Reliv, Soy Labs launch healthier soy

MANILA, Philippines - Reliv International Inc. and Soy Labs LLC announced the creation of LunaRich, an exclusive soy powder which contains more than five times soy peptide lunasin than the industry standard to effectively help control cholesterol production in the body. 

Reliv is adding LunaRich to its high-quality nutritional supplements and it will be available in the country this month.

“This is a significant step forward for Reliv and for nutrition science,” said Dr. Carl Hastings, Reliv’s chief scientific officer. “As scientists learn more about the mechanisms that make soy a nutritional superfood, Reliv is proud to lead the way in making the fruits of these discoveries available to all.”

Reliv is a manufacturer and distributor of patented nutritional supplements in 15 countries worldwide. It is the first company selected by the Missouri Plant Science Center (MPSC) in the United States and its managing tenant Soy Labs for a new joint biotechnology research and development partnership. 

The team-up gives Reliv greater access to soy and plant biotechnology research as well as benefit from exclusive ingredient innovations.

LunaRich is a whole soy powder containing five to 10 times more lunasin than the industry standard. Lunasin is a peptide found naturally in soy that scientists have identified as the key to many of soy’s documented health benefits. These include cholesterol management, heart health and weight loss, among others.

“A growing body of research shows that the lunasin peptide is one of the most important bioactive components of soy,” said Dr. Alfredo Galvez, the MPSC’s lead scientific advisor. “In creating LunaRich for Reliv, we have maximized lunasin levels in a soy powder.”

Galvez is a recipient of the 2010 PhilDev Award, given to outstanding Filipino-Americans in science and technology. He first discovered lunasin in 1996 during research at UC Berkley to improve the nutritional profile of soy protein.

More than 40 peer-reviewed and published studies have documented lunasin’s health benefits. Research by 21 research institutions supported by 27 public and private funding sources has resulted in nine patents.

The amount of lunasin in soybeans varies significantly based on seed, soil and environment. The MPSC refines specially selected soybeans grown exclusively for Reliv to maximize levels of lunasin in LunaRich.

Reliv Philippines managing director Jolly Gomez said Filipinos should take advantage and benefit from this recent development in nutrition science.

“Reliv Philippines has been providing good nutrition for more than 10 years now. With LunaRich as a new ingredient, Reliv’s products will be even better,” Gomez said.