Today, we are increasingly faced with testing competitive products to validate efficacy, and confirm that it is what is represented. Too often we find that competitive products, particularly of foreign origin, do not meet their claims. It is unfortunate that these kinds of operations are allowed to sell aloe at all, as they pose a threat to the future of good product.

Aloecorp has always maintained the objective of providing the highest quality aloe possible; as new and improved manufacturing methods become available, we eagerly incorporate them into our processes. We are undertaking major additions to our manufacturing capacity and professional capabilities this year in order to advance industry standards.

In addition to these manufacturing improvements, Aloecorp is leading the way with regulation compliance. Recently we received our ISO 9001 certification for our North American manufacturing facility. ISO stands for the International Organization for Standardization, and is represented by a network of national standards institutes in 148 countries, with one member per country. In order to become certified, Aloecorp’s processes, procedures, documentation, infrastructure, management and personnel are required to undergo strict adherence to international requirements for quality control, safety, product development and design, and customer requirements.

ISO 9001 certification is the assurance to our customers that the products we ship to them are produced under these rigorous international quality standards. Based upon the principles of global industries and marketplace interests worldwide, ISO 9001 is a major step in staying current with Good Manufacturing Practices and Standard Operating Procedures, ensuring excellent quality product. We are proud to incorporate such rigid standards in our manufacturing processes, and we are dedicated to meeting strict regulation standards so you, the buyer, can feel confident and secure that you are getting the very highest quality aloe possible.

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The consumer is a trusting soul. This faceless mass must also be extremely patient. The typical consumer believes in the benefits of Aloe vera. The typical supplier of Aloe vera raw materials plays well on that trust, and at the same time, betrays the trust the unwitting consumer places in their hands. There is nothing new in this revelation. Suppliers know it. They realize that once the consumer discovers the betrayal, there is a chance Aloe vera will fall to the wayside. The consumer’s confidence is lost and the demand for Aloe vera is all but gone. The typical supplier is affected for only a glancing moment. They then seize the moment to find the next “up and comer” and “make hay while the sun shines”.

But such has not been my life or the course Aloecorp has chosen to take. I sent my children off to college on the income generated by the sales of Aloe vera. I took pride in the quality of material I sold and sell even today. I do care about the industry to which I have given 28 years of my life, and I care about the unfortunate misrepresentation that is now such a big part of it.

When is enough, enough? The same games are being played with the Aloe content of raw materials. Instead of giving back some of their return on investment with good, honest, quality Aloe; these suppliers choose to dilute, misrepresent and defraud. This must stop before the credibility and confidence in Aloe is shaken. It is a conscious decision.

Aloe Pioneer: This past week, I had the pleasure of spending two hours with Mr. Rodney Stockton, of Fort Lauderdale, FL. Mr. Stockton was the founder and Chairman of Aloe Crème Laboratories, Fort Lauderdale, FL, during its early beginnings in the late 1950s.

It was Aloe Crème Laboratories which found its high quality, Aloe-based products
on retail shelves of many large department stores such as J. C. Penney, Kmart,
Wal-Mart, Sears, Burdines, Walgreens, and the list goes on and on. It was their
quality products such as Fashion Tan, Moisture Plus Hand and Body Lotion, and extensive lines of Alo-Cosmetics that helped bring Aloe vera into homes all across
the country.

Mr. Stockton, now 91, is remarkable in appearance. His skin looks like that of a
60-year-old: no wrinkles, and a mind that is as sharp as a man in his 30s. Today,
Mr. Stockton keeps very busy with his Aloe #1 Laboratories products, which include their leading seller, Aloe #1 Genuine Aloe vera Gel, Natur-Aloe™. He has another line being developed which he hopes to launch later this year. Very exciting times for
Mr. Rodney Stockton, and it bids well for the Aloe Industry to have this pioneer continuing to offer quality, legitimate Aloe vera products to the consumer. Good luck, Mr. Stockton.

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With the show floor being laid out in such a way that the suppliers are all located in Hall A, it is easy for anyone to find the exhibitors they are seeking. We congratulate the organizers for listening to our requests, which has resulted in a first-class show. I encourage other suppliers to participate and for the manufacturers to attend. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Aloecorp Announcements:

100% Organic

Products labeled as “100 Percent Organic” can only contain organically produced ingredients. Products containing 100% organic ingredients can display the USDA Organic logo and/or the certifying agent’s logo.

Organic

To be labeled as “Organic,” 95% of the ingredients must be organically grown, and the remaining 5% must come from non-organic ingredients that have been approved on the National List. These products can also display the USDA organic logo and/or the certifier’s logo.

Made With Organic Ingredients

Food products labeled as “Made With Organic Ingredients” must be made with at least 70% organic ingredients, three of which must be listed on the back of the package. The remaining 30% of the non-organic ingredients must be approved on the National List. These products may display the certifier’s logo but not the USDA organic logo.

The percentage of organic ingredients contained in the product determines what tier of organic labeling should be used. In food products, water and salt are not included in the percentage calculation of the organic ingredients. However, for personal care products, water can be included in the organic weight of a product. Since water is usually one of the first three ingredients listed on personal care products, it is easier for personal care products to be labeled organic than it is for food products.

Some Suggestions

If you want your product to meet either of the first two tiers, make sure you order powder, as it has no preservatives. If you order liquids from Aloecorp, or want to reconstitute powder into a drink, the most common forms of preservatives are: Sodium Benzoate; Citric Acid; Sodium Sulfite and Potassium Sorbate.

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A properly functioning immune system can identify abnormal cells and destroy them before tumors develop. However, carcinogens that we are exposed to in food, cigarettes, drugs, water, and polluted air, increase the total number of mutations that lead to abnormal cells. This accelerates the accumulation of mutations and likelihood of cancerous diseases.

Diet, exercise, and limiting your exposure to carcinogens are all effective cancer-preventative measures. Proper immune function, promoted by a good diet and exercise, is a positive consequence of a healthy lifestyle. And consumption of foods containing antioxidants helps to eliminate cancer-causing damage from reactive oxygen species that are a naturally occurring product of metabolism.

Aloe has been shown to directly support immune function, stimulate the body’s own antioxidant Phase II enzymes, and inhibit the formation of DNA adducts that cause mutations.

Induction of Phase II enzymes:  Phase II enzymes reduce oxidative stress and oxidant-mediated damage of DNA that can lead to the development of cancer. Dr. Rana Singh, in 2000, states that daily dosing with aloe was shown to “detoxify reactive metabolites, including chemical carcinogens and drugs.” The author also states that “aloe can impart anticarcinogenic properties by favorably elevating the host’s antioxidant defense mechanisms,” and that “aloe could be used as a potential cancer chemopreventive agent which may possibly help to enhance the detoxification of the cell….” Phase II enzyme production stimulated by aloe dosing include reduced glutathione, glutathione peroxidase, glutathione reductase, superoxide dismutase and catalase. All of these enzymes work in harmony to remove reactive oxygen species in the body.

In an animal study using aloe supplied by Aloecorp, Dr. Beong Lim has demonstrated stimulation of Phase II enzymes as well as lowering of hepatic cholesterol. This study supports Aloecorp's long-standing guarantee of biological activity and helps to validate our proprietary manufacturing method. In 1997 H.S Kim and B. M. Lee showed that aloe inhibited DNA adduct formation, a mutation-causing effect of exposure to carcinogens. In this paper, the author states that “aloe polysaccharides exerted anticarcinogenic effects on inhibition of DNA adduct formation…in vitro and in vivo.” And finally, a recent unpublished study shows that aloe, taken with both water and fat soluble vitamins such as Vitamins C & E, increases bioavailability of the vitamins by over 200%. Increased bioavailability of vitamins supports overall health and those immune and metabolic processes that may prevent the development of cancer disease.

Cancer is a prevalent and pervasive illness today. Preventative measures consist primarily of dietary regimens and avoidance of carcinogenic and toxic exposure by occupation and lifestyle. Alternatives include nutritional supplementation such as vitamins and natural herbal products. The diverse biological activities of aloe support optimal health and wellness through stimulation of Phase II enzymes and detoxification, boosting the immune system, increasing the bioavailability of vitamins, inhibiting DNA adduct formation, and liver protection. If you ask me, including aloe as part of a daily healthy diet is as wise as the history of aloe is long.

To submit an “Ask Ken” question or to provide comments, send an email to
e-newsletter@aloecorp.com.

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> MYTH OR FACT -- BY JEFF BARRIE Everyone Uses Sunscreen Today it snowed in New Hampshire, but the summer vacation season is rapidly approaching. I felt this would be a good time to talk about one of the most popular topical products sold in the United States: Suntan and After Tan products are two of the

most popular items packed in the vacation suitcase, but does everyone use them? Of course not. There is always that famous group who claims, “I just don’t burn.” And it’s that group who invariably suffers for being stubborn. The fact is, not everyone uses sunscreen products. And another fact is, everyone should. The most common type of cancer is skin cancer, and the leading cause of skin cancer is the sun.

Sunscreens have come a long way since the days of coating your nose with white zinc oxide ointment, and even para aminobenzoic acid (PABA). Chemical sunscreens absorb ultraviolet rays and usually are formulated with benzophenone or a derivative of benzophenone. Physical sunscreens include nonorganic ingredients. Titanium dioxide has tiny superficies that deflect the suns radiation off the skin. Broad spectrum sunscreens contain physical and chemical protection and are considered to be the best protection against the sun’s damaging UVB and UVA rays.

Over half the population age 65 and older has had skin cancer at least once. Skin cancer is preventable, and sunscreens are very effective at preventing skin cancer and early signs of aging. Most doctors advise their patients to wear sunscreen every day. UV rays are present throughout the year. Even on a cloudy day we are exposed to UV rays that can damage the skin. So do not accept the myth that if it is a cloudy day you do not need to be protected.

Just as important as using a good sunscreen is to use a good after-sun moisturizer. Of course, this old cosmetic chemist will recommend a moisturizer with Aloe vera. I am not alone with this advice. Many skin care experts praise the benefits of Aloe vera in an all over moisturizer. In my years in the business I have seen so many “buzz word ingredients” come and go. Do you remember the hype around collagen, elastin, and NaPCA? New ingredients for skin care products are in a constant state of change, but… Aloe vera sun products are the industry’s mainstay. As we all know, Aloe vera goes back to Biblical times. It is here today and it will be here tomorrow. So I ask the question: why isn’t everyone taking advantage of Aloe’s miraculous benefits? Aloe vera contains over 200 components. It penetrates the skin, relieves pain and inflammation, and it is an ideal ingredient for sunburn topicals.

The best defense against the sun is to avoid being in the sun at all. Not many of us with an active lifestyle can do that. Our recreational activities prevent us from avoiding the sun; however, there are excellent products on the market that can protect our skin from the sun’s harmful UV rays. So let’s face the facts about the sun and give our skin the benefits of sunscreen and Aloe vera.

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> ALOE SCIENCE -- BY KEN JONES Aloin, one of the family of anthraquinones found in aloe, is well known for its laxative effect and direct microbial and antiviral activity. In this edition of ALOE TODAY, we will review a study on the Inhibition of collagenase and metalloproteinases by

aloins and aloe gel, a study by Esther Barrantes and Marisa Guinea, published in the journal of Life Sciences, 2003. In a discussion of the background that led to this study, the authors describe the structural similarities of aloin to doxycycline, a potent inhibitor of the matrix metalloprotease MMP-8, and the critical role of MMPs in wound healing, inflammation and ulcers in relation to the historical uses of aloe.

MMPs degrade collagen in connective tissue as a natural part of wound healing, and their activity is modulated by specific tissue inhibitors of metalloproteases (TIMPs). Chronic ulcers, wounds and inflammation can cause MMP/TIMP imbalances that result in degenerative pathological conditions. MMP inhibitors such as doxycycline are prescribed in this case and, considering the structural similarities of aloin and doxycycline—combined with aloe’s long history of use in wound healing—the authors developed this study to investigate the inhibitory action of aloe and aloin on MMPs.

For this study, aloe gel was fractionated by extraction with a series of solvents, and aloin was quantified by HPLC. Following characterization of the test samples, collagenase assays were used to determine the inhibitory effects of aloe gel and aloin on human leukocyte derived MMP and Clostridium histolyticum collagenase (ChC).

Aloin was found to have a dose dependent inhibitory effect on ChC. The inhibitory activity of aloin on enzyme was determined to be non-competitive, and through ultrafiltration treatments of a preincubated mixture of enzyme and inhibitor, it was shown that aloin binds reversibly to the collagenase enzyme in a fashion similar to the mechanism of action for doxycycline.

Aloe gel and aloin-containing fractions were also shown to inhibit the activity of human leukocyte derived MMP. The IC₅₀ of purified aloin and doxycycline for human MMP was determined to be 0.29 and 0.69 mM respectively. This result shows a 2.4 fold greater activity by aloin than doxycycline, the most potent inhibitor of granulocyte MMP-8.

Other phenolics in the low-molecular weight aloin fractions have previously been
shown to reduce the release of reactive oxygen species and consequently decrease
the inactivation of protease inhibitors. Therefore, the effects of MMP inhibition and resulting increase of collagen observed in healing wounds treated with aloe gel–in conjunction with the prevention of oxidative and proteolytic-mediated tissue injury at
the wound site–helps to explain the anti-inflammatory effects of aloe gel. The authors conclude the discussion of these results by noting that the known bioactivities of aloesin, glycoproteins and polysaccharides in combination with the results of this
study supports the use of aloe gel in the treatment of chronic ulcers, burns and wounds.

Aloin content of aloe in beverages is restricted due to is purgative effects. In fact, the vast majority of warnings concerning aloe products are for internal use of products only and are due to aloin content. For this reason, methods of aloe production include steps to remove anthraquinones that meet strict regulations world wide. And it is most likely that for the application evaluated in this study, a purified form of aloin would be most appropriate.

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> Marketing Trends -- by Barb Apps

The Low Carbohydrate Diet Mania Atkins, South Beach Diet, The Zone, Sugar Busters … diets that shun carbohydrates have taken the country by storm. There are an estimated 60 million Americans who claim to be watching their carbohydrate intake. In a recent survey, 84% of respondents knew something about Low Carb diets. Obviously a major shift in consumer behavior…thus, prompting changes
in the way food and beverages are made, packaged and sold. In fact, all the new Low Carb products seem to be making it easier to attract converts. Not to mention the fact that obesity rates in the US and globally are skyrocketing...since 1971, the obesity rate in the US more than doubled from 14.5% of US adults to 30.9% in 2000.

Experts believe the $15 billion Low Carb business will almost double in 2004…and double again in 2005! How can Aloe capitalize on the Low Carb craze? Including bioactive aloe in Low Carb drinks, foods, bars, meal replacement drinks, yogurt, ice cream and supplements can help to minimize and eliminate many dieting dilemmas dieters face when cutting calories and restricting certain food groups.

• Aloe helps your body digest and absorb proteins, maximizing the benefits of your High Protein/Low Carb diet plan.

• Aloe promotes digestive health by decreasing bloating and flatulence through its alkalinizing effects, and improving the function of good bacteria in the colon.

• Daily ingestion of Aloe helps to maintain regularity---changes in regularity is a problem suffered by about one-third of people on the Atkins and South Beach diets.

• Aloe promotes healthy blood sugar levels; thereby reducing cravings, especially for sweets, breads, carbohydrates…and those late morning and early afternoon hunger pains that cause bingeing.

• Aloe can help counter the loss of antioxidants for those people on Low Carb diets who avoid fruits and juices. Aloe not only contains seven identified antioxidants, but it also stimulates the body’s own antioxidant enzymes and metabolic processes.

• Aloe helps promote healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels already in the normal range.

• The conclusion: Aloe enhances the nutritional profile (and marketing story) of any diet product and better ensures dieting success.

What’s the next diet fad? The Low Carb phenomenon hasn’t been embraced as readily by the Europeans and medical experts---there is an increasing trend toward an emphasis on a diet focused around Low Glycemic foods. Once widely regarded as controversial and of relevance only to diabetics, the Glycemic Index (GI) is now even backed by Harvard Medical School as a useful tool to help consumers make healthy diet choices.

The GI is a numerical system of measuring how fast a food or ingredient triggers a rise in circulating blood glucose; the higher the GI, the greater the blood sugar response. A diet with an excess of high GI foods is strongly indicated for increasing the risk of diabetes, obesity and related conditions, such as heart disease and colon cancer. You may have already noticed the GI symbol or the words “Low Glycemic” showing up on food and beverage labels, especially in the diet section.

Aloecorp is ready for this diet phenomenon, too. That’s because Aloecorp’s Aloe not only promotes healthy blood sugar levels (as shown in studies with diabetics), but it also contains Complex Carbohydrates, which are recommended as part of a Low Glycemic diet.

Footnote: According to the National Weight Control Registry, successful dieters
(those who have lost 50 pounds and kept it off for at least a year) adhere to the
following practices: 1.) they exercise regularly, at least 30 minutes three times per week, 2.) they have a consistent weekly routine, 3.) they consume diets that are high
in complex carbohydrates (low GI), fruits and vegetables, and moderate in fat.

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> Guest Column Dr. Andrew Weil from DrWeil.com [Permission to reprint this column granted by www.DrWeil.com]

Aching? Try Aloe.
Aloe, or Aloe vera, is a succulent plant from Africa that has well-known healing properties. The clear gel that fills the thick leaves of this plant is a superior home remedy for thermal burns, sunburns and for treating any areas of skin irritation or inflammation. Commercial products made from aloe are available, but keeping an aloe plant in your kitchen is an even better option. For internal uses, aloe juice (sold at health food stores or made at home) may help to heal ulcers and soothe other irritations of the gastrointestinal tract. Try one teaspoon after meals – use the fresh gel of a plant mashed up in a little fruit juice, or a reputable commercial product.

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ACTIValoe™ is a registered trademark of Aloecorp, Inc.

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