Popularizing
Ayurveda : Sabinsa Corporation works with Columbia University
Over
the last decade, there has been increasing interest in
the Indo-Tibetan systems of medicine in the U.S. The Dharam
Hinduja Research Center at Columbia University, New York,
triggered academic interest in this field in 1994 by providing
a podium for the exchange of ideas between Ayurvedic experts
and Western health professionals.
Dr Vladimir Badmaev lectured
at Columbia University
Sabinsa
Corporation which pioneered the introduction of
several ayurvedic herbal extracts to the U.S.
market was part of this effort recently, when
Dr. Vladimir Badmaev, Vice President, Scientific
and Medical Affairs, was invited to speak on "Herbal
Pharmacology in the Indo-Tibetan Medical Tradition:
Current Research and Development." His talk
focused on the integration of current concepts
in human physiology and pharmacology with the
treatment modalities offered by the ancient systems.
Medical professionals and others attending the
lecture gained valuable insight into the science
behind the age-old herbal approaches to the management
of various disease conditions.
Ayurvedic Gems : Mucuna pruriens
Mucuna
pruriens, from the botanical family Papilionaceae/Fabaceae,
commonly known as velvet bean or cowitch is a plant
indigenous to India. Ayurvedic practitioners have
used the seeds for centuries in the management of
Parkinson's disease and nervous debility as well as
in formulations to control depression and improve
mental alertness1.
The seeds were also found to reduce cholesterol and
blood sugar levels in experimental models2.
These properties combined with its reported aphrodisiac
effects indicate potential use in anabolic and energy
formulations for sports nutrition.
The endocarp of the seeds
were found to contain about 5% levodopa (L-dihydroxyphenylalanine,
L-DOPA) which is used in conventional medical practice
in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. A 12-week
study with 60 patients suffering from Parkinson's
disease evaluated the effectiveness of a stable standardized
preparation (3% L-DOPA) made from the endocarp in
the treatment of the disease. An average daily dose
of 22.5 to 45 grams of the preparation produced significant
reduction in symptoms, as determined using Unified
Parkinsons Disease Rating Scale (UPDRS). The authors
of this study concluded that the standardized extract
of Mucuna pruriens offers an effective low cost approach
to the management of Parkinson's disease. As opposed
to synthetic drugs, the combination of phytonutrients
in the extract could contribute to its low toxicity
and superior efficacy3.
Sabinsa Corporation supplies
a standardized extract of Mucuna pruriens containing
not less than 15% L-DOPA.
References:
Singh, R.H. (1989). J. Research in
Ayurveda and Siddha, 11: 1-6.
Akhtar, M.S. et al. (1990) J. Pakistan
Medical Association 40(7):147-1 50
Manyam, B.V. et al. (1995). J. Alternative
and Complementaty Medicine, 1(3):249-255.
Mark C. Sysler, Vice President, Sales
Mark joined Sabinsa's marketing team in 1997. He brought with him over seventeen
years sales experience, most recently, bulk
raw material sales in the nutritional industry.
Additionally, he has had ten years of corporate
management responsibility.
His primary focus is in the area of development
of new business and expansion of existing business
for Sabinsa's nutritional raw materials. He
brings the "product to the customer"
so that contract manufactures and marketing
companies become aware of Sabinsa's rapidly
expanding product range.
L-(+)-Selenomethionine
Sabinsa's
product L-(+)-Selenomethionine continues to be popular
with the nutritional industry. Interest in both grades
of this product, viz. pure L-(+)-Selenomethionine (minimum
40% elemental selenium) and the triturated form (minimum
0.5% elemental selenium) has been strong by virtue of
the inherent safety and superior bioavailability.
L-(+)-Selenomethionine
contains selenium in the methionine molecule. Unlike
"chelates" and "organically bound"
selenium products currently marketed, L-(+)-Selenomethionine
is a genuine organic form and does not convert to inorganic
selenium in the body. In view of the role of organic
selenium in the prevention of disease, L-(+)- Selenomethionine
is the preferred form for selenium supplementation and
is scientifically recognized as the most bioavailable
form of selenium.
Sabinsa
Corporation participates in Japanese Trade Show
Todd Norton, Executive Vice President, Marketing at
Sabinsa Corporation, takes Sabinsa's range of high
quality herbal extracts and nutritional supplements
to an exhibition booth at the 'Tokyo Health Industry
Show. The exhibition and seminars featured at this
show are geared towards inducing liberalization of
trade restrictions imposed by the Government of Japan
on dietary supplements. We wish Todd a fruitful trip!
"The information
presented in the "Current Issues" Newsletter
from Sabinsa Corporation is for informational purposes
only. It is abstracted from web and print media
sources. Readers are advised to refer to the original
sources for additional information".
