Thorne Research, Dr. Mark Houston, and the Hypertension Institute Launch TruCardia® - a New Venture Targeting Cardiovascular Health

SANDPOINT, Idaho, Dec. 5, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Thorne Research, Inc., a leader in developing and manufacturing pure, high-quality nutritional supplements marketed through licensed healthcare practitioners, today announced that the company has partnered with Mark Houston, MD, MS, M.Sc, and the Hypertension Institute to launch TruCardia®, a new venture providing novel nutritional supplements and educational programs to support and promote cardiovascular health.  Dr. Houston will lead TruCardia's efforts to develop a range of nutritional supplements and patient resources.  Dr. Houston is the Director of the Hypertension Institute, one of the nation's leading centers for cardiovascular health and a Cardiovascular Center of Excellence of the Consortium for Southeastern Hypertension Control, treating more than 20,000 patients each year.

The first product available from TruCardia® is LipoCardia™, a nutritional supplement to help maintain healthy lipid levels. Three additional products will be launched in the first half of 2014: CardioPressin™, a nutritional supplement to support normal blood pressure levels, ArterioCare™, a nutritional supplement to support coronary artery blood flow and endothelial function to help maintain cardiovascular health, and MitoBio™, a nutritional supplement to help promote a healthier dynamic heart, enhance cardiac myocyte function, and promote mitochondrial biogenesis and function.

"Over 15 years of clinical research, experience, and clinical application have gone into the development of the TruCardia® suite of nutritional supplements.  Thorne Research, known for exceptional quality and purity, is a great partner in this endeavor," said Dr. Houston.

The TruCardia® nutritional supplement product line was developed using the most advanced research technologies available for the support of cardiovascular health.  A combination of peer-reviewed medical and scientific literature, metabolomics-based composition and molecular pathway analysis, clinical research, and expert insight was used to determine the range of ingredients and dosing levels to achieve optimal efficacy of the TruCardia® nutritional supplement line.

"Cardiovascular disease is the single leading cause of death globally.  By educating patients about the prudent use of nutritional supplements, nutrition, effective tools to monitor their cardiovascular health, and choosing healthier lifestyle options, we can help them better manage their risk of cardiovascular disease.  There is significant medical evidence indicating that nutritional supplements can positively impact cardiovascular health.  TruCardia® will offer the finest educational and nutritional resources to make a difference in the lives of people who have cardiovascular disease or who may be at risk," said Dr. Houston.

In addition to offering high-quality nutritional supplements, TruCardia® will also support efforts in cardiovascular research and provide specialized physician and patient education programs in cardiovascular health and prevention and the treatment of cardiovascular disease.

"Thorne Research is proud to offer high-quality, evidence-based nutritional supplements to health-care providers to help them support the cardiovascular health of their patients.  We are pleased to be working with Dr. Houston to develop new resources that will help patients take an active role in maintaining their cardiovascular health.  TruCardia is another important milestone for Thorne Research as we continue to expand our product portfolio and support the efforts of healthcare providers to provide their patients with outstanding products backed by innovative programs in patient and clinician education," said Paul Jacobson, CEO, Thorne Research.

About Thorne Research, Inc.

Since 1984, Thorne Research, with more than 300 nutritional supplement products, has set the standard for exceptional quality manufacturing and formulation of advanced technology, pure, highly absorbable nutritional supplements.  Thorne Research is recognized by health-care practitioners as a global leader and provider of nutritional supplements and education to licensed health-care practitioners.  With locations in Sandpoint, Idaho, and New York City, Thorne Research operates a state-of-the-art manufacturing facility and employs more than 200 people.  Further information on Thorne Research is available at www.thorne.com.

About Dr. Mark Houston

Dr. Houston is an Associate Clinical Professor of Medicine at Vanderbilt University School of Medicine and the Medical Director of the Division of Human Nutrition at Saint Thomas Hospital, in Nashville, Tennessee.  He is triple board-certified in hypertension by the American Society of Hypertension (ASH, FASH), internal medicine (ABIM, FACP), and anti-aging and regenerative medicine (ABAARM, FAARM).  He also has dual Masters of Science in Human Nutrition and Masters of Science in Medical Science of Metabolic and Nutritional Medicine.  Dr. Houston is a Fellow of the American Heart Association (FAHA) and a Fellow of the American College of Nutrition (FACN).  He specializes in the prevention and treatment of hypertension, dyslipidemia, and cardiovascular disease, and has a clinical and research practice in integrative cardiovascular medicine, preventive cardiology, vascular medicine, vascular biology, coronary heart disease, and congestive heart failure.  He has pioneered multiple research efforts that demonstrate the effectiveness of nutritional supplements, optimal nutrition, exercise, weight management, and other lifestyle modifications to better manage cardiovascular conditions.  Dr. Houston has published over 200 medical articles in peer-reviewed journals, serves on the editorial board for numerous cardiovascular journals, has completed over 120 clinical research studies in cardiovascular disease, and presented over 10,000 lectures worldwide.  He has authored several best-selling books including:  "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Hypertension," "What Your Doctor May Not Tell You About Heart Disease," and "The Handbook of Hypertension."  He has been selected by both USA Today and the Consumers Research Council as one of the Top and Most Influential Physicians in Hypertension and Dyslipidemia in the United States.

About the Hypertension Institute

The Hypertension Institute of Nashville, Tennessee, specializes in the prevention, diagnosis, and management of hypertension (high blood pressure), cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, vascular aging, and their complications.  It provides patients with the latest clinical research, patient care, education, sophisticated cardiovascular specialty primary care, and hypertensive, dyslipidemia, and heart disease treatments.  The Hypertension Institute strives to prevent complications such as coronary heart disease, angina, myocardial infarction (heart attack), congestive heart failure, kidney disease, and cerebrovascular accidents (stroke).  It is through in-depth consultation, examination, and non-drug and drug treatment that patients are able to permanently modify their lifestyles and reduce cardiovascular risk.  The Hypertension Institute offers specialized programs in nutrition; nutritional supplements; exercise, stress management, and weight loss; diagnostic labs; and advanced cardiovascular testing, as well as a Facial Rejuvenation Center (FRC).

SOURCE Thorne Research, Inc.