Locally grown New Zealand blackcurrants have been found to contain far greater levels of a nutrient vital to healthy brain function than those grown overseas – but no one is quite sure why.
Independent research at the University of Auckland Brain Research Centre has discovered the fruit contains high levels of cyclic Glycine-Proline (cGP) a key brain nutrient essential for whole of body and brain fitness as people age.
The nutrient is a key ingredient in a new dietary supplement, Brain Shield, which has just been launched by a Christchurch company Vitality New Zealand.
The company's managing director, Jim Grierson, says high levels of cGP appear to be unique to New Zealand blackcurrants, but he is unable to say why. "We suspect it may have something to do with our climate."
Grierson says Brain Shield has been developed based on research conducted by associate professor Dr Jian Guan of the University of Auckland's Centre of Brain Research and he believes it is a world first discovery. "Her work has found New Zealand blackcurrants contain high levels of cGP, a key brain nutrient that balances the function of an essential hormone, the insulin-like growth factor – 1` (IGF-1).
He says the level of IGF-1 declines with age and is a major cause of age-related neuro-degenerative illnesses.
"Clinical observation shows people diagnosed with neuro-degenerative illnesses show low levels of cGP," he says. "We may all believe we are doing enough to maintain an active brain and body by exercising and healthy eating but efficacy trials have proven that carrying out these health and wellness activities show that in many cases their cGP levels are lower than desired.
"New Zealand blackcurrants therefore may have the potential to support these illnesses; I like to call it the maintenance of ageing."
Grierson, who with fellow director David Eder co-founded Vitality New Zealand, says they have known about the health benefits of blackcurrants for many years and say they now have the science to prove it.
They have spent two years developing Brain Shield, a patented natural plant-based supplement formulated to deliver an average daily dose necessary to maintain an optimum level of cGP. It is a combination of blackcurrants and flax (linseed) oil and includes some stabilising minerals. The flax oil also provides omega 3.
"Consumers are becoming more aware of the health promoting properties found in the fruit and we are seeing a growing interest from the scientific community," Grierson says. "We are excited to see what other benefits may come to light for other neuro-degenerative illnesses."
Grierson says Guan came across the "power of New Zealand blackcurrants" by chance when researching levels of cGP in Parkinson's patients who had them added to their diets.
The company commissioned extensive research into other purple fruits and vegetables – European blackcurrants, bilberry, blueberries, cranberry, carrots and beetroot among them – with only one showing a small amount of cGP.
He says all plants used in Brain Shield are grown in New Zealand. Each 750mg capsule contains 250mg of blackcurrant concentrate, 470mg of flax seed oil with the remainder made up of stabilisers.
Grierson says the recommended daily dose is one capsule, although if people wish to boost their cGP level they can do this by taking two capsules a day for 30 days.
For further information visit: www.brainshield.co.nz or phone 0800 006 168
Read the label. Use as directed. Vitality Wellness (NZ) Ltd.
TAPS approved number NA 10816