Here, Karsten gives Rebecca Prescott a sneak preview of the presentation he will deliver at the show…
There is no doubt that cardiovascular disease is a global problem, exacerbated by worldwide increases in obesity, metabolic syndrome and subsequent type 2 diabetes. In the US and Europe more than a third of adults live with at least one type of cardiovascular disease, predominantly atherosclerotic disease. The western diet is a significant contributor to the development of risk factors for cardiovascular disease; and as a result, we all must recognise that our selection of foods and dietary supplements does make a difference.
Known risk factors for developing cardiovascular disease include elevated serum levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol and triglyceride levels as well as low levels of high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. However, it is apparent that many people who suffer from cardiovascular disease have laboratory values for traditional risk factors that fall within the normal range. Thus, it is likely that other risk factors exist and may prove to be more indicative of an individual’s true risk for disease. One of these is oxidised low-density lipoprotein (OxLDL). As is true for all major chronic diseases, cardiovascular disease is associated with oxidative stress and inflammation, and the role of oxidatively modified LDL in atherosclerotic plaque formation and the progression of atherosclerosis has garnered extensive biochemical, cellular, animal and clinical support.
OxLDL is not detected in normal, healthy arteries. However, when it is present, it stimulates the production of inflammatory substances within the vessel walls and promotes the differentiation of specific immune system cells into fat-containing foam cells that form the basis for arterial plaque. OxLDL also inhibits the production of nitric oxide, an important mediator of vasodilation. If left unchecked, these arterial plaques continue to grow, forming a fatty streak; and as the vessels progressively constrict, the plaques become vulnerable to rupturing, an event that leads to the formation of a blood clot within the vessel. A clot forming in a coronary vessel could lead to a heart attack or it may dislodge and move elsewhere, increasing the risk for stroke or pulmonary embolism. Interventions designed to keep the arterial system healthy and the blood free-flowing, are the first steps in dissuading the development of cardiovascular disease.
Artinia (chitin-glucan) is a unique fibre ingredient designed to support arterial health by strengthening the body’s natural antioxidant systems and defenses against OxLDL. Artinia has been the subject of multiple in vitro and in vivo human and animal studies, which collectively demonstrate the safety and tolerability of Artinia as well as its positive impact in decreasing OxLDL. One of the most extensive, published animal studies involved a hamster model of nutritionally induced atherosclerosis. This study demonstrated Artinia’s positive impact on triglycerides, its enhancement of the activity of the important liver antioxidant enzymes, superoxide dismutase and glutathione peroxidase and its influence in the reduction in cardiac production of superoxide anion (an important pro-oxidant compound). It also reduced aortic cholesterol and aortic fatty streak deposition. A ‘gold-standard’ randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multi-centered human clinical study has confirmed the safety data results showing Artinia (as chitinglucan) reduces oxidized LDL-cholesterol. The six-week intervention trial utilised three clinical sites and targeted an expanded range of human subjects in order to analyse oxidised LDL, lipids, glucose and insulin, along with other biomarkers of inflammation and human safety.
Artinia is extracted, isolated and purified from the non-GMO vegetarian source, Aspergillus niger. It has low flavor impact and viscosity, as well as high pH stability – lending itself well to multiple food and supplement dosage forms. Artinia is self-affirmed GRAS for use in conventional foods and works well in a wide variety of matrices. Much successful testing has been done with the powder in baked goods, cereal and nutrition bars, smoothies, chewable tablets and gummies, as well as other food and supplement formats. Artinia would not be expected to interfere with the absorption and metabolism of other dietary ingredients and therefore offers opportunity for improvement to numerous healthy heart products.
Source: Karsten Brandt, Stratum Nutrition
© FoodBev Media Ltd 2024