From The September 2001 Issue of Nutrition Science News

Nutracon News

NutrAward Taps Breakthrough Ingredient of 2001
Innovation is paramount in the nutraceuticals industry. Each year the most promising dietary supplement ingredient or product is honored with the NutrAward and presented at the annual Nutracon conference. Of the dozens of submissions received, a peer-review panel selected three finalists, summarized below. The winner of the 2001 NutrAward was the weight-loss ingredient ForsLean by Sabinsa Corp. The other two finalists were Nutrition 21's Diachrome and Giantceutical's BioCalth.

Sabinsa's ForsLean a Novel Weight-Loss Aid
Ephedra-based weight-loss products have had impressive sales during the last decade. But adverse reports—invariably because consumers take more than the recommended dose—have led some state legislators to restrict the herb's use. Sabinsa determined that botanical extracts of the Coleus forskohlii bush root standardized to 10 percent forskolin (about 10 times that found naturally) have therapeutic effects on weight loss—without ephedra's adverse effects on blood pressure and pulse.

The Sabinsa Corp., based in Piscataway, N.J., has been working since 1997 to bring the ingredient to market.

"We appreciate our industry peers' recognition of our efforts in this new product development," says Todd Norton, president of Sabinsa. "Although other coleus materials exist none has gone through such rigorous tests."

Although forskolin is active in the same metabolic pathway as ephedrine, it starts further down the pathway. Forskolin enhances adenylate cyclase, an enzyme that splits a high-energy molecule of adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to yield cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP). Typically, an increase in cAMP leads to activation of other enzymes, among which is lipase. Lipase disposes of triglycerides, known as the building blocks of fatty tissue, which has a positive effect on body composition. The net effect is an increase in lean body mass and trimmed waistline.

Forskolin historically had applications against glaucoma as well as asthma and blood pressure. But never before had an extract standardized to a greater amount of forskolin been applied to a weight-loss product. Sabinsa received a use patent in September 1998 and partnered with suppliers in India. An LD50 study determined its safety and independent labs assayed its safety profile. An eight-week, open-field study of six overweight women found decreases in body weight and fat content coupled with a significant increase in lean body mass.

Results from two 12-week clinical trials, one in Japan and one in the United States, were not completed by press time.

Diachrome by Nutrition 21
Diachrome, manufactured by Nutrition 21, based in Purchase, N.Y., is a patented combination of Chromax chromium picolinate and biotin. This supplement improves blood sugar metabolism and blood cholesterol profiles, specifically by lowering LDL and increasing HDL levels.

Diachrome's effect is attributed to its two active ingredients. The Chromax chromium picolinate has been shown to improve insulin sensitivity, potentiate the uptake of glucose in muscle cells, and increase glycogen production. Biotin stimulates the activity of glucokinase in the liver and improves the pancreatic beta-islet cell function that enhances insulin production.

The product is targeted to diabetics and those with the metobolic syndrome known as Syndrome X. Ten published clinical studies have demonstrated the positive effects of chromium picolinate on blood glucose control on persons with Syndrome X and Type 2 diabetes. In vitro, preclinical, and clinical studies confirm the ingredients' effects.

Calcium L-threonate by Giantceutical
BioCalth, a calcium L-threonate supplement manufactured by Giantceutical, Inc. of LaVerne, Calif., is more readily absorbed and has greater bioavailability than calcium carbonate, calcium carbonate plus vitamin D, calcium citrate or calcium gluconate, according to study results.

"As the new kid on the block, our company was thrilled to receive this nod of approval," says Frances Kozin, marketing director and one of the authors of the product study submitted to Nutracon. "We were chosen on the merit of our ingredient, and we are honored," says Kozin.

According to company research, BioCalth helps prevent osteoporosis and degenerative joint diseases, and may alleviate associated symptoms such as aches in the lumbar region, back and legs; cramps; weakness or lack of strength; difficulty walking; pruritus; and sleeplessness. Kozin says calcium L-threonate improves the balance between bone formation and resorption, inhibits bone and collagen loss, improves bone strength and joint flexibility, can help build bone mass, improve bone function, maintain healthy joints, and help prevent fractures.