STEVENSON, Wash.—Total Nutraceutical Solutions Inc. (TNS) filed a provisional patent entitled: "A Nutritional Approach to the Use of Ergothioneine for Hair and Nail Growth." The patent covers the use of ingestible and topically applied natural and/or synthetic L-Ergothioneine (Ergo) to maintain and improve hair and nail health, growth and natural coloring.
The discovery was made during the recently announced research study with Lifespan Biosciences that is attempting to identify the presence and/or deficiency of the unique and specific Ergothioneine Transporter (human gene symbol SLC22A4) in a wide variety of normal and diseased human tissues. TNS acquired the diagnostic and therapeutic rights to the Ergo Transporter from the University of Cologne in 2010 and has since been working to scientifically validate the physiologic role of Ergo in human health. Scientists have recently provided evidence that oxidative stress, free radicals such as cytokines and inflammation cause hair loss, cellular damage and premature graying. Ergo is a master antioxidant that has been proven to reduce or prevent oxidative stress and inflammatio,n and the discovery of significant Ergo Transporter expression within the germinative layer of the cells responsible for hair growth is the first of what the Company hopes will be many Ergo-related technology advancements to be announced in 2012.
"This important finding helps explain the positive customer experiences and reports of improved hair and nail growth from our Groh™ nutritional supplement," said Marvin S. Hausman, CEO of TNS. "Our upcoming human study should further validate the effectiveness of this technology by quantifying the rate, as well as quality of hair and nail growth in a clinical setting." TNS intends to commence an IRB-approved human clinical study in the coming months that will measure hair and nail growth in patients 60 days before and 90 days following supplementation. The results of the study will be used in product marketing and a potential infomercial, which the Company would like to begin airing before the end of the year.
