-- Decision Drives Anti-Aging Market 

-- Emerging Studies Reveal Ergothioneine consumption is Correlated to Reducing 
Mild Cognitive Impairment

Southern California-based ingredient supplier and manufacturer, Blue California 
announced the FDA has issued a Generally Recognized as Safe (GRAS) letter for 
ErgoActive(R) (Ergothioneine) or (Ergo) under its "intended conditions of use." 
This decision enables product manufacturers to incorporate the powerful 
antioxidant compound in a variety of marketable consumer products including 
cosmetic, beauty, food, beverages and nutraceutical applications.

Blue California offers this proprietary ingredient, which is the only 
ergothioneine product on the market made by natural fermentation. "Blue 
California's unique fermentation process is the industry's preferred solution 
since all alternatives are chemically synthesized," said Katie Ferren, vice 
president of sales and marketing. 

Ergo's super antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties help to prevent and 
combat oxidative stress. The naturally occurring amino acid is normally 
provided to the body from dietary sources such as mushrooms in which it is 
particularly rich. Recent studies have found correlations between Ergo levels 
in the body, consumption of mushrooms, and reduced incidence of age-related 
cognitive impairment. 

"Achieving GRAS status makes ErgoActive(R) a marketable and valuable source 
commercially," said Hadi Omrani, director of technical and regulatory affairs. 

Of three relevant publications, the most recent from the Journal of Alzheimer's 
Disease on March 12, 2019, was entitled "The Association between Mushroom 
Consumption and Mild Cognitive Impairment: A Community-Based Cross-Sectional 
Study." 

The study was conducted in Singapore by a consortium effort of life science 
professionals at medical schools, university bioscience departments, and 
hospitals. It found that adults aged 60 years old and older who consumed fewer 
mushrooms than the same control age group who consumed more mushrooms, had a 
higher rate of mild cognitive impairment. The data supported an emerging 
hypothesis that bioactive compounds of mushrooms and Ergo in particular may 
delay the onset of neurodegeneration.

In an earlier 2016 study, authors observed a wide variation of plasma Ergo 
levels between groups and suggested that a "deficiency in Ergo may be a risk 
factor, predisposing individuals to neurodegenerative diseases." Participants 
in the study were on average 75 years old.  This study, published in 
Biochemical and Biophysical Research Communications, was entitled "The 
Ergothioneine levels in an elderly population decrease with age and incidence 
of cognitive decline: a risk factor for neurodegeneration?" 

The hypothesis that Ergo may play a role in reducing mild cognitive impairment 
gained further support late last year when American biochemist Dr. Bruce Ames 
reviewed data indicating that reduced levels of Ergo intake may lead to 
oxidative damage of proteins, lipids, and DNA.  It is published in Proceedings 
of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (PNAS).

In his compelling article, "Prolonging healthy aging: Longevity vitamins and 
proteins," Ames describes Ergo and a handful of other dietary compounds as 
"Putative Longevity Vitamins." The heart of his premise is that a lifetime of 
reduced intake of Ergo and other vitamins, possibly caused by overconsumption 
of processed foods or a diet lacking Ergo-rich foods, may contribute to many 
age-related diseases.  Sufficient Ergo intake in turn may contribute to 
healthier aging, particularly when combined with healthier eating habits.

About Blue California

For more than 20 years, Blue California produces superior ingredients for the 
global market through the innovation and manufacture of high purity natural 
compounds and botanical extracts used in food products, beverages, cosmetics, 
the fragrance and flavor industries and nutraceuticals. Visit 
www.bluecal-ingredients.com 

Blue California will be at the 2019 SupplySide West show in Las Vegas; booth 
3051.

SOURCE: Blue California

CONTACT: Ana Arakelian, Head of Public Relations and Communications, P: +1 
949-635-1991, ext. 14, ana@bluecal-ingredients.com