Conference Highlights L-Ergothioneine Antioxidant

BEVERLY HILLS, Calif.Experts in the fields of oxidative stress, healthy aging, and chronic disease prevention and management are set to meet at the First International Congress on Ergothioneine, set for July 15 to 17, 2011 at the DeNeve Auditorium on the campus of UCLA in Westwood, CA. The conference will focus on L-ergothioneine, a newly discovered naturally occurring antioxidant produced by microbes in the soil that has already been added to dietary supplements.

L-ergothioneine is most commonly found in species of mushrooms, grapes, meats and dairy products; has shown the ability to improve the body's own intrinsic defenses against oxidative stress; and contains anti-inflammatory, neuroprotective and anti-aging properties.

Feature presentations at the First International Congress on Ergothioneine include those by members of Oxis International Inc.s science advisory board and will focus on the unique properties and potential benefits of L-ergothioneine. OXIS recently signed a financing agreement with its primary product development and manufacturing partner, Gemini Pharmaceuticals, to launch its first L-ergothioneine product, ErgoFlex, for joint pain relief and overall joint health.

The conference begins on Friday, July 15, with opening remarks from Oxis advisory board including,      Okezie I. Aruoma, M.B.A., Ph.D., D.Sc., Touro College of Pharmacy, NY; John Repine, M.D., Web-Waring Institute, University of Colorado; and L. Stephen Coles, M.D. Ph.D., UCLA Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

The keynote lecture on Friday will feature Alexander Schauss, Ph.D., FACN, the CEO of AIBMR Life Sciences, who will discuss the importance of establishing safety for nutraceutical compounds and will present extensive data on the safety of L-ergothioneine.

Other speakers include Bruce N. Ames, Ph.D., Childrens Hospital, Oakland Research Institute;      Stephen G. Clarke, Ph.D. Director, Molecular Biology Institute, UCLA; Dirk Grundemann, Ph.D., University of Cologne, Germany; Young Joon Surh, Ph.D., College of Pharmacy, Seoul National University, Korea; and Marvin Housman, M.D., Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Stevenson, Washington

Presentations will focus on evidence-based research discussing the unique properties and potential benefits of L-ergothioneine, comparing and contrasting with other approaches

The conference is geared to health care professionals, wellness advocates, pharmaceutical scientists, physicians and pharmacists, alternative and complementary health practitioners and all those health professionals with an interest in the latest information on antioxidants and their role in the maintenance of good health throughout the aging process. Attendees will earn AAFP continuing education credits.