What is EpiCor? The Birth of EpiCor® Some of the world’s greatest inventions are stumbled upon by accident. Such is the story of EpiCor, a revolutionary dietary ingredient from Embria® Health Sciences that has been clinically proven to support and balance the immune system.* In 2004, company executives noticed that employees of Diamond V® Mills, a leading manufacturer of animal nutrition products, had unusually low sick leave rates and filed significantly fewer claims than employees of similarly sized companies. From 2004 to 2006, annual insurance premiums increased an average of 11.2% nationally. Diamond V’s premiums only increased a total of 2% during this same time period. Company executives wondered why their workers were so healthy. Could it be that the product they were manufacturing was affecting the immunity of the handlers who came in contact with it? The company commissioned a study to find out. Sure enough, those who worked directly with the company’s flagship product had increased natural killer (NK) cell activity, higher antioxidant activity, a better ratio of immune helper cells to suppressor cells, and lower levels of undesirable immune complexes. It didn’t take long to realize that they had a ground-breaking discovery on their hands; one that could benefit millions of people across the globe. Embria Health Sciences, dedicated to research-based natural ingredients for the human market, was established to investigate the human potential of their product. Following extensive characterization, ORAC, in vitro, toxicology, mutagenicity, mitogenicity and human safety studies, EpiCor was born. What is EpiCor®? Unlike standard immune boosters, EpiCor is a revolutionary dietary ingredient that, when taken daily, works to support health by balancing the body’s immune response.* Researched to be safe and effective, there is no other ingredient like EpiCor on the market. A complex blend of beneficial metabolites, vitamins, minerals, amino acids and antioxidants, EpiCor is a unique ingredient that has been clinically proven to provide nutritional support to the immune system and support optimal performance. A recent human clinical study proved that EpiCor reduced the incidence of cold and flu symptoms by 21% and duration of cold and flu symptoms by 14%.* The Immune Health Category and EpiCor® We’re becoming increasingly aware of the immune system’s role in protecting health. We’re also aware of the escalating need to safeguard immunity due to factors such as: n n n The rise in environmental stress, such as foreign chemicals, toxins and pollutants The physical and mental effects of the day-to-day stress of modern life Lifestyle factors that can impact immune response such as a less-than-optimal diet and even the normal aging process So, it’s not surprising that there are hundreds of immune products available at retail. However, virtually all of them fall into two basic categories: indication-specific ingredients for cold and flu season or specialty ingredients for more serious immune conditions. What is surprising is that while polls indicate that Americans heavily favor preventive health over disease management, few immune products are actually marketed for prevention or health maintenance! EpiCor is about to change all that. EpiCor is not designed to be used at the onset of colds and flu; nor is it meant to provide nutritional support for people with serious diseases. Rather EpiCor is a natural substance that, when taken daily, brings the functioning of the immune system into a state of balance—and helps the body maintain wellness.* MetaGen4™ — A Proprietary Process EpiCor begins as an all-natural simple yeast called Saccharomyces cerevisiae, or “bakers yeast” that we provide with ample oxygen to help it grow and thrive. Then our trade-secret MetaGen4™ process begins. At the precise moment when the yeast cells are healthiest, we deprive them of oxygen and a proprietary mix of nutrients is added. This anaerobic environment stresses the cells and causes them to produce beneficial metabolites. Our next step is to dry this complex compound to capture the array of vital nutrients that have been created. The end result is EpiCor, an all-natural ingredient that provides nutritional support for a properly functioning, balanced human immune system.* How Does A Simple Cell, Deprived of Oxygen, Help Balance the Immune System? The immune system is extraordinarily complex, but we offer the following oversimplification to help explain EpiCor’s effect on the body: Most harmful bacteria, viruses, microbes, parasites and toxins, enter the body through natural openings such as the mouth, eyes and nose. Fortunately, these are protected by the immune system’s first line of defense —the mucosal barrier. If an invader manages to breach this barrier, the immune system’s next line of defense kicks in and antibodies and Natural Killer (NK) cells are sent to attack. When the immune system is operating efficiently, it effectively eliminates invaders—and the result is good health. However, various health problems can arise when the immune system isn’t working efficiently, in other words, when it is “unbalanced” as a result of either over- or under-stimulation. For example, the immune system’s response to an invader can be to overproduce antibodies, which has been proven to commonly result in allergies. Or if too many pro-inflammatory immune cells are produced, the resulting inflammation is a leading factor in many chronic illnesses. Clearly, when the immune system is overwhelmed it fails to adequately protect cells under attack, and the result is a higher risk for serious health conditions. So, a healthy, balanced immune system is vital for maintaining good health. Unfortunately, a less-than-optimal diet, pollution, changing seasons, physical or mental stress, lack of sleep, and even the normal aging process can all have negative effects on the immune system and impact its ability to perform optimally. EpiCor to the rescue! EpiCor provides nutrition to balance important functions of the immune system to keep it working optimally.* EpiCor supports the mucosal barrier by increasing levels of IgA, an important antibody for mucosal defense.* It also activates B cells to support antibody production and NK cell activity, and helps control IgE production—an important factor in allergic response.* An Ingredient Unlike Any Other EpiCor is truly unique, as it is not an immune product that works by overstimulating or “boosting” the body’s immune system, but instead by “educating” the immune system to help balance the body’s immune response to allergens and pathogens.* EpiCor is simply in a category all its own in the world of immune health. By using EpiCor, you get the benefit of: n An ingredient unlike any other in the immune health category 4 EpiCor increases immune defenses* 4 EpiCor decreases inflammatory response* n A premium, branded ingredient n An ingredient that will stimulate consumer demand year round n Established history of safety and efficacy n Extensive characterization, ORAC, in vitro, toxicology, mutagenicity, mitogenicity and human safety and efficacy studies Why Choose EpiCor®? You can feel confident choosing EpiCor because it is: n Researched to be safe for regular use, as it is 4 Non-toxic* 4 Free of known contraindications* 4 Non-mutagenic* 4 Defined by a panel of independent experts as GRAS (Generally Recognized as Safe) n Researched to be effective by 4 Activating natural killer (NK) cells and human B cells* 4 Increasing levels of salivary secretory IgA* 4 Helping to control IgE production* n Manufactured in a GMP-compliant facility n Documented by a certificate of analysis n Supported by years of research and expertise n Guaranteed for purity, potency and consistency Backed by Embria Health Sciences When you make the decision to formulate with a new ingredient, you want to know it will be there in the years to come. EpiCor will. Born out of years of research and development, Embria Health Sciences guarantees EpiCor’s safety and performance. You will also have the support of our talented technical services, regulatory and marketing personnel to ensure smooth incorporation of EpiCor into your product line. Discover EpiCor® For more information about Embria Health Sciences’ unique immunebalancing ingredient EpiCor, contact us at 515-963-9100 or find us on the web at www.embriahealth.com. * These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. 2105 SE Creekview Drive, PO. Box 559 Ankeny, Iowa 50021 PH 515-963-9100 FAX 515-964-9004 www.embriahealth.com EpiCor® is a registered trademark of Embria Health Sciences, LLC © 2007