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| |  NiteBite Snack Bars Designed For Diabetics Who Use Insulin CAMBRIDGE, Mass., Aug. 20, 1996 -- Medical Foods, Inc. today introduced the NiteBite snack bar, an innovative, scientifically-designed food for the nutritional management of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar, or glucose). Unlike conventional snacks and other products marketed to people with diabetes for the control of blood glucose, NiteBite is designed to significantly reduce the risk of developing hypoglycemia without causing hyperglycemia (high blood sugar, or glucose). Formulated with a tasty, chocolate fudge-flavor, the NiteBite snack bar supplies timed-release glucose where it lasts 6 hours or more. Help for 2.7 Million People There are approximately 2.7 million people in the U.S. who treat their diabetes with insulin, and all of them are at risk for hypoglycemia. Common symptoms of hypoglycemia include coldness, shakiness, tingling lips, sudden mood swings, hunger, fatigue, poor coordination, blurred vision, loss of concentration, palpitations, or unconsciousness. Over half of all hypoglycemic reactions occur during sleep, when individuals are less likely to detect the onset of symptoms. If left untreated, hypoglycemia can cause neurological damage and can lead to diabetic coma. The NiteBite snack bar offers a solution to reduce the incidence of hypoglycemia without causing hyperglycemia through a scientifically-formulated mixture of ingredients. The formulation provides timed-release glucose for the nutritional management of hypoglycemia. "Unlike many of the nutritional therapies currently on the market, NiteBite snack bar is backed by scientific research that supports its effectiveness in regulating glucose levels," said Bob Jones, president of Medical Foods, Inc. "The new snack bar allows people with diabetes who are insulin-dependent to sleep with increased safety and confidence. NiteBite has the potential to redefine the nutritional protocol currently used in the management of nocturnal hypoglycemia. It's the first in a series of nutritionally-based therapies that Medical Foods is developing for patients with chronic needs." Why NiteBite Snack Bar was Developed Medical Foods, Inc. took its cues for NiteBite from the results of a landmark study, the Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT), which concluded in June 1993. The objective of the DCCT was to reduce the complications associated with hyperglycemia (high blood sugar). Hyperglycemia, if unmanaged, causes retinopathy (which leads to blindness), nephropathy (which leads to kidney failure), and neuropathy (which leads to amputation of the extremities). The results of the DCCT indicated that insulin-dependent people with diabetes who maintain blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible have 41%-75% fewer complications of the kidneys, eyes and nerves as they age. Consequently, clinicians recommend that people with diabetes strictly adhere to their diet, to their insulin regimen, and to their exercise program, in order to maintain their blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. A bedtime snack is a crucial part of this regimen. Unfortunately, patients who intensively managed their blood glucose levels experienced a three-fold increase in the incidence of hypoglycemia. The goal of the bedtime snack, therefore, is to prevent hypoglycemia without causing hyperglycemia. For most insulin-dependent people with diabetes, balancing the risk of hypoglycemia against the known consequences of hyperglycemia causes real anxiety. Based on Clinical Research In response, Medical Foods, Inc.'s scientific team developed a unique snack that is designed to maintain blood sugar levels as close to normal as possible. Its formulation is based on three published clinical research studies on how the body releases different food ingredients into the blood as glucose. Through NiteBite snack bar's scientifically designed formulation, three sources of glucose -- sucrose, protein and uncooked cornstarch -- enter the bloodstream consecutively over several hours, supplying a steady, reliable source of glucose. After ingestion: sucrose is readily converted into glucose and released into the bloodstream, where it remains for up to 2 hours; protein is converted into glucose through gluconeogenesis and released into the bloodstream, where it peaks between 2 1/2 and 5 hours; uncooked cornstarch is converted into glucose and released into the bloodstream, where it lasts 6 hours or more. Throughout these processes, the fat in NiteBite snack bar delays gastric emptying, thereby slowing the rate at which these nutrients enter the bloodstream. NiteBite Snack Bar Specifications Available in a tasty, chocolate fudge-flavored bar with a consistency rather like cookie dough, NiteBite can be incorporated easily into the meal plan of any diabetic diet. While conventional snacks vary in diabetic exchanges and calories, each NiteBite snack bar contains 100 calories, consisting of 1 Carbohydrate Exchange and 1/2 Fat Exchange. Although NiteBite can be used as a snack throughout the day, it provides the greatest benefit if incorporated into the before-bedtime snack. The snack bars are individually wrapped and do not require preparation or refrigeration. NiteBite snack bars are sold in packages of 6 for $6.00 and of 30 for $30.00. For an introductory period only, MFI is offering consumers a free 6-bar box of NiteBite snack bars and clinicians a free sampler box. The sampler for clinicians contains 10 polybags, each containing a NiteBite snack bar, an educational pamphlet, and a $5.00-off coupon towards the purchase of a 30-bar box. Also included in each polybag is a business reply card for six free NiteBite snack bars. In addition to the 10 individually wrapped polybags, there will be 20 additional educational pamphlets. The free sampler boxes can be ordered toll-free by calling 1-888-DIAL-MFI (1-888-342-5634). In addition to the current chocolate-fudge flavor, additional NiteBite flavors will be available in the near future. Based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, Medical Foods, Inc. develops and produces scientifically-designed, consumer-oriented medical food products with documented health benefits to broad-based patient and consumer markets. Founded in 1994, Medical Foods, Inc. is comprised of a core group of distinguished scientists from Deaconess Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as a nationally renowned Scientific Advisory Board and an internationally recognized Board of Directors. Management has already launched the first three solid-dose medical foods sold in America. Key principals of Medical Foods, Inc. have founded and co-founded a diverse portfolio of successful public companies, laying the groundwork for the company's entry into the medical foods market. The NiteBite snack bar is Medical Foods, Inc.'s first product. The company has additional products in development that address specific needs of patients with arthritis, elevated cholesterol, colon cancer, and other conditions. NOTE: NiteBite is a trademark of Medical Foods, Inc.
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