Daily Archives: June 26, 2017

Research and Markets – Cognitive Systems & Artificial Intelligence in BFSI Market to Grow at a CAGR of 45.9% by 2022 … – PR Newswire (press…

Posted: June 26, 2017 at 5:17 pm

The Artificial Intelligence &Cognitive Systems and Artificial in BFSI will witness a CAGR of 45.9% during the forecast period 2016-2022.

The increasing usage of cloud-based solutions in the BFSI industry, rising demand for the data-driven solutions, increasing internet banking penetration, and scope of deriving market risk are fostering the market growth. The market is segmented into technologies, deployment types, verticals and regions.

Globally, BFSI is the second most customer data-centric industry, where players have a bundle of new business opportunities from Cognitive Systems and Artificial Intelligence (AI). It is an evolving data driven technology that works on on-premises and cloud-based software. The system replaces the human thought process with a simulated digital model that includes a self-learning system, which derives patterns by using data mining, speech recognition, and language processing techniques. The cognitive systems require AI platform to derive the complicated business issues.

Globally, the growing demand for digital technology and changing customer demands have led the BFSI players to adopt cognitive systems and AI implementation in their operations to deal with ever-changing regulatory & compliance laws to face the market risk and understand both income tax & corporate tax laws in an efficient way. It is also showing a strong presence in analyzing consumer behavior patterns to bring new offerings and is finding new distribution channels for the financial institutions.

Companies Mentioned

Key Topics Covered:

1 Industry Outlook

2 Report Outline

3 Market Snapshot

4 Market Outlook

5 Market Characteristics

6 Deployment Type: Market Size & Analysis

7 Technologies: Market Size & Analysis

8 Verticals: Market Size & Analysis

9 Regions: Market Size & Analysis

10 Vendor Profiles

11 Companies to Watch for

For more information about this report visit https://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/5nkrdm/cognitive_systems

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Research and Markets Laura Wood, Senior Manager press@researchandmarkets.com

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Research and Markets - Cognitive Systems & Artificial Intelligence in BFSI Market to Grow at a CAGR of 45.9% by 2022 ... - PR Newswire (press...

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Artificial intelligence could be the answer for productivity woes – The Sydney Morning Herald

Posted: at 5:17 pm

Artificial intelligence could be the most revolutionary force affecting productivity in the United States economy, says the president of the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco.

"Everyone in Silicon Valley thinks statisticians are mis-measuring the productivity provided by the internet, but it's not that," says John C. Williams, on a trip to Sydney this week.

"Instead, the technologies that we now use and love mostly affect our consumption of leisure rather than affect our output in factories or offices."

Positive data showing the US economy is nearing full employment and that inflation is edging higher prompted the US central bank to recently raise interest rates for the second time in three months.

The US Fed also announced it will push ahead with plans to gradually shrink its $US4.5 trillion ($6 trillion) bond portfolio.

But wages and productivity growth remain stubbornly low, prompting the question: are economists mis-measuring the advent of the digital economy and the role of the internet in sophisticated labour markets?

The productivity gains from the inventions of electricity and the combustion engine had much more influence on humans' output capacity, says Mr Williams, and the only innovation in recent times that might rival those is artificial intelligence.

"AI is interesting because that says we could replace sophisticated human functions with computers," he told an audience at the University of Technology Sydney. "Potentially, that could be revolutionary in terms of our productivity."

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Productivity growth in the US has averaged 0.6 per cent over the last five years, down from 2.2 per cent during 1947-2007, according to JP Morgan data.

It's a problem affecting Australia as well, with the Reserve Bank of Australia also flagging the role of the internet in domestic productivity output.

Mr Williams also reiterated the US Federal Reserve's plan to "normalise" interest rate movements and said the US had reached a "turning point" in its transition from economic recovery to expansion.

"The more public understanding, the less chance that [our] actions will fuel unnecessarily volatility in the markets," said Mr Williams.

"Therefore, our process has been widely telegraphed and it will continue to be gradual, predictable and transparent, or in a word, boring,"

The pick-up in inflation and solid unemployment rate have solidified the US Federal Reserve's case for keeping the US economy expanding for as long as possible.

"Gradually raising interest rates to bring monetary policy back to normal helps The Fed keep the economy growing at a rate that can be sustained for a longer time," said Mr Williams.

"If we delay too long, the economy will eventually overheat, causing inflation or some other problem. At some point, that would put us in the position of having to quickly reverse course to slow the economy. That risks stalling the expansion and setting us back into recession."

While Mr Williams is not a member of the Federal Open Market Committee this year and does not vote on monetary policy directly, economists broadly agree he is a relatively good signal of future policy. He was the director of research at the San Francisco Fed when now-Fed chair Janet Yellen was president of the bank.

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Artificial Intelligence: The Next Step in Financial Crime Compliance Evolution – Finextra (blog)

Posted: at 5:17 pm

Financial Services compliance departments are constantly turning to technology to find efficiencies and satisfy increasingly tough regulatory examinations. It started with simple robotics, which can provide great operational efficiencies and help standardize processes. Never ones to rest on their laurels, compliance departments have begun looking to Artificial Intelligence (AI) as the next technological step to enhance and improve their programs. PayPal has cut its fraud false alerts in half by using an AI monitoring system that can identify benign reasons for seemingly bad behavior. HSBC recently announced a partnership to use AI in its Anti-Money Laundering (AML) program. Despite the adoption by some large players, there is still a lot of hesitancy and concern about the use of AI in financial crimes compliance.

WHAT IS AI AND HOW DOES IT WORK?

AI is computer software that can make decisions normally made by a human. What does this mean? In essence this means that it is computer software that can analyze large amounts of data and use patterns and connections within that data to reach certain results about that data.

Just like people, AI needs to learn in order to make decisions. It can do this in two ways: supervised or unsupervised learning. Supervised is the most common method, whereby data, the goal, and the expected output of that data are provided to the software allowing it to identify algorithms to get to the expected result. Supervised learning allows AI to use a feedback loop to further refine its intended task. If it identifies potential fraud, that turns out not to be, it can incorporate that feedback and uses it for future evaluation.

Unsupervised learning provides the software with only the data and the goal, but with no expected output. This is more complex and allows the AI to identify previously unknown results. As the software gets more data, it continues to refine its algorithm, becoming increasingly more efficient at its task.

HOW CAN IT HELP IN FINANCIAL CRIMES COMPLIANCE?

While there are varied uses in this space, one of the most relevant is to monitor transactions for potential criminal activity. Instead of using rule-based monitoring that looks for very specific red flag activity, AI software can use a large amount of data to filter out false alerts and identify complex criminal conduct. It can rule out false positives by identifying innocuous reasons for certain activity (investigation that normally needs to be done by an analyst) or see connections and patterns that are too complex to be picked up by straight forward rule-based monitoring. The reason it is able to do this is that AI software acts fluidly and can identify connections between data points that a human cannot. Its ability to analyze transactions for financial crime is only limited by the data available to it. Some specific uses are:

Fraud Identification: Identifying complex fraud patterns and cutting down on the number of false alerts by adding other data (geolocation tagging, IP addresses, phone numbers, usage patterns, etc.). See Paypals success in the first paragraph.

AML Transaction Monitoring and Sanctions Screening: Similar to fraud identification, it can greatly reduce the amount of false alerts by taking into account more data. It can also identify complex criminal activity occurring across products, lines of business, and customers.

Know Your Customer: Linkage detection between accounts, customers, and related parties to fully understand the risk of a party to the bank. Also, through analysis of unstructured data it can identify difficult to identify relevant negative news.

Anti-Bribery, Insider Trading, and Corruption: It can be used to identify insider trading or bribery by analyzing multiple source of information including emails, phone calls, messaging, expense reports, etc.

ANY CONCERNS?

Seems amazing, right? You might be wondering why everyone isnt immediately implementing these solutions throughout their financial crime compliance programs. While there have been some early adopters, there is still a lot of hesitation to use AI in the Financial Crime compliance space due to the highly regulated nature of the field. There is no doubt that AI will bring a huge lift in the future, but here are some of the concerns that need to be ironed out before we see large scale adoption:

Black box image of AI decisioning

By using more data than a human could synthesize, it may select patterns and results that wouldnt necessarily make sense to a person. As a result, AI providers need to ensure that AI derived decisions are supported by an auditable rationale that is clear to person. Clear documentation around how the AI gets to its results will be necessary.

Algorithmic Bias

Because AI software functions are based on the data it is provided, the impact of misinformation or biased information could be very large. This can occur when unintentional bias within the source data and training is uploaded into the algorithms the AI uses to perform its task. No one wants to end up with an AI transaction monitoring system that is flagging transactions based on racial or nationality bias.

Lack of regulatory acceptance

Currently, there appears to be a lack of regulatory acceptance mostly due to the first two concerns described above. That being said, in the United States, the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority are both working on limited use of AI in their organizations. This is a strong step in having them able to understand and test it.

WHAT TO DO?

Now you know how AI can help your program and some of the concerns you need to be mindful of, but what now? Here are a couple of next steps you can take to successfully implement AI into your Financial Crime Compliance Program:

Lastly, knowledge is power. Keep researching and make sure you understand the reality of what AI can bring to the table for you and your program.

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Citadel has just hired a new head of artificial intelligence from Microsoft – eFinancialCareers

Posted: at 5:17 pm

Hedge funds seeking artificial intelligence expertise need to cast the net wide these days, due to a shortage of people and a massive uptick in demand over the past 12 months.

Citadel has just turned to Microsoft for the new role of chief AI officer. Li Deng, who joined the tech firm straight out of academia 17 years ago, has just joined Citadels hedge fundoperation inSeattle, but will work also across Chicago and New York.

Deng announced his move to Citadel on LinkedIn yesterday, saying that he was very excited about the opportunities for artificial intelligence innovation here and the firms passion for growing its leadership in this space. Citadel didnt immediately respond to requests for comment.

Deng was chief scientist of AI and partner research manager at Microsoft. He joined in December 1999 from Waterloo University in Washington where he was a professor. He clearly has a passion for expanding AI knowledge he headed up Microsofts AI school, as well as founding its deep learning technology centre.

Citadel is the latest big buy-side firm to create a new role heading up AI and machine learning as hedge funds rely on ever-more complex datasets to gain an edge over the competition.

Man Group brought in William Ferreira as head of machine learning for its discretionary hedge fund business GLG in April. It was a newly-created role and he previously worked at Florin Court Capital. David Ferrucci, who previously headed up IBMs development of super-computer Watson, joined Bridgewater Associates in 2012 and now heads up its AI function, the Systematized Intelligence Lab, which has been growing this year

Hes kept his hand in academia, and was affiliate professor at the University of Washington for over 17 years until he joined Citadel in May. Hes written numerous books on using deep learning for automatic speech recognition as well as deep learning applications and methods.

Citadel already has a head of machine learning. Pradeep Natarajan joined from Amazon, where he was a senior research scientist, in October 2014.

Its also its second stab at poaching from Microsoft it brought in Kevin Turner, the tech firms ex-COO as CEO of Citadel Securities in August last year, but he left just seven months later. Hes now founder and CEO of his own start-up Forward Progress Ventures.

Contact:pclarke@efinancialcareers.com

Image: Getty Images

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Healing through alternative medicine: Winona locals choose acupuncture as a cure – Winona Daily News

Posted: at 5:15 pm

For Jade Fang, her profession is a real gift.

Born in Taiwan, Fang is a second-generation acupuncturist who followed her parents footsteps and has been helping people heal in Winona for almost a decade.

Fang hasnt always been around the Midwest. When she was 6, she moved to Florida from Taiwan and grew up there, watching her mom curing people at her acupuncture clinic. By being exposed to the techniques from her family, she decided to go into the same field as well.

She then attended college and kept pursuing her education goal through a master program in acupuncture at the Atlantic Institute of Oriental Medicine. Afterwards, she took up an internship in Shanghai that gave her the practical knowledge she needed to start her own business.

In 2009, love brought her to Minnesota, and Fang opened up her acupuncture clinic in downtown Winona.

I was scared at first, Fang said. It wasnt easy to move from Shanghai to Minnesota.

At her clinic, Fang wants to make sure her patients experience complete relaxation in a cozy and warm environment. Her meditation room features a welcoming space that provides enough seats for a group of people.

As the clients walk in, she turns on healing music and asks them to point out the location of their swelling. She then inserts a few needles in a patients ear, calf or knee, asks them to lie on the chair and relax for 20 to 25 minutes.

To relieve pain, Fang has a unique style of acupuncture that consists in placing the needles on the opposite side of the swelling.

Community member Betty Dennis said she was surprised Fang would insert the needles on the opposite side of her calf. She said she had acute back problems, and Jade has helped her make remarkable progress over time. Before trying acupuncture, she could not vacuum or dance with her husband, but she is now able to do so, with small movements.

I feel refreshed, Dennis said. This is the place to come.

While Dennis visited Jade for back problems, community member Rita Hanson went in Jades clinic the first time in 2010, when she had sciatica. Hanson said she used the clinics services frequently and felt a lot better. During the first treatment, she recalled falling asleep from the deep relaxation her body was experiencing.

At the end of each session, I have much more energy for the rest of the day, Hanson said.

Fang said she considers her duties to be different from a doctors. While a doctor prescribes a medication for a patient, she provides the treatment right away. Most people will relax no matter their pain or swelling.

Its like a deep meditation, Fang said. When patients leave, they are immediately calmer; its instant gratification.

For Julie Johnston, acupuncture became an answer to her hand injury. Before coming across Fangs clinic, she used to drive to La Crosse for an expensive private session, and would not sit on the chair long enough to feel relaxed. Fangs technique saved her situation when any other option was working. Treatment after treatment, she healed slowly and was able to use her hand again.

It would surprise me because the swelling would go down, Johnston said.

At the end of her sessions, Fang said people heal in different ways, and their experience is very personalized. Through her technique, she can cure people of all ages for allergies, headaches, dizziness, asthma, colds, and other illnesses. Usually, those who walk in with anxiety or depression, benefit a lot from a group setting, she said.

However, progress is gradual.

Its not a miracle cure. It works with your body and its very gentle, Fang said.

Dennis, Hanson and Johnston said Fangs clinic is very affordable for them; one of the reasons they have been able to visit her many times and heal gradually.

Some acupuncturists choose individual acupuncture, but Fang calls her style a community acupuncture, aimed to make her service more accessible and easier for the community. Fang is also a member of Peoples Organization of Community Acupuncture, and receives support from other acupuncturists who share the same goal as her: to work cooperatively to increase affordability and make community acupuncture as widely available as possible.

As a new alternative medicine in the Midwest, when Fang first opened up her office, she said people were afraid of its side effects and had a poor knowledge of the medicine, but then they realized how effective it could be and made her feel more accepted. Most people share with Fang that they are afraid of the needles, and she tells them they are not ejection needles, but they are applied on the outermost layer of the skin.

After I opened, there has been a lot more openness, Fang said. Its becoming more commonplace.

Today, more hospitals and clinics are starting to have their own staff acupuncturists, Fang said. Through POCA, Fang wishes to create social change in health care, as many people cannot get the health they need because they cannot afford it. Moreover, she would like to help open up and recommend even more affordable clinics in other towns, cities, and states, for those who drive far away to reach their closest clinic.

We want to be available and accessible, Fang said. We all help each other. We are like a resource.

In her community, Fangs goal is to educate people on the benefits of acupuncture and to help them understand alternative medicine is not scary, but simple and effective. Sometimes, people visit her as their last choice of treatment, but she hopes to make acupuncture part of an everyday cure.

She mentors new acupuncturists and shares with them the secrets of running a business. What she enjoyed the most as an acupuncturist in Winona has been charging a price everybody can afford, and seeing people gradually get better.

Its really meaningful work, Fang said. I feel like its a gift to do what I do.

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How cupping therapy helps athletes like Michael Phelps as an alternative medicine – Sport360

Posted: at 5:15 pm

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Michael Phelps piques everyones interest when he sported polka dot bruises all over his body during his return to Olympic glory.

Before the internet went wild with their speculations, it was later found out that Phelps had underwent an ancient practice of detoxification known as cupping therapy, and the bruises were in fact cupping marks.

In the middle east, the practice came to be known as Hijama, which literally means sucking and has its roots in Islamic tradition.

The unique process cleans out the cardiovascular system by sucking out waste fluids creating vacuum in them so the cup clings on to the skin and forces the fluids to start accumulatingin the vessel.

The procedure is considered to be quite beneficial for athletes that helps rejuvenate their muscles and enhance their performance.

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Medical journal takes aim at natural remedies – CBC.ca

Posted: at 5:15 pm

An editorial in Monday's Canadian Medical Association Journal is calling on the federal government to crack down on natural health products, which the author argues are poorly tested and can do patients more harm than good, compared to conventional medicines.

"They simply have to show that someone, somewhere once used this as therapy for something," Dr. Matthew Stanbrook, the journal's deputy editor, told CBC Toronto.

The editorial urges Health Canada to stop makers of natural healthproducts from claiming that the products areremedies, because they are not as rigorously tested as conventional, over-the-counter drugs.

Canadian Medical Association Journal deputy editor Dr. Matthew Stanbrook argues that natural remedies are not regulated carefully enough. (Keith Whalen/CBC News)

"The double standard perpetuated by both regulators and retailers that enables the deception of unsuspecting Canadians must end," the editorial states. "Alternative medicines with claims based on alternative facts do not deserve an alternative, easy regulatory road to market."

Supporters of alternative medicines are disputing the editorial's claims.

Shawn O'Reilly, executive director of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, said the editorial doesn't accurately reflect the standards that natural health products must meet before they can be sold to the public, which she called "robust."

Shawn O'Reilly, executive director of the Canadian Association of Naturopathic Doctors, says natural health products are tested more rigorously than an editorial in the new edition of the CMAJ lets on. (CBC News)

And Mike Hannalah, a Toronto pharmacist who dispenses both traditional and naturalremedies, said no natural health product can be placed on his shelf until it has received a "natural product number" from Health Canada, which is only issued once the federal government has approved the medicine for therapeutic use.

"So to me, it's the same kind of safety measures," he told CBC Toronto. "I do feel comfortable as a practitioner, as a pharmacist, to dispense those natural health products that met those requirements."

However, the editorial states that some natural health products are allowed make claims that have not been tested by Health Canada.

Manon Bombardier is director general of natural and nonprescription health products for Health Canada. (CBC News)

"If consumers are unable to separate products with no scientific proof behind them from products supported by evidence, then we need to separate them in stores," the editorial states. "Natural health products shouldbe pulled from the shelves where they are mixed with nonprescription drug products and confined to their own separate section."

Stanbrook also wants Health Canada to be given the power to remove natural health products from shelves a power it currently doesn't have.

Health Canada is currently reviewing the regulations that govern the sale of self-care products, including natural remedies. At a recent stop in Toronto, Manon Bombardier, Health Canada's director general of natural and nonprescription health products, said under the current rules, she has no authority to remove from shelves a natural remedy that proves to be harming people.

"We need to change that," she said. "Health Canada has the power to recall a bag of chips, but does not have the power to to recall an unsafe natural health product."

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A beginner’s guide to dietary supplements – Las Vegas Sun

Posted: at 5:14 pm

Monday, June 26, 2017 | 2 a.m.

Recent surveys and studies suggest the majority of Americans are missing the mark for at least one essential vitamin or mineral. That lack seldom leads to a full-blown deficiency, but it plays a role in the bigger picture of an individuals health.

Three-fourths of all Americans are taking some sort of supplement, the most common being a multivitamin, said Duffy MacKay, a licensed naturopathic doctor and senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs with the Council for Responsible Nutrition, a leading trade association of the booming supplement industry in the U.S. People dont exactly know what they are short on.

According to the latest Dietary Guidelines for Americans, vitamin D, calcium, potassium and fiber top the list. Since the 1940s, supplements have been sold as an answer to nutrition gaps, and consumers are buying the probiotics, fish oils and proprietary blends promising to make us whole.

Those promises need attention.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is tasked with ensuring the safety of what we consume, especially when it comes to controlled substances. But in 1994, supplements were federally classified as food, meaning oversight and enforcement would be much less stringent. It wasnt until December 2015 that the FDA created a standalone Office of Dietary Supplement Programs, augmenting the research-based Office of Dietary Supplements within the National Institutes of Health, and elevating the mission to protect public health by rooting out products that pose some risk.

However, a Los Angeles Times column by consumer-affairs watchdog David Lazarus suggested that the already small budget of the new FDA office reportedly less than $5 million to police a $37 billion industry was threatened under President Donald Trump. If the funding cuts Trump proposed for the Department of Health and Human Services manifest, Lazarus wrote, its almost a sure thing that people increasingly will be at greater risk when it comes to the safety and effectiveness of over-the-counter supplements.

Damon McCune, director of UNLVs Didactic Program for Nutrition and Dietetics, says there are probably tens of thousands of products on the market. That number is fluid, he said, and I imagine changes every day.

Thats because its relatively easy to bring supplements to commercial shelves, and consumers tend to be quick to trust the packaging. Until a stronger system is established for evaluating and enforcing supplement efficacy and safety, the public must arm itself with information.

Mona Shield Payne

A variety of unique fruits and vegetables can be found beautifully displayed at the International Marketplace located at 5000 S. Decatur in Las Vegas on January 28, 2013.

A FOOD-FIRST STRATEGY IS BEST

Dietary guidelines have changed over the years, from the Food Guide Pyramid to MyPlate.

The Center for Health and the Global Environment at Harvard says nutrient retention is maximized when food is minimally processed and doesnt have to travel very far.

Food with color, especially bold color, contains more healthy phytochemicals, Prevention magazine reported. Also: bigger isnt better when it comes to nutrient density.

A 2013 study published in the journal PLOS ONE showed cooking vegetables upped nutrient density, and beans won for nutrition per penny.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture has done a lot of good research, said Crystal Petrello, a registered dietitian and past-president of the Nevada Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics. She says that while people might get recommended amounts of protein, the produce portion of a balanced diet is where they falter. People should be getting between nine and 11 servings of fruits and vegetables a day. The average person gets one or two servings, Petrello said. And they consider spaghetti sauce or ketchup as part of that.

Clinical research and common sense support the idea that a diet packed with fresh, nutrient-rich foods helps stave off debilitating conditions such as heart disease and diabetes. Investing in fruits and veggies gives the most bang for your buck, Petrello said, adding that people should limit added sugar. Because the better the diet, the less need to supplement it.

Since 2011, the federal government has provided a personalized tool called MyPlate, which uses a persons age, sex, height, weight and activity level to calculate a diet plan. Using its Daily Checklist, you can enter your details and download the corresponding guide to food-group and calorie targets within these categories: protein, grain, fruits, vegetables, dairy.

With the help of two nutrition experts, Harvard Medical School compiled a list of foods dense in vitamins and minerals relative to the number of calories per serving: avocados, baked potatoes, bell peppers, Brussels sprouts, eggs, fish (cod, halibut, salmon, scallops, shrimp, tuna), fruit (cantaloupe, papaya, raspberries, strawberries), grains (barley, brown rice, oats, quinoa), greens (chard, collard greens, kale, mustard greens, spinach), lean meat (beef, lamb, venison), legumes (garbanzo, kidney, navy and pinto beans, lentils, peas), low-fat yogurt, mushrooms (cremini, shiitake), nuts (almonds, cashews, peanuts), poultry (chicken, turkey), seeds (flax, pumpkin, sesame, sunflower), sweet potatoes.

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WHAT ARE SUPPLEMENTS?

According to the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994, in order to be identified as a dietary supplement, a product must:

1. Enhance the human diet

2. Contain one or more dietary ingredients

3. Be taken orally in whatever form

The Consumer Healthcare Products Association defines a dietary ingredient as any of the following: vitamins, minerals, herbs and other botanicals, amino acids, enzymes and potentially beneficial bacteria or yeasts. But supplements arent just about promoting health by filling in nutritional gaps or fortifying stores of particular vitamins and minerals. Some products advertise better mental, athletic or sexual performance. They might be natural, single-source extracts from plants or animal tissues, or targeted blends with chemically altered natural materials and others that are entirely synthetic.

How are supplements regulated?

Its a misconception that the industry isnt regulated, said Damon McCune, head of UNLVs Didactic Program for Nutrition and Dietetics. It is regulated, just very poorly. Dietary supplements are jointly regulated by the Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission.

FDA: Supplements dont need FDA approval before going to market, though companies must notify the agency of their product information and intent to sell. The onus is on the FDA to investigate products and manufacturing facilities and prove something isnt safe in order to restrict use or remove items from shelves. (Supplements) go through a more rigorous process than food inspection and a less rigorous one than drugs, said the Council for Responsible Nutritions Duffy MacKay. Unlike prescription medications, supplements may only make claims about health broadly (though some companies break that rule), or about nutrient content or specific functions.

In its own effort to engage companies in bringing supplements to a level of consistent quality, the Council for Responsible Nutrition built a self-regulatory registry called the Supplement Online Wellness Library to help create a rich and more complete picture of the marketplace for regulators, retailers and industry.

FTC: The FTC tracks responsibility in advertising claims. If it comes down on a supplement brand for having misleading practices, MacKay said, it sends a message throughout the industry that encourages other companies to get in compliance. But with limited resources and so many supplements to watch, matters get complicated. Among factors making regulation more difficult is abundant misinformation on the internet, MacKay says. Just remember there are no magic bullets or quick fixes ...

Proven supplements work well for ...

From Carol Haggans, registered dietitian and consultant for the National Institutes of Healths Office of Dietary Supplements:

It is possible to overdose. ... All vitamins and minerals have a recommended intake, which is the amount people should strive to get from foods and, if needed, dietary supplements each day.

Vitamin A is one nutrient that can cause serious problems at high doses, including birth defects if a woman is pregnant. Iron can also be toxic at high intakes. Even some of the B-vitamins can cause problems at high doses.

Some vitamins, like B12, do not have an upper limit because they have not been found to be toxic at high doses. But even if there is no upper limit, consuming more than the recommended amount doesnt necessarily have any benefit.

Early in her journey to becoming a registered dietitian, Crystal Petrello said, she was obstinate when it came to incorporating supplements.

I saw it as a snake-oil industry, and people were spending so much money, she said.

But after working in the nutrition field, her mind was changed about the potential of certain products. She says she has experienced the benefits of supplements, though dietitians and even supplement-industry officials agree the approach to better health should be food first.

There is a magic we dont understand when it comes to eating food, said Dr. Duffy MacKay, a licensed naturopathic physician and senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs for trade group the Council for Responsible Nutrition. Some cool stuff happens when you eat a salad.

Carol Haggans, a registered dietitian and consultant for the Office of Dietary Supplements at the National Institutes of Health, said it is possible to get all essential nutrients by eating a nutritious variety of foods, though there are exceptions.

For example, all women who might become pregnant should get 400 micrograms of folic acid a day from either fortified foods or dietary supplements, she said. And men and women over 50 should get the recommended amounts of vitamin B12 from fortified foods or dietary supplements, because they might have trouble absorbing the vitamin B12 that is naturally present in food. According to the NIH, scientific evidence backs some supplement use for overall health, such as taking calcium and vitamin D to fortify bones.

Damon McCune, who directs UNLVs Didactic Program in Nutrition and Dietetics, said that while there are legitimate cases for taking supplements, consumers too often dont consult physicians and dietitians about potential benefits and harmful interactions with other over-the-counter products or prescription medications. He also said food provides trace nutrients that supplements cant, and that people jump to them too quickly without considering dietary changes that might pack more nutrition at a lower cost.

The first thing people get wrong is that an overwhelming number dont need supplements. People use supplements in place of food, McCune said. They are marketed so well that people go to them first.

MacKay disagrees. He said studies have shown that supplement users already engage in healthy habits, from regulating their diets to staying away from cigarettes. Im not going to be popular for saying this, but Ive heard this statement from the dietitian community forever, he said. People arent using supplements to offset terrible habits. Thats a myth.

He further asserted that even the most health-conscious eaters might miss important nutrients. We all travel, get stressed and eat birthday cake, he said. A multivitamin is a good insurance policy.

Most people arent aware of their nutrient intake on a level specific enough to inform what needs supplementing, so conversations with a dietitian are a way to get started. Once youve created a food log and broken down your diet, you can apply Dietary Reference Intakes recommended by the Institute of Medicines Food and Nutrition Board.

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KNOW THE RISKS

The most glaring cautionary tale in the supplement world might be ephedra. Products containing the plants ephedrine alkaloids were marketed for weight loss and athletic performance, but the Food and Drug Administration banned the ingredient in 2004 after it was linked to heart problems and strokes. According to the Mayo Clinic, more than 800 reports of serious toxicity were collected by the FDA, including more than 22 deaths. Yet some related extracts not included in the ban are still sold.

Weight loss and bodybuilding remain high-risk supplement categories, though theyre overshadowed by a newer one: sexual enhancement.

In 2013, a study was published by the Journal of the American Medical Association that looked at all FDA Class I recalls those for which there is a reasonable probability that the use of or exposure to a product will cause serious adverse health consequences or death from 2004 to 2012. Researchers found that 51 percent were dietary supplements. Sexual enhancement products were the most common offender, followed by those purported to bulk up or slim down the body.

All of these supplement recalls were rooted in unapproved active pharmaceutical ingredients, also known as hidden drugs.

These ingredients, generally undeclared in the labeling, can pose considerable dangers to consumers, read a 2010 FDA letter to manufacturers of dietary supplements.

That same year, a report to Congress from the Government Accountability Office found that nearly all herbal supplements it tested had trace amounts of contaminants such as lead, mercury, cadmium, arsenic or pesticide. While heavy metals were within safe limits, 40 percent of the products tested contained enough pesticide to exceed the legal limit, according to The New York Times, which also flagged illegal health claims related to Alzheimers disease, cancer and diabetes.

The Council for Responsible Nutrition works to warn consumers, says the trade groups senior vice president of scientific and regulatory affairs, Duffy MacKay, but there is a prevailing lack of research into many manufacturer claims.

MacKay says one positive example is probiotics, live bacterial cultures believed to support gut health. Its a juggernaut of a trend, so companies are incentivized to invest in study-backed development.

The stalwarts of the vitamin aisle have significant market share, partly because theyre familiar enough for consumers to trust their value.

Calcium and vitamin D are important for keeping bones strong and reducing bone loss; folic acid decreases the risk of certain birth defects, and omega-3 fatty acids from fish oils might help some people with heart disease, says registered dietitian and National Institutes of Health consultant Carol Haggans. Other supplements need more study.

15 supplement ingredients to avoid

Consumer Reports ongoing series, The Truth About Supplements, is reviewing the research and talking with medical experts to find out whether common supplements live up to their marketing hype and whether they are safe to take. As part of that effort, a March report listed 15 ingredients to always avoid, as they can cause organ damage, cancer and cardiac arrest. Moreover, the report read, our experts agree that none of these supplement ingredients provide sufficient health benefits to justify the risk.

The 15 that made the list were: aconite, caffeine powder, chaparral, coltsfoot, comfrey, germander, greater celandine, green tea extract powder, kava, lobelia, methylsynephrine, pennyroyal oil, red yeast rice, usnic acid, yohimbe.

HOW TO SHOP SMART

Damon McCune with UNLVs nutrition and dietetics program said anyone could claim the title of nutritionist, so seek out a registered dietitian trained to adhere to certain standards.

But keep in mind that credentials arent a guarantee of sound advice. Whether youre dealing with a dietitian or a medical doctor, McCune said its OK to get a second opinion if it doesnt feel right, especially in the age of Dr. Oz. Mehmet Oz is a cardiothoracic surgeon with a leadership position in Columbia Universitys medical school and a network talk show themed around health and wellness. Oz has been criticized for featuring miracle products that in some cases have been discredited (in 2014 he was brought before Congress to answer for giving viewers false hopes, and the following year a group of prominent physicians called for his firing from Columbia).

Dont always take it as gospel, McCune said. There should be a high level of responsibility on the consumer. People need to learn to be more savvy.

Tips for choosing products

1. The fewer ingredients, the better.

2. If provided daily percentages are way above federal guidelines, be wary.

3. If a supplement lists a proprietary blend, unapproved substances may be hiding.

4. When choosing a multivitamin, tailor it to your age, gender and other characteristics (such as pregnancy) to ensure the mix of ingredients suits your needs.

5. Understanding ingredient lists is one thing. Recognizing the marks of vetted products is another. Third-party verifications are available through organizations such as ConsumerLab.com, Informed-Choice, U.S. Pharmacopeial Convention and Good Manufacturing Practice. Companies have to pay for their services, and some forego the option. They conduct tests on dietary supplements to check for things such as contaminants, potency and absorption, said National Institutes of Health consultant Carol Haggans. These programs provide assurance that a supplement was properly manufactured, that it contains the ingredients listed on the label and that it does not contain harmful levels of contaminants though these organizations do not test the product to determine whether or not it is actually effective.

6. Try Google Scholar to check out research firsthand. And read multiple articles, McCune said. Dont just read one that supports what you want to hear and ignore the 10 others that say the opposite.

7. Registered dietitian Crystal Petrello recommends the similar resource Examine and the NIHs Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. Just because it says its natural doesnt mean its safe, Petrello said. Arsenic is natural.

Watch for interactions and report any issues

Interactions: Consumers should always check with their doctors to make sure theyre not introducing something that could harm them depending on what they already take, prescription or over-the-counter. The Mayo Clinic offers an online database listing known interactions with 40 common supplements, from acidophilus to zinc.

Recalls: This FDA site logs recalls, market withdrawals and safety alerts. If you experience adverse effects after taking a supplement, you can report it to the FDA through its MedWatch portal.

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Global Acerola Extract Market Size Is Expected To Reach Over US$ 15763.8 Mn By 2017 To 2025 – Technorati

Posted: at 5:14 pm

According to a new market report published by Credence Research,Acerola Extract Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2017 2025, theglobal acerola extract market is expected to reach over US$ 15,763.8 Mn by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2017 to 2025.

Market Insights

The global acerola extract market is expected to witness high growth during the forecast period 2017 to 2025. Growing preference for healthy fruit based products is anticipated to drive the demand for the acerola extract. The global acerola extract market is projected to reach US$ 15,763.8 million by 2025, expanding at a CAGR of 7.9% from 2017 to 2025.

Browse the full report at http://www.credenceresearch.com/report/acerola-extract-market

By form, acerola extract market segmentation includes powder and liquid forms; of which, in 2016, powder form dominated the market in terms of revenue contribution and is further expected to remain dominant during the forecast period of 2017 to 2025. Currently, growing demand for vitamins and health supplements, particularly in functional foods is fueling the demand for powdered form of acerola extract. However, liquid form segment is expected to register high growth in the near future. Owing to advantages such as natural color, rich vitamin C content, flavor, antioxidant property, and dough improvement, liquid formulations of acerola extract are anticipated to witness significant adoption among food and beverage manufacturers. Owing to growing consumption and rising demand for natural ingredients for preservation of meat products the demand for acerola extract in meat products is expected to gain adoption among manufacturers over the coming years.

On the basis of applications, the global acerola extract market is segmented into food supplements, beverages, confectionery, snacks, meat, bakery and others. Among these, food supplements segment dominated the market and accounted for 26.7% share of the global market in 2016. This segment is projected to maintain its dominance over the next eight years. Rising demand for organic and stable ingredients in food and beverage products is a key factor driving growth acerola extract market. Some of the other factors fuelling the acerola extract market growth (primarily in varied food applications) include demand for natural preservative solutions, ingredients with enhanced oxygen-scavenging properties in meat products, improved color and curing properties, maintenance of nutritional efficacy, particularly if used in cured and raw meat products.

For the purpose of this study, the global acerola extract market is categorized into regional markets viz., North America, Europe, Asia Pacific and Latin America and Middle East and Africa. In base year 2016, North America was observed as the largest market for acerola extract. In Asia Pacific, China and India serve potential markets for acerola extract in the next five to six years. Growing consumption of beverages and meat products especially in China and India, along with commercialization measures for acerola extract as an ingredient in various food and beverage products fuel the acerola extract market growth.

Furthermore, companies present in North America and Europe are extensively focusing on research and development for developing blend formulations comprising acerola extract in various food & beverages products and companies are focusing on expanding their business network, across regional markets. Amway, Blue Macaw Flora, DIANA NATURALS, Duas Rodas Industrial, Herbal Bio Solutions, Natures Power Nutraceuticals Corp., Naturex, Nichirei Corporation, NutriBotanica, Optimally Organic Inc., The Green Labs LLC. and Vita Forte Inc. are few key manufacturers in acerola extract market.

Key Trends:

Growing consumer inclination towards natural products

Increasing array of applications

Asia pacific is expected to register the highest growth rate

High prices of acerola extract products is acting as a restrain to growth of the market

Strong Demand from Emerging Economies

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Global Acerola Extract Market Size Is Expected To Reach Over US$ 15763.8 Mn By 2017 To 2025 - Technorati

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Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Market Is Expected To Reach Over US$ 10 Bn By 2023, Expanding At A CAGR Of 7 … – Technorati

Posted: at 5:14 pm

According to a new market report published by Credence ResearchGlobal Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016 2023, theMethylsulfonylmethane (MSM) market is expected to reach over US$ 10 Bn by 2023, expanding at a CAGR of 7% from 2016 to 2023

Market Insights

The demand for methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) has grown globally owing to rise in cases of bone fractures, back and neck pain, arthritis, osteoporosis and rheumatism among others. This phenomenon has gained significant attention from people and government across the globe. Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) helps the body to form new joint and muscle tissue while reducing inflammatory responses, which contributes to stiffness and swelling; therefore, it is considered as a prominent ingredient in food supplements category. Moreover, rising awareness regarding health concern and benefits associated with consumption of methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) is another factor contributing towards the market growth.

Browse the fullMethylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Market- Market Growth, Future Prospects and Competitive Analysis, 2016 2023 report at http://www.credenceresearch.com/report/methylsulfonylmethane-market

On the basis of application, the global methylsulfonylmethane market is segmented into food & beverage, pharmaceutical & dietary supplements, cosmetics & personal care, animal feed and other industries (agriculture, urban waste handling and etc.). Methylsulfonylmethane is widely used in pharmaceutical & dietary supplements industry as it functions as a pharmaceutically active agent. In 2015, pharmaceutical & dietary supplements accounted for the largest share of more than 55% of the total MSM market by volume.

Global Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) market is segmented by geography into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Latin America and Middle East & Africa. In 2015, North America led the global MSM market and was followed by Asia Pacific and Europe. Together, the regions accounted more than 80% share of the market. This is due to prominent ageing population in North America, Europe and certain countries in Asia.

Bergstrom Nutrition, Inc., Hubei Xingfa Chemicals Group Co., Ltd., Yueyang Xiangmao Medicines & Chemicals Co., Ltd., Makana Produktion und Vertrieb GmbH, Vita Flex Nutrition, ZhuZhou Hansen Chemical Co, Ltd., Panvo Organics Pvt. Ltd., Chaitanya Biologicals Pvt. Ltd, Tianjin Baofeng Chemical Co., Ltd and Hangzhou Dakang New Materials Co., Ltd. are few key manufacturers in methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) market.

Key Trends:

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Methylsulfonylmethane (MSM) Market Is Expected To Reach Over US$ 10 Bn By 2023, Expanding At A CAGR Of 7 ... - Technorati

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