Nashai Biotech has sent out a news release highlighting research by the University of Newcastle, England that found that green and black teas may inhibit certain brain enzymes linked to Alzheimer's disease, (Phytotherapy Research, 10/04).
TeaFlavin is a natural, caffeine-free supplement made from enriched green tea extracts and, according to Nashai, its daily 375 mg capsule is a way to achieve the benefits of 35 cups of tea.
"The report states that green and black tea act in a similar way to prescription drugs and demonstrates that an individual can achieve desired anti-Alzheimer's results from non-prescription alternatives," said Jim Zhao, the company's chief science officer.
He added that: "We hope this report, coupled with clinical results that document that TeaFlavin reduces "bad" cholesterol by up to 16 percent, will encourage more Americans to consider adding non-prescription supplements like TeaFlavin to their daily routine."
Crom Carmichael, the CEO of Nashai, explained to NutraIngredientsUSA.com that most of the research carried out by his company has focussed on the effects of the tea supplement on cardiovascular problems. While as yet the company has no clinical proof that its product could aid the prevention of other diseases such as Alzheimer's, is it pretty sure this would be the case.
He said the company was planning to spend the next six months concentrating on marketing its supplement for cardio-vascular reasons, but that its longer term goal, over the next 18-24 months, is for more research, which could include that into Alzheimer's.
"We are working with a university in the North-East that wants to use our product with diabetes patients and people who have a genetic pre-disposition to diabetes," he added.
TeaFlanvin was launched on the market about 18 months ago, but it was only when Carmichael became the CEO in January this year that Nashai started to market it more aggresively. Since then, the company has begun talking to firms about adding it to beverages and food products, and with organisations who deal with health professionals who work with cardio-vascular patients.
Carmichael believes his product is at present the most efficicent natural cholestoral lowering product on the market, having been proven in a 12 week trial to lower cholesterol by 16-17 percent. The plan now it to launch a 24-week trial in the first quarter of 2005.