NEW SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE REVEALS THAT UNIQUE HERBAL COMBINATION IMPROVES MENTAL PERFORMANCE IN HEALTHY ADULTS

Contact: Mark Hopkinson 561/ 750 - 9800 ext. 15
email: mhopkinson@TransMediagroup.com
James W. Heins Pharmaton Natural Health Products
(203) 798-4715

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
New York, NY - June 6, 2000 - A landmark clinical trial has found that a unique combination of Panax Ginseng and Ginkgo biloba extracts can significantly enhance mental performance in healthy, middle-aged people.

The study showed the unique Gingko biloba/Ginseng formulation can promote fast, accurate thinking, improve short and long-term memory retention and reduce mental fatigue. The results were recently presented at a National Institute of Mental Health seminar and announced today at a press conference at The Rockefeller University in New York City.

"This is one of the first demonstrations that a unique combination of botanical extracts can beneficially affect the memory of healthy, middle-aged volunteers," said principal investigator Professor Keith Wesnes, Chief Executive, Cognitive Drug Research Ltd., Reading, England and visiting professor of psychology with the University of Northumbria, Northumbria, Newcastle. Prof. Wesnes developed the Computerized Cognitive Assessment System, and has conducted extensive research in the area of cognitive function. "These results suggest that individuals functioning in a fast-paced and demanding environment can improve their ability to process and retain new information and work with better metal efficiency.

"The 14-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized, multi-center trial studied the cognitive effects of the herbal combination in 256 healthy volunteers between the ages of 38 and 66 years. The volunteers performed a battery of tests using the Computerized Cognitive Assessment System, a validated testing method accepted by the FDA and used to assess the effect of cognitive enhancing products. The study showed the group of volunteers receiving the active herbal combination had statistically significant improvements in cognitive function (average of +7.5%) compared to the control group receiving placebo. The combination product was well tolerated by study volunteers.

"I noticed that I was able to recall things that I had trouble remembering before like telephone numbers, names and even items on my shopping list which I always forget," said Bill French, a study volunteer who, after the study was unblinded, learned he had been taking the combination. "Overall I just felt like I was thinking clearer and wasn't so mentally drained at the end of a long stressful day."

"While previous research has documented the effects of Gingko biloba on memory in older people, this study clearly shows that this specific formulation of standardized Ginkgo biloba and Ginseng extracts enhanced mental performance in a younger healthy population," said Dr. Barbara Levine, Co-Director of the Human Nutrition Program at The Rockefeller University, speaking at the New York City conference. "It's also important for consumers to understand that research is product specific - meaning that the results seen in this study can't necessarily be applied to all Ginkgo/Ginseng combinations.

"Ginkoba M/E, a dietary supplement manufactured and distributed by Pharmaton Natural Health Products, is a unique formula of two herbal extracts, GK501™ Gingko biloba and G115® Ginseng. These unique extracts are only found together in Pharmaton's Ginkoba M/E.

"We're very pleased this study further validates the benefits of Ginkoba M/E as a product that promotes cognitive function," said Dr. Orlando Petrini, Head of Medical and Regulatory Affairs for Pharmaton SA. Lugano, Switzerland. "Pharmaton and its affiliates apply stringent quality controls and standardizes its products to ensure consistent, reproducible quality. So consumers can feel confident that the product they take is the same as the one used and proven in our clinical studies."

The Rockefeller University Human Nutrition Program

The Human Nutrition Program at The Rockefeller University and the Nutrition Information Center at Cornell University's primary goal is to serve as a resource for gathering and disseminating accurate and current information in nutrition research, clinical nutrition and basic nutrition principles. These programs strive to educate health professionals and the public about nutrition so that they can make informed decisions about maintaining a proper diet and proper use of dietary supplements and functional foods.

This study was supported by Pharmaton Natural Health Products, a division of Boehringer-Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc.