Shaklee grant program offers new support for brain health research

Researchers are invited to apply for funding, as the company works to expand our knowledge about how nutrition impacts cognitive health

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Shaklee Corporation

Oct 06, 2014, 08:00 ET

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 6, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- How might nutrients, or a combination of nutrients, affect your memory over the next few hours? Or support your brain health over the next few years? With the launch of its new grant program for brain health research, Shaklee hopes to help scientists learn more of these answers.

"Shaklee is trying to bring our health span closer to our life span, and we believe nutrition can make a difference," comments Chief Science Officer Bruce Daggy, Ph.D. "Through this grant program, we are supporting new research to expand our understanding of the role nutrition can play in keeping us well."

About the Brain Research Grant
This newly established program, within the established Shaklee Grants Program, was created to provide targeted funding of research on the role of dietary supplements in supporting brain health. This grant will be funded by proceeds of Shaklee's recently launched MindWorks™, a supplement developed to support short- and long-term cognitive health. MindWorks contains key ingredients that have three important benefits*:

Immediate improvement in memory and focus 3X better than the control group**.
Protects against age-related mental decline, as shown in a clinical study to reduce brain shrinkage rate, a common consequence of aging, by 30% over two years.***
Supports healthy circulation which is important for the delivery of oxygen and key nutrients to the brain.

* 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.
** At six hours versus control.
*** Based on a two year study of 223 adults with mild cognitive impairment.

Researchers have until Nov. 30, 2014 to submit brain health proposals. As with all Shaklee grants, animal studies will not be considered. Investigators who have secured funding elsewhere and who are requesting from Shaklee only marketed product, with or without a matching placebo, can submit proposals at any time.

Study questions most likely to receive funding under this program will involve evaluation of nutritional ingredients or ingredient combinations suitable for use in dietary supplements for either acute (e.g., short-term memory, concentration, reaction time) and/or long-term improvements to or maintenance of cognitive function in healthy adults.

"As reflected by the MindWorks launch, we have a strong interest in doing more in the area of cognitive health," Daggy confirms. "Each of us has a brain that needs good nutrition to function optimally. Mental acuity is of concern to a broad range of adults, from college students who need to improve their focus on their studies, to older folks who have more serious concerns about maintaining long-term brain health."

A long history of supporting academic research on nutrition
Shaklee has supported a substantial body of research since the company was founded in 1956. That work has resulted in 100-plus scientific publications, which include clinical studies published in peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific meetings.

Those interested in exploring the brain research grant opportunity should review the application procedure at www.Shaklee.com or contact [email protected] for further information. Winners will be announced in early 2015.

About Shaklee:

Shaklee Corporation is a leading health and wellness company with a long history of pioneering advances in nutritional science. Dr. Shaklee invented the first multi-vitamin in the US nearly 100 years ago. Shaklee Corporation developed one of the first soy protein isolate formulas over 50 years ago and introduced one of the first biodegradable laundry detergents without phosphates over 40 years ago. Shaklee was the first company in the world to obtain Climate Neutral® certification and fully offset its carbon emissions, resulting in a net-zero impact on the environment. Shaklee has over 100 scientific publications, 90 in peer-reviewed journals that support the safety and efficacy of our products. Shaklee products have powered over 120 Gold, Silver, and Bronze medals and Shaklee provided rehydration drinks to the NASA space program for 20 years. Shaklee products are designed to support and improve their customer's health, and Shaklee's relationship selling model offers flexible business opportunities for those that choose to share products with their families and communities. The company is based in Pleasanton, Calif. For more information, visit www.shaklee.com.

Biography: Bruce Daggy, Ph.D.

Bruce Daggy serves as Senior Vice President, Research & Development and Chief Science Officer for Shaklee. He is primarily responsible for the scientific support of Shaklee's robust portfolio of products including nutrition, personal care and household products.

His career spans 30 years in global roles within consumer healthcare. In nutrition, his work has ranged from developing leading nutritional supplements in India to providing sports nutrition products to elite athletes. Weight management and its impact on metabolic disease has been a major focus, with research leadership roles for three consumer brands: alli, Nutrisystem and Shaklee 180. He began his professional career in academia and then spent 10 years in healthcare research and development at The Procter & Gamble Company (P&G). After P&G, Daggy spent 13 years at GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) in both the United States and the United Kingdom in various leadership positions, including overseeing their global nutritional research and development, leading teams based in the UK and India. Subsequently, he was also the Vice President, Weight Control Research and Development for GSK.

Prior to joining Shaklee, Daggy served as Senior Vice President, Research and Development and Chief Science Officer at Nutrisystem, Inc. where he directed applied research and development for weight management and the prevention or management of obesity-related diseases and disorders.

Daggy has a Ph.D. in Nutritional Biochemistry from Cornell University and a B.A. in Biology from University of Virginia. He has authored about 80 publications and abstracts, and has developed 13 patents in his name. He serves as Adjunct Professor in the Nutrition, Food, and Exercise Sciences Department of Florida State University. He is a member of the American Society of Nutrition, a Fellow in the American College of Nutrition, and has assisted the Obesity Society, the American Diabetes Association, the American Association of Diabetes Educators, and other healthcare organizations in a variety of volunteer capacities.

CONTACT: Mike Danielson

(952) 697-5214

[email protected]

SOURCE Shaklee Corporation