Heart Health

You may think of Mars Inc. as the purveyor of some of your favorite chocolate candies-M&M'S, Snickers, Dove. With a new endeavor, however, the company has launched itself into the dietary supplements arena.

Mystery of Quercetin

In 2010, Boston will be home to a $20 million study on the effects vitamin D and fish oil have in reducing the risks of cancer and cardiovascular disease in humans, reports the Boston Globe.

A new study in the June 16 issue of the Annals of Internal Medicine concluded that nonprescription red yeast rice may have cholesterol-lowering qualities.

Astaxanthin has the ability to significantly lower systolic blood pressure in rats, according to a new study performed at Georgetown University Medical Center.

The European functional foods market earned $545 million in 2008 and is estimated to earn up to $2 billion in 2014, according to analysis from Frost & Sullivan (Palo Alto, CA), the company reported on January 13.

A sufficient intake of vitamin D may prevent or delay the onset of diabetes, concluded research from Loyola University Chicago, Marcella Niehoff School of Nursing.

TensGuard, an odorless, water soluble blood pressure management ingredient from DSM Nutritional Products (Parsippany, NJ), was recently awarded first prize at this year’s Health Ingredients Europe exhibition by a judging panel of retailers, manufacturers, scientists, and industry leaders.

A new study by the Life Science Research Office announced on November 24, found that “The FDA definition for whole grains as a selection criterion to evaluate the scientific literature is limiting because most of the studies use a broader concept of whole grains.”

Solae, a soy ingredient supplier, presented a study confirming soy consumption’s link to lower cholesterol at the American Heart Association 2008 Scientific Sessions on November 10.

More than 80% of Americans are currently consuming or would consider consuming foods with added health and wellness benefits.

Vitamins and minerals have nuanced effects that may vary depending on the study population.

B Vitamins Lower Homocysteine but Not CVD Risk Source: CM Albert et al., "Effect of Folic Acid and B Vitamins on Risk of Cardiovascular Events and Total Mortality among Women at High Risk for Cardiovascular Disease: A Randomized Trial," Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 299, no 17 (May 7, 2008): 2027–2036.

While the soy foods market continues to grow, the soy supplement market hasn't experienced the same success. In fact, according to Nutrition Business Journal, soy supplement sales declined for the past three years (2004–2006) from their reported high of $106 million in 2003. In contrast, Packaged Facts (Rockville, MD) estimates the soy food and beverage market at $2.1 billion in 2007, up 7% from the prior year. This same report forecasts continued growth through 2012, estimating the market at $3 billion.