INTERHEALTH FILES NEW PATENTS FOR SUPER CITRIMAX™
Study Shows Super CitriMax Promotes Healthy Serotonin Levels

BENICIA, Calif., April 2, 2001 - InterHealth Nutraceuticals, maker of CitriMax™ and Super CitriMax™, the world's best-selling (–)hydroxycitric acid (HCA) diet ingredients, has recently filed a new patent on its Super CitriMax™ product relating to its ability to increase brain serotonin levels and, thus, help reduce appetite, treat sleeping disorders, control mood swings and boost other serotonin-related functions in the body. The patent, based on a new study showing Super CitriMax's™ ability to increase brain serotonin levels, was filed both in the U.S. and internationally.

The study, which was designed to explain how Super CitriMax™ controls appetite, was conducted at the Creighton University School of Pharmacy & Allied Health Professions (Omaha, NE) and presented recently at the Federation of American Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) 2001 meeting in Orlando, FL.

The current in vitro study represents the convergence of two important areas of previous research. Earlier studies have shown that HCA, extracted from the South Asian fruit Garcinia cambogia, helps reduce appetite and inhibit fat production. In addition, previous animal and human studies have linked increased levels of serotonin with appetite suppression.

Thus, this study sought to examine the possible effect of HCA on the release of serotonin, an important neurotransmitter involved in various psychological functions in the body, including sleep, mood and appetite. The study found that animal brain cells exposed to Super CitriMax™ increased serotonin levels by as much as 40 percent as compared to the control group. They further found that the results were dose dependent (i.e., the higher the concentration of HCA, the greater the release of serotonin.)

"While previous research has shown that HCA suppresses appetite, the mechanism of action - or how it reduces appetite - has never been demonstrated," stated Dr. Debasis Bagchi, lead researcher on the study. "This new study reveals not only how Super CitriMax may curb appetite, but opens the door to a host of new serotonin-related product opportunities for Super CitriMax™, such as its use in treating depression, insomnia and other psychological disorders."

Both CitriMax™ and Super CitriMax™ are value-added dietary ingredients available in a wide variety of dietary supplements and nutraceutical food and beverage products.

InterHealth researches, develops, markets and distributes specialty nutritional ingredients, which are sold worldwide to manufacturers of dietary supplements and nutraceutical food and beverage products. In addition to CitriMax and Super CitriMax™, InterHealth is the maker of ChromeMate®, L-OptiZinc®, Protykin® and UC-II™. For more information about the company and its products, or a copy of the FASEB study abstract, call 1-800-783-4636 or 1-707-751-2800 (outside U.S.) or visit the website at www.InterHealthUSA.com.

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.