Scientists create world's first all-natural Mediterranean diet pill that can help prevent heart disease and is available to buy over-the-counter
- 'Ateronon Heart' combines a component in tomatoes with milk for absorption
- The supplement slows down the build-up of plaque to prevent heart disease
- In a world first, the scientists have been issued a patency for the product
- Experts believe people are looking for plant-based cures for illnesses
Cambridge University scientists have found a way to turbo-charge the health benefits of a Mediterranean diet.
Researchers have created a supplement known as 'Ateronon Heart', which combines the heart-health benefits of a key component in tomatoes with milk, which makes the compound easier to absorb.
In a world first, they have been issued with a patent for the all-natural, over-the-counter product, which slows down the build-up of plaque in the arteries, preventing heart disease.
Previous studies show the supplement, which will receive its patent in the new year, and retails at £19.99 for 30 capsules, improves blood flow by 53 per cent.
Nick Sutcliffe, the Cambridge lawyer who steered the patenting process, said: 'There is increasing interest in natural ingredients.
'People are looking for cures and if they can find them in plants that is very much easier than developing synthetic drugs to treat disease.'
More than one million women and 1.6 million men are living with heart disease in the UK, which can lead to heart attacks and failure.
'Ateronon Heart' contains the heart-health benefits of a key component in tomatoes (stock)
Improves blood flow by 53%
Lycopene is the bright red compound that gives tomatoes their colour and is proven to boost heart health by blocking the process that causes plaque to build up in arteries.
Yet, lycopene is poorly absorbed until it is combined with milk to make 'LactoLycopene', which is in Ateronon Heart and improves blood flow by 53 per cent in heart disease patients.
Joseph Cheriyan, who was involved in a previous LactoLycopene study, said: 'We've shown quite clearly that lycopene improves the function of blood vessels in cardiovascular disease patients.'
The supplement works by blocking proteins that cause the break down of fats in the blood. This causes them to stick to, and narrow, artery walls, putting people at risk of heart disease and stroke if blockages form.
Lycopene is the bright red compound that gives tomatoes their colour and is proven to boost heart health by blocking the process that causes plaque to build up in arteries
'People are looking for cures'
Ateronon Heart's license will be issued in the new year by the European Patent Office.
Mr Sutcliffe said: 'There is increasing interest in natural ingredients.
'People are looking for cures and if they can find them in plants that is very much easier than developing synthetic drugs to treat disease.'
Chris Meaney, a spokesman for Cambridge Nutraceuticals, which manufactures Ateronon Heart, added: 'We have potentially very interesting studies ongoing at a number of leading academic research institutions in the UK and we hope to be publishing the results of these studies in 2018.'
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