STEVENSON, Wash., Feb. 3, 2011 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. (TNS) (OTCBB:TNUS), announced today that TNS has formulated Ergo-D Traum™, a proprietary mushroom-phytonutrient formulation, and has filed a Provisional Use Patent entitled: "Anti-Inflammatory Approach to Prevention and Suppression of Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Depression and Associated Disease States." This patent application describes how this novel dietary supplement formulation can be used for the prevention and control of inflammation and oxidative stress associated with a variety of medical conditions, including PTSD, TBI and chronic depression. A composition providing a phytonutrient and enriched mushrooms having enhanced vitamin D and Ergothioneine are disclosed.
Post-traumatic stress disorder, often abbreviated as PTSD, is a complex disorder in which the affected person's memory, emotional responses, intellectual processes, and nervous system have all been disrupted by one or more traumatic experiences. It is sometimes summarized as, "a normal reaction to abnormal events." The DSM-IV-TR (the professional's diagnostic manual) classifies PTSD as an anxiety disorder. The traumatic events most frequently mentioned by men diagnosed with PTSD are rape, combat exposure, childhood neglect and childhood physical abuse. For women diagnosed with PTSD, the most common traumas are rape, sexual molestation, physical attack, being threatened with a weapon, and childhood physical abuse.
The science explaining the biological mechanisms behind PTSD is in its infancy but recent evidence suggests that other health care problems are linked to PTSD, including but not limited to: heart disease, chronic pain, fatigue, metabolic/bowel disorders, and dementia. Several recent scientific articles have suggested that there are associated endocrine and immune function changes in people with PTSD, and especially those with associated chronic depression. A common causative link to many, if not all, of the physiologic disorders associated with PTSD is inflammation.
"Research to date on the naturally-occurring antioxidants in Ergo-D Traum™ suggests that this novel formulation of organic mushrooms and phytonutrients has the potential to suppress inflammation of the brain associated with PTSD, TBI and depression," stated Marvin S. Hausman M.D., CEO of TNS. "Our company intends to organize a clinical study, during the 2nd quarter of 2011, to validate the benefits of Ergo-D Traum™ in patients with PTSD and TBI. TNS' proprietary ERGO and vitamin D2 technology will form the basis for the nutritional value of this new product."
It is estimated that over 40,000 military service members have been injured in the current conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan and that over 300,000 suffer from PTSD or depression1. A report by the Veterans Administration (VA) issued in the spring of 2010 estimates that 18 veterans die by suicide every day. The same report found, "[…] that as many as 950 suicide attempts each month occur among veterans receiving services through the VA. The rate is lower, however, among veterans aged 19-29 who are receiving services when compared to those who are not currently receiving care through the VA [… ]The suicide rate is also impacted by high levels of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) in young veterans who served in one of these regions [Iraq or Afghanistan]."2
Army General Peter W. Chiarelli3, the vice chief of staff of the Army, says the leadership of every brigade combat team is now briefed before deployment on the effects of traumatic brain injury, post-traumatic stress and the need for treatment. "We just don't know that much about the brain. We automatically assume so many times that a person that's in a blast has a concussion. Many times, they don't have a concussion. Instead, they have post-traumatic stress." He goes on to say that, "[This invisible wound] affects everything. It affects the divorce rate. It affects substance abuse. It affects everything. And we've kind of taken our focus and shifted it to ensure that we're getting at that."4
Studies have also revealed that anywhere between approximately 7% and 37% of firefighters meet criteria for a current diagnosis of PTSD.5 And the impact of TBI is poignantly revealed in a report from the U.S. Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), published in July 20076, which estimates that 1.1 million people with TBIs are treated and released from U.S. hospital emergency departments (EDs) each year, and an additional 235,000 are hospitalized for these injuries. TBIs can result in long-term, negative health effects (e.g., memory loss and behavioral changes). Activities associated with the greatest number of TBI-related ED visits included bicycling, football, playground activities, basketball, and riding all-terrain vehicles (ATVs). The highest rates of SR-related TBI ED visits for both males and females occurred among those aged 10-14 years, followed by those aged 15-19 years.
About Ergo-D Traum™
Ergo-D Traum™ is a whole food proprietary formulation (patent pending) that uniquely combines mushrooms and phytonutrients to combat inflammation. This innovative whole food contains some of the most potent antioxidants and bionutrients found in nature. These very powerful natural antioxidants and bionutrients, Ergothioneine, vitamin D2 and beta glucans, have the potential to neutralize free radicals and suppress or prevent chronic inflammation.
Well-known medical institutions, such as Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Mayo clinic and Oxford University, to name a few, are emphasizing the important roles played by these potent natural antioxidants in the prevention and control of inflammation and associated medical conditions.
About Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc.
TNS, a global biotechnology leader in whole food mushroom research and development focuses on discovering, formulating and marketing products composed primarily of organic, natural whole mushroom foods containing bioactive nutrients such as L-Ergothioneine and vitamin D, with potential health benefits. Our scientific strategy is to specialize in the development of production and analytic technologies for food and nutritional supplements mainly composed of mushrooms and their mycelial biomasses. Novel clinical models and biomarkers are used to show nutritional and clinical efficacy of our products. In addition to our novel preventative health care formulations and nutritional approaches for a wide variety of human conditions and illnesses, we are also involved in the development, acquisition and ownership of breakthrough nutritional tools and products in the fields of animal husbandry and livestock feeds.
The Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. logo is available at http://www.globenewswire.com/newsroom/prs/?pkgid=8060
Any statements contained in this press release that relate to future plans, events or performance are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the risks associated with the transaction described in this press release, and other risks identified in the filings by Total Nutraceutical Solutions (TNS), Inc., with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Further information on risks faced by TNS are detailed in the Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2009, and in its subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. These filings are or will become available on a website maintained by the Securities and Exchange Commission at http://www.sec.gov. The information contained in this press release is accurate as of the date indicated. Actual results, events or performance may differ materially. TNS does not undertake any obligation to publicly release the result of any revision to these forward-looking statements that may be made to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.
1 www.woundedwarriorproject.com
2 www.nami.org/Content/NavigationMenu/Find_Support/Veterans_Resources/Veterans_and_Suicide/Veterans_and_Suicide.htm
3 http://www.army.mil/Leaders/vcsa/
4 http://www.militaryavenue.com/Articles/Army+Officials+Work+to+Treat+Invisible+Wounds+of+War-35957.aspx