Pharmanex Study Correlates Skin Carotenoids to Overall Antioxidant Health

Research Presented at 15th International Symposium on Carotenoids

PROVO, Utah, Aug. 5 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Scientists from Nu Skin
Enterprises, Inc. (NYSE: NUS), presented results and consistency of findings
from two large studies at the 15th International Symposium on Carotenoids in
Okinawa, Japan. The research concludes that skin carotenoid levels measured
with the Pharmanex(R) BioPhotonic Scanner correlate with, and are a good
indication of, the body's overall antioxidant defense system. Carotenoids are
pigments that are primarily found in fruits and vegetables and have been the
focus of intense research to determine their importance in human health.
"The Pharmanex studies demonstrate that we are accurately measuring
something meaningful with the Skin Carotenoid Score from the Pharmanex
BioPhotonic Scanner," said Joe Chang, Ph.D., chief scientific officer and
executive vice president of product development at Nu Skin Enterprises. "The
conclusions reached from this study are another validation of the ability of
the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner to accurately depict an individual's overall
antioxidant defense system."
Skin Carotenoids Correlate with Overall Antioxidant Status
An important finding from the Pharmanex study was a positive correlation
between a person's carotenoid antioxidants, such as beta-carotene, lutein and
lycopene, and levels of other important non-carotenoid antioxidants, such as
vitamins C and E. The research concludes that skin carotenoid levels are a
good marker for an individual's overall antioxidant status. Antioxidants are
known to counter free radical damage resulting from a variety of sources,
including exposure to pollution, cigarette smoke and sunlight, and being
overweight.
Higher Antioxidant Levels Show Reduced Oxidative Damage
By measuring a biomarker of oxidative stress (urinary F2-Isoprostranes),
study authors were able to demonstrate that higher skin carotenoid levels are
associated with lower levels of oxidative damage. This suggests that a
healthy antioxidant system offers greater protection from oxidative stress and
can therefore promote better nutritional health.
BioPhotonic Scanner Measurements Correlate with Industry "Gold Standard"
Finally, skin carotenoids measured quickly and painlessly with the
non-invasive Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner using Raman Spectroscopy were shown
to be positively correlated with serum carotenoid levels measured by the
conventional method of high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), which
typically requires a blood draw and specialized analytical equipment.
"HPLC is the gold standard of carotenoid measurement, yet we've
effectively shown that a non-invasive two-minute measurement with the
Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner is just as accurate," said Mark Bartlett, Ph.D.,
vice president of Pharmanex global research and development at Nu Skin
Enterprises. "The BioPhotonic Scanner is an innovative business tool our
distributors can use to definitively demonstrate that Pharmanex nutritional
products make a difference for their customer's carotenoid status and
potentially their overall antioxidant health."
Steve Wood, Ph.D., R.D., Pharmanex senior scientist at Nu Skin
Enterprises, presented the research that was conducted in collaboration with
scientists at several universities.
About the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner
More than 8 million people worldwide have been scanned during the past six
years with the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner and are empowered to develop a
personalized antioxidant defense strategy with an individual Skin Carotenoid
Score (SCS). SCS-certified products Lifepak(R) nano and g3 are sold by Nu Skin
distributors with a money-back guarantee. Utilizing non-invasive Raman
Spectroscopy, the Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner is a unique tool that can very
effectively demonstrate the bioavailability of carotenoid-containing
supplements. Nu Skin Enterprises is the exclusive owner of the patented
Pharmanex BioPhotonic Scanner technology and received the 2005 American
Business Award for the Most Innovative Company in recognition of the scanner.
About the International Symposium on Carotenoids
The 15th International Symposium on Carotenoids was held June 22-27 in
Okinawa, Japan. The International Symposium was founded in 1966 and every
three years scientists gather for critical presentations and discussions in
the fields of carotenoid research, such as organic and biological chemistry,
physics, medical science, biology and industrial application. Recent interest
in carotenoids as essential nutrients has diversified carotenoid research into
new areas, especially nutrition and medicine. The International Carotenoid
Society exists to provide support and encourage all areas of carotenoid
science.
About Pharmanex Products
Pharmanex, the science-based nutritional supplement brand of Nu Skin
Enterprises, helps people build healthier, more productive lives by providing
safe and effective supplements. With more than 100 full-time scientists
employing the 6S Quality Process at three international research centers,
Pharmanex has grown to be a global leader in the nutritional supplement
industry. Superior nutritional products, solutions products and weight
management products are available worldwide. For more information, select your
market at http://www.pharmanex.com.
The Company
Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc. is a global direct selling company operating in
47 markets throughout Asia, the Americas and Europe. The company markets
premium-quality personal care products under the Nu Skin(R) brand, science-
based nutritional supplements under the Pharmanex(R) brand, and technology-
based products and services under the Big Planet(R) brand. Nu Skin Enterprises
is traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "NUS." More
information is available at http://www.nuskinenterprises.com.
SOURCE Nu Skin Enterprises, Inc.

Jordan Karpowitz, +1-801-345-2187, jkarpowi@nuskin.com, or Kara Schneck,
+1-801-345-2116, kschneck@nuskin.com, both of Nu Skin Enterprises