Pharmanex Recognized for Scientific Achievements in Key Nutrition and Health Categories

PR Newswire

06.15.04, 11:20 AM ET

The Company Makes Important Strides in the Areas of Antioxidant Protection, Aerobic Performance and Endurance, Liver Protection and Breast Cell Health

PROVO, Utah, June 15 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Pharmanex, a Nu Skin Enterprises Company (NYSE: NUS), announced today that company scientists have made significant advancements in several nutritional health categories. Independent scientific associations and journals recently recognized these scientific achievements by inviting Pharmanex scientists to present their findings and by publishing its research. Leading research organizations have also independently tested Pharmanex products in their studies and found positive results. 

"The Pharmanex research and development team is keeping us at the forefront in scientific advancement in the nutritional supplement category," said Truman Hunt, CEO and president of Nu Skin Enterprises, parent company to Pharmanex. "We are pleased to be recognized for our scientific achievement in the nutritional supplement industry. Our commitment to scientifically measuring the safety and efficacy of our nutritional products is setting the standard in the industry and helping people to live better, longer." 

During the first part of 2004, Pharmanex has been recognized for its scientific efforts in antioxidant protection, aerobic performance and endurance and liver protection. Independent researchers also conducted a study on the Pharmanex product ReishiMax(R) in relation to breast cell health. 

Antioxidant Protection -- Pharmanex(R) BioPhotonic Scanner 

A paper titled "Nutritional Significance and Measurement of Carotenoids," written by Carsten Smidt, Ph.D., vice president of Pharmanex research and development, was published in the May 2004 edition of the peer-reviewed journal Current Topics in Nutraceutical Research (CTNR). This paper reviews the nutritional aspects of carotenoids, their role as important antioxidants, their role in eye, skin, prostate and cardiovascular health and the methods used to determine carotenoid intake and nutritional status-including use of the Pharmanex(R) BioPhotonic Scanner, which non-invasively measures carotenoids in human skin. 

In addition to this paper, a recent study, "Adiposity Negatively Influences Carotenoids and Antioxidant Status in Overweight Individuals," was presented by the Rippe Lifestyle Institute, Shrewsbury, MA, at the National Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine. The study shows that both body weight and adiposity are negatively correlated with skin carotenoids as measured using the Pharmanex(R) BioPhotonic Scanner. 

Dr. Smidt also gave an oral presentation on the Pharmanex(R) BioPhotonic Scanner at the annual meeting of the American Society for Nutritional Sciences at Experimental Biology 2004, which took place April 17 - 21, 2004 in Washington D.C. The study, "Non-invasive Raman spectroscopy measurement of human carotenoid status," found that the BioPhotonic Scanner measurement had a high correlation with blood serum carotenoid levels providing further validation of the instrument (FASEB J 18(4):A480, 2004.). 

Aerobic Performance and Endurance 

Pharmanex researchers were invited to present a study at Experimental Biology 2004 showing that a proprietary extract of the cordyceps mushroom called CordyMax(R) Cs-4(R) may improve oxygen capacity for aerobic exercise and endurance in mid-age to elderly, sedentary humans. This study, selected from a pool of nearly 10,000 applications, has been highlighted by the American Physiological Society (APS) at their annual scientific conference, Experimental Biology 2004, held April 17 - 21, 2004, in Washington, D.C. To view the press release sent out by the American Physiological Society on this study go to
http://www.the-aps.org/press/conference/eb04/4.htm 

The study, "CordyMax enhances aerobic capability and metabolism, and endurance performance in healthy, mid-age to elderly sedentary humans," found that the subjects taking CordyMax(R) Cs-4(R) improved significantly in aerobic exercise capacity, physical strength for aerobic exercise, endurance performance and exercise metabolism over the placebo group (FASEB J 18(5): A931, 2004.). 

Liver Protection 

In another study presented at Experimental Biology 2004, Pharmanex scientists examined the effect of ReishiMax(R), a proprietary extract of the reishi mushroom (Ganoderma lucidum), on liver function. The study, "ReishiMax protects liver and improves liver functions in an experimental hepatitis model," found that oral supplementation of ReishiMax(R) mitigates liver necrosis and fibrosis and improves liver function (FASEB J 18(5): A999, 2004.). 

Pharmanex Scientists presented a similar study at the annual meeting of the American Gastroenterology Association called Digestive Disease Week. The study, "Reduced Liver Necrosis and Fibrosis and Improved Liver Functions in a CCL4-Induced Hepatitis Model by ReishiMax(R) Supplementation," was also published in the May 2004 edition of Gastroenterology. 

Breast Cell Health 

Independent Research 

Researchers from Indiana University, the Methodist Research Institute and Purdue University performed a study comparing the biological activity of several reishi mushroom supplements (Ganoderma lucidum), including the Pharmanex(R) product ReishiMax(R), to determine ability to inhibit certain factors of highly invasive breast and prostate cancer cells. The study, "Biologic Activity of Spores and Dried Powder from Ganoderma lucidum for the Inhibition of Highly Invasive Human Breast and Prostate Cancer Cells," found that ReishiMax(R) had the most potent inhibition against breast and prostate cancer cell proliferation amongst all the samples. The article states, "Interestingly, the sample containing powdered extract with spores [ReishiMax(R)] was the most potent in inhibiting migration (99%)." 

The authors also noted that ReishiMax(R) was the only reishi product to identify standardized active constituents, and suggested that, "the difference in potency to inhibit cancer cells of the different samples of Ganoderma lucidum can be the result of variation in the concentration of the active ingredients." Lastly, the authors showed that cracking spores by mechanistic disruption (as with ReishiMax(R)), increased activity by releasing biologically active components. This study was published in The Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine, Volume 9, Number 4, 2003, pp.491-497. 

In a follow-up study on ReishiMax(R), researchers from the University of Indiana and the Methodist Research Institute found that ReishiMax(R) may contribute to reducing invasion and metastasis of breast cancers by inhibiting cancer cell adhesion, cell migration, and growth of cancer cells. The study also showed that reishi (Ganoderma lucidum) could have preventive effects against secondary metastases, which are responsible for the high mortality of breast cancer. The study, "Ganoderma lucidum inhibits invasiveness of breast cancer cells," was published in the Journal of Cancer Integrative Medicine, 2004, Vol. 2, No. 1. 

According to Joseph Chang, Ph.D., president of Pharmanex, "The results of these studies validate the efficacy of our products. With over 75 full-time scientists on staff and advisory relationships with leading researchers and universities, Pharmanex continues to build a body of knowledge in key nutritional and health categories." 

Pharmanex 

Pharmanex, a Nu Skin Enterprises company (NYSE: NUS), applies pharmaceutical processes and scientific measurement to create nutritional supplements for more than 30 markets worldwide. Pharmanex(R) products are sold direct to the consumer through the Internet and a network of independent distributors. For more information, go to www.pharmanexusa.com. 

This information is provided for general educational purposes and does not constitute labeling or advertising. Such information does not alter the intended use of any Pharmanex product. 

SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises -0- 06/15/2004 /CONTACT: Investors, Charlie Allen +1-801-345-6110, or Media, Kara Schneck, +1-801-345-2116, or Bill Weidner, +1-801-345-2165, all of Nu Skin Enterprises/ /Web site:
http://www.nuskinenterprises.com
http://www.pharmanexusa.com
http://www.the-aps.org/press/conference/eb04/4.htm
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