Health Enhancement Products Announces Final Results of Clinical Trials of ProAlgaZyme in Metabolic Syndrome and HIV Patients


SCOTTSDALE, AZ -- (MARKET WIRE) -- January 19, 2007 --Health Enhancement Products, Inc. (OTCBB: HEPI), a Scottsdale Arizona company, announced today the final results of two clinical trials involving its ProAlgaZyme product (PAZ) conducted by Dr. Julius Oben, Head of the Laboratory of Nutrition and Nutritional Biochemistry at the University of Yaounde, Cameroon. One study involved participants with Metabolic Syndrome, a condition typified by metabolic and lipid imbalances. Positive results (p=0.05 or better) were seen in the key prospective markers, including cholesterol levels, cholesterol ratios, and C-reactive protein levels (a marker of inflammation). The second study involved patients infected with HIV virus. Patients were broken up into high and low dose groups. High dose groups showed positive results in the key prospective markers, including reduction in viral load and increase in levels of CD4+ cells. (CD4+ cells are white blood cells with important immune functions; levels of these cells are reduced as a consequence of HIV infection.) Low dose groups also showed significant increases in the CD4+ levels but did not show reduction in viral load.

Dr. Oben noted, "PAZ appears to have the potential to increase the CD4 T-lymphocyte cell count as well as reduce the concentration of total cholesterol. The level of significant differences observed between the PAZ group and the placebo indicates the potential of PAZ in treating metabolic syndrome as well as immuno-deficient patients." Dr. Tom Ingolia, CEO of Health Enhancement Products, added that the Company was extremely encouraged with the results: "The outcome of this study is exceptional, although it is consistent with what we have heard anecdotally from our customers. We are more committed than ever to exploring the potential of this product to enhance the health of our consumers. These results are in areas of significant medical need and enormous market potential."

Design and Result of Studies

The Metabolic Syndrome trial was a double blinded, placebo-controlled study. For a period of 10 weeks, 30 participants received one ounce doses of ProAlgaZyme 4 times per day, and 30 received placebo. Improvements (p=0.05 or lower) were seen in the key prospective markers, including C-reactive protein down 57% in the ProAlgaZyme group vs. down 7% in the placebo group; total cholesterol down 32% in the ProAlgaZyme group vs. down 3% in the placebo group, and HDL ("good cholesterol") levels up 14% in the ProAlgaZyme group vs. down 8% in the placebo group.

In the HIV Trial, data was collected from 36 patients administered low dose (4 to 8 ounces of ProAlgaZyme per day) and 19 patients administered high dose (16 to 20 ounces of ProAlgaZyme per day) for 12 weeks, with no changes in their previous treatment regimens. In the low and high dose groups respectively, viral loads were down 15% and 32%; CD4+ T lymphocyte levels were up 36% and 49%; C-Reactive Protein levels were down 45% and 41%; and Total Cholesterol levels were down 30% and 30%. The reduction in viral load in the low dose group was not statistically significant; all other changes were statistically significant (p=0.05 or better).

Details of these studies are included in manuscripts in preparation, and will be available upon publication.

About Metabolic Syndrome, Cholesterol, and C-Reactive Protein

Metabolic Syndrome, also called Syndrome X, is a collection of symptoms including metabolic and lipid imbalances. It is estimated that the condition afflicts about 1 in every 4 persons in the U.S., and as high as 4 out of every 10 individuals aged 60 and above. According the American Heart Association, Metabolic Syndrome is associated with obesity and Type II Diabetes. Cardiovascular risk is associated with the imbalances in cholesterol levels and ratios often seen in the syndrome, with elevated total cholesterol and low ratios of HDL ("good cholesterol") vs. LDL. Another marker associated with cardiovascular risk is C-Reactive Protein (CRP), a blood marker that according to the American Heart Association is elevated in patients with systemic inflammation and can be used as an indicator of cardiovascular risk, with low, moderate and high cardiovascular risk assigned to ranges of CRP.

About Health Enhancement Products, Inc. and ProAlgaZyme

Health Enhancement Products, Inc. is a nutraceutical company engaged in the development of a Dietary Supplement product using only pure, all-natural ingredients. The company's sole product is ProAlgaZyme, a liquid product produced from algae grown in 100% distilled water. The liquid in which the algae are grown is drawn off, filtered, tested and bottled as ProAlgaZyme.

Except for any historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward-looking statements, including future clinical trial results being different than the company's results to date and the company's ability to fund its operations and market and sell its ProAlgaZyme product. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.

For more information, please visit www.heponline.com.

Contact Information: Contact information: Thomas D. Ingolia CEO Email Contact 480-385-3800