InterHealth Introduces UC-II In Conjunction With National Arthritis Month; Harvard Research Leads To Breakthrough In Arthritis Treatment.

Business Editors/Health & Medical Writers

BENICIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 1, 2002

In recognition of National Arthritis Month and the 43 million Americans who suffer from the disease, InterHealth Nutraceuticals announces the availability of UC-II(TM), a brand-new, all-natural therapy to aid in its treatment.

Based on extensive clinical research conducted at Harvard Medical School, UC-II(TM) is the only undenatured type II collagen in the marketplace. Often referred to in the scientific literature as "native" type II collagen, undenatured type II collagen (branded UC-II) works with the immune system to promote healthy joints, while improving joint mobility and flexibility.

Hailed as an arthritis breakthrough, UC-II has been scientifically proven to substantially improve immune-related arthritis symptoms, including morning stiffness, joint tenderness and joint swelling. In one study conducted at Harvard and published in the prestigious peer-reviewed journal, Science, 28 patients with severe rheumatoid arthritis taking undenatured type II collagen for three months showed substantial improvement, while four patients recovered completely. In total, there are six human clinical studies that support the efficacy of undenatured type II collagen in the treatment of arthritis. Importantly, absolutely no side effects have been observed with any of the patients who participated in these studies.

The most crucial distinction about UC-II is its undenatured state. According to Dr. David E. Trentham, the lead Harvard researcher, "Type II collagen must be in its native (undenatured) form to be effective." While other type II collagen products have been on the market for some time, these products are typically subjected to harsh chemical or high-temperature processing that result in denatured or hydrolyzed type II collagen. Unlike UC-II (undenatured type II collagen), there has been no scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed scientific journals to substantiate the efficacy of denatured or hydrolyzed type II collagen in the treatment of arthritis. In fact, one study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, states that "denatured type II collagen has no observable effect on the incidence and severity of the disease (arthritis)."

"Today, nearly 43 million Americans suffer from some form of arthritis and that number is expected to grow to 60 million by 2020," stated InterHealth President and CEO William Seroy. "Solid scientific research shows that UC-II can make a significant difference in the quality of life for many of those people, allowing them to be more active and independent because the painful symptoms of the disease are minimized or eliminated."

UC-II(TM), made by InterHealth Nutraceuticals, is the only source of undenatured type II collagen available in the marketplace. It is protected by U.S. Patents 5,645,581, 5,637,321, 5,529,786, and 5,750,144 and worldwide patents pending. Marketed under a number of labels including Vitamin World, Sun Naturals, and Sunburst Biorganics, just look for the UC-II name and logo on the label.

InterHealth researches, develops, manufactures, markets and distributes specialty nutritional ingredients, which are sold worldwide to manufacturers of dietary supplements and nutraceutical food and beverage products. In addition to UC-II(TM), InterHealth is the maker of CitriMax(TM), ChromeMate(R), Protykin(R) and L-OptiZinc(R). For more information about the company and its products, call 1-800-783-4636 or 1-707-751-2800 (outside U.S.).