COLUMBIA, Md., Feb. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Martek's life'sDHA(TM) from microalgae is effective in helping to reduce triglycerides in patients with coronary artery disease and elevated triglycerides, according to an independent study published in the current issue of Journal of the American College of Nutrition. The study compared Martek's life'sDHA(TM) with a fish oil providing a combination of DHA and EPA. The study concluded that "There do not appear to be significant differences in triglyceride-lowering between DHA only and DHA + EPA combination products when dosing is based on DHA." In this study, it appears that DHA was the primary omega-3 fatty acid responsible for lowering triglycerides. The study also reported a statistically significant improvement of 5.5 percent in the Martek's life'sDHA(TM) group in levels of the good cholesterol, HDL, as well as a slight reduction in total cholesterol. Additionally, the authors noted that the DHA product derived from algae, Martek's life'sDHA(TM), rather than fish oil seemed to be better tolerated by patients, who often complain of the fishy aftertaste of omega-3 fatty acid supplements from fish oil. The study was not funded or sponsored by Martek Biosciences, but used Martek's life'sDHA(TM) as its algal DHA source.
"The body of research supporting the health benefits of DHA throughout the lifecycle continues to grow and to demonstrate that DHA is important for brain, eye and heart health," said Steve Dubin, CEO of Martek Biosciences.
The study, conducted through Kaiser Permanente Colorado, involved 116 patients with coronary artery disease and triglycerides greater than 200 mg/dL, approximately 90 percent of whom were on statin drugs. Subjects were supplemented with either 1000 mg per day of DHA from Martek's life'sDHA(TM) or 1252 mg per day of a DHA/EPA (providing 1000 mg of DHA) combination from fish oil for eight weeks, and maintained statin dosage received prior to initiation of the study. The primary objective was to evaluate the change in triglycerides between the two groups at eight weeks. Triglycerides decreased by an average of 21.8 percent in the group taking Martek's life'sDHA(TM), and by an average of 18.3 percent in the DHA/EPA group (not significantly statistically different). A greater proportion of subjects in the algal DHA group achieved the triglyceride goal (less than 150 mg/dL) compared to the DHA/EPA group.
Martek's life'sDHA(TM) is a vegetarian form of DHA omega-3, a long chain omega-3 fatty acid that serves as a primary building block for the brain and the eye and supports brain, eye and cardiovascular health throughout life. There is a large and growing body of scientific evidence demonstrating that people of all ages, from infants to aging adults, benefit from an adequate supply of DHA omega-3 in the diet. Scientific reviews have noted the importance of DHA omega-3 in proper brain and eye development and function, and there are clinical studies underway to evaluate its role in decreasing the prevalence of certain neurological disorders. Yet despite its importance, Americans have among the lowest dietary intakes of DHA omega-3 in the world.
Martek's life'sDHA(TM) is unique in the market because it is derived from a sustainable and vegetarian source. Made from microalgae under tightly controlled manufacturing conditions, life'sDHA(TM) is free of oceanic contaminants that may be present in certain fish or fish oils. Microalgae are the only vegetarian source of DHA omega-3, the key omega-3 for brain development and function.
Martek Biosciences Corporation is a leader in the innovation and development of DHA omega-3 products that promote health and wellness through every stage of life. The Company produces life'sDHA(TM), a sustainable and vegetarian source of DHA omega-3, for use in foods, beverages, infant formula, and supplements, and ARA (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty acid, for use in infant formula. For more information on Martek Biosciences, visit http://www.martek.com/.
Sections of this release contain forward-looking statements concerning, among other things, the results of a scientific study involving DHA and DHA/EPA published in the Journal of the American College of Nutrition, the health benefits of life'sDHA(TM), and the science surrounding DHA. These statements are based upon numerous assumptions which Martek cannot control and involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ. These statements should be understood in light of the risk factors set forth in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including, but not limited to, the Company's Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2006 and other filed reports on Form 10-K, Form 10-K/A, Form 10-Q and Form 8-K.
