STEVENSON, Wash., Jan. 5, 2012 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. (OTCBB:ERGO) (TNS) announced today that it has 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 anti-oxidant that has been proven to reduce or prevent oxidative stress and inflammation 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," says Dr. 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.
Groh™ is a natural nutritional supplement that is currently offered online and through leading hair salons throughout North America. The Groh™ formulation features ErgoD2™ (a 100% USDA certified organic ingredient) that is naturally rich in Ergothioneine and Ergocalciferol (vitamin D2). ErgoD2™ is manufactured utilizing the Company's patented UV light technology, which naturally increases D2 levels by as much as 2000%. TNS intends to expand the Groh™ line in the future to potentially include soaps, shampoos, lotions and other Ergo-based consumer oriented health and beauty products as demand for the technology increases.
"The market for hair health and growth is significant with billions of dollars spent annually by consumers wanting to improve their appearance," says Dr. Hausman. "Beyond the brand-named pharmaceuticals offered for hair loss, there are very few natural solutions for hair health and growth that have been scientifically proven to be effective. With more than half of men over 50 experiencing some level of hair loss, and a growing number of women developing Alopecia, this market represents a very large opportunity for our Company."
About Total Nutraceutical Solutions, Inc. and Entia Biosciences, Inc.
TNS, whose name will be changing to Entia Biosciences on January 9, 2012, is an emerging leader in whole food biotechnology that identifies, scientifically validates, and commercializes solutions that address multi-billion dollar markets for organic health, beauty and agriculture. The Company's growing portfolio of intellectual property includes extraction, enhancement, and uses for some of the most powerful antioxidants and bionutrients occurring in nature. For more information, please visit our web sites at www.entiabio.com and www.totalnutraceuticals.com.
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, 2010 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.