Enzymotec's CardiaBeat cleared for US
sterol-based heart health ingredient, CardiaBeat, in the United
States, after it was affirmed as generally recognized as safe
(GRAS) by an expert panel.
The ingredient is an extension of Enzymotec's functional oil formulation MultOil, which has been shown to potentially reduce the risk for coronary heart disease through preventing and controlling oxidative stress, reducing total cholesterol and triglyceride levels and inhibiting the atherosclerotic plaque formation cascade.
A formulation of enzymatically-derived phytosterols and diglycerides, CardiaBeat was originally developed with the needs of diabetics in mind. Diabetics are two to four times more likely to suffer from heart disease than non-diabetics.
The company said CardiaBeat can be used as a fat replacer in a wide range of food products, such as yogurts, spreads or bars. According to Dr Ariel Katz, CEO, its additional heart benefits beyond lowering LDL 'bad' cholesterol set it apart from other plant sterol ingredients.
"In the last three years we have performed seven clinical trials in both animals and humans to establish its unique health benefits and advantages over conventional approaches," said Katz.
He said that CardiaBeat has already been incorporated in several food applications. Last year Germany's WellPlus Trade developed a prototype functional bar containing the ingredient. The bar was formulated for the needs of diabetics, who have a greatly increased risk of cardiovascular disease.
In March the company announced plans to develop a range of cooking oils using CardiaBeat, tailored for Asian consumers.
