Arboris announces entry into North American markets with its flagship plant sterol ester product Protanica, a heart-healthy functional food ingredient.

March 10, 2014

2 Min Read
Arboris brings non-GMO plant sterols to North America

Arboris® LLC the world's leading maker of non-GMO plant sterols, announced its entry into North American markets with its flagship plant sterol ester product Protanica™, a heart-healthy functional food ingredient.

Adding plant sterols into a person's diet has been clinically proven to reduce cholesterol. In fact, a Consensus Statement supporting this from the European Atherosclerosis Society (EAS) was recently published in its journal, Atherosclerosis. In it, the EAS found that "two grams of plant sterols or plant stanols per day in functional foods can help manage cholesterol for those with moderate heart disease risk and who are taking statin drugs."

It was the first time the EAS, whose members consist solely of clinical researchers in the field of atherosclerosis, had backed plant sterols in such a way. As a watchdog over EU government health claims, the EAS endorsement adds force to the EU held position that sterols and stanols reduce LDL cholesterol by 10 percent on average in those with moderate cholesterol issues.

The maker of Protanica sees this statement as a very positive step in the acceptance and adoption of plant sterols as a functional food ingredient in North America and believe that, in time, an increasing number of food products including dairy beverages, cookies, yogurts, smoothies and others will include heart healthy sterols in their offerings. More than 200 human clinical studies over the past 50 years have shown that sterols are safe and effective in reducing LDL “bad” cholesterol by 8 to 10 percent. 

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved the following health claim: “Foods containing at least 0.4 grams per serving of plant sterols eaten with meals or snacks for a daily total intake of 0.8 grams as part of a diet low in saturated fat and cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease.” 

Protanica has distinct advantages among plant sterols on the market today in that it is compatible with both organic and non-GMO certified foods. Other positive features of Protanica are as follows:

  • Naturally occurring

  • Clinically tested and demonstrated to be safe and effective

  • Endorsed by the American Heart Association

  • Easily formulated into heart healthy foods

  • Minimal sensory (taste, smell)/texture impact on food

  • Manufactured under cGMPs

  • Kosher and Halal certified

  • Can be stored at room temperature with an 18-month shelf life 

“Well understood and accepted in other parts of the world, the U.S. is beginning to recognize the health benefits of plant sterol esters as a functional ingredient for heart healthy foods,” said Manuel Canales, president and CEO of Arboris LLC. “We are seeing an increased interest among food manufactures looking to increase the heart-healthy cholesterol-lowering properties of their products. Protanica is a supported product offered to food manufacturers and retailers to help the formulation and launch of such products.”

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