A study published recently in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry showed a high level of bioavailability for SoyLife, an authorized soy germ isoflavone ingredient, in various food models including juice, chocolate bars and cookies. Until recently, there has been little information as to whether the profile following digestion of soy isoflavones is influenced by the food matrix and the food vehicles that incorporate them. Acatris, one of the sole, sanctioned distributors of soy isoflavones for womens health, has continued to focus on research to keep consumers and customers educated on the safety and efficacy of soy isoflavones.
The aforementioned study indicated that if soy isoflavones are to be effective in preventing or treating a range of diseases, they must be bioavailable. Understanding factors that alter their bioavailability, such as food types, is essential. This study confirms that SoyLife is bioavailable, and further lends to our understanding of the metabolism of soy isoflavones and how they may best be delivered in functional foods, reported Jocelyn Mathern, RD, technical advisor for Acatris.
In addition, Acatris is supporting a study being conducted at Baylor College of Medicine by providing their SoyLife isoflavones in the prevention of osteoporosis. Preliminary studies have indicated that SoyLife can help maintain bone health and reduce the symptoms of menopause, stated Mathern. The primary goal of the $4.5 million project, called Osteoporosis Prevention Using Soy (OPUS), is to determine whether isoflavones are efficient, whether they are safe over the long term and what the optimal dosage may be. The secondary goal is to communicate the study findings in easily understandable terms to both healthcare providers and consumers. For more information on this study or regular updates, please visit www.bcm.edu/cnrc/soystudy/about.html.
Although SoyLife is 10 years old, it continues to find new applications. Commercially available food products that incorporate SoyLife include: Arrowhead Mills' Perfect Harvest Cereal, Country Choice Naturals Organic Plus Oatmeal, Nature's Path Organic Soy Plus Cereal and Organic Optimum Power Waffles (pictured above) and Mama Rosie's Spinach and Cheese Ravioli.
More than just an isoflavone concentrate, SoyLife offers the complete spectrum of natural soy compounds, the Soy Matrix, which enhances the bio-availability of isoflavones. SoyLife is used worldwide in dietary supplements, food, feed, beverages and cosmetics. Acatris continues to be committed to the long-term success of soy germ isoflavones as demonstrated by the more than 30 clinical studies sponsored with SoyLife.Acatris, through its brand SoyLife and recent licensing agreement with Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) on the sale and marketing of soy germ isoflavones, is now authorized as the superior supplier of soy germ based isoflavone supplementation ingredients, said Laurent Leduc, President North American Health Division, Acatris. This agreement gives Acatris and its customers access to soy germ isoflavone patent rights required to market and sell supplements carrying certain womens health claims. Acatris works with customers to sublicense the patents on soy germ isoflavone use and health claims.
Acatris recently exhibited at the 2006 Natural Products Expo West Trade Show in Anaheim, Calif., and presented an educational seminar on the new generation of flax lignan products that are emerging in the marketplace. Acatris is working on further collaboration with ADM on intellectual properties that will allow us to continue our leadership role in flax lignan supplementation through LinumLife EXTRA, the first standardized flax lignan extract, reported Leduc.