The epidemiological phenomenon of the French paradox describes the low incidence of coronary heart disease observed in French populations, despite their diet relatively rich in saturated fats. A proposed explanation of this may be derived from the Frenchs love for and moderate consumption of red wine.

An oxidizing agent (or an oxidant) is a substance that possesses the ability to oxidize other molecules, causing them to lose electrons. Common oxidizing agents formed in response to physiological processes include oxygen, hydrogen peroxide, and the halogens. When an imbalance exists between the accumulation of reactive oxygen species and our defense and repair systems, oxidative stress can contribute to the development of chronic disease and aging processes.

Antioxidants are substances that inhibit oxidation. These compounds are capable of scavenging free radicals (uncharged molecules that have an unpaired valence electron and are typically highly reactive and short-lived) to protect against oxidative stress. Polyphenols are a class of antioxidants that include phenolic acids, flavonoids, stilbenes and lignans. Resveratrol (3, 5, 4-trihydroxystilbene; RSV), a form of stilbene that is found in abundance in grapes and grape products (e.g. wine and grape juice), peanuts, and berries occurs in two configurations: trans and cis. The anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, anti-aging, and anti-diabetic properties of trans-RSV are thought to contribute to the prevention of numerous diseases, leading to promotion trans-RSV supplements.

The objective of a study recently published in Food and Chemical Toxicology was to assess if trans-RSV could effectively protect against the detrimental effects produced by beauvericin. Beauvericin (BEA) is a mycotoxin (a toxic substance produced by a fungi) that can cause disease and death in humans by cytotoxicity in the form of a decrease in the mitochondrial membrane potential, DNA damage and cell death related to oxidative stress, and lipid peroxidation. BEA occurs in contaminated grain such as corn, wheat, and barley.

Through rigorous sampling and scientific testing, the study specifically aimed to determine the following:

The results revealed that all polyphenol dietary supplements exhibit higher levels of RSV content than what is indicated on the label, the polyphenol supplements indeed possessed antioxidant capacity, and in combination, trans-RSV and BEA did not affect trans-RSVs antioxidant capacity. These outcomes suggest that RSV may contribute to a decrease in the oxidant effects produced by BEA, perhaps drawing a link to the clinical implications demonstrated by the French paradox. However, to more comprehensively understand the related mechanisms of BEA and trans-RSV, it is recommended that further research be conducted in this specific area of interest.

Written By:Jordyn Posluns, B.Sc. (Hons)

Excerpt from:

Antioxidant Capacity of Trans-resveratrol Dietary Supplements - Medical News Bulletin

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--A multimedia asset accompanying this release dated Aug. 1, 2017, has been removed.

The release reads:

TOP 4 EMERGING TRENDS IMPACTING THE GLOBAL DIETARY SUPPLEMENTS MARKET FROM 2017-2021: TECHNAVIO

Technavios latest report on the global dietary supplements market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline.

The global dietary supplements market is primarily driven by the aging population base and the growing health consciousness among consumers. Other driving forces include the need for preventive measures against sedentary lifestyle-related diseases, lack of nutrition-rich food intake, expensive healthcare costs, adherence to government dietary guidelines, and expansion in the retail space.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

The top three emerging trends driving the global dietary supplements market according to Technavio food and beverage research analysts are:

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Demand for the customized dietary supplements

Personalized wellness at its heart revolves around the consumer empowerment. Consumers now not only have access to more data about themselves than ever but with this data, they are empowered to take an active role in the management of their health and wellness, says Manjunath Reddy, a lead analyst at Technavio for research on food.

Providing consumers with personalized nutritional supplement recommendations based on their own goals and dietary needs will further aid in market growth. For instance, in place of buying the same multivitamin off the shelf that is sold to people with radically diverse needs, there will now be the ability to provide a highly customized vitamin, one that has been formulated to address the specific needs of the individual.

Growing focus on age-related dietary supplements

A new trend has developed wherein the dietary supplements required at each stage of the life are formulated and marketed. The categories designed according to the age are infants, toddlers and teenagers, adults, middle, and old age people. Most of the offerings are in the category of adults and old aged consumers. The adults section is now further categorized based on the gender and other purposes such as fitness training, pregnant women, and other types, adds Manjunath.

Most of the dietary supplement manufacturers for the adult consumers of the age group 20-40 years offers mainly probiotics and multi-vitamin supplements. While the supplements for 40 years and above often offers dietary supplements that are good for heart health and bone health.

New product type formulations

Innovative products such as gummy bears for adults, launched by various dietary supplements manufacturers, contribute to the consumption of the dietary supplements with attractive features of taste and the ease of consumption.

The conventional product forms such as tablets and capsules are available with new formulations in terms of chewable, which negate the need for water for intake of supplements. The chewable tablets are offered majorly as combination supplements and in flavors for maximum assimilation and absorption.

Increase in strategic alliances and partnerships

Strategic alliances and partnerships characterize the global dietary supplements market. Manufacturers, on one hand, collaborate with raw material suppliers to facilitate uninterrupted supply, while on the other hand, they partner with distributors of the food and beverage companies to ensure a steady market for dietary supplements. New product launches and expansions have also increased prominently.

There has been an emergence of events which has caused the strong competitor base in the dietary supplements industry in the last few years. The companies looking for the worldwide presence to increase their market share and acquire a large and strong consumer base have taken measures and initiatives in this regard. The major strategic alliances were acquisitions, investments, and collaborations.

Browse Related Reports:

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

More here:

CORRECTING and REPLACING Top 4 Emerging Trends Impacting the Global Dietary Supplements Market from 2017 ... - Business Wire (press release)

GRAND FORKS AIR FORCE BASE, N.D.Thirty-seven percent of Air Force personnel are currently using dietary supplements as part of a daily routine or workout plan, according to the Air Force Medical Operations Agency. Supplements often fall into a gray area, as they are neither vitamins nor drugs, and Airmen can easily be tricked into buying what they think will help them with weight gain or loss.

The problem is without proper research, products promising to increase workout endurance, decrease fat percentage or maintain muscle mass can be used improperly. With lack of research and improper use, consumers may face negative results, such as high blood pressure, dehydration and increased heart rate.

According to the Food and Drug Administration website, fda.gov, manufacturers and distributors of dietary supplements and ingredients are solely responsible for evaluating the safety and labeling of their products before marketing to ensure they meet all the requirements of the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, meaning there is no regulation of the supplement industry.

Denae Grove, 319th Medical Operational Squadron health promotion coordinator, said research is the most important thing any consumer can do before investing in supplements.

Grove recommended Airmen ask themselves if a supplement can do what it says it will.

If my goal is to get a certain vitamin or mineral, but none of the ingredients will truly help me, Im just throwing my money away, Grove said.

More importantly than wasting money, consumers who neglect to research products before using them may unintentionally cause harm to themselves.

Senior Airman Paul Dell, 319th Logistics Readiness Squadron vehicle operator, and supplement-consumer of five years said he witnessed first-hand the danger of misusing and abusing supplements.

There was one individual in our shop at one time that was taking something like Hydroxycut and wasnt eating, Dell said. He was just taking the pills and starving himself. He was on the verge of needing to go to the hospital.

Dell said he noticed, especially in Airmen, the waist measurement requirement in mandatory fitness assessments pressure men and women to try and lose weight in an unhealthy manner.

A lot of people think of supplements as magic powder, Dell said.

Both Dell and Grove encourage individuals looking to get in shape or lose weight to do so with a goal in mind.

Map out a plan to reach your goal, Grove said. Sometimes that includes supplements.

Dell and Grove encourage those who are interested in making a plan, to use websites like http://www.hprc-online.org/dietary-supplements/opss in order to thoroughly research effects and benefits of different dietary supplement products.

Dell and Grove acknowledge supplements can help on a fitness journey but agree that they are not always necessary.

There are healthy proteins available in turkey, eggs, sweet potatoes, brown rice and similar foods. Taking supplements doesnt automatically get someone in shape, Dell said. Anyone can take the best supplements, but if they eat fast food all the time theyll go nowhere.

Bottom line is to be an informed consumer, Grove explained. Know what youre paying for, and do the research before you spend your hard-earned money.

Read the rest here:

Research dietary supplements before use - Hilltop Times

There is no period more critical in a childs development than its first few months of life, which is why so much attention is paid to what the mother, and the child, eats during that time. Nutritionists like to call it the golden window the slim period of time where a child, if he gets the right nutrients, can set out on a healthy path, or, if he doesnt, risks irreversible stunting and developmental delays . Eighty percent of the brain development happens in the first 1,000 days of a childs life, starting from conception, says nutritionist Sanjay Kumar Das.

And while getting the right nutrition whole grains, plenty of fruit and vegetables for both the mother and child, once he starts eating solids is relatively simple in most situations, conflict can make eating right all but impossible. This is the situation in northeastern Nigeria, where for the past seven years the Boko Haram militant group has waged a violent insurgency that has kept farmers from their fields, food away from markets, and families living off paltry food donations in camps for the internally displaced. While few here in the Dalori camp just outside the northeastern town of Maiduguri display the emaciated limbs and swollen bellies common among victims of outright famine, the little food they do get a once-daily gruel made of pulses and grains provides little more than the minimum calorie requirement, and almost no additional nutrition.

An estimated 5.1 million are malnourished in northeastern Nigeria. According to the United Nations Childrens Fund [UNICEF], more than half of them are children. Das, who is the nutrition manager for UNICEF's program in Maiduguri, says this is likely to have severe long-term consequences. The impact of acute malnutrition, which happens when a child is suddenly deprived of food, can be reversed relatively easily with emergency food rations and supplements. Chronic malnutrition occurs when a child eats enough to stop from starving, but doesnt get sufficient nutrients to develop properly, especially in the vital first two years of life. That golden window is when all a childs cognitive and physical development happens, says Das. If children dont get good nutrition from an early age, they are vulnerable. The child can suffer from disease and stunting, launching the cycle of poverty.

Indeed, chronic malnutrition can hinder a nations economy. Stunting early in a childs life has educational, income, and productivity consequences that reach far into adulthood, the World Bank writes in its most recent Nutrition Overview.

Children who are deficient in essential micronutrients have on average 13 fewer IQ points. Similarly, stunted children are more likely to start school later, perform more poorly on cognitive functioning tests, and are more likely to drop out of school. Adults who were stunted as children earn 20% less than non-stunted adults and are 33% more likely to live in poverty, the report says. It concludes that malnutrition can reduce GDP in some countries in Asia and Africa by as much as 2% to 11% each year.

Which is why organizations like UNICEF and other humanitarian aid agencies place such a high priority on the first 1,000 days, from the point of conception to the child's second birthday. Childhood stunting, once it has set in, cannot be reversed. But it can be prevented.

Thats where good pre-natal health and education comes in, says Marylyne Malomba, a nutrition consultant for the International Medical Corps, a humanitarian organization that runs several food and nutrition programs in Maiduguri, which was once at the center of the insurgency, and is now home to some 700,000 people displaced by the war. The IMC provides food, supplements and education for mothers and children in weekly clinics around the city and in several of the camps, with a special emphasis on pregnant women.

Malnutrition starts from the womb, says Malomba. If the mother has not stocked up enough nutrients, then the child will not get enough. Limbs, organs; even brain development is affected with lack of nutrients when the child is still a fetus. So its important to understand that the health of the mother at the point of pregnancy is one of the most important places to start taking care of the child. And if a mother is well fed during her pregnancy, she will most likely have enough breast milk to feed her child for the first six months another key element of early childhood nutrition.

The problem is that in a crisis situation like the one in northeastern Nigeria, or in Somalia, Yemen or South Sudan, other countries on the brink of famine , it is all but impossible for new and pregnant mothers to obtain the vital nutrients that round out the right diet for those first 1,000 days. Emergency food distributions usually include grains, pulses and oil, but fresh vegetables and fruit are too difficult to transport and store. And even if the families could afford to buy fresh produce in the markets, they arent always available, especially if conflict is keeping farmers from their fields. We need these mothers to eat vegetables. We need them to eat fruits," Malomba says. "And these are the items that we are not able to supply in an emergency context.

Nutritionists and scientists are working to develop supplements that can provide those essential micronutrients for use in future emergencies, but for the moment, nothing beats the fresh fruits and vegetables that are so hard to find in places like Dalori, or the scores of other IDP camps across northern Nigeria.

Go here to read the rest:

The Battle to Give Nigeria's Moms and Babies a 'Golden Window' to a Healthy Life - TIME

Fish oil is oil derived from the tissues of oily fish. Fish oils contain the omega-3 fatty acids eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), precursors of certain eicosanoids that are known to reduce inflammation in the body,and have other health benefits. (Creative Commons photo by Natesh Ramasamy/Flickr)

Interns this summer with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute are looking at food science in Kodiak, and one is investigating a new health food fad.

University of Alaska Fairbanks student Alina Fairbanks is doing market research focusing on nucleotides.

A lot people when I explain this to them theyre like fish oil. Well, kinda. We want to extract nucleotides from pollock, right now because the Pollock Conservation Cooperative is funding me, but we want to utilize the entire product of a fish. A lot of people are exploring new ideas.

Fairbanks said her research is on the powdered form, as opposed to pills or liquid, such as fish oil.

Theres three markets right now that Ive discovered, so theyll put nucleotides in baby formula because nucleotides are commonly found in breast milk so, in baby formula, animal food, and for humans dietary supplements. A lot of body builders will actually take them.

She said nucleotides are supposed to improve the immune system and help in cell regeneration.

There are two other interns with the Alaska Seafood Marketing Institute on the island.

Camron Christoffersen, who recently graduated Brigham Young University, is looking into the Food and Drug Administrations methods for killing parasites before consumption.

The third intern, UAF student Phil Ganz, is helping to document the process. He uses video to make this and other scientific topics accessible to the general public.

All three interns wrap up their time on the island at the end of the month.

See original here:

University of Alaska Fairbanks intern looks at nucleotides as health supplement - KTOO

JoAnne Viviano The Columbus Dispatch @JoAnneViviano

Hold on to your Red Bull.

Researchers are calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to regulate caffeine-based energy products along with yohimbe, a botanical marketed for male sexual enhancement, after a recent study showed that children taking the supplements often had serious adverse reactions.

The findings are part of a study that examined dietary supplements by reviewing 13 years of calls to poison-control centers in the U.S. and its territories. Centers received about 275,000 calls about supplements during the time period, an average of 58 per day. Thirty-four children died.

While both the energy supplements and yohimbe were responsible for only a small percentage of the calls, both were associated with "considerable toxicity," including one death each, says the study from researchers at Nationwide Children's Hospital, Ohio State University, the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, and the Child Injury Prevention Alliance. Cultural medicines, such as traditional Asian or Latino medicines,also caused a high number of serious outcomes.

Many people erroneously believe that dietary supplements are already regulated by the FDA, saidHenry Spiller, director of the Central Ohio Poison Center at Nationwide Childrens Hospital and one of the study authors.

"They were pulled out of the purview of the FDA in the '90s," he explained. "The FDA can only regulate them if they find them to be dangerous, but they do not look at purity, safety efficacy."

None of that happens, he said. Instead, it's "consumer beware."

The study, published last week in the Journal of Medical Toxicology, examined calls to poison-control centers from 2000 to 2012.

Seventy percent of exposures involved children younger than 6; however, 95 percent of the serious medical outcomes were among the 6-or-older group. Of all exposures, 83 percent were unintentional.

For the children younger than 6, only about 9 percent of exposures resulted in the child being taken to a health-care facility, compared with about half of the exposures among the older children.

The most-common problems for kids who took supplements were rapid heartbeat, vomiting, nausea, irritability, drowsiness and dizziness.

Of the deaths, three were children younger than 6, and 31 were 6 or older.

Overall, exposures increased from 2000 to 2002, decreased from 2002 to 2005 and jumped again from 2005 to 2012. Researchers say the 2002-2005 drop is, in part, due to a decrease, beginning in 2002, in exposures to the stimulant ma huang, also known as ephedra, which was banned by the FDA in 2004.

The drop in ma huang exposures shows that FDA intervention makes a difference, Spiller said.

"The FDA took action on it, and you could see a significant drop," he said "That's somewhat reassuring."

Spiller said the study also showed that adults using supplements should keep them out of reach of young hands.

"A lot of kids get into these," he said. "They dont come with child-resistant closures."

When it comes to older kids, Jessica Buschmann, a clinical dietitian in the sports medicine department at Nationwide Childrens Hospital, said she sees a lot of adolescents turning to energy drinks. She never advises their use under any circumstances. Some other supplements might be OK, but parents and youngsters need to do their homework.

Before starting a supplement, they should be thinking about the overall quality of their diet, said Buschmann, who was not involved in the study.They also should consider whether they are getting enough sleep, exercise and hydration before trying to take a shortcut."

I dont want my athletes relying on supplements for their nutrition. I want their nutritional needs to come from good-quality food, not supplements, Buschmann said.

She also advised discussing any supplements with a medical professional and making sure they are third-party tested and safe for consumption.

jviviano@dispatch.com

@JoAnneViviano

Read more:

Dietary supplements, energy drinks need FDA regulation, researchers say - The Columbus Dispatch

I recently interviewed Catherine Price, author of Vitamania: How Vitamins Revolutionized the Way We Think About Food. The book is a habit-altering romp through the seemingly banal topic of vitamins.

Price got the idea for her book when her husband asked her the question, Whats a vitamin? and Price found that she didnt have an answer. Vitamins, to spare you the suspense, are organic compounds that we tend to come across in foodand without which we would die. There are 13 human vitamins: A, C, D, E, K and seven B vitamins (thiamine (B1), riboflavin (B2), niacin (B3), pantothenic acid (B5), pyroxidine (B6), biotin (B7), folate (B9) and cobalamin (B12)). But if that was all Vitamania was about, it would have made for a short book. Instead Price explores how the discovery of vitamins has shaped our diet, and our perspective on health.

Although the book was published in 2015, it couldnt feel more relevant today. From Gwyneth Paltrow to Alex Jones of Info Wars, it seems like everyone is promising that vitamins and their creepy alter ego, supplementscan soothe what ails us. Supplements are now a multi-billion-dollar industry that many say will continue to grow. But we're not getting any healthier. Last year, U.S. life expectancy declined for the first time since 1993. How did we become a vitamin and supplement obsessed society, and why isn't that keeping us from getting sick?

Price has a few ideasand a few warnings to keep in mind the next time you're staring down an aisle of supplements.

The following Q&A has been edited for length and clarity.

The most definitive thing we know is how much you need not to die. I think some researchers would argue its more nuanced than that, but from a consumer perspective thats really what it boils down to.

The RDA is like the government trying to create a sweater that would fit 97 out of every 100 Americans. If you try to do that, you'd end up with a very large sweater that 97 out of 100 people could fit into. But that does not mean its the correct size for everyone. There's 96 out of 100 people who could fit into a smaller sweater.

And, for the most part, the current recommendations are based on the highest recommendations from 1968. The FDA has not updated the recommendations that the daily values are based on. They're supposed to be updated, but that's probably going to get delayed until at least 2020.

For the next couple of years, when you lookat the percent daily value for vitamins and minerals on the back of a food or a supplement, that is based off of very outdated recommendations. You shouldn't be aiming for 100 percent.

If it werent for synthetic vitamins, we would not be able to eat the way we today without getting horrible vitamin deficiencies. When were first able to synthesize vitamins in the 20s, 30s, and 40s, that really changed the kind of products that we were able to make. You had the processed food industry really start to take off, combined with this ability to put back nutrients that the processing had removed.

Breakfast cereal is one of the most egregious examples of this, because youre essentially eating a multivitamin. They have vitamins incorporated into the dough, or, depending on what the vitamin is, some of them are actually sprayed on. It really is just like dust on top of your otherwise nutritionally vapid corn flake, and they call it a healthy start to your day.

When you've got a houseplant and you know that it needs water to survive, you may pour a gallon of water on it thinking it will just use what it needs and the rest will just pour out of the bottom of the pot. But the houseplants roots can get rotten, or they could grow a fungus, or there could be some other harm that's caused by the excess water.

People say Americans have the most expensive urine in the world, because we take all of these vitamins and it's no problemwe're just peeing them out. But a couple of years ago, a woman killed herself by drinking too much water. If you can kill yourself drinking water, that's a warning that just because you need something in a certain amount doesnt mean that you can keep taking it ad infinitum, or that it will do something good for you.Its possible that were triggering diseases that take a long time to develop, but that are a result of being saturated with vitamins all of the time.

I think the poor feedback loop is also true for dietary supplements, which are not vitamins, because people take all sorts of crazy s**t. There are more than 85,000 supplements on the market in America, and one may not do anything bad to you immediately. But it could be that you have a daily dietary supplement habit and over years some kind of side effect develops. And then 15 years later you have a health problem and you dont know its because of this product you were taking.

Supplements are regulated, but not in the way that you or I as consumers would ever think that they would be regulated. Theyre regulated under The Dietary Supplement and Health Education Act, which the industry helped to get passed. The law forbade the FDA from requiring that supplement manufacturers have to prove that their products are safe or effective before selling them.

If you think about it, its totally nuts. You should have some assurance that whats sold on the shelf as a health product isn't going to hurt you, and ideally is going to do what it says it's going to do.

Some products that are advertised as dietary supplements are clearly substances that the average consumer would think would be a food. Like, some teas are dietary supplements instead of a food. And the reason is because there was less regulation if it was a dietary supplement then if it was a food.

If you bought a loaf of bread and it turned out it was actually a dozen eggs inside the package you'd probably complain. But the equivalent can and does happen pretty frequently with dietary supplements. A consumer went to buy a multivitamin and the bottle had penne pasta in it, which is an extreme version of not being able to predict what you'll get.But more often, pretty dangerous stuff is snuck into dietary supplements like illegal prescription drugs.

"And definitely stay clear of sexual enhancement, body building, and weight loss. Those are the three categories that are adulterated the most with truly dangerous substances."

It's extremely difficult, if not impossible from a consumer's perspective to know for sure what's in their products. If youre going to buy them, definitely do research on which brands have been tested, and stick with the bigger brands.And definitely stay clear of sexual enhancement, body building, and weight loss. Those are the three categories that are adulterated the most with truly dangerous substances.

Even with vitamins, there are issues where they put overages into the vitamins or more of a vitamin than they say is on the label. They want to make sure that by the time you buy it, it has the dose it says. But they've had issues where that's resulted in there being too much vitamin A, which can be toxic.

The best I can say is go to one of several websites where they're actually testing things. The best one, in my mind, is ConsumerLab.com, which requires a subscription. You get a really good breakdown of what the research is and what it does and doesn't show, and has products pulled off the shelf that are testednot paid for by industry.

But it's kind of crazy that you have to send somebody to a subscription-based website to get a true answer as to whether or not the product that they just spent 50 dollars on actually is what it says it is.

I never really did go down that route. But I have, as an experiment for the book, gone into a supplement shop and said, I have diabetes, what can you give me?

They arent supposed to give you advice, because that's medical advice. But they always have a whole selection of these various herbs and concoctions that are supposed to be helpful for blood sugar, which is dangerous. If a supplement product makes your blood sugar go very low or interferes with any of your medication, you could die.

Some of these things probably do have an effect on your blood sugar, so it's scary to think that there's no scientific evidence of what dose does what. There's no guarantee of concentration in what you're buying. There's no warning about how it can interact with anything.

Something that we don't recognize as consumers is how these 13 chemicalsand the way that they were marketed in the early part of the 20th centurycompletely revolutionized the way we think about food today.

They are miraculous because we need them to prevent diseases, but that was really taken advantage of by food marketers and the dietary supplement industry. Thy applied it to a much wider array of productsincluding not just pills, but also foods. I think you really start to see that in the 60s and the 70s with the natural food movement, and then when you fast forward to today you still see it in every single food trend that we have. It's the way we think about food.

Michael Pollan (the author of Omnivores Dilemma) was the first person to really enunciate this in an eloquent way, but the reductionism that we use when we think about food is very remarkable and very, very, American. We don't think, is this bread delicious for my sandwich? We think about how many nuts and seeds it has, and that flax seed has omega 3 fatty acids in it and omega 3 fatty acids are supposed to be healthy because they're advertised on everything.

We basically break food down into components, and then we think about what effects those particular components are supposed to have on our health. We try to turn our meals into these nutritional math problems. And it leaves us so susceptible to things like the GOOP vitamins, or the idea that InfoWars is somehow going to be able to help our health.

The main vitamin manufacturers didn't really want to talk about where their production facilities are, but apart from like, a beta carotene manufacturer in Texas, there's basically no vitamin manufacturing plants in America. When you say, vitamin manufacturing people think of the pills, and obviously, theres thousands of places making vitamins in the states and hundreds of thousands around the world. But I'm talking about the raw ingredients for the pills and those are coming from other places in the world, particularly China.

Going back to what we were talking about before where it would be impossible for Americans to eat the way that we do without the help of synthetic vitamins, its interesting as a thought experiment to ask yourself, if someone really wanted to do a particularly clever kind of war against us, they could cut off or somehow adulterate the supply of synthetic vitamins coming in. It would probably take a while for people to figure out those diseases because we don't see them very often.

The first question people often ask me is, should I take a multivitamin?

And I have no idea if you should take a multivitamin, I don't know what your diet is like, I don't know what medical conditions you have.

People want you to say yes or no, like it's totally always a waste of time or its going to add years to your life. In reality, there's cases where people probably should take a multivitamin, and there's situations where someone is eating a lot of cereal and they're essentially eating a multivitamin every day. They don't need to take a multivitamin, but they could benefit by eating fewer processed foods. We want black and white answers, and there aren't any. We have to learn to be more comfortable with nuance.

And you really should not be thinking about your food in terms of the numbers, or percent of vitamins and minerals that they havebecause that information itself is wrong. When you recognize as a consumer that even the information on the package is not reliable, then you really have to rethink your approach towards eating and come at it at a more holistic way. Just ask, does this food naturally contain a lot of vitamins and minerals? Ok, then that's probably a good way to get my vitamins and minerals. I'm not going to obsess about the particular number of milligrams that it has. I'm just going to eat the orange, or the red pepper.

I think the bottom line is it just points out that nutrition is not a math problem. At least not a math problem that we can solve at this point.

Read this article:

The three supplements you should never buy - Popular Science

The French national agency ANSES has warned consumers about potential confusion between the drug Lytos and the food supplement Lithos.

The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines and Health Products (ANSM) and the National Agency for Sanitary, Food, Environmental and Occupational Safety (ANSES) reported a high risk of confusion between the two products at pharmacies.

It issued a warning to alert health professionals, patients and consumers of the potential confusion between the drug Lytos by Riemser Pharma GmbH and Lithos - a dietary supplement, marketed by Biohealth Italia.

Lytos is biphosphonate prescribed in some severe cases of hypercalcaemia (increased calcium in the blood), while Lithos is marketed for recovery from high loss of fluid due to excessive sweating, diuresis or diarrhea.

Since the pronunciations of these two products are identical and their writings very similar, confusion and medication errors can easily occur, said ANSES.

The agencies recommended that medical professionals are careful to also use the non-proprietary name (INN) in addition to the trade name when prescribing Lythos, and that any doctors suggesting patients use Lithos make it clear that the prescription is for a food supplement.

They also requested wholesalers and distributors verify which product is being ordered or distributed especially in cases where orders for new products are placed orally or in writing by pharmacies.

View post:

Don't confuse drugs and supplements: French authorities warn - NutraIngredients.com

DUBLIN, August 1, 2017 /PRNewswire/ --

The "Global Dietary Supplements Market 2017-2021" report has been added to Research and Markets' offering.

The global dietary supplements market to grow at a CAGR of 6.52% during the period 2017-2021.

The report, Global Dietary Supplements Market 2017-2021, has been prepared based on an in-depth market analysis with inputs from industry experts. The report covers the market landscape and its growth prospects over the coming years. The report also includes a discussion of the key vendors operating in this market.

The latest trend gaining momentum in the market is the demand for the customized dietary supplements. This trend in the dietary supplements market relates to the personalization of nutrients and food according to the health condition, body type, and age. This trend along with the devices and technology which enable a person to track his/her intake of nutrients are supporting the consumption of the dietary supplements. Personalized wellness at its heart revolves around the consumer empowerment. Consumers now not only have access to more data about themselves than ever but with this data they are empowered to take an active role in the management of their health and wellness. In this way, they are able to track their dietary habits ranging from the foods they eat to the dietary supplements they take and the way they exercise.

According to the report, one of the major drivers for this market is the preventive measures for avoiding lifestyle-related diseases. Lifestyle-related diseases are occurring in the working population with a fast-paced lifestyle and so health consciousness is also rising. This has resulted in the increased intake of supplements to compensate the nutritional gap in the diet. There has been a considerable shift in the lifestyle and diet habits of people over the past two decades. Urbanization and consumerism drove this shift, leading to a rapid rise in the consumption of artificial and synthetic food products. The sedentary lifestyle and lack of balanced diet have resulted in the increased incidences of lifestyle-related diseases such as stroke, heart disease, obesity, type 2 diabetes, and atherosclerosis. However, people are becoming aware of these problems and gradually moving toward dietary supplements, which are promoted as being beneficial beyond basic nutrition. These products are purported to provide optimal nutrition and reduce the risk of disease occurrence.

Key vendors

Other prominent vendors

Key Topics Covered:

PART 01: Executive summary

PART 02: Scope of the report

PART 03: Research Methodology

PART 04: Introduction

PART 05: Market landscape

PART 06: Market segmentation by product

PART 07: Market segmentation by distribution channel

PART 08: Geographical segmentation

PART 09: Key leading countries

PART 10: Decision framework

PART 11: Drivers and challenges

PART 12: Market trends

PART 13: Competitor analysis

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/cct4cv/global_dietary

Media Contact:

Laura Wood, Senior Manager rel="nofollow">press@researchandmarkets.com

For E.S.T Office Hours Call +1-917-300-0470 For U.S./CAN Toll Free Call +1-800-526-8630 For GMT Office Hours Call +353-1-416-8900

U.S. Fax: 646-607-1907 Fax (outside U.S.): +353-1-481-1716

View original content:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/global-dietary-supplements-market-to-grow-at-a-cagr-of-65-by-2021---analysis-by-product--distribution-channel-300497283.html

SOURCE Research and Markets

Read more from the original source:

Global Dietary Supplements Market to Grow at a CAGR of 6.5% by ... - Markets Insider

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Technavios latest report on the global dietary supplements market provides an analysis of the most important trends expected to impact the market outlook from 2017-2021. Technavio defines an emerging trend as a factor that has the potential to significantly impact the market and contribute to its growth or decline.

The global dietary supplements market is primarily driven by the aging population base and the growing health consciousness among consumers. Other driving forces include the need for preventive measures against sedentary lifestyle-related diseases, lack of nutrition-rich food intake, expensive healthcare costs, adherence to government dietary guidelines, and expansion in the retail space.

This report is available at a USD 1,000 discount for a limited time only: View market snapshot before purchasing

Buy 1 Technavio report and get the second for 50% off. Buy 2 Technavio reports and get the third for free.

The top three emerging trends driving the global dietary supplements market according to Technavio food and beverage research analysts are:

Looking for more information on this market? Request a free sample report

Technavios sample reports are free of charge and contain multiple sections of the report including the market size and forecast, drivers, challenges, trends, and more.

Demand for the customized dietary supplements

Personalized wellness at its heart revolves around the consumer empowerment. Consumers now not only have access to more data about themselves than ever but with this data, they are empowered to take an active role in the management of their health and wellness, says Manjunath Reddy, a lead analyst at Technavio for research on food.

Providing consumers with personalized nutritional supplement recommendations based on their own goals and dietary needs will further aid in market growth. For instance, in place of buying the same multivitamin off the shelf that is sold to people with radically diverse needs, there will now be the ability to provide a highly customized vitamin, one that has been formulated to address the specific needs of the individual.

Growing focus on age-related dietary supplements

A new trend has developed wherein the dietary supplements required at each stage of the life are formulated and marketed. The categories designed according to the age are infants, toddlers and teenagers, adults, middle, and old age people. Most of the offerings are in the category of adults and old aged consumers. The adults section is now further categorized based on the gender and other purposes such as fitness training, pregnant women, and other types, adds Manjunath.

Most of the dietary supplement manufacturers for the adult consumers of the age group 20-40 years offers mainly probiotics and multi-vitamin supplements. While the supplements for 40 years and above often offers dietary supplements that are good for heart health and bone health.

New product type formulations

Innovative products such as gummy bears for adults, launched by various dietary supplements manufacturers, contribute to the consumption of the dietary supplements with attractive features of taste and the ease of consumption.

The conventional product forms such as tablets and capsules are available with new formulations in terms of chewable, which negate the need for water for intake of supplements. The chewable tablets are offered majorly as combination supplements and in flavors for maximum assimilation and absorption.

Increase in strategic alliances and partnerships

Strategic alliances and partnerships characterize the global dietary supplements market. Manufacturers, on one hand, collaborate with raw material suppliers to facilitate uninterrupted supply, while on the other hand, they partner with distributors of the food and beverage companies to ensure a steady market for dietary supplements. New product launches and expansions have also increased prominently.

There has been an emergence of events which has caused the strong competitor base in the dietary supplements industry in the last few years. The companies looking for the worldwide presence to increase their market share and acquire a large and strong consumer base have taken measures and initiatives in this regard. The major strategic alliances were acquisitions, investments, and collaborations.

Browse Related Reports:

About Technavio

Technavio is a leading global technology research and advisory company. Their research and analysis focuses on emerging market trends and provides actionable insights to help businesses identify market opportunities and develop effective strategies to optimize their market positions.

With over 500 specialized analysts, Technavios report library consists of more than 10,000 reports and counting, covering 800 technologies, spanning across 50 countries. Their client base consists of enterprises of all sizes, including more than 100 Fortune 500 companies. This growing client base relies on Technavios comprehensive coverage, extensive research, and actionable market insights to identify opportunities in existing and potential markets and assess their competitive positions within changing market scenarios.

If you are interested in more information, please contact our media team at media@technavio.com.

Read the original here:

Top 4 Emerging Trends Impacting the Global Dietary Supplements Market from 2017-2021: Technavio - Business Wire (press release)

By Will ChuWill Chu , 31-Jul-20172017-07-31T00:00:00Z Last updated on 31-Jul-2017 at 12:37 GMT2017-07-31T12:37:05Z

High consumption of tea infusions is a possible long-term concern for human health due to their carcinogenic properties, the European Food and Safety Authority rules.

The consumption of food supplements based on pyrrolizidine alkaloid-producing plants could also result in exposure levels causing short-term toxicity resulting in adverse health effects,stated theEuropean Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

The agency points primarily to the pyrrolizidine alkaloid (PA) content in tea, but also notes that it appears in honey and some dietary food supplements.

Updates to its risk assessment, which now take into account more recent data on exposure levels of these toxins establish a new Reference Point (RP) of 237micrograms per kilogram per body weight per day (g/kg bw/day).

This latest decision falls in line with other findings outlined in 2011, in which EFSA ruled there was a possible health concern for some high consumers of honey such as toddlers and children.

The panel at the time also concluded that 1,2-unsaturated PAs may act as genotoxic carcinogens in humans. An RP of 70 g/kg bw/per day was thus calculated.

In increasing the RP, the report stated that the changemaintains the conservative nature of the previous risk assessment.

This considers the general degree of uncertainty related to the available studies used for the dose response analysis and the fact that both riddelliine and lasiocarpine are classified among the most potent PAs.

Along with riddelliine and lasiocarpine, another PA, monocrotaline was also classified as possibly carcinogenic to humans by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) in 2008.

The EFSA Panel on Contaminants in the Food Chain (CONTAM) agreed, identifying a list of 17 PAs in total that required continued observation. These include lasiocarpine, lasiocarpine-N-oxide and senkirkine.

Following a Commission request, EFSAs scientific report, published in August 2016, detailed dietary exposure to PAs through the consumption of honey, tea, and food supplements.

Here, they found the highest average concentrations of PAs consumed were found in the samples of rooibos (lower bound (LB)=4.1g/L) and peppermint (LB=3.5g g/L).

Concentrations of PAs in black tea were twice as high as reported for green tea (LB=1.6g/L and LB=0.8g/L, respectively).

Certain food supplements contained very high levels of PAs. Average PA concentrations of 235253g/kg (LB upper bound (UB)) were reported for pollen-based supplements. Retail honey contained PA concentrations of 14.527.5 g/kg.

Using the RP of 237 g/kg bw per day for the sum of all 1,2-unsaturated PAs, exposure levels were calculated for dietary exposure.

Acute exposure that also accounted for high contamination levels in all food commodities ranged from 1 to 300ng/kg bw per day and from 6 to 170ng/kg bw per day for mean consumers in the younger age classes (infantsadolescents) and adults, respectively.

Acute or short-term exposure to PAs related to the consumption of food supplements varied considerably depending on the type of supplement.

Consumption of PA producing plant extracts to be consumed following infusion led to exposure levels as high as 890ng/kg bw per day.

Ingestion of one tablet/capsule based on PA-producing plants corresponded to estimates of acute/short-term exposure levels of about 800 or 1,800g/kg bw per day.

Acute/short-term exposure through the consumption of pollen-based supplements showed much lower exposure estimates in the range of 344ng/kg bw per day.

In view of the margin of more than three orders of magnitude between these exposure levels and the lowest known dose range associated with human acute/short-term adverse effects, the CONTAM Panel concluded that there is a low risk related to acute dietary exposure to PAs through the consumption of teas, herbal infusions and honey, the report concluded.

Consumption of pollen-based supplements is not considered to pose acute risks to human health, the Panel added.

Continued here:

Food supplements and tea subject of EFSA warning on pyrrolizidine alkaloid consumption - NutraIngredients.com

Are you looking for the magic pill for weight loss, increased energy or anything else that ails you? You arent alone. While the draw of dietary supplements is strong and the claims compelling dont be fooled these products are not the same as food. For example, a recent study identified green tea extract as a potentially dangerous ingredient. While sipping on green tea can benefit health, the supplemental form commonly found in weight loss and bodybuilding supplements has been linked to many cases of liver damage. Here are 4 other supplements that are much more dangerous than their food-based counterparts.

Why Supplements Can Be So Dangerous

Unlike foods and medications, the dietary supplement industry has very little FDA oversight. For this reason, many products sold on store shelves and online are manufactured without proper safety testing. These dangers may be the culprit for a dramatic uptick in liver disease over the last decade. Health conscious consumers are rightfully confused. When a nutrient gets attention for its health benefits, its logical to look for more from a supplement, but this can do more harm than good. While there is a time and place for supplements when a true deficiency has been detected, some of the most popular nutrients out there can treat your body very differently when taken in supplement form. The good news is, however, its spectacularly hard to eat your way into toxicity if you stick to the whole food sources.

Red Yeast Rice

Touted for its cholesterol lowering properties, this supplement has made the Consumer Reports list of 15 Supplement Ingredients to Always Avoid. Not only can it negatively affect the action of cholesterol-lowering prescription drugs, it may also affect proper function of the muscles, kidneys and liver.

Iron

Your body relies heavily on iron for healthy blood. According to the National Institutes of Health, populations at risk for deficiency include infants, children, teen girls and both pregnant and pre-menopausal women. Eating iron rich foods like dried fruits, fortified cereals, dark-meat poultry and red meat can help you meet those daily needs, while supplements can be toxic to the liver. For this reason, if you choose to take a supplement monitor blood levels regularly and work with your doctor and registered dietitian to establish a proper supplement dosage.

Vitamin A

This essential nutrient is found in red and orange fruits and veggies as well as milk, cheese and meat. The animal based sources are known as retinol and high doses from supplements can cause skin changes, liver problems and birth defects in pregnant women.

Vitamin B6

Lots of folks reach for B vitamins like B6 to help boost energy and brain function, but the truth is only calories from food will truly give you energy and nutrients the body needs. Large doses of B6 can lead to nerve damage when taken for long periods of time. Since this nutrient may appear in many different supplements, its vitally important to take inventory of all the supplements you are taking. Vitamin B6 can be found in a wide variety of foods including chickpeas, chicken, potatoes, cottage cheese, nuts, raisins, tofu, rice and watermelon.

Dana Angelo White, MS, RD, ATC, is a registered dietitian, certified athletic trainer and owner ofDana White Nutrition, Inc., which specializes in culinary and sports nutrition.

*This article was written and/or reviewed by an independent registered dietitian nutritionist.

Excerpt from:

Recipes - Healthy Eats (blog)

To take better care of yourself, you eat healthy foods, exercise, and see your doctor regularly. You also may take vitamins or supplements to boost your immune system or get essential nutrients. But how can you know what kinds of vitamins or supplements to avoid and what is actually good for you?

Not all doctors agree about the benefits of vitamins and supplements, but theres one thing they can all agree on: If you are taking any kind of vitamin or supplement, you need to tell your primary care doctor as well as any other doctors involved in your care.

More than half of all American adults take some kind of vitamin, but most dont think they need to tell their doctor. All vitamins, minerals, supplements and detox regimens are medically important.

Unfortunately, just like with prescription medications, the wrong combinations of vitamins can mean more harm than help: Some pre-existing health conditions dont mix well with certain supplements, and some vitamins can counteract or react with prescription medications such as birth control, blood thinners, heart medication and even antibiotics, says Kali Hollingsworth, DO, a family and sports medicine physician with Kettering Physician Networks Primary Care Greystone in Sugarcreek Twp. Taking the wrong doses of vitamins, combining vitamins, or mixing supplements and alcohol could have negative effects on your health.

Common supplements that can interact with medications include St. Johns wart, feverfew, vitamin E, garlic, Co Q10, fish oil, and vitamin D.

Millions of Americans are also taking probiotics for digestive health. Theres evidence that some probiotics may help prevent diarrhea caused by infections or antibiotics. Some may also ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome or lactose intolerance. But the U.S. Food and Drug Administration hasnt approved any health claims for probiotics.

Its always best to talk with your doctor before you start taking a supplement, especially if you already take medications, have health concerns or are pregnant, advises Dr. Hollingsworth.

People who take more than one medication or supplement are at high risk for a potentially negative interaction, some of which can take weeks to develop.

When possible, foods, not supplements, are the best sources of nutrients. Thats because produce is packed with other naturally occurring substances that are good for you, too.

If youre a caregiver who manages medications for a family member or loved one, be sure to keep a list of every medication your loved one takes. This includes prescription and nonprescription drugs, as well as nutritional supplements and vitamins. Give a copy to each health care provider that your family member or loved one sees.

Be sure to have a doctor or pharmacist review that list at least once a year and look for possible drug interactions.

Kettering Health Network is a faith-based, not-for-profit healthcare system. The network has eight hospitals: Grandview, Kettering, Sycamore, Southview, Greene Memorial, Fort Hamilton, Kettering Behavioral Health and Soin.

See more here:

Vitamins and supplements: Why bother telling your doctor? - MyDaytonDailyNews

Contaminated dietary supplements may cause health problems in users and render athletes ineligible to play, according to a Clemson University professor.

Bryan Denham, Campbell professor of sports communication and chair of Clemsons communication department, wrote in a series of journal articles that the problem often lies in the inclusion of methylhexaneamine, or DMAA, an amphetamine derivative banned by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).

Denham said supplement users may not realize that manufacturers need not supply evidence of safety and efficacy before marketing their products. Under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, or the DSHEA, the U.S Food and Drug Administration cannot inspect supplements until after the products have appeared in the marketplace.

Denham's work, featured in the International Journal of Sport Policy and Politics, explained that athletes might enjoy an energy boost from DMAA-spiked products, but the presence of DMAA can result in a suspension from a WADA-regulated competition.

While many athletes are aware of the ban on DMAA, Denham said they test positive because some manufacturers continue to spike products with it. DMAA does not appear on ingredient labels, he said, but shows up on drug tests.

As Denham points out in a second article, forthcoming in the International Journal of Sport Nutrition and Exercise Metabolism, the spread of misinformation is another hurdle for athletes, who often rely on one another for information about supplements. That practice may or may not result in an accurate understanding of the risks involved.

Denham said supplement manufacturers can also sow confusion. He said these manufacturers frequently contend that substances such as DMAA can be found in nature and therefore qualify as legitimate ingredients based on DSHEA guidelines.

In addition to stimulants, dietary supplements have also been found to contain anabolic steroids. In a third article, published in the International Journal of Sport Communication, Denham examines the Designer Anabolic Steroid Control Act of 2014.

In the U.S., anabolic steroids are classified as Schedule III Controlled Substances and the 2014 legislation added approximately 25 "designer" steroids to the list.

Denham said designer steroids are substances that have been reverse-engineered to differ slightly from existing drugs. Chemists design these drugs, which frequently turn up in dietary supplements, with an end goal to create performance-enhancing substances that have not been banned by WADA.

In my view, the press has done a very good job of identifying the problems associated with designer steroids, Denham said, but certain policymakers and strong supplement lobbies have made it difficult to act. Any mention of reforming DSHEA is met with shouting about threatened consumer rights.

Denham said that more than half of all adults in the United States use some forms of dietary supplements and the U.S. supplement industry is approaching $40 billion. The problem, he said, is that consumers can only trust that products contain what manufacturers say they contain.

While actual pharmaceuticals are required to contain between 90 and 110 percent of stated ingredient amounts, researchers have identified dietary supplements that contain between zero and 150 percent.

Denham encourages supplement users to examine product labels for indications of third-party batch testing. These tests examine raw materials that will be used in supplements. Companies such as Informed Sport certify products following batch tests, and individuals can then record batch numbers of supplements used. Athletes can also install a phone application, Supplement 411, which lists hazardous supplements identified by the United States Anti-Doping Agency.

Here is the original post:

Clemson study reveals dangers of DMAA - South Strand news

We always want the best for our family pets and the best in this case is a natural diet along with a little help with selection of supplements.

Within this category you will find a weed and flowers seeds which will allow you to grow your own tortoise food at home, if cultivated correctly you could all most have an endless supply.

You will also find available a selection of diet supplements including Vitamins & Calcium, which help your pet tortoise fight against the signs of MBD.

All food sources on our website are suitable for the Mediterranean breeds.

Show: 25 40 50 75 100

Sort By: Default Name (A - Z) Name (Z - A) Price (Low > High) Price (High > Low) Rating (Highest) Rating (Lowest) Model (A - Z) Model (Z - A)

VitaminsFull SpectrumMineralsA safe and potent natural full spectrum vitamin powder for all ex..

2017 Tortoise Calendar ( A4) I think the tortoise photos in this reptile calendar are FABULOUS on..

With our propagator pack you will be able to grow your own edible weeds providing your tortoise with..

100% High Grade Calcium CarbonateA fine grade and easy to digest and assimilate natural calcium powd..

A blend of Nutritious flowers with bee pollen for optimum nutrition for plant eating reptiles.This m..

For use with all vegetarian and omnivorous speciesA full spectrum and potent dietary supplement spri..

No tortoise owner should be without this mix. The bag consists of over 10 different types of nutriti..

Clover is rich in nitrates, which is an integral part of your tortoises fresh natural diet througho..

Vetch is rich in nutrients and is a great way to add a bit of variety into your tortoises natural d..

Grasses and Meadow Herbs for Tortoises ..

Cuttlefish bone is an excellent source of calcium for your tortoise. Calcium is a key ingredient for..

Reptavite is a high quality broad spectrum vitamin, mineral and amino acid supplement formulated spe..

The Tortoise Banquet Block is designed to offer your tortoises and Box turtles supplemental calciu..

Calcium, finely ground calc..

Natural Food Mixture for Tortoises ..

Read more from the original source:

Food & Supplements - Tortoise Food - The Tortoise Shop Ltd

Dawn Teer

In a recent American Medical Association newsletter under the Leading the News headline were these three news links on the results of studies on energy supplements such as the ones reported on recently in The Sun Times.

ABC News (7/24) reports on its website that calls to poison control centers in the US caused by exposures to dietary supplements rose by nearly 50 percent between 2005 and 2012, according to a study published in the Journal of Medical Toxicology. The study said that a majority of those calls involved children, and the authors support increased FDA regulation for certain supplements that were associated with high amounts of toxicity.

This is the article in its entirety. A new study found calls to poison control centers in the U.S. due to exposures to dietary supplements rose by nearly 50 percent between 2005 and 2012, and that a majority of those calls involved children being exposed to supplements. The report, published Friday in the Journal of Medical Toxicology, called for an increase in regulation by the Food and Drug Administration for certain supplements that were associated with high amounts of toxicity. Researchers combed through all calls that were made to poison control centers in the U.S. related to dietary supplement exposure between 2000 to 2012, and also found that the majority of supplement exposure calls (70 percent) involved children 6 years old and under. Dr. Jennifer Ashton, ABC News' Chief Women's Health Correspondent shared some tips on "Good Morning America" today to help keep your children safe from accidental exposures to dietary supplements, advising parents to treat supplements like prescription medicines, and keep them far away from children. She adds that you should never assume that just because something is "natural" that it is safe. Ashton recommends keeping a poison control center phone number handy in your home, and if you do suspect your child has accidentally ingested supplements, to never induce vomiting without speaking to poison control authorities first.

CBS News (7/24, Welch) reports, Seventy percent of the calls involved children younger than 6 years old, and the majority of cases were unintentional, occurring when children swallowed supplements they found at home. Additionally, approximately 4.5 percent of the time more than 12,300 cases serious medical complications occurred. NBC News (7/24, Charles) reports researchers singled out yohimbe tree bark extract as the latest in a long list of dangerous substances that children are accidentally ingesting. It is noted as being particularly dangerous because it had the largest proportion of serious outcome and has been found to cause heart beat rhythm changes and kidney failure in children. Yohimbe is most often used to treat erectile dysfunction in men and low libido in women, even though there is scant evidence that it works. The FDA has received reports of seizures and kidney failure associated with yohimbe consumption.

CNN (7/24, Knight) reports that ma huang, yohimbe, homeopathic agents and energy drinks were found to be the most dangerous supplements.

These stories seem to support the recent stories Jacque Martin has been reporting on in The Sun Times regarding a student who was given an energy product without knowledge or consent from the students parents.

Link:

Dietary supplements linked to more calls to poison control - Heber Springs Sun-Times

By Pam Stuppy

The supplement market has expanded in leaps and bounds over the past few decades as consumers search for magic bullets toward better health. Glimpses of possible health contributions from assorted substances have led to more and more supplemental products, each promoting their contribution towards a potentially better quality of life and/or greater longevity. This market expansion and the health messages provided by supplement manufacturers have resulted in greater consumer confusion about the need for supplemental products.

Some of the vitamins and minerals that appear in supplemental products have been studied over a number of years for their benefits to our bodies. What researchers are exploring currently, however, are numerous other substances found in plant-based foods that work alone or more often synergistically with each other and/or vitamins and minerals. Think of it as a team working for your health. You may see terms such as phytonutrients or phytochemicals to describe these substances.

Whereas supplements contain limited numbers of nutritional substances, less processed food sources contain thousands of these phytonutrients, and there are probably many more we have yet to discover. One of the largest categories of phytonutrients is flavonoids. More than 6,000 different flavonoids have been identified to date.

Phytonutrients are found in fruits, vegetables, whole grains beans, legumes, nuts, seeds, herbs, spices and some beverages. A few examples of their potential benefits would be protecting our bodies from tissue damage, reducing the risk of chronic diseases and promoting maximal body functioning.

Another point of confusion for consumers is the marketing of some food products. Because we are learning that phytonutrients are important for health, some foods are being promoted as superfoods. Measuring the antioxidant capacity of foods (as in the ORAC system) has been one way of establishing a hierarchy of foods. Such criteria are often the rationale behind the promotion of some known and also exotic foods.

These laboratory assays can give us a little information about a foods health benefits, but antioxidant capacity is only one of numerous possible functions of the broad range of phytonutrients. We need to also look at how these substances operate in a body rather than just in a test tube and research has a long way to go before we have these answers. Until then, consuming a wide variety of plant-based foods would be a good goal.

Does this mean that supplements should not play a role in our health? Yes and no. We know that supplements are not a replacement for a healthy diet. A poor diet with added supplements can still result in poor health. That being said, individual vitamins and minerals may be warranted for people with certain medical issues, those who have had surgeries related to the intestinal tract, those taking medications that interfere with nutrient uptake, or people who are otherwise unable to consume adequate food intake.

When it comes to most nutrients, there is a window of benefit between consuming too little and too much. We know that deficiencies can cause problems but in some instances so can overconsumption. A UL (upper tolerable limit) has been established for most of the vitamins and minerals. Above this amount, there is concern for some negative side effect. Between supplements, fortified foods and beverages and other sources, consumers may be exceeding the UL.

Be aware that the supplement market is not tightly regulated. Some products may contain contaminants, may not contain what they say they contain on the label, may not dissolve appropriately, may contain excessive amounts, may promote unproven benefits and are often costly.

Some vitamins and minerals when consumed at the higher supplemental doses also compete with each other for uptake into the body. They may also interact with or interfere with certain medications. The level of nutrients available in foods is rarely a concern, however.

Some supplements that may be helpful to certain individuals might be vitamin B12, iron, vitamin D, magnesium and calcium. Dietary B12 requires acid in the stomach for availability but the supplemental form does not. Older adults who may have lower stomach acidity or people taking medications that lower stomach acid may want to take B12.

People with iron deficiency anemia could benefit from an iron supplement but this should be monitored because excessive iron is detrimental. Intake of supplemental iron and calcium should be separated by at least four hours.

A supplement of vitamin D may benefit those who get limited sun exposure (such as people living in northern latitudes, those with limited time outdoors or who use sunscreen, people who are overweight, and those with darker pigmented skin). A blood test can determine vitamin D status.

Most people should be able to consume adequate calcium and magnesium for bone health from a healthy diet. If not, the dose of the magnesium supplement should be kept to less than the UL of 350mg/day.

Note that the body cannot take in more than 500mg of calcium at a time, so doses higher than this amount should be split over the day. Calcium carbonate should be taken with meals due to the higher stomach acid needed for absorption. Calcium citrate does not require acidity so is the recommended form for older individuals with lower stomach acidity and for people taking medications that reduce stomach acid. Be aware that some studies of postmenopausal women showed an increased risk of kidney stones with calcium supplement doses over 500mg/day.

So, in answering the question as to whether foods or supplements are better for health, in some cases it may be a balance between the two. Ideally, a healthy diet made up of a variety of less processed foods, with special emphasis on those that are plant-based, should be the foundation for securing the wide range of nutrients needed for health.

Pam Stuppy, MS, RD, CSSD, LD, is a registered, licensed dietitian with nutrition counseling offices in York, Maine, and Portsmouth. She is also the nutritionist for Phillips Exeter Academy, presents workshops nationally, and is board certified as a specialist in sports dietetics. Visit http://www.pamstuppynutrition.com for nutrition information, healthy cooking tips and recipe ideas.

Continue reading here:

Foods or supplements for maximal health? - News - fosters.com ... - Foster's Daily Democrat

If you want to drop those extra pounds that always make you feel uncomfortable, there are umpteen ways to try now. While you may be tempted to go for quick fixes and easy solutions, you need to be thoughtful and knowledgeable about what approach you take towards weight loss. Some methods may be rewarding, whereas others may end up harming you.

If you think of supplements and herbal remedies, you may find many mixed reviews. When it comes to alternative medicines, some are proven to be effective, whereas others have no scientific backing at all. That is why you should always discuss with your physician before you try anything.

FDA has cracked down the facts about some traditional weight loss supplements. There are many dietary supplements, which are primarily treated as food supplements to promote weight loss. Lets further discuss a few such supplements that can help you lose weight effectively.

It is a sugar variant, which is derived from the hard outer shell of crabs, shrimp, and lobsters. Some studies have shown that Chitosan is effective in blocking fat from getting absorbed by the body in the form of cholesterol.

Even though the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health states that this supplement is effective in weight loss, no concrete proof has yet been presented. Chitosan does not cause long-term side effects, but some people reported upset stomach and constipation.

You can see many mixed Garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar reviews online. Garcinia cambogia is basically a tropical fruit, which is also called Malabar tamarind. It is said to have effects in blocking the bodys ability to make fat and curb appetite. It also keeps the sugar and cholesterol levels in check.

Apple cider vinegar helps in decreasing obesity and helps the body to regulate metabolism and maintain fitness. In many cases, reduction of waist circumference and waist-to-hip ratio is observed with regular use of apple cider vinegar.

It is another popular supplement that contains the fatty acid known as linoleic acid. It is proven to have positive effects in curbing the body fat and help individuals feel full. It is said that consumption of about 1.8 to 6.8 grams of CLA a day may strengthen muscles and reduce body fat.

This supplement is made from konjac plant. Like any dietary fiber, Glucomannan also helps you lose weight by effectively blocking fat absorption in the body. You can find Glucomannan in the form of capsule or powder. It also to be noted that Glucomannan may make it hard to absorb other medications. So, you need to consume other medicine either an hour before or four hours after taking Glucomannan.

Many other natural supplements are effective in weight loss such as green tea extract, green coffee extract, Guar Gum, Hoodia, 7-Keto-DHEA, Ephedra. However, always ensure that you discuss it in detail with your healthcare provider before trying out any of these.

Kenny Weiss is a naturopathy expert and dietitian who works for a leading alternative health care practice in the United States. After carrying out several studies, he posted many Garcinia cambogia and apple cider vinegar reviews online.

See the original post here:

Handy Weight Loss Supplements and Herbs for Delightful Results - Times Square Chronicles (press release) (registration)

Strawberries used to be a summer treat an expensive luxury that appeared only when Wimbledon was on one of the three TV channels available. Nowadays of course, with the advent of polytunnels and increased consumer demand they are available twelve months of the year. Delicious with a spot of cream.

But soon you might be eating another type of strawberry the seeds. A recent paper published in the journal LWT Food Science and Technology titled Defatted strawberry seeds as a source of phenolics, dietary fiber and minerals suggests that strawberry seeds could be the next thing to hit the health food market.

The food supplement industry in the UK is big business which might be surprising as the UK was described in some media reports as the fat man of Europe in 2016. According to the United Nation report, the UK has the highest levels of obesity in Western Europe.

But, that didnt stop the UK consumers spending over 400 million on vitamins and supplements each year. Almost 65% of us take some form of vitamins or supplements daily adding up to a lot of pills. As the market matures it changes, and rather than take a cure-all we are increasingly taking targeted supplements whether age-related or targeted at some specific benefit.

So, where do strawberry seeds fit into this market?

The researchers from Lodz University of Technology in Poland were interested in the nutrients that could be found in strawberry seeds. Seeds from other plants sunflower seeds, hemp seeds, sesame seeds and chia seeds have been shown to be full of micronutrients that we can struggle to get from other food sources. Plus, seeds are full of protein, essential fats, minerals and dietary fibre all without putting weight on.

The researchers analysed seeds from three consecutive harvests by separating the seeds from the flesh and juice and then defatting the seeds using carbon dioxide. Seeds are defatted as they are easier to analyse for nutrients. They then carried out tests to measure the protein content, total dietary fibre and polyphenols in the seeds.

The researchers found that the seeds comprised mainly of dietary fibre with almost 74% of the seeds weight comprised of fibre. Proteins made up almost 17% of the seeds weight. They used liquid chromatography to measure the quantity of polyphenols in the seeds which they found to be around 1.7% of the seeds weight. The use of chromatography to analyse fruit and veg is discussed in this article, LC-MS/MS and GC-MS/MS Multi Residue Pesticide Analysis in Fruit and Vegetable Extracts on a Single Tandem Quadrupole Mass Spectrometer.

With their high fibre and protein content, the authors suggest that strawberry seeds could have a potential for use as a food supplement which is great news for manufacturers who make strawberry juice as the seeds are a waste product.

The rest is here:

Can Strawberry Seeds Be Used as Food Supplements? - Chromatography Today

Our late Rottweiler mix, Lucy, was diagnosed with chronic hip dysplasia when she was only 4 years old. After researching ways to help her I learned that joint supplements containing the ingredients chondroitin and glucosamine seem to help some dogs with joint issues. Following a discussion with my veterinarian, I started Lucy on two pills a day. I dont know if they helped her, but she joined us on walks and hikes until we finally lost her at age 15.

Now we think that our 10-year-old border collie mix, Jason, is showing signs of arthritis. Once the vet confirms this, well ask if we should put him on the same supplements we used for Lucy? Were not alone in considering the use of pet supplements. According to market researcher Packaged Facts, projected retail sales for pet supplements and nutraceutical treats in the U.S. are expected to grow through 2017, to an estimated $1.6 billion.

The National Animal Supplement Council (NASC) describes pet supplements as products that are intended to complement the diet and help support and maintain a normal biological function. Products range from multivitamins for overall health to targeted formulas that claim to alleviate joint problems or canine cognitive dysfunction.

The most commonly used pet supplements are multivitamins, joint supplements and fatty acids. Veterinary experts agree that glucosamine/chondroitin supplements if they are of good quality, may have modest benefits in some animals with arthritis. And fish oil supplements may be beneficial for pets with certain medical conditions, such as heart disease, kidney disease and cancer. However, even these common supplements have potential side effects and are not right for every dog and cat with these conditions. As for multivitamin supplements, veterinary experts say that pets do not need these unless they are on a nutritionally unbalanced diet.

A healthy dog and cat on a well-regulated commercial pet food that has been carefully designed by a board-certified veterinary nutritionist will be getting all the vitamins and minerals they need, said Laura Eirmann, a veterinary nutritionist at Oradell Animal Hospital. Complete and balanced pet foods are made to give pets the right amount of nutrients and adding more could be harmful to your pet Eirmann said. For example, giving too much calcium to a large breed puppy can lead to skeletal diseases.

Eirmann advises that pet owners always speak with their primary care veterinarian before adding a supplement to their pets diet. This is especially important because unlike drugs, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not review supplements for efficacy, safety or quality before they are put on the market. Drug manufacturers must prove that a drug is safe and effective before it can be sold to consumers. However, in the case of pet supplements, the FDA has to prove that they are unsafe before they can be pulled off of the market.

Because pet supplements are not regulated its a buyer beware area, Eirmann said.

Dogs and cats handle food items differently than we do. Just because a supplement is advertised as natural, that doesnt mean it is safe for our pets.

In her article Dietary Supplements for Pets: Harmful or Helpful? Lisa M. Freeman, a veterinary nutritionist, and professor at Tufts University Cummings Veterinary Medical Center wrote that pets can get sick or even die as a result of dietary supplements. She writes:

Even if the supplement by itself is safe, its use in combination with medications an animal may be taking can cause dangerous interactions. In addition, numerous studies have shown that many supplements have terrible quality control. This means that if you buy a supplement that is supposed to contain 500 mg per tablet, it may contain 500 mg but it also may contain 1000 mg or nothing at all! Some supplements may be contaminated with mercury, lead, or other substances. That doesnt even get into the issues of supplement tablets that dont dissolve appropriately (which means they wont get absorbed).

Eirmann said there is evidence that some supplements can help pets. In fact, her 15 -year-old golden retriever, Sprocket, is taking a supplement that contains SAMe and Silybin, proven to support certain types of liver disease. In addition to speaking with a veterinarian, Eirmanns advice to anyone interested in adding supplements to their pets diet is to do extensive research. Find out if the company manufacturing the supplements has done any studies and if those studies are applicable to your particular pet.

If youre doing the research online, dont rely solely on testimonials or company marketing materials, Eirmann said. You want to know if a product is safe and if it is effective. Your veterinarian is the expert so ask before making a final decision on using a product.

Source: Laura Eirmann, a veterinary nutritionist at Oradell Animal Hospital

Photo Credit:Thinkstock

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Originally posted here:

Do Our Pets Really Benefit From Supplements? Here's What the Experts Have to Say - Care2.com