Study Shows Fruit and Vegetable Juice Powder Extracts Confer Cardiovascular Protective Effects

SAN MARCOS, Calif., June 4 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Natural Alternatives International ("NAI"), Inc. (Nasdaq: NAII), a leading formulator and manufacturer of customized nutritional supplements, and NSA International ("NSA") a Memphis based health and nutrition company, jointly announced today that the results of an important clinical study on the proprietary whole food based supplement, Juice Plus+(R) ("JP+") were published in the May 21, 2003 issue of the prestigious Journal of the American College of Cardiology. The study conducted at the University of Maryland, School of Medicine, demonstrated that supplemental phytonutrients can prevent the immediate adverse impact of a high fat meal. Two of the authors on the study, cardiologists Gary D. Plotnick, M.D. and Robert A. Vogel, M.D. had shown previously that consuming a high fat meal (900 kcal; 50% calories from fat) caused constriction of major arteries and restriction of blood flow by one-half, an impairment which lasted up to 5 hours. However, concentrated juice powders derived from mixtures of fruits (JP+ Orchard Blend), vegetables (JP+ Garden Blend) and berries (JP+ Vineyard Blend) supplemented for 4 weeks were shown to virtually eliminate the deleterious effect of a high fat meal.

John J. Blair, Vice President of Product Development at NSA stated, "We are pleased to have a strategic partnership with NAI that has resulted in a series of clinical studies and peer reviewed publications on Juice Plus+. This latest research study further demonstrates the benefits of our proprietary whole food based supplements, and furthers the goal of NSA to make Juice Plus+ the best researched supplement in the world."

In the study conducted at the University of Maryland, blood flow in the brachial artery ("BART") was measured before and three hours after a high fat meal in 38 healthy volunteers. Subjects were randomly assigned to 4-week supplementation with JP+ Orchard & Garden Blends or JP+ Orchard, Garden & Vineyard Blends or a placebo. At 21 and 28 days, BART was repeated both before and after a high fat meal. In the placebo group, the arterial blood flow remained restricted by 38% after a high fat meal, while the JP+ O & G group showed a 16% restriction and the JP+ O, G & V group virtually eliminated the detrimental effect on blood flow, even when the supplement was not administered with the meal on day 28.

"Maintenance of arterial blood flow after a fatty meal appears to be dependent on healthy functioning of the arterial wall lining or endothelium by protecting it from oxidative stress, and Juice Plus+ supplementation maximizes this important cardiovascular function mediated by natural plant antioxidants," said John A. Wise, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer of NAI. "The results suggest another beneficial role of the numerous phytonutrients found in fruit and vegetable juice powder concentrates and supports future studies to validate the utility of such products."

NSA markets and distributes their proprietary Juice Plus+ product line in 25 countries worldwide. These are whole food based products containing a wide variety of nutrients found in fresh fruits, vegetables, berries and grapes in a highly bio-available and concentrated form.

NAI's CEO, Mark LeDoux emphasized, "This study exemplifies the dual benefits of an important strategic initiative at NAI: to apply strong evidence-based science to clearly establish the efficacy of products we produce, and to employ our strength in nutritional science to contribute to the success of major clients such as NSA."

NAI, headquartered in San Marcos, California, is a leading formulator and manufacturer of customized nutritional supplements that provides strategic partnering services to its clients. The Company's comprehensive partnership approach offers a wide range of innovative nutritional products and services including: scientific research, clinical studies, client-specific nutritional product formulation, product testing and evaluation, marketing management and support, packaging and delivery system design, regulatory review and international product registration assistance. For more information about NAI, please see our website at www.nai-online.com .

This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 that are not historical facts and information. These statements represent the Company's intentions, expectations and beliefs concerning future events, including, among other things, expectations and beliefs with respect to the health benefits that may be realized by users of products manufactured by the Company, and whether such benefits will translate into any future financial benefit to the Company. The Company wishes to caution and advise readers that these statements involve risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results and outcomes for future periods to differ materially from any forward-looking statement or views expressed herein. The Company's financial performance and the forward- looking statements contained herein are further qualified by other risks including those set forth from time to time in the documents filed by the Company with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including NAI's most recent Quarterly Report on Form 10Q and its Annual Report on Form 10-K.

For further information please contact: John A. Wise, Ph.D., Chief Science Officer, Natural Alternatives International, Inc. (760) 744-7340 or info@nai-online.com

SOURCE Natural Alternatives International, Inc.; NSA International