NutraStar Announces Exclusive Worldwide Rights to a U.S. Patent for Lowering Cholesterol and Triglycerides

Contact: Mark Hopkinson 561/750-9800 x 15
E-mail: mhopkinson@TransMediagroup.com

EL DORADO HILLS, CA, October 19, 2000 -NutraStar Incorporated (NutraStar), a nutraceutical company that develops and markets highly effective natural whole food products for human consumption, announced today that it has received exclusive worldwide marketing rights to a U.S. Patent that has been issued to The RiceX Company (RiceX) (OTC: RICX). Patricia McPeak, NutraStar president and chief executive officer, stated, "This patent is a major step forward in demonstrating the effectiveness of nutraceutical products in the treatment of coronary heart disease, high cholesterol, and high triglyceride levels in humans. Hopefully, traditional medicine will take note."

The nutrient-dense products that NutraStar is bringing to market are based on proprietary stabilized rice bran derivatives that are not only rich in vitamins and minerals, but also contain over 90 potent antioxidants. This includes nature's highest source of Vitamin E complex (including tocotrienols), B complex vitamins, and gamma-oryzanol, a powerful antioxidant which is found exclusively in rice bran. It is also a rich source of phytonutrients, including phytosterols, CoQ10, and IP6.

RiceX has the only commercially viable method of stabilizing rice bran, an achievement long felt impractical as the bran layer contains an enzyme that causes rice bran to become rancid within hours of milling. RiceX believes that it is the only company in the world today that can deliver human-grade stabilized rice bran with the extended shelf life demanded by most commercial users.

U.S. Patent Number 6,126,943 entitled, "A Method for Treating Hypercholesterolemia, Hyperlipidemia and Atherosclerosis," is a treatment method for reducing serum total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, apolipoprotein B, and triglyceride levels in humans and animals.

"The title of this patent alone should intensify interest in our trademarked consumer products, RiSolubles and RiceMucille," said Patricia McPeak. "These revolutionary natural formulations are backed by significant scientific data. A clinical study has confirmed the effectiveness of NutraStar's value-added stabilized rice bran products in treating high cholesterol, high blood lipids, high blood glucose levels, and other health problems and diseases."

McPeak founded The RiceX Company and served as president until April 2000. She is the primary inventor of the value-added stabilized rice bran products, and was the driving force behind the patent application.

McPeak said these nutraceutical products (natural foods that have a medical or health benefit that result in the prevention or treatment of disease; also called "functional foods") work much like statin drugs, but without any adverse side effects. The statin drug market accounts for $15 billion in annual sales.

Dr. Rukmini Cheruvanky, NutraStar's director of research and development, and the world authority on rice bran, commented, "These products will be particularly important to individuals who have some type of liver impairment and cannot take statin drugs. This patent will enhance NutraStar's efforts to market nutritionally dense, natural whole foods to a target population having high cholesterol leading to atherosclerosis and coronary heart disease."

McPeak added, "Through our ProCeutical division, we are focusing on developing products that will appeal to traditional medical doctors who are looking for ways to provide nutritional support to patients suffering from a broad spectrum of disease states. This is just the beginning of a number of clinical trials and patents that will prove the efficacy of NutraStar's stabilized rice bran products."

NutraStar will soon market its nutraceutical products to consumers through a Web site currently under development, and through a toll free 800 ordering number.

NutraStar is a pioneer in rice bran-based nutrient research and development. NutraStar markets highly efficacious, proprietary, whole food products that are delivered as functional foods for human consumption.

"Safe Harbor" statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the impact of the competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in the company's fillings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.