft chews, gels, effervescents, sachet/stick and nontransparent beverage with some viscosity. It has no significant flavour or palatability issues.
More info: www.bdnutritional.com
+1 800 546 6113
www.xstosolutions.com
+1 866 433 4481
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