Author: Ina Giversen

Punalpin® is now sold in the Netherlands and Flanders by the Dutch company Atalis. Atalis is headed by Gerwin Smit who has a strong scientific background from the Delft University of Technology. We are looking much forward to the co-operation with Atalis!

We are now launching Punalpin® PLUS in a new version which covers 1 month’s treatment (180 tablets). The idea is that new users should be able to test the product without having to buy tablets for 3 months of consumption at one time. We still recommend treatment with Punalpin® PLUS for at least 90 days to achieve the greatest possible effect, as the product will affect an entire sperm cycle (72-74 days).

Punalpin Plus is a fertility product for optimization of sperm quality. The product contains pomegranate and greater galangal in the same doses as in our first clinically tested product, Punalpin, and furthermore selenium, zinc and aronia have been added.

Selenium and zinc

The EU Commission has approved the following health claims related to sperm quality, testosterone and oxidative balance for the two minerals:

Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis

Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood

Selenium / zinc contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress

Aronia

Aronia is a berry which contains 3-4 times more anthocyanins than blueberries. The plant originates from North America, but can easily be cultivated in Denmark. The dried aronia powder in Punalpin Plus is produced on our own organic farm in Lejre and is the result of many years of breeding work, including crossings back to the North American wildtypes, which gives a unique composition of anthocyanins.

All in one tablet

In Punalpin Plus, all ingredients are combined in one tablet. Our patented processing method of galangal makes it possible to combine the ingredients in the same tablet without compromising the shelf life of the individual active substances.

We’re now almost ready with our new product Punalpin Plus! Punalpin Plus is a fertility product for optimization of sperm quality. The product contains pomegranate and greater galangal in the same doses as in our first product, Punalpin, and furthermore selenium, zinc and aronia have been added.

Selenium and zinc

 

The content of selenium and zinc makes it possible for us to claim Punalpin Plus as a fertility product for men. The EU Commission has approved the following health claims related to sperm quality, testosterone and oxidative balance for the two minerals:

Selenium contributes to normal spermatogenesis

Zinc contributes to normal fertility and reproduction

Zinc contributes to the maintenance of normal testosterone levels in the blood

Selenium / zinc contribute to the protection of cells from oxidative stress

Aronia

Aronia is a berry which contains 3-4 times more anthocyanins than blueberries. The plant originates from North America, but can easily be cultivated in Denmark. The dried aronia powder in Punalpin Plus is produced on our own organic farm in Lejre and is the result of many years of breeding work, including crossings back to the North American wildtypes, which gives a unique composition of anthocyanins.

All in one tablet

In Punalpin Plus, all ingredients are combined in one tablet. Our patented processing method of galangal makes it possible to combine the ingredients in the same tablet without compromising the shelf life of the individual active substances.

On the 2nd and 3rd of September, Nerthus participated in European Food Venture Forum in Aarhus. Together with 7 other innovative, European food companies Nerthus won an award for the project with the most potential. Altogether 32 European food companies had been selected for the competition.

The award gives access to a final competition in Düsseldorf later this year where innovation companies from all industry sectors will compete.

In July 2014 we submitted a health claim application to the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) and the EU Commission regarding the physiological effect of the two ingredients in Punalpin® (pomegranate and galangal). The purpose with this application was to achieve the right to claim the ingredients in Punalpin, i.e. to tell the customers, which effect the ingredients may cause in the body.

The application was substantiated by a placebo-controlled clinical study. EFSA recognizes the study results, but requests data from more Punalpin studies plus documentation on the mechanism of action. Thus we have received a rejection of our application. Altogether, we regard the opinion as being positive, since our clinical research has received a fine evaluation by EFSA and since it is commonly known that EFSA requires data from more clinical study before a health claim is authorized.

We are now preparing a new clinical study and expect to submit a new health claim application in 1½ year.

Punalpin differs from many other dietary supplements in that it was actually tested in a clinical study before marketing. The clinical study is of high standard (a so-called randomized, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled study) and includes 66 study participants.

The positive result of the study has now been published in the international, peer-reviewed journal Plos One.

In July we submitted an application to EFSA (the European Food Safety Authority) regarding the authorization of a health claim on our combination of pomegranate extract and galangal rhizome. In other words, we apply for permission to tell about the physiological effect of our specific combination of pomegranate extract and galangal rhizome.

In the EU it is not permitted to claim effects of food and nutrients, unless the claim has previously been evaluated by EFSA and authorized by the EU Commission. New claims are only approved if they live up to strict scientific standards regarding documented effect.

Since our combination of pomegranate extract and galangal rhizome has been tested with a significant positive result in a clinical study of high standard (a so-called randomized, doubleblinded, placebo-controlled study), the basic requirements with respect to scientific documentation is present.