Effective for Heart Health, Gentle in Everyday Life
Interview with Ina Auramava, Associate Director Commercial of Wakunaga of Europe GmbH
Cardiovascular diseases are among the most common health problems in Germany – and yet there are many ways to actively prevent them. More and more people are looking for natural ways to boost their vitality. This is exactly where Wakunaga of Europe GmbH comes in: With a special garlic extract, the Berlin company wants to show that prevention can be effective, tolerable, and suitable for everyday use.
"It is entirely up to us how we manage our heart health," emphasizes Ina Auramava, Associate Director Commercial at Wakunaga of Europe. Even small changes in daily life can have a big impact. With Kyolic® Kardio, the company offers a supplement that specifically supports the heart and blood vessels - without side effects or unpleasant accompanying symptoms.
Reimagining Garlic
Garlic has been considered a 'natural antibiotic' for centuries. But in large amounts, it causes not only odor but often also intolerances. "Our parent company has developed a process that solves both problems: the positive effects are amplified, the disadvantages eliminated," explains Ina Auramava. The key is the A·G·E Extract (Aged Garlic Extract), which matures for at least 18 months. During this time, sharp, irritating substances break down, while special cysteines such as S-Allylcysteine accumulate. The result: a highly concentrated, scientifically studied active complex that is very well absorbed by the body – and causes no odor.
From Osaka to Berlin
The roots of Wakunaga date back to the 1950s: At that time, Manji Wakunaga and the German scientist Dr. Eugene Schnell founded the company in Japan – with the vision to make natural health effectively accessible without side effects. Today, Kyolic is firmly established in Japan and the USA. In 2021, they expanded into Germany. "We deliberately wanted to enter Europe's most demanding market - with strict regulations and a long tradition in natural medicine," says Ina Auramava. Initially, the focus was on pharmacies, but now more and more integrative doctors are relying on the products.
Looking Forward
With only about ten employees, Wakunaga of Europe is still small, but its goals are big. Each year, more than 300,000 people die from cardiovascular diseases in Germany – a number that drives the company. "We want to show that prevention can be simple and effective," says the commercial director. In the future, the focus will be on direct consumer outreach, more partnerships, and an expanded product range. In the long run, Kyolic aims to become number 1 in heart-healthy supplements in Germany. "Those who take care of their hearts contribute - to their own lives and to a healthier society," emphasizes Ina Auramava.