InterHealth Nutraceuticals: Setting the Stage for Specialty Ingredients

The InterHealth business model is and always has been based on promoting innovative, science-based ingredients, intellectual property, stringent quality control and marketing support. “As a leading supplier of proprietary ingredients, InterHealth offers value-added ingredients that allow manufacturers to differentiate themselves in the marketplace and make unique claims substantiated by research,” said Paul Dijkstra, CEO, who joined the company in 2005. “Our patent portfolio includes 70 patents, ranging from composition to methods of use. And there are several patents pending worldwide. We need that IP to make the necessary investments in research.”

The research team at the Benicia, CA-based company, led by Dr. Debasis Bagchi, has conducted and published numerous research studies on all of their brands, including a vast array of clinical studies that support the efficacy, safety and uniqueness of InterHealth’s core brands—Super CitriMax, ChromeMate and UC-II.

According to Mr. Dijkstra, conducting scientific research at well-respected academic institutions such as Georgetown, U.C. Berkeley, Ohio State University and Creighton University, among others—and having that research validated in peer-reviewed scientific journals—has helped InterHealth garner the strong reputation it has for maintaining high standards, and provides proof of the quality, safety and efficacy that can be found in the raw ingredient industry.

Reminiscing about his first days at InterHealth, Mr. Dijkstra said business was tough in the dietary supplement market, particularly the weight loss arena, which had recently suffered the loss of ephedra. This development was both a blessing and a curse for InterHealth. Although the weight loss market would be challenging moving forward without ephedra, InterHealth was confident that its propriety ingredient Super CitriMax could help fill the void.

During this time, the company also made a conscious decision to move beyond product development and further focus on its core products. “Our goal was to offer a value proposition, not just products,” Mr. Dijkstra said, adding, “For that we needed to be a patient company, committed to the science.”

UC-II soon became one of the company’s superstars. Several preclinical and clinical studies have shown that UC-II is highly effective in decreasing symptoms related to osteoarthritis. “We have spent the last several years building our UC-II research portfolio, demonstrating its efficacy and safety for humans as well as pets,” said Mr. Dijkstra.

First the company initiated a pilot study on five women with osteoarthritis, moving quickly to evaluating its effect in dogs. Eventually InterHealth moved on to a larger clinical study consisting of 52 total subjects, one group taking UC-II and the other taking a glucosamine/chondroitin combination. The study results were presented at the American College of Nutrition meeting in October 2008.

For this randomized, double-blind study, conducted in North America, one group took 40 mg UC-II and the other a combination of glucosamine (1500 mg) and chondroitin (1200 mg). “What is most significant is that UC-II shows better efficacy with a smaller, once daily, 40 mg dose than the larger 2700 mg dose of the glucosamine/chondroitin combination. With such a small, once daily pill, there will be better compliance and better joint health for millions of people,” Mr. Dijkstra said.

Mr. Dijkstra went on to say that the company is in the process of getting UC-II GRAS approved (Generally Recognized as Safe), citing “a lot of interest from food companies” as the reason. “They are intrigued not only by the evidence, but also by its ease of formulation,” he said.

Anticipating strong growth in the functional food and beverage market, InterHealth has been busy developing product technologies that fit this category. In fact, Super CitriMax and ChromeMate have already undergone product development that makes them ideal for use in functional foods and beverages. “Both are flavorless, odorless, colorless and 100% soluble. Super CitriMax and ChromeMate have both undergone extensive testing and research to ensure their stability, solubility and organoleptic profiles when incorporated into finished food and beverage products,” Mr. Dijkstra explained.

Furthermore, InterHealth has ensured GRAS affirmation for these ingredients, which has opened up new opportunities, allowing the company to enter an entirely new product segment outside traditional nutritional supplements.—R.W.

InterHealth Nutraceuticals
5451 Industrial Way
Benicia, CA 94510
Telephone: 707-751-2800
Fax: 707-751-2801
E-mail: info@interhealthusa.com
Website: www.interhealthusa.com