According to a Datamonitor report, thanks to health conscious baby boomers, nutraceuticals have seen a sharp rise in demand. Recent market research indicates there have been as many as 204 new nutraceutical products launched in the past 18 months. The biggest single category comprised probiotic products containing beneficial bacteria…
Reuters, 12/14/01

“Dietary supplements touted to help a range of conditions from colds to sleep problems appear to be particularly popular with U.S. college students. Researchers found that a greater proportion of college students reported using such supplements—excluding vitamins and minerals—within the past year. Nearly half of the students surveyed reported using at least one dietary supplement in the past year, compared to 10-20% of adults in similar surveys. One-fifth of the supplement users reported taking compounds such as creatine and ephedra in order to promote weight loss…”
Journal of American College Health 2001;50:123-129

The Soy Of Sex…Sexual fitness may be linked to soy foods and vitamin E, according to researchers at the University of Hawaii School of Medicine. “People who suffer from vitamin E deficiency may have lower sex drives,” explained Dr. Hank Wuh, co-author of a new book on sexual fitness. Soy products were listed on a “sexual fitness shopping list” that Dr. Wuh claims can help enhance sexual fitness and improve overall health.
PR Newswire, 12/26/01

Supplements were the subject of a recent review article in the New England Journal of Medicine, which explored different nutritional therapies and provided recommendations concerning which supplements may be appropriate for healthy individuals. While folic acid, vitamin B12, vitamin D, vitamin E and multivitamins were included, two nutrients the authors did not recommend taking on a regular basis were vitamins A and C.
New England Journal of Medicine 2001;345:1819-24

“A toothpaste battle is underway in Thailand, where local producers—who have long dominated Thailand’s market for herbal toothpaste—are facing a major challenge from Colgate. The toothpaste giant is set to enter the herbal toothpaste market in Thailand and plans to spend the same amount in promotion that all local producers combined spent last year…”
Bangkok Post 1/11/02

Dairy calcium supplier Glanbia, Monroe, WI, recently sponsored a study of consumer attitudes toward calcium. Conducted by Long Island, NY-based Research International, the study was designed to understand consumer perceptions of the benefits of milk calcium as well as decipher if consumers were willing to pay more for such a premium source of calcium. The report’s main findings indicate a misconception held by consumers that all calcium comes from milk and a lack of awareness that currently the main types of calcium used in calcium-enriched foods are chemically synthesized sources of calcium.
According to the study, once informed of the different sources of calcium and the need for complementary minerals to be consumed in conjunction with calcium for optimal bone health, consumers were willing to pay up to 20% more for products enriched with a natural food source such as dairy calcium.