Low-Carb Diet Research and News

Press Release

Copenhagen Study Supports the Importance of the SynX Bar as a Dietary Supplement for Those at Risk for Coronary Heart Disease

SOUTH SAN FRANCISCO, Calif.--(BW HealthWire)--August 24, 2000--Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc. (OTCBB:SHPH.OB - news) today announced that a recently published (Hypertension. 2000;36:226-232) clinical study performed in Copenhagen, Denmark, supports Shaman's positioning of its dietary supplement product line to address the unmet healthcare needs of individuals at risk for coronary heart disease.

Results from the Copenhagen Male Study, a prospective study of 2,906 men, provide an explanation for why the ability of blood pressure lowering as a methodology to reduce heart attacks has been so relatively difficult to demonstrate. Subjects with high blood pressure often have Syndrome X, a clustering of abnormalities in glucose and lipid metabolism that can lead to a heart attack. This study showed that the occurrence of heart attack was greatly increased in patients with high blood pressure who also had high triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol concentrations, the characteristic findings of patients with Syndrome X. The implications of these findings, of course, are that managing high triglycerides and low HDL, that is managing Syndrome X, is more important to reducing heart attacks than simply lowering blood pressure.

``This is an important study,'' said Dr. Reaven, Professor of Medicine, Active Emeritus at Stanford University, ``because it shows how important the manifestations of Syndrome X are in leading to heart attack in individuals with high blood pressure. My own research group conducted cross-sectional clinical studies showing that electrocardiographic evidence of coronary heart disease was greatly increased in individuals with high blood pressure who also had a high triglyceride and low HDL cholesterol, compared with those who had none of the abnormalities of Syndrome X. The prospective study from Copenhagen followed patients with high blood pressure for 8 years and supplies evidence of the power of Syndrome X as a predictor of heart attack in these patients.''

The Syndrome X Diet, developed by Dr. Gerald Reaven, is the basis of Shaman's line of dietary supplements. Dr. Reaven, authority on Syndrome X, first described the disorder in 1988. Reaven's research, which spans more than 35 years, points to an optimal diet to manage Syndrome X, reduce the ravages it can do to arteries, and reduce the risk of coronary heart disease. Reaven's proportions of 15% protein, 40% fats (mostly monounsaturated) and 45% carbohydrate are designed to prevent triglyceride levels from climbing and HDL cholesterol levels from falling. According to Dr. Reaven, individuals with high blood pressure should find this dietary recommendation very useful in preventing heart attacks, whereas evidence has now shown that simply lowering blood pressure with medicine does not greatly corrolate with the reduction of coronary heart disease.

``The Copenhagen study,'' said Dr. Reaven, ``provides enormous support for Shaman's decision to produce SynX Bars containing the 15/40/45 ratio.'' Shaman plans to follow this product with a line of bars containing safe and natural ingredients from its library of more than 2,600 plants from the rainforest to add to the bar for more specific treatments of Syndrome X.

For more information about Syndrome X or SynX Bars, call 877-9-15-40-45, or visit www.Shaman.com.

Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc. is a leader in medicinal plant research and commercialization of proprietary dietary supplements. Shaman works collaboratively with indigenous communities to discover, harvest and reforest medicinal plants. The Company also provides cultural educational programs in conjunction with rainforest communities.

This press release contains, among other things, certain statements of a forward-looking nature relating to Shaman's ability to advance its development and research programs. Such statements involve a number of risks and uncertainties including the Risk Factors listed in the Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc.'s Annual Report on Form 10K and 10K/A for the year ended December 31, 1999. These filings are available upon request at 650/952-7070. Also visit Shaman at http://www.Shaman.com.

     Shaman Pharmaceuticals, Inc.
     Corporate Communications, 650/952-7070, ext. 466