Excellent Phyto-Nutrient Profile, Organic Status and Low Metals Levels Cited as Key Reasons for Selection
ORLANDO, Fla., June 17, 2009 — Valensa International has selected Parry Nutraceuticals' Organic Spirulina as the spirulina ingredient of choice for its range of new value-added nutrition products. Third-party laboratory analyses showed significantly higher levels of phyto-nutrients that consumers want from their spirulina products in Parry Organic Spirulina than those found in available US-sourced spirulina. The important components include total carotenoids, zeaxanthin, phycocyanin, chlorophyll and gamma linolenic acid. Valensa cited the Parry spirulina's organic certification under 4 major standards organizations and the company's approach to quality control as contributing factors to the selection. Parry Organic Spirulina is currently featured in Valensa's SpiruZan(TM) Spirulina & Astaxanthin Complex supplement and will now become a part of additional new products manufactured by Valensa. Valensa's principal aim for its formulated spirulina products is to move spirulina into the mainstream supplement market while using the maximum amount of natural organic ingredients.
According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President & CEO of Valensa, the choice of Parry Organic Spirulina was made after evaluating the consumer market and rigorous testing of competitive products. "At Valensa, our goal is to offer our customers and the consumer the best nutrition and supplement solutions based on a thorough understanding of natural ingredients and then delivering them with high levels of bioavailability for maximum efficacy," Moerck said. "Parry Organic Spirulina delivers the nutrients that consumers are looking for when they select a spirulina product, without the added synthetic minerals found in non-organic offerings. In the case of certain nutrients – like vitamins and minerals – consumers usually reach for traditional supplements. When they reach for spirulina, they are looking for the natural nutrients that formed the basis of our evaluation – carotenoids, phycocyanin, chlorophyll and GLA."
Two New Studies Point to Potency
Parry Nutraceuticals and Valensa recently commissioned two independent studies by outside laboratories on Organic Spirulina, examining a series of batches over a period of several months. These studies were complete analytical workups that looked at more than 30 different dietary and nutritional parameters, including vitamins, minerals, fatty acids and carotenoids. When compared with published information on Hawaiian spirulina, in the areas of key criteria, the studies showed that on average:
- Total Carotenoids – Parry Organic Spirulina had 8% higher Total Carotenoids
- Zeaxanthin – Parry Organic Spirulina had 23% more Zeaxanthin
- Phycocyanin – Parry Organic Spirulina had equal levels of C-phycocyanin and crude phycocyanin; however, Parry Organic Spirulina has the potential to reach higher phycocyanin levels on a consistent basis
- Chlorophyll – Parry Organic Spirulina had 30% more chlorophyll
- GLA – Parry Organic Spirulina had 20% more GLA
World's Highest Quality
A major factor in the selection of Parry Organic Spirulina by Valensa for its formulated products was its certified organic status. Parry Organic Spirulina is the only such product verified under the US Pharmacopeia ingredient verification program and is also GRAS affirmed. It is certified by four major organic standards organizations – USDA NOP, Naturland (Germany), Ecocert (France) and OCIA-IFOAM (USA). To meet these standards, no trace minerals – such as iron – are added in the spirulina cultivation process. The practice of boosting the mineral content of non-organic spirulina by adding mineral salts is widely employed. Quality control includes HACCP (Food Safety Standards), ISO 14001 (Environmental Management Systems) and ISO 9001 (Quality Management Systems) certified by Bureau VERITAS. Parry Organic Spirulina is cultivated in a remote region of Southern India using pure artesian groundwater. The facility is isolated from cities, farms and major water bodies – eliminating contamination due to pollution, pesticides, and shellfish.
The manufacturing practices and usage of pure vegetarian organic nutrients ensure that the heavy metals in this spirulina are the lowest possible. This allows Parry Organic Spirulina to have the highest recommended intake (20 g/day as per the GRAS affirmation) of any spirulina product on the market and meets California Prop 65 guidelines.
According to Moerck, the phyto-nutrient makeup and quality of Parry Organic Spirulina make it an excellent foundation upon which to base new nutritional and supplement products, even when the final formulation is not necessarily organic certified. "Taken by itself, the Parry product is the best spirulina on the market today – from a nutritional standpoint. More than that, Parry and Valensa share a commitment to the highest levels of quality and safety, and to delivering consumers the best nutritional value in the most convenient, bioavailable form. We are excited about the opportunity this ingredient gives us to create new, value-added products," he said.
NOTE: The independent Parry Organic Spirulina studies are available for review. Please contact Valensa for this information.
For further information, contact:
Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, President
Voice: 210-632-0695
Fax: 352-483-2095
http://www.valensa.com
About Valensa International, LLC
Headquartered in Eustis, Florida USA (near Orlando), Valensa International is a leading science-based developer and provider of high-quality botanically sourced products for nutritional supplements and functional foods.
Valensa Omega-3 brands include Tresalbio(TM) Supercritical Chia Seed Extract ChiaGold(TM) Stabilized Chia Seed Oil, ChiaMax(TM) Low-Fat Whole Grain, Z-Omega(TM)3-6-9, Cranberol(R) Cranberry Seed Extract and AstaCran(R) Astaxanthin-Cranberry Seed Extract. Other branded ingredients include Zanthin(R) Natural Astaxanthin, SpiruZan(TM) Spirulina & Astaxanthin Complex, USPlus(R) Prostate Formula and Palmetto Rosso(TM) Saw Palmetto Extracts. Functional food brands include ChiaMax(TM) Omega-3 Low-Fat Whole Grain products. Condition-specific brands include Cran-Gyn(TM) Women's Health Formula and Nanocosanol(TM) Policosanol Dispersion.
Valensa is committed to production and processing that supports the environment and fair labor practices for those that work the land and participate in the production process. Valensa's certified organic production facilities are located in a protected saw palmetto reserve.
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