Women's Health

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.

Omega-3s May Protect Against Type 1 Diabetes Source: JM Norris et al., "Omega-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acid Intake and Islet Autoimmunity in Children at Increased Risk for Type 1 Diabetes," Journal of the American Medical Association, vol. 298, no. 12 (September 26, 2007): 1420–1428. Children who are at risk of developing type 1 diabetes may improve their odds if they eat a diet high in omega-3 fatty acids, according to a new study by researchers at the University of Colorado (Denver).

  Over the past few years, researchers have questioned several long-standing assumptions about the ability of dietary supplements to influence gender-related health conditions like prostate cancer and menopause. Other experts, however, have criticized some of these findings, noting that they were not based on randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials, but rather on other types of studies intended to answer different scientific questions.

  Food is critical for human existence. However, food goes beyond nourishment, as it encompasses a multitude of human experiences and emotions, and these vary between cultures and religions. More recently, food is being used and appreciated differently by women and men.

Lack of communication between doctors and patients poses a serious problem for the healthcare industry, especially when it comes to complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM; Bethesda, MD), only about 12% of Americans who tried CAM between 1997 and 2004 consulted a licensed healthcare practitioner.

Women buy nutrition bars for many reasons. To some, they are a convenient source of energy. To others, they make good meal replacements. Still others eat them to supplement the missing nutrients in their diets. Whatever the reason, it’s clear that natural-products companies are taking notice.

In October, a skeptical American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG; Washington, DC) task force issued a new set of HRT guidelines for women-guidelines that do not recommend botanicals. According to the ACOG, “Few nutritional supplements have been rigorously tested for safety and effectiveness.”