NEW STUDY DEMONSTRATES POTENT ANTIOXIDANT ACTIVITY OF OptiBerry®
Study Shows OptiBerry® More Potent Than Other Berry Extracts Tested

BENICIA, Calif., August 22, 2003 - A new study published in Research Communications in Pharmacology and Toxicology (8:IV-25-33, 2003) shows that OptiBerry® is significantly more potent and safer than other antioxidant berry extracts tested. OptiBerry, a multiple-berry anthocyanin extract, is a patent-pending nutritional ingredient developed by InterHealth Nutraceuticals.

Anthocyanins are common components of fruits and vegetables, particularly berries, which provide color and serve as natural antioxidants. Health benefits that are attributable to anthocyanins include antioxidant protection and maintenance of DNA integrity. They also serve as anti-inflammatory and antimutagenic agents, and provide cardioprotection by maintaining vascular permeability.

The new study evaluated 20 different blends of wild blueberry, wild bilberry, cranberry, elderberry, raspberry seed and strawberry extracts for their antioxidant efficacy and cellular safety. Of all the combinations tested, OptiBerry demonstrated the greatest antioxidant activity as determined by oxygen radical absorbance capacity (ORAC). Its effectiveness exceeded that of all other berry combinations tested.

The study, conducted at the Ohio State University Medical Center (Columbus, Ohio), also compared the safety of OptiBerry with other berry extracts by studying their effects on cell viability. OptiBerry demonstrated the greatest margin of safety.

"Our study shows that OptiBerry is a very safe and extremely potent antioxidant," stated Chandan Sen, the study's principal investigator. "Anthocyanins, like those found in OptiBerry, play a key role in maintaining health and lowering the risk of chronic degenerative diseases, including cancer, diabetes and heart disease."

OptiBerry will be showcased at InterHealth Booth #3847 at Natural Products Expo East in Washington, DC, September 5-7, 2003. It was developed by InterHealth after evaluating key functional parameters of numerous berry extracts and exploring more than 20 combinations of individual berry extracts. OptiBerry was found to be the most potent combination of all berry extract blends tested. OptiBerry promotes brain function and mental clarity, healthy vision, cardiovascular health, and healthy skin. It also helps prevent the effects of premature aging and promotes urinary tract health, while providing blood sugar support. Previous studies have shown that OptiBerry possesses potent anti-angiogenic properties, which inhibit the growth of unwanted of blood vessels involved in the formation of tumors and varicose veins.

Note: Statements made in this release have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. Research data is available upon request.