The extent of discomfort has been determined to depend on the type of fiber, suggesting the need to strike a balance between digestibility and fiber functionality. Functionality is dependent on the bulk of a fiber. In turn, fibers with low digestibility possess better functionality. In contrast, broken down fiber supplements are not functional and produce sugars that are fermented by the intestinal flora to cause acid production, gas and bloating. Sabinsa Corporation supplies Fenufibers®, a fiber product obtained from fenugreek (Trigonella foenum graecum) that contains a minimum of 50% fiber.

A study1 performed at the University of Georgia evaluated the ability of the human colonic bacterium Bacteroides ovatus V975 to ferment Fenufibers® (fenugreek fiber), Metamucil® (psyllium husk), and Wheat Chex (wheat bran). As shown in Figure 1, there was little change in in vitro dry matter disapperance (IVDMD), a measure of fiber digestibility, after 24 or 48 hours for Fenufibers®, Metamucil®, and Wheat Chex.

The lack of extensive fermentation by B. ovatus V975 indicates that Fenufibers® is a minimally digested fiber-rich supplement that can be incorporated into soups and other food preparations, providing the beneficial effects of fiber.

1. Al-Khaldi, S.F., Martin, S.A., and Prakash, L. (1999) Fermentation of fenugreek fiber, psyllium husk, and wheat bran by Bacteroides ovatus V975. Current Microbiology, 39, 231-232.

Although no Americans have been reported to be injured by any of the Aristolochia botanicals, the U.S. FDA has issued the warning and is preparing to block the import of aristolochic acid-containing herbs based on 2 cases of kidney failure reported in Britain and 70 cases reported in Belgium.

For a list of plants under concern, check the FDA’s internet site located at the following address: http://www.fda.gov/opacom/hpwhats.html and click on "dietary supplements".

1. AP WorldStream via COMTEX (Washington, June 2, 2000)

Motion sickness, commonly called travel sickness, occurs when the balance organs in the inner air are overstimulated by repeated small changes in the body’s position or under conditions where visual contact with the outside horizon are lost. Symptoms include nausea, headache, and tiredness which may progress to vomiting. Conditions that commonly lead to motion sickness include travel in rough seas, turbulent flights, and bumpy drives. Recently, researchers at the Digestive Disease Week meetings held in San Diego have reported that ginger is effective in reducing the nausea associated with motion sickness.

Ginger has been traditionally used in China to alleviate nausea, and Dr. Wei Ming Sun and colleagues from the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor proved this in their clinical study.

Wei and coworkers induced motion sickness in 7 healthy subjects, aged 18 to 35 years, by spinning them in a large drum for 30 minutes after they ate. Each participant received either 1,000 mg ginger powder or a placebo pill one hour before motion sickness was induced.

At the end of the experiment, the following findings were reported:

1. Nausea scores during the drum rotation, rated on a scale from 1 to 3, were significantly lower for the group that received ginger powder (average ginger group score = 1.0) than for the control group (average placebo group score = 2.5).
   
   
2. Nausea scores after the drum rotation, rated on a scale of 1 to 10, were also in favor of the ginger group subjects (average nausea score for ginger group = 1.5; average nausea score for placebo group = 7.8).
   
   
3. Subjects who took ginger experienced a greater delay in developing nausea compared to those of the control group (11.4 minutes for the ginger group compared to 4.6 minutes for the control group).

The authors have attributed ginger’s effectiveness in reducing motion sickness to its ability to normalize the rate at which the stomach contracts during accelerations of movement. Through electrical activity measurements, it was determined that ginger kept the rate of stomach contractions normal during drum rotation, while subjects who took the placebo experienced a 7% increase in stomach contractions.

Ginger appears to be an effective herbal alternative to the conventional antihistamine drugs used to treat motion sickness that cause significant side effects, such as dizziness and dry mouth.

1. Reuters Health
   Sabinsa Corporation supplies ginger extracts, Ginger Dry Extract standardized for a minimum of 5% gingerols and Ginger Soft Extract standardized for a minimum of 20% gingerols.

Sabinsa’s Functional Food Ingredients Line* is divided into 5 categories as shown below:

NUTRACEUTICALS

• Bioperine®: a standardized extract from the fruits of Piper nigrum L. (black pepper) that functions as a nutrient bioavailability enhancer, increases gastrointestinal absorption of vitamins, minerals, phytonutrients, and amino acids
  
  
• Citrin® Products: standardized extracts from the rind of the fruit Garcinia cambogia (Brindall berry, Malabar tamarind) that are useful in weight management
  
  
• DigeZyme®: a multi-enzyme blend containing amylases, proteases, lipase, and lactase that aid in digestion
  
  
• Fenufibers®: a standardized extract from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum (Fenugreek) that supplies dietary fiber (see cover story)
  
  
• Fenusterols®: a standardized extract from the seeds of Trigonella foenum-graecum(Fenugreek) that supplies steroidal saponins that are useful in sports nutrition and healthy chlolesterol management
  
  
• Green Tea Extracts (40% & 75%): standardized extracts from the leaves of Camellia sinensis that can be used as natural antioxidants
  
  
• Lactospore®: a sporiferous preparation of Lactobacillus sporogenes that can be used as a probiotic functional food additive in dry food products
  
  
• Rosemary Extract: a standardized extract from the leaves of Rosmarinus officinalis that can be used as an antioxidant/anti-inflammatory food agent
  
  
• Tetrahydrocurcuminoids (THC): a color-free standardized extract from the roots of the Curcuma longa (Turmeric) plant that may be used as a food antioxidant (U.S. Patent# 5,861,415 granted for curcuminoids and its derivatives, Patent pending for composition and use)
  
  
• Ursolic acid: a standardized powder extracted from Rosemary leaves that can be used as a food antioxidant.

ORGANIC MINERAL SUPPLEMENTS (essential trace elements)

• BGOV Complex: a stable, bioavailable form of vanadium complexed with the amino acid, glycine, that can be used as a nutritional source of vanadium and for blood sugar management
  
  
• Chromium Polynicotinate: an organically complexed chromium mineral supplement
  
  
• Copper Lysinate: an organic complex of copper with the essential amino acid lysine
  
  
• L-(+)-Selenomethionine (pure): a fully complexed L-(+)-Selenomethionine compound that provides a minimum of 400,000 mcg elemental selenium (40%) per gram
  
  
• Magnesium, Potassium and Calcium Supplements: K/Mg Aspartate (Mg/K Aspartate), Calcium Citrate, Magnesium citrate, Magnesium Aspartate, and Calcium Aspartate
  
  
• Zinc Supplements: Zinc Monomethionine, Zinc Magnesium Aspartate, and Zinc Aspartate
  

MICRONUTRIENT PREMIXES

• Custom premixes of Vitamin blends, Vitamin/Mineral blends, Vitamin/Antioxidant blends, Vitamin/Mineral/Antioxidant blends, Mineral/Antioxidant blends, and Mineral blends

SPICES, SPICE OILS, & EXTRACTS

• Spice Oils, Pastes, and Oleoresins: (e.g. Black pepper oil, Ginger oil, Garlic oil, Green chilli oleoresin etc.)
  
  
• Spice Essential Oils: (e.g. Black pepper oil, Cardamon oil, Mace oil etc.)

NATURAL FOOD COLORS

• Citrin® Crystals (Anthocyanins): a standardized extract from the fruits of the Garcinia indica tree that provides a bright pink color and is useful in dietetic formulations for weight management
  
  
• Curcumin 95% (Curcumin C3 Complex®): obtained from the roots of the Curcuma longa (Turmeric) plant
  
  
• Marigold Oleoresin: extracted from Tagetes erecta
  
  
• Paprika Oleoresin: derived from the dried ripe fruits of Capsicum annum (Cayenne pepper)
  
  
• Turmeric Oleoresin: obtained from the roots of the Curcuma longa (Turmeric) plant which contains volatile oil, resin and yellow coloring matter (curcuminoids)

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.

July 27-29, 2000:
NNFA at the Las Vegas Convention Center (Las Vegas, NV)
Booth# 1514

Sept. 20-22, 2000:
Health Ingredients (HI) Japan with SAMI Labs Ltd. at the Big Sight Convention Center (Tokyo, Japan)