Health Enhancement Products Announces Two Studies That Show ProAlgaZyme(TM) Reduces Edema (Swelling) In Lab Animals

Thursday September 23, 8:31 am ET
Zodiac Vitamins Projection Revised

TEMPE, Ariz., Sept. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Health Enhancement Products, Inc., (OTC Bulletin Board: HEPI ) announced today that two independent studies using lab animals showed that the companies primary product, ProAlgaZyme (PAZ) reduced Edema (swelling). PAZ is a water stable enzyme system derived from algae. The PAZ was evaluated in an independent laboratory study in rats to visually assess edema and inflammatory response in comparison with aspirin and indomethacin. The independent laboratory reported that ProAlgaZyme reduced edema at the end of six hours and continued producing an effect at the end of 20 hours. Using a plethysmometer to quantify the effect, the foregoing results were confirmed in rats at a second independent laboratory which measured the effects of ProAlgaZyme in comparison with aspirin and indomethacin. The first study was conducted by QualTech Laboratories, Inc., and the second study was conducted by Washington Biotechnology, Inc.

Howard R. Baer, Chairman stated, "We are very encouraged by the laboratories' results showing that the all natural ProAlgaZyme enzyme system has the effect of reducing edema (swelling) in animals. We believe that these results warrant further research to support the possible evaluation of ProAlgaZyme in human clinical trials. The outcome of any such trials would eventually determine the marketing direction we will ultimately take with ProAlgaZyme in the future. However, it should be understood that any major marketing effort is very costly and the company will need to acquire additional funds to embark on a marketing campaign."

About QualTech Laboratories, Inc. QualTech is headquartered in Ocean, NJ and has been serving the pharmaceutical, nutritional, and medical device communities since 1996. QualTech Laboratories is registered with and inspected by the Food and Drug Administration and the United States Department of Agriculture. Our staff represents over 60 years of experience with biological assays and is dedicated to their quality performance. Our specialties include: Hormonal Biological Assays; Toxicity; Heparin; and Endotoxins. Our Memberships: Association for Laboratory Animal Science (AAALAS) and Parenteral Drug Association, Inc. (PDA).

About Washington Biotechnology, Inc. Washington Biotechnology Inc. is headquartered in Columbia, MD and its accreditations and registrations include:

FDA -- United States Food and Drug Administration
AAALAC -- Association for Assessment and Accreditation of Laboratory
Animal Companies
USDA -- United States Department of Agriculture
OLAW -- Office for Laboratory Animal Welfare (NIH)

Revision of Zodiac Vitamins Announcement

The company also announced that it has revised the $16 million revenue projection for the Zodiac Vitamins made on January 13, 2004. Baer stated that "At the time the projection was made, based on the information then available to us, we believed that we had the resources necessary to enable us to simultaneously bring to market our ProAlgaZyme and Zodiac Vitamin products, and made our Zodiac Vitamin products projections on such assumption. Since that time, because of the resources we've devoted to the launch of our ProAlgaZyme product, and certain other unforeseen expenditures we have incurred, although we were able to complete the product formulations and package and label designs, we have not been able to devote to the advertising and marketing of the Zodiac Vitamins products the resources necessary to meet our projections. While we still hope to bring to market the Zodiac Vitamins products in the near term, because of uncertainties regarding our available resources, we are not at this time in a position to project the receipt of any revenue in the foreseeable future from the sale of Zodiac Vitamins." Baer also stated that, "ProAlgaZyme is our primary product and the basis on which this company was formed. We will continue to concentrate our efforts on this product and bring it to market as quickly as possible."

About Health Enhancement Products, Inc.

Health Enhancement Products, Inc. (http://www.heponline.com/) is a nutraceutical company directed specifically at the development and marketing of supplementary health-enhancing products using only pure, all-natural and herbal extracts. In particular, Health Enhancement's products use beneficial herbal extracts, vitamins, minerals, and botanical extracts in varying combinations to address common or specific illnesses.

The Company's sole product is ProAlgaZyme that is produced from an algae grown in 100% distilled water. The algae produces an enzyme as a means of protecting itself from exposure to outside disease and harmful bacteria. The enzyme is then drawn off, filtered, tested and bottled for consumption. Recent studies performed by the Company have indicated that ProAlgaZyme supports a compromised immune system.

Except for any historical information, the matters discussed in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. These forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including activities, events or developments that the company expects, believes or anticipates will or may occur in the future. A number of factors could cause actual results to differ from those indicated in the forward- looking statements, including the company's ability to continue to successfully market and provide its products and services and maintain their effectiveness, the continuation of the arrangements with the company's product development partners, the ability of the company to meet its financial projections, and general economic conditions. Such statements are subject to a number of assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Readers are cautioned that such statements are not guarantees of future performance and that actual results or developments may differ materially from those set forth in the forward-looking statements. The company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information or otherwise.

Web Site:

http://www.proalgazyme.com
http://www.heponline.com

CONTACTS:
Health Enhancement Products, Inc.
480-385-3800

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Source: Health Enhancement Products, Inc.