Lunasin, working at the epigenetic level within your cells, provides multiple health benefits:

  • cholesterol management
  • inflammation reduction
  • improved immunity
  • overall cellular health
  • antioxidant benefits.
  • 25+ Research institutions
  • 20+ Funding sources
  • 50+ Published papers

Reliv is one of those 25 institutions that is right on the cutting edge of this new science.  Read more on the transformation from lunasin to LunaRich®.


Studies show the key is lunasin, a naturally occurring peptide.   Reliv's Non-GMO LunaRich® powder and LunaRich X™ are the first and only current products on the market to fully harness the power of this important discovery.

“A growing body of research shows that the lunasin peptide is one of the most important bioactive components,” said Dr. Alfredo Galvez, the MPSC’s lead scientific advisor. “In creating LunaRich® for Reliv, we have maximized lunasin levels in a powder.”  The amount of lunasin in beans varies significantly based on seed, soil and environment. The MPSC refines specially selected beans grown exclusively for Reliv to maximize levels of lunasin in LunaRich®.

 

Dr. Galvez first discovered lunasin in 1996 during research at UC Berkley to improve the nutritional profile of soy protein. More than 40 peer-reviewed and published studies have documented lunasin’s health benefits. Research by 21 institutions supported by 27 public and private funding sources has resulted in nine patents.

“This is a significant step forward for Reliv and for nutrition science. LunaRich® is an extraordinary ingredient with solid clinical data behind it,” said Dr. Carl W. Hastings, Reliv’s chief scientific officer. “As scientists learn more about the mechanisms that make soy a nutritional superfood (see Soy Q&A for more information), Reliv is proud to lead the way in making the fruits of these discoveries available to all.”

 

How are seeds selected for the use of LunaRich®?

The LunaRich® germ plasm soybean screening is conducted at the National Center for Soybean Biotechnology (NCSB), located in the Bond Life Sciences Center on the University of Missouri campus. Dr. Henry Nguyen and his staff have created a database of the traits of thousands of varieties of soybeans. Only those seed varieties that have the highest concentration of lunasin, the naturally occurring peptide, behind many of soy’s remarkable health benefits, are selected for use in LunaRich®.

 

These specific varieties are continually being enhanced through natural plant breeding, so each successive seed harvest yields even higher lunasin levels. That means that all soybeans used in LunaRich® are non-GMO, of the absolute highest quality and only getting better!

How does LunaRich® compare to other approaches to cholesterol management?

Cholesterol management starts with proper diet and exercise. And LunaRich® can play a significant role in that, by delivering elevated amounts of bioactive lunasin through Reliv shakes.

Lunasin works at an earlier stage in the cholesterol production process than prescription statins. Lunasin reduces — without entirely stopping — the expression of the HMG-CoA Reductase gene, whereas statin drugs work by blocking the HMG-CoA Reductase enzyme after it has been produced. Statin drugs can oftentimes be too efficient and block too much of the HMG-CoA enzyme. As a result, serious side effects can occur because some cholesterol is required by the body for certain necessary cellular functions, such as maintaining cell membrane integrity and hormone production.

Some people do require statins to maintain good health, however, and it is important to consult your physician before starting or altering any cholesterol management program.

How is LunaRich® able to deliver 5-10 times as much lunasin as ordinary soy powders?

There are a number of factors that contribute to the bioavailable lunasin content of LunaRich®. As previously mentioned, we begin with the germ plasm screening to select only those varieties of soybeans that naturally contain the highest lunasin content. The manufacturing technology used to produce LunaRich® is also critical. This proprietary process does not use any harsh chemicals that could destroy or wash away the peptide. Many soy powders are manufactured through a chemical extraction method; however, LunaRich® is manufactured using only mechanical extraction to separate the various soy components.

How does LunaRich® make the lunasin molecules more bioavailable?

Once we identified that a protective shell of protease inhibitors was necessary to deliver the bioavailable lunasin content, we refined the manufacturing process to assure the integrity of the protease inhibitors is maintained throughout. At the Missouri Plant Science Center, we have total control over the manufacturing process and therefore can be certain that the lunasin in LunaRich® comes in a form that can be readily absorbed by the body.