Thorne Research and Integrative Health Resources Establish Joint Venture to Provide Full Range of Services in Practice Development, Patient and Clinician Education, and Access to Nutritional Supplements in Integrative Medicine

SANDPOINT, Idaho and DANA POINT, Calif., April 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Thorne Research, Inc., a leader in developing and manufacturing nutritional supplements, today announced the establishment of a new joint venture with Integrative Health Resources (IHR), a renowned provider of medical information, consulting services and products focused on natural therapeutics, wellness and health promotion, and integrative care. Health Elements brings together two of the leaders in preventative health and wellness at a time when an estimated 50% of the U.S. population is regularly using natural products to protect and improve their health, and when the focus on personalized medicine is rapidly expanding.

The new joint venture company, Health Elements, will be the first resource to offer comprehensive integrative care programs and services. Integrative care encompasses the complete management of a patient through diet, exercise, nutrition, nutritional supplementation, pharmaceutical and biological products, disease management and wellness counseling.

Health Elements will offer a broad range of medical information, products and practice support services that are available in person and via a new online portal. Clinicians can access the tools they need to build or expand their integrative patient care capabilities and practices, with the goal of enhancing patient adherence and improving healthy outcomes. Clinicians can also access the latest scientific research and news about options in integrative disease management and wellness programs to support treatment decisions. Health Elements practice management, clinician training and wellness programs, combined with a comprehensive catalog of dietary supplements and other health related products, will help medical practices of all sizes to rapidly meet the demand for safe, effective integrative patient care. Through Health Elements, patients will have 24/7 access to a comprehensive library of educational, disease management, health and wellness materials.

"For both patients and clinicians, the demand to incorporate integrative medicine in health care is growing exponentially in the U.S. Health Elements will provide medical practitioners with all of the support and services they need to expand their integrative health expertise within their practice. We can help them to build this capability with information from many of the world leaders in integrative medicine, and show them how to use proven-effective strategies and resources in practice development," said Jim LaValle, founder of IHR.

According to Nutrition Business Journal, U.S. nutrition industry sales totaled approximately $115 billion in 2010, with growth of six percent over 2009. Nutritional supplements available through Health Elements include the full line of formulas developed and manufactured by Thorne Research. Doctors will be able to order or prescribe dietary supplements for their patients and instantly access related product information, clinical research and educational programs.

"Clinicians and patients recognize Thorne Research for its manufacturing expertise in delivering the highest-quality dietary supplements. Through Health Elements, we are combining our experience in developing and manufacturing nutritional supplements with the industry's leading provider of personalized medicine and integrative care information, education and practice support," said Paul Jacobson, CEO of Thorne Research.

Patients will also be able to access information about lifestyle and health practices, the proven health benefits of dietary supplements, and guidance on dosing, drug interactions and other relevant issues. The joint venture will launch a new online portal for product fulfillment, searchable medical information and practice support later in 2011.

"Integrative physicians require easy-to-use professional systems that support the overall care process and that include decision-making tools and technology similar to what we now see in other areas of medicine. Health Elements is the first company to encompass all of these aspects and will drive our field to new levels," said Andrew Heyman, M.D., Adjunct Assistant Professor, Department of Family Medicine, University of Michigan.

About Integrative Health Resources

Integrative Health Resources is a content and business development company specializing in science-based educational materials, products and services in the natural therapeutics and integrative medicine space for healthcare professionals and consumers. IHR provides consulting support and business development services to many of the leading natural medicine clinicians and treatment centers. The company also provides raw material sourcing and business services for the development of new dietary supplements as a part of business platform development. IHR was founded by world-renowned specialist in natural therapeutics and metabolic medicine James LaValle, R.Ph., C.C.N., M.S., who is also the founder of LaValle Metabolic Institute. Jim LaValle is a nationally-recognized clinical pharmacist, author, board-certified and clinical nutritionist. He was awarded the Natural Products Association's 2011 Clinician award for best standards and excellence in integrative medicine modalities. Jim LaValle, along with the medical professionals at IHR, regularly provides training to physicians, pharmacists and other health care professionals on integrative medicine and speaks before medical and consumer audiences around the world. For further information, visit www.ihr-services.com.

About Thorne Research

Since 1984, Thorne Research has set the standard for exceptional quality manufacturing and formulation of premium hypoallergenic dietary supplements available through licensed healthcare practitioners. With more than 280 products, Thorne Research is recognized by healthcare practitioners as a global leader in providing dietary supplements of the highest quality and purity. With locations in Sandpoint, ID, and Greenwich, CT, Thorne Research operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and employs more than 170 people. Further information on Thorne is available at www.thorne.com.

SOURCE Thorne Research, Inc.