Wellness Foods - February 2008 - (Page 6)

NEW INGREDIENT PROFILES NEW INGREDIENT REVIEW Mad About the Soy By Winston Boyd, Ph.D. Soy Labs LLC, a Fair eld, Calif.-based neutriceutical company, presents Lunasin-XP, a proprietary ingredient for inclusion in soyfoods, nutritional supplements, cosmeceuticals, functional foods and beverages. Lunasin, rst discovered in 1996, is a 43 amino-acid peptide rst isolated from soybeans and recently found in barley as well. Research by the company shows the lunasin peptide works at the genetic level and exhibits cholesterol lowering actions as well as cancer-preventive properties. Lunasin was rst investigated as a factor that might prevent cancer cells from dividing and multiplying. It is believed to block cell division by binding to speci c chromosomal proteins. Further research has shown the lunasin peptide appears to inhibit the natural production of cholesterol in the liver and also appears to enhance the binding of LDL cholesterol in the body. It’s encouraging to see new and detailed studies of the potential health effects of soy. Much has been written and claimed about soy, but controversy remains (see “Expert Opinion,” page 22). If the company’s claims of functionality are supported by peer-reviewed research, then lunasin may prove to be an interesting nutraceutical which could become a part of a dietary intervention to help persons with high cholesterol levels. The isolation and characterization of lunasin, as well as attempts to elucidate the mechanism of its actions, provide formulators and processors with the science-based background necessary to develop and use soy nutraceuticals effectively in formulation toward preventing disease and enhancing health. Soy Labs LLC; Fair eld, Calif. 707-421-8123; www.lunasin.com Prickly Sweet Martin Bauer North America launches its OpunDia line of extracts of prickly pear cactus (Opuntia cus-indica) for use in foods and beverages to support healthy glucose levels. OpunDia extract has been shown in animal studies to reduce blood glucose levels by as much as 20 percent. OpunDia extract is currently the subject of a 16-week, double blind, randomized, placebo-controlled human study to determine its ability to support healthy blood-glucose levels. Prickly pear has a long history in Mexico and Central and South America of use in managing glucose, and has been used as a food for 9,000 years. OpunDia is produced from cactus cultivated in Northern California under Good Agricultural Practice guidelines and is manufactured in a EU Pharmaceutical Good Manufacturing Practices-certi ed facility. It’s water-soluble, made from both the pads and the fruit of the cactus and has a low recommended dosage of 200-400mg. OpunDia also is available as fresh fruit puree, offering manufacturers a natural, antioxidant-rich ingredient for foods and beverages. MB North America; Torrance, Calif. 310-534-7100; www.mbnorthamerica.com. 6 | February 2008 PHOTO: MICHIGAN BEAN COMMISSION www.wellnessfoodsonline.com Food Processing’s Wellness Foods™ http://www.lunasin.com http://www.mbnorthamerica.com http://www.wellnessfoodsonline.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Wellness Foods - February 2008

Wellness Foods - February 2008 Well Noted Healthbites New Ingredient Profiles Cover Story: Women Take Heart Going Gluten Free Not Your Momma's OJ Aloe - Nutrition Beyond the Trends On the Shelf Expert Opinion - Soy Update

Wellness Foods - February 2008

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