Chicago-based Allimax, a subsidiary of the UK's Allimax International, began marketing its Allimax, AlliUltra, Allimax Prepro and Allimed supplement brands in the US in 2002 - all of which products are designed for severe bacterial, fungal and viral infections.
The products to be developed with Vitasearch will be specifically for the Australian market. James Walton, president of Allimax US, told NutraIngredients-USA.com that the companies are presently evaluating the specific needs and preferences of Australian consumers - such as preferable product strength and delivery systems.
He said that the first product is likely to be in capsule form.
The products are likely to bear the branding of both partners, and be distributed through Vitasearch's existing retail channels. The Australian company also has a sister division that specialises in practioner-only products, and claims to "promote the best products for particular health conditions, not build a condition around a product".
Garlic has a long history of medicinal use around the world for a wide variety of conditions, leading to its reputation as a 'cure-all'.
In 2004 study (British Journal of Biomedical Science 2004;61(2):71-4) found that that the active metabolic allicin not only killed established varieties of the hospital superbug MRSA (Methacillin Resistant Staphylococcus Aureus), but also destroys the new generation of 'super-superbugs' that have evolved resistance to antibiotics widely considered to be the last line of defence against MRSA.
Science has also begun to confirm some of its long-standing medicinal uses, with some studies showing it can lower blood cholesterol, blood pressure and blood sugar.