COPPELL, Texas, March 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mannatech, Incorporated , has awarded a grant to independent researchers to analyze a database of more than 1 million aging- and immune-related biomarkers to determine the relationship between changes in these measurements and the consumption of glyconutrients.
The database contains biomarkers taken from more than 7,000 people who have consumed Mannatech's glyconutritional products over the last 13 years. It also contains biomarkers taken from more than 13,000 people who have consumed supplements from other companies during the same period. Researchers will compare changes in biomarkers between the two sets of consumers.
"The database contains measurements from one of the industry's largest and longest-running longitudinal trials of the potential benefits of nutritional supplements," said Dr. Harry G. Preuss, one of the researchers and former president of the American College of Nutrition. "Our analyses will also go well beyond comparisons between glyconutrients and other supplements and will allow us to publish some heretofore unknown relationships between the millions of state-of-the-art measurements in the database."
Mannatech awarded its first grant to the Research Center in 1994 to examine the effects of glyconutrient consumption using widely accepted biomarkers for immunity and aging. These biomarkers include body fat, lean mass, bone density, blood chemistries and self-reported quality of life.
"Our initial analysis of the data suggests that consumption of Mannatech's glyconutritional supplements may have contributed to positive changes in some of the important aging and immunity biomarkers," said Gilbert R. Kaats, Ph.D., the team's lead investigator. "Analyses of these short-term pilot studies in the database have indicated these glyconutritionals may help improve bone health, help maintain already healthy blood cholesterol levels and improve self-reported quality of life."
"Mannatech is eager to analyze scientific information spanning more than a decade of consumer use of our products," said Robert A. Sinnott, Ph.D., Mannatech's chief science officer. "We are confident that statistical analysis of this information will add to the growing body of scientific evidence supporting the benefit of glyconutrients on various parameters of health and well-being."
Professor Joel Michalek, another investigator and co-chairman of the Center for Epidemiology/Biostatistics at the University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, said the analysis could significantly improve scientific understanding of biomarkers used to assess health and immunity.
"It would be difficult to overstate the potential contribution our analyses can make to science and medicine," Michalek said. "Virtually no one has the kind nor the magnitude of the sophisticated tests and measurements contained in this database, particularly since it is a national sample of subjects. We believe dozens of scientific articles will emanate from our analyses."
Founded in 1993, Mannatech is a leading wellness company and a pioneer in the field of proprietary glyconutritional supplements and wellness products. In 1996, the company announced a ground-breaking formulation of a nutritional supplement comprised of a unique blend of plant-based saccharides, which are also known as glyconutrients ('glyco' is the Greek word for 'sweet').
Medical research acknowledges that certain sugars are needed at the cellular level for optimum cellular function.* Considering that most of these sugars are often lacking in modern diets, Mannatech sought new and better sources of the nutrients. The effort culminated in 1996 with the Ambrotose complex.
More than 10 years of research, including in vitro studies, animal studies, human case reports and human clinical studies, suggest that Ambrotose complex may provide a wide range of support for immune system functions.* Mannatech now holds more than 40 patents worldwide -- including three from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office -- for technology related to the Ambrotose complex formulation.
Today Mannatech has more than two dozen glyconutritional products for adults and children that address health and nutrition, sports performance, weight management and skin care.
About Mannatech, Incorporated
* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Please Note: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking statements generally can be identified by use of phrases or terminology such as "expressed optimism" and "expected," or other similar words or the negative of such terminology. Similarly, descriptions of Mannatech's objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets contained herein are also considered forward-looking statements. Mannatech believes this release should be read in conjunction with all of its filings with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission and cautions its readers that these forward-looking statements are subject to certain events, risks, uncertainties, and other factors. Some of these factors include, among others, Mannatech's inability to attract and retain associates and members, increases in competition, litigation, regulatory changes, and its planned growth into new international markets. Although Mannatech believes that its expectations, statements, and assumptions reflected in these forward- looking statements are reasonable, it cautions its readers to always consider all of the risk factors and any other cautionary statements carefully in evaluating each forward-looking statement in this release, as well as those set forth in its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission, including its current reports on Form 8-K. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as of the date of this release.
Mannatech, Incorporated
