Study Shows Potential Health Benefits of Lunasin-Based Supplement Program
Chesterfield, MO (PRWEB) September 19, 2013 -- Reliv International, Inc. (NASDAQ: RELV), a maker of nutritional supplements that promote optimal health, today released the results of a promising new study. In the University of Missouri study, pigs supplemented daily with Reliv Now® and LunaRich X™ for eight weeks showed significant improvement in key biomarkers associated with cardiovascular and metabolic health.
Reliv Now is a daily nutritional supplement that delivers an array of protein, vitamins, minerals and antioxidants while optimizing bioactive lunasin content. LunaRich X is the most concentrated form of bioactive lunasin available today. Lunasin is a naturally occurring peptide researchers have identified as the key to soy’s documented health benefits, from cholesterol reduction to general cellular health. In July 2013 Reliv International acquired exclusive rights to the lunasin used in these products.
“While this was a small animal study and only a preliminary step in demonstrating the efficacy of this supplement regimen, the dramatic results are remarkable,” said Dr. Alfredo Galvez, lead scientific advisor of SL Technology Inc, a Reliv subsidiary. “Most exciting of all is that there currently exist no effective treatments for improving key biomarkers measured in the study, namely circulating free fatty acids and the hormones leptin and adiponectin.”
Study Results
Test pig subjects with a genetic predisposition to heart disease and obesity recorded a decrease in weight gain and a 65% reduction in free fatty acid (FFA) levels, a biomarker associated with obesity and metabolic syndrome. While previous experiments had demonstrated LunaRich X’s ability to lower LDL cholesterol, FFA levels remained relatively unchanged with LunaRich X supplementation alone. Only when combined with Reliv Now did researchers see a significant reduction in FFA levels.
The decrease in FFA levels was accompanied by coordinate increases in plasma levels of the hormones leptin (+60%) and adiponectin (+64%). Leptin signals the brain when the body had enough food, producing the feeling of fullness. Adiponectin (ADP) is a hormone from fat cells that controls energy metabolism, increases insulin sensitivity and supports weight loss. The two hormones perform complementary actions and can have additive effects on weight management.
A four-week washout period followed the eight weeks of supplementation. During these four weeks, test subjects maintained the same diet and activity levels but no longer received the combination of Reliv Now and LunaRich X. At the end of this washout period, key biomarkers measured in the study — FFA, leptin and adiponectin levels — returned at or near pre-study levels. Conclusion: The combination of Reliv Now and LunaRich X was responsible for the marked improvement in metabolic and cardiovascular health indicators.
“The physiology of pigs is very similar to that of our own, especially in liver function, so the results do suggest the potential for significant human health benefits,” said Dr. Carl Hastings, Reliv vice chairman and chief scientific officer. “When you combine these results with the health benefits reported by Reliv consumers and the body of research already surrounding lunasin, it’s hard not to get excited about the possibilities. The next step is to conduct full-scale human clinical trials, which we are actively pursuing.”
Study Methods
Over an eight week period researchers fed obese pigs an otherwise soy-free diet that included daily servings of Reliv Now and LunaRich X. Blood draws were taken at 10 min, 30 min, 60 min and 24 hr after ingestion to test the bioavailability of the lunasin. Weight and blood draws were taken at pre-treatment, at 4 weeks, 6 weeks and 8 weeks after treatment had begun. At the end of 8 weeks, an additional 4 weeks washout period followed without treatment. Weight and blood draws were also taken at the end of washout period (12 weeks).
View full study for complete results.
About Reliv International, Inc.
Reliv International, based in Chesterfield, Mo., produces nutritional supplements that promote optimal nutrition along with premium skincare products. Reliv supplements address essential nutrition, weight loss, athletic performance, digestive health, women's health, anti-aging and healthy energy. Reliv is the exclusive provider of LunaRich® products, which optimize levels of lunasin, the peptide behind many of soy’s health benefits. The company sells its products through an international network marketing system of independent distributors in 16 countries. Learn more about Reliv at http://www.reliv.com, or on Facebook, Twitter or YouTube.
Mark Murphy, Reliv International, Inc., http://www.reliv.com, 636.733.1391, [email protected]
Share this article