Founded in 1984 with the goal of harnessing the benefits of microalgae to alleviate malnutrition and promote health, Nutrex Hawaii markets BioAstin®, 100% natural Astaxanthin and Spirulina Pacifica, a uniquely superior Spirulina, with the highest known nutritional content. The newest offerings from the company give shoppers a high-quality multivitamin (supercharged with Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®) and condition-specific supplements that provide the health benefits of BioAstin®Astaxanthin. These exciting new offerings help to preserve the environment as Nutrex Hawaii's products always do. In fact, it is the first vitamin company to use tree-free and water-free Fiberstone® labels.

Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®
Spirulina, a blue–green vegetable algae, is a highly nutritious, concentrated whole food that is composed of more than 100 nutrients. This incredible nutrient source is shown to support cardiovascular, eye, and brain health, boost immunity and energy (1).

The most nutritious forms of spirulina on the market today is Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®. Experts say that consuming just three grams of Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® per day offers the benefits of five servings of fruits and vegetables.

The company’s Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® is produced with a unique cultivation process and a patented Ocean Chill Drying™ technology that prevents the oxidation of key nutrients for maximum potency. Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® offers:

• Higher levels of the enzyme SOD than other brands on the market.

• Highest total carotenoid levels available naturally. Carotenoids include phycocyanin (supports liver and kidney health), chlorophyll (an anti-toxin), beta-carotene (supports healthy skin, eyes and immune system) and zeaxanthin (benefits eye and brain health).

• An excellent source of vitamins A, K and B12, and of iron, manganese and chromium. New data indicate it is also a good source of K2, offering 19% of the daily recommended value per serving.

• 300% more calcium than whole milk and 375% more protein than tofu.

The Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® facility is located in a Biosecure Zone that is free of pesticides and industrial pollution. This is important because algae is very absorptive, making Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® extremely pure. The farm uses only 100% potable drinking water from Hawaiian aquifers and pure deep ocean water with all 94 trace minerals and elements.

Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® Multivitamins. Nutrex Hawaii offers a line of high-quality multivitamins that incorporate Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica®, and specifically support the health of men, women and seniors.  Available are:

• Multivitamin for Women, featuring evening primrose, flaxseed and borage oils to promote skin health and support women’s health.

• Multivitamin for Men, containing Saw Palmetto and Pumpkin Seed to support prostate health while CoQ10 supports heart health.

• Multivitamin for Seniors, which includes Ginkgo and Periwinkle to support cognitive health and memory.
All three formulas feature Spirulina Pacifica® to support immune function, eye and cardiovascular health and boost energy. Also available are Spirulina Pacifica® in tablet and powder form.

BioAstin® Astaxanthin
Astaxanthin, the “King of the Carotenoids™,” offers a myriad of natural antioxidant benefits. There are over 700 different carotenoids, but what differentiates astaxanthin from others (such as beta- carotene) is its ability to cross the blood–brain barrier and bring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to the brain and central nervous system; cross the blood-retinal barrier and bring antioxidant and anti-inflammatory protection to the eyes; travel effectively throughout the whole body to protect ¬all organs and the skin; span cell membranes; and bond with muscle tissue (2).

In fact, natural astaxanthin as BioAstin® from Nutrex Hawaii  was shown to yield antioxidant strength 14 times stronger than vitamin E, 21 times stronger than synthetic astaxanthin, 54 times stronger than beta-carotene and 65 times stronger than vitamin C in free radical scavenging.

Astaxanthin’s free radical scavenging activity works to suppress different inflammatory mediators such as tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-), prostaglandin E-2 (PGE-2), interleukin 1B (IL-1b), nitric oxide (NO) and cyclooxygenase enzymes (Cox-1 and Cox-2). Such activity can control inflammation that leads to heart disease, cancer, Alzheimer’s, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases. Whereas pharmaceutical anti-inflammatory drugs usually brutally target a single molecule, natural astaxanthin gently adjusts a broader range of inflammatory compounds to address chronic low-grade inflammation. Because of this, it can also help protect the eyes and skin from damage, improve the body’s immune system.

Natural astaxanthin like BioAstin® Astaxanthin has also been called the “Athlete’s Secret Weapon” because of its ability to help increase energy, strength and endurance. One study showed a group of students to experience a 62% increase in strength and endurance over six months while taking 4 mg of natural astaxanthin per day, versus 22% in the placebo group. Astaxanthin is thought to support mitochondrial health, and therefore energy production, by scavenging muscle tissue for the large amounts free radicals and singlet oxygen generated during exercise. In another study, 88% of participants reported improvement in muscle and joint soreness.

MD Formulas: Condition-Specific Formulas with BioAstin®. Designed by Nutrex Hawaii’s Medical Director Robert Corish, M.D., these clinically validated formulas combine BioAstin® with industry leading ingredients for cardiovascular, joint, eye, skin, brain and neurological health:

• BioAstin Supreme™ is a powerful Super Carotenoid Complex that quenches more types of free radicals than any other antioxidant.

• EyeAstin™ supports healthy eyes with FloraGLO® Lutein, Zeaxanthin, and 6 mg of BioAstin®.

 • OmegaAstin™ is a synergistic supplement for heart and neurological health. Clinically validated for use in heart and brain health.

• JointAstin™ is designed to strengthen, support and nourish your joints, tendons and synovial fluids. Features vegetarian glucosamine and 12 mg of BioAstin® clinically studied for joint/tendon support.

• CardioAstin™ supports long-term cardiovascular health with FloraGLO® Lutein, life’s DHA™, CoQ10 and BioAstin® for a proactive, preventative and complete cardiovascular formula unlike any other.

• DermaAstin™ protects skin from sunburn and photo-aging. Stops free radicals caused by UV exposure before they cause inflammation.

Learn More
For more information about Hawaiian Spirulina Pacifica® Multivitamins or MD Formulas with BioAstin®, contact Nutrex Hawaii at (800)453-1187 or sales@nutrex-hawaii.com.

References
1. K. Moorhead, B. Capelli and G.R. Cysewski, Spirulina: Nature’s Superfood (Cyanotech Corporation, Kailua-Kona, HI, 2006).
2. B Capelli, G.R. Cysewski, Natural Astaxanthin: King of the Carotenoids (Cyanotech Corporation, Kailua-Kona, HI, 2007).

Published in WholeFoods Magazine, February 2010.