First Fruit-Based Omega 3 Medication Launched

Kiwi Company Launches First Fruit-Based Omega 3 Medication

New Zealand company Vital Foods Ltd has launched the world’s first Omega 3 and Omega 6 medication made from fruit.

The new supplements – produced after years of developing the technology in Auckland, are derived from kiwifruit seeds and were this week launched in the European market as part of a joint venture Vital Foods has led in Germany.

Vital Foods managing director Bruce Donaldson says the European joint venture is a break through for the Manukau City operation.

“We are very excited because the dieticians say the balance between Omega 3 and Omega 6 in kiwifruit seeds is healthier than from any other source,” he said.

Omega 3 and Omega 6 fatty acids are well recognised as benefiting the cardiovascular system, maintaining brain and visual functions and are important in adult skin and embryo development. Many Omega 3 and 6 medications are made from fish oil –which significant numbers of people, including vegetarians, find unpalatable.

Vital Foods has developed and patented a process for removing kiwifruit seeds from the fruit and processing them in a way that doesn’t damage their potent fatty acid properties.

“Many of the Omega 6 supplements produced globally are infused with preservatives to stop them going off. “We’ve spent considerable time and resource developing a process that doesn’t need preservatives and these supplements are therefore much more appealing to health-conscious consumers.”

Mr Donaldson said the first batch of supplements went on sale in Germany this week and he expected Vital Foods’ sales to lift significantly as the new markets open up.

“Growing consumer demand for fortified foods has helped foster a European market worth more than €161 million (NZ$292 million) for omega-3 poly unsaturated fatty acids, accounting for 28 per cent of the global market volume,” he said. Vital Foods business received a boost last month from Norwegian research that showed eating two or three kiwifruit a day can significantly lower the risk of blood clotting.

The company says it will launch the new Omega 3 and 6 product on the New Zealand market[before Christmas].

About Vital Foods

Vital Foods is an Auckland based company specialising in producing medications and supplements from kiwifruit extract. Vital Foods makes the supplement Digestezy and the kiwifruit drink Kiwi Crush. It pioneered and owns the technology that allows it to produce pharmacy medications without destroying the medically beneficial kiwifruit enzyme. Visit vital foods online at: http://www.naturesspark.co.nz

About kiwifruit seeds

Kiwifruit seeds contain a high content of essential fatty acids:

Omega-3 (as a-Linolenic acid = ALA): > 65% Omega-6 (as Linoleic acid): ~ 15%

Omega-3 fatty acids are essential for many functions in the body. These polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) cannot be synthesized in the body, but must be part of our daily food intake. The following body functions are dependent on PUFAs:

Cardiovascular system Blood vessels Part of cell membranes in every single cell of the body Maintaining brain and visual function (in particular through the ALA-metabolite DHA) Part of skin cells Important for development of the embryo, but also in every other stage of life, especially aging Precursor of EPA and DHA, which are antagonists for inflammatory metabolites Eases arthritis and rheumatism Plays a role in hormone pathways (Eicosanoids) Also suitable for cosmetic application

As a Food Supplement in softgel capsules the Kiwifruit Omega 3 is suitable for vegetarians and those wanting an odorless alternative to Fish Oils.

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