The supplement, launched in the US in January 2005, contains Procidin - patented proanythocyanidins that are extracted from wild blueberries and selected grape varieties.
Nikos Linardakis, President and CEO of Tharos, told NutraIngredients-USA.com: "We anticipate having Nytex positioned in over 8000 stores by year end 2006, and with the increase in the Canadian health market, an anticipated increase of 20 per cent."
The partnership with Vitascorb marks Tharos' first move into the Canadian market, following authorization to go ahead in late 2005. Richard Pollock, founder of Vitascorb, told NutraIngredients-USA.com: "The only sleep products on the Canadian Market consist of single product formulations. The Nytex formulation will, for the first time, give Canadian consumers the opportunity to acquire a naturally safe and effective alternative to narcotic prescription based sleep aides."
The new venture sees Tharos join with a FDA-GMP certfied pharmaceutical-grade manufacturer in Canada to increase Nytex production. The company anticipates the first production run in February.
Proanythocyanidins are potent antioxidants that have are also believed to have other benefits to the immune system, cardiovascular and urinary tract health. Recent reports have also linked the compounds to lowering the risk of certain cancers.
The supplement also contains natural substances that are targeted at each phase of sleep. The presence of Valerian root extract and Suntheanine amino acids promotes calming and relaxing effects, vitamin B complexes are said to induce sleep, while the hormone melatonin is said to promote a deep, calm sleep.
The concentration of reactive oxygen in the body is said to reach a maximum level after 5pm, adding support to the intake of antioxidants in the evening.
The FDA has not evaluated the claims surrounding Nytex and Procidin but Dr Alexander Golbin, director of the Sleep and Behavior Medicine Institute in Chicago, is conducting clinical studies, the results of which should appear soon.
About 70 million Americans are said to experience sleeping problems. The National Sleep Foundation estimates that sleep disorders costs the US about $100 billion per year in lost productivity, medical expenses, property damage and sick leave.
A 2001 Sleep America poll showed that over 60 per cent of Americans did not sleep for the recommended eight hours per night needed for good health and optimal performance.
Seven million Canadians are estimated to have sleep problems, equal to about 22 per cent of the population.