COLUMBIA, Md., May 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Martek
Biosciences (Nasdaq: MATK), in partnership with the National Center
for Creative Aging today introduced "Beautiful Minds: Finding Your
Lifelong Potential," an educational campaign designed to inspire
baby boomers to be proactive about brain health.
(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20100527/PH11635LOGO
)
"Martek has a proud, 25-year heritage in brain health science
and research as well as a strong history of supporting health
education and outreach," said Steve
Dubin, Martek CEO. "We are pleased to partner with the
National Center for Creative Aging and announce 'Beautiful Minds:
Finding Your Lifelong Potential,' to help change public perceptions
about brain health and aging."
Brain health is one of the top health-related concerns of aging
populations and has been identified by the Centers for Disease
Control as a public health priority. Fifty-five percent of baby
boomers fear the loss of mental capacity; in fact, 41 percent fear
their brain fitness has decreased during the past 10 years(1).
Research demonstrates that lifestyle factors like diet, exercise,
and social, mental and intellectual engagement may be important
influencers on the aging brain.
"The realization that we may be able to influence our brain
health throughout adult life is important as baby boomers move into
the second half of their lives," according to Gay Powell Hanna, Ph.D., M.F.A., executive
director for the National Center for Creative Aging. "The Beautiful
Minds campaign will demonstrate that maintaining a beautiful mind
is not a sacrifice, but a way to do more of what you love,
longer."
The Science of Brain Health
The Beautiful Minds campaign features a new scientific
assessment released today and developed in conjunction with the
National Center for Creative Aging. The assessment explores the
lifestyle factors that may help to improve overall brain health,
including memory performance, and outlines the four dimensions of
brain health:
- The Nourished Mind
- The Physically Active Mind
- The Socially Connected Mind
- The Mentally Engaged Mind
Among the key research findings summarized in the assessment is
the Memory Improvement with Docosahexaenoic Acid (DHA) Study
(MIDAS), published online May 3,
2010, in Alzheimer's and Dementia: The Journal of the
Alzheimer's Association. MIDAS is the first large, randomized
and placebo-controlled study demonstrating that DHA omega-3
improved memory function in healthy aging adults, providing a
benefit roughly equivalent to having the learning and memory skills
of someone three years younger.
Beautiful Minds: The Benefits of DHA Omega-3
Despite its importance, most people eating a Western diet do not
consume enough DHA. In the MIDAS study, healthy people age 55 and
older with memory complaints who took 900 mg algal DHA capsules
daily for six months had almost double the reduction in errors on a
test that measures learning and memory performance versus those who
took a placebo.
The source of DHA used in MIDAS was a vegetarian and sustainable
algal DHA manufactured by Martek Biosciences and marketed to
consumers under the brand name of life'sDHA™. Consumers who
are looking for algal DHA supplements that will enable them to
easily achieve DHA intake comparable to the amount used in this
study can find them at major retailers like Walmart, CVS and
Walgreens under the Algal-900 DHA product name.
"The fear of memory loss and losing brain capacity looms large
in the minds of boomers," said neurologist and memory expert, Dr.
Majid Fotuhi. "But as research
demonstrates in a clinical setting, there are some simple things
you can do to maintain and even improve your brain health as you
age -- like taking 900 mg of algal DHA every day."
Beautiful Minds: Photo Essay Exhibit and Website
To inspire Americans to learn more about brain health, Martek
worked in partnership with the National Center for Creative Aging
to select 11 "Beautiful Minds." These "Beautiful Minds" are
individuals with stories of accomplishment, creativity, and
reinvention in the second half of life, who maintain healthy
lifestyles that fulfill the four dimensions of brain health: the
nourished mind, the physically active mind, the socially connected
mind and the mentally engaged mind.
The 11 Beautiful Minds are profiled in a photo essay exhibit
that debuted in New York City and
will then travel throughout the country. Profiles of the 11
Beautiful Minds plus tips for proactive brain health can be viewed
on www.beautiful-minds.com. The website also contains science-based
brain health information.
To learn more about "Beautiful Minds: Finding Your Lifelong
Potential," visit www.beautiful-minds.com or follow the
conversation on Twitter with the hashtag #beautifulminds.
About Martek Biosciences Corporation
Martek Biosciences Corporation (Nasdaq: MATK) is a leader in the
innovation, development, production and sales of high-value
products from microbial sources that promote health and wellness
through nutrition. The company is the world's leading provider
of algal DHA omega-3 with its flagship product, life'sDHA, a
sustainable and vegetarian source of algal DHA omega-3 important
for brain, heart and eye health throughout life, for use in foods,
beverages, infant formula, and supplements. The company also
produces life'sARA™ (arachidonic acid), an omega-6 fatty
acid, for use in infant formula and growing-up milks. Additionally,
Martek's subsidiary, Amerifit Brands, develops, markets and
distributes branded consumer health and wellness products in major
mass, club, drug, grocery and specialty stores and holds leading
brand positions in all of its key product categories. For more
information on Martek Biosciences, visit www.martek.com. For a
complete list of life'sDHA™ or life'sARA™ products,
visit www.lifesdha.com. For more information about Amerifit Brands,
visit www.amerifit.com.
About the National Center for Creative Aging
The National Center for Creative Aging (NCCA) was founded in
2001 and is dedicated to fostering an understanding of the vital
relationship between creative expression and healthy aging and to
developing programs that build on this understanding. Based in
Washington, D.C., NCCA is a
nonprofit with 2,500 members and is affiliated with The
George Washington University.
www.creativeaging.org
Sources:
(1) Today's Dietitian, January
2010
Contacts
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Cassie France-Kelly
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Martek Biosciences
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(443) 542-2116
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cfrancekelly@martek.com
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Gay Hanna
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National Center for Creative Aging
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(202) 895-9456
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ghanna@creativeaging.org
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SOURCE Martek Biosciences Corporation