COPPELL, Texas, July 27 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Mannatech,
Incorporated (Nasdaq: MTEX), announced today it plans to introduce
PhytoMatrix, the nutrition industry's first supplement containing fully
standardized and completely plant-based vitamins, minerals and
phytochemicals.
    Modern farming practices have dramatically compromised the nutritional
value of many fruits and vegetables. And while experts agree that
supplementation can provide the body with these missing nutrients, many
supplements contain synthetic, chemically derived, mined or chelated
minerals and vitamins that studies show are not readily absorbed or used by
the body.
    Scheduled for sale beginning during the fourth quarter, PhytoMatrix
will not contain any synthetic or chemically derived active ingredients.
Instead, it will contain vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals that have
been absorbed by a plant's roots and stored in its tissue. When harvested,
these plants provide all-natural ingredients.
    An article in the Vol. 71, 2000, edition of peer-reviewed Journal of
Food Chemistry stated that plant-based minerals are much more easily
absorbed by the body. The article referenced a study showing the body was
able to use less than 10 percent of the synthetic minerals contained in the
most popular brands of multivitamins. By contrast, the body was able to
assimilate between 80 percent to 100 percent of the minerals derived from
plants.
    Mannatech has obtained exclusive rights to a patented, hydroponic
cultivation technology that allows plants to absorb significantly greater
quantities of minerals. This 10-year agreement with INB:B Technology (Amex:
INB) of New Jersey makes Mannatech the only network marketing company
allowed to use a blend of six or more INB-harvested minerals. PhytoMatrix
will contain 10 minerals.
    INB developed its hydroponics process during the 1990s using Indian
mustard, widely known as "nature's magnet" for its ability to absorb
minerals from the soil. Growing Indian mustard using enriched hydroponic
cultivation can significantly increase the number and amount of minerals
concentrated in the plant's tissue.
    A recent study showed that Indian mustard grown using enriched
cultivation produced concentrations of iron, zinc and chromium many times
greater than concentrations found in mineral-rich vegetables purchased from
a local market. The enriched cultivation used for PhytoMatrix will provide
optimum quantities of the most essential minerals.
    In fact, a daily serving of PhytoMatrix will provide the same amount of
minerals typically found in several pounds of fresh fruits and vegetables.
The body uses minerals for many important functions, including the
activation of enzymes, hormones and other molecules needed to sustain life.
    In addition to plant-sourced minerals, PhytoMatrix will contain plant-
sourced vitamins. When derived from the plant matrix, vitamins come with
the beneficial fibers, sugars and organic acids that reside in natural
matrices -- providing the body with maximum benefit and functionality.
    PhytoMatrix will provide a substantial portion of the Recommended Daily
Allowance of vitamins and minerals as well as powerful plant-derived
phytochemicals. A 2003 issue of Nature Reviews defined the role of
phytochemicals as "halting or retarding the progression of pre-cancerous
cells to malignant ones." Science has shown there is a synergy when various
plant- sourced vitamins, minerals and phytochemicals are combined.
    Mannatech has filed for a patent protecting the combination of the key
technologies that comprise PhytoMatrix.
    "PhytoMatrix is a revolutionary advancement that is indicative of the
focus Mannatech places on securing the best technology to support the
market's best and most unique products," said Mannatech founder, CEO and
Chairman of the Board Sam Caster. "While some companies focus on creating
an extremely large product line, Mannatech tailors its research and
development to create and maintain a few core optimal products."
    Founded in 1993, Mannatech is a leading wellness company and a pioneer
in the field of proprietary glyconutritional supplements and wellness
products. The company announced a ground-breaking formulation in 1996 of a
nutritional supplement comprised of a unique blend of plant-based sugars,
which are also known as glyconutrients ('glyco' is the Greek word for
'sweet').
    Medical research acknowledges that eight glyconutrient sugars are
needed at the cellular level for optimum immune system function.
Considering that six of these glyconutrients are often lacking in modern
diets, Mannatech sought new and better sources of the nutrients. The effort
culminated in the Ambrotose complex. Twenty patents -- including one from
the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office -- have been issued to Mannatech for
technology related to the Ambrotose complex.
    Today Mannatech has more than two dozen glyconutritional products for
adults and children that address health and nutrition, sports performance,
weight management and skin care.
    About Integrated BioPharma (INB)
    Integrated BioPharma is a unique grouping of companies presently
serving the varied needs of the health care industry. Through its
nutraceutical business, the Company creates, develops, manufactures and
markets products worldwide. The company's biotechnology business uses its
patented plant-based technology to produce vaccines and therapeutic
antibodies. Its pharmaceutical business operates a cGMP facility for the
production and sale of Paclitaxel and related drugs and provides technical
services through its contract research organization. Further information is
available at http://www.iBioPharma.com .
    About Mannatech, Incorporated
    Mannatech is listed on the NASDAQ Global Select National Market under
the symbol "MTEX". For over a decade, Mannatech has developed innovative,
high- quality, proprietary nutritional supplements, topical products and
weight- management products, which are sold through independent associates
operating throughout the United States and the international markets of
Canada, Australia, the United Kingdom, Japan, New Zealand, Republic of
Korea, Taiwan, Denmark, and Germany. For additional information about
Mannatech, please visit its corporate Web site: http://www.mannatech.com .
Media may contact Alan A. Van Zelfden at 972-471-7334 or by e-mail at
pr@mannatech.com .
    Please Note: This release contains "forward-looking statements" within
the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended,
Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, and the
Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These forward-looking
statements may be identified generally by the use of phrases or terminology
such as "scheduled," "believes," and "plans" or other similar words or the
negative of such terminology. Similarly, descriptions of Mannatech's
objectives, strategies, plans, goals or targets contained herein are also
considered forward-looking statements. Mannatech believes this release
should be read in conjunction with all of its filings with the Securities
and Exchange Commission and cautions its readers that these forward-looking
statements are subject to certain events, risks, uncertainties, and other
factors. Some of these factors include, among others, Mannatech's inability
to attract and retain Associates and Members, increases in competition,
litigation, regulatory changes and its planned growth into new
international markets. Although Mannatech believes that its expectations,
statements, and assumptions reflected in these forward- looking statements
are reasonable, it cautions its readers to always consider all of the risk
factors and any other cautionary statements carefully in evaluating each
forward-looking statement in this release, as well as those set forth in
its latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, and other filings filed with the
Securities and Exchange Commission, including its current reports on Form
8-K. All of the forward-looking statements contained herein speak only as
of the date of this release.