SupplySide West Scientific Excellence Winners Announced

PHOENIXVirgo Publishing announced the SupplySide West 2010 Scientific Excellence Awards will be presented to Natural Health Science/Horphag Research for Pycnogenol, Embria for EpiCor, and American River Nutrition for DeltaGold at SupplySide West, Oct. 19 to 23 in Las Vegas at The Venetian & Sands Expo.

Qualified applicants included companies with new ingredients or technologies, as well as those with new research or applications for established ingredients or technologies. Panelists evaluated the submissions on science/research methods, scientific breakthrough, innovation and appeal for the manufacturing community.

Awards will be presented to the following winners at 2 p.m. in the Virgo Publishing booth, #22061, on Friday, Oct. 22:

Pycnogenol, Natural Health Science/Horphag Research
Horphag Research has invested $1.5 million in Pycnogenol research during each of the past three years, and overall there are more than 230 scientific publications on Pycnogenol. Most recently, a study published in the June 2010 issue of Phytotherapy found seasonal allergy sufferers had reduced nasal and ocular irritation when taking Pycnogenol. Also in 2010, a study published in the March issue of Journal of Cardiovascular Pharmacology and Therapeutics found Pycnogenol counteracted kidney damage caused by hypertension. Last year, new research published in the Journal of Ocular Pharmacology and Therapeutics demonstrated Pycnogenol improved microcirculation, retinal edema and visual acuity in the early stages of diabetic retinopathy. Also last year, a study in International Immunopharmacology found Pycnogenol inhibited the generation of COX-2 and 5-LOX, two naturally occurring enzymes associated with inflammatory conditions. Even with more than 40 years of research, including more than 85 clinical studies, the companies continue to study the safety and efficacy of the ingredient. Another result of this extensive research is a peer-reviewed monograph for Pycnogenol that was published by the American Botanical Council in January 2010. The ingredient is currently available in more than 700 products worldwide, including dietary supplements, cosmetic formulations and functional foods and beverages.

EpiCor, Embria
Introduced in 2005, EpiCor continues to be the subject of clinical studies and research. In 2010, the Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine published the results of a clinical study that concluded EpiCor significantly reduced cold- and flu-like symptoms in non-vaccinated individuals. This followed a clinical study published in Urologic Nursing that showed EpiCor helped to reduce both the incidence and duration of cold and flu symptoms in subjects who had been vaccinated. Also within the last year, Advances in Therapy published the results of a 12-week randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled study that found EpiCor significantly reduced the severity of allergy symptoms. EpiCor is available in dietary supplements, and is both OU kosher and GRAS.

DeltaGold, American River Nutrition
Introduced in 2003, DeltaGold is a tocotrienol ingredient derived from the annatto plant. It was self-affirmed GRAS in July 2010. It is composed of 90 percent delta-tocotrienol and 10 percent gamma-tocotrienol with no tocopherol content. A study published in Nutrition and Cancer last year found DeltaGold induced programmed cell death of prostate cancer cells. Also last year, well-known cardiologist Stephen Sinatra, M.D., wrote an article calling DeltaGold the new anti-inflammatory all star. In July of this year, results of a study of DeltaGold on pancreatic and melanoma cancer cells was presented at the first International Conference on Tocotrienols and Chronic Diseases.

SupplySide West is a five-day event offering industry the opportunity to learn about the latest innovative and healthy ingredients, meet new vendors and formulators in the 1,200 booth exhibit hall, and source ingredients, packaging, labeling and private-label manufacturing services in one location. More information and registration details can be found on the show website or by calling (800) 454-5760.