Stratum Nutrition to Begin Trial with Heart Healthy Ingredient

ARTINIA is a high-purity, natural, chitin-glucan fiber derived from the mycelium of non-genetically-modified strain of Aspergillus niger, and features the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibers.

Sep 15 2010 --- Stratum Nutrition, in collaboration with their commercialization partner, KitoZyme (Herstal, Belgium), has received regulatory (Institutional Review Board) approval for their clinical protocol and initiated recruitment and randomization for an additional clinical study on the company's branded chitin-glucan ingredient ARTINIA.  To build upon existing clinical evidence for this novel, vegetarian fiber, Stratum has designed a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi- centered clinical study to evaluate the effects of ARTINIA on the oxidation of LDL (low-density lipoprotein).  In addition, this study will assess the effects of ARTINIA on other established biomarkers of glycemic control, inflammation and human safety.

ARTINIA is a high-purity, natural, chitin-glucan fiber derived from the mycelium of non-genetically-modified strain of Aspergillus niger, and features the benefits of both soluble and insoluble fibers.  A 12- week animal and 30-day human pilot study have been completed, and each study demonstrated that ARTINIA provided substantial benefits for arterial and overall heart health.  ARTINA supports clean, healthy arteries and the body's natural antioxidant systems. The ingredient has also been shown to reduce the level of oxidized LDL; results from a previous clinical study showed a 26% reduction in the oxidation of LDL in healthy male subjects.

"This new clinical study is positioned towards strengthening the growing body of evidence supporting the heart-health benefits of ARTINIA, and could provide insight into additional health benefits beyond its ability to support clean, healthy arteries," noted Joseph L. Evans, PhD, Manager of Pharmacology for Stratum Nutrition and Co- Principal Investigator of the ARTINIA clinical trial.  This new six- week intervention trial is utilizing three clinical sites and targeting an expanded range of human subjects in order to analyze oxidized LDL, lipids, glucose and insulin, along with other biomarkers of inflammation and safety.  Initial study results are expected by the end of the year.