Once again, Prepared Foods, under its NutraSolutions brand, offers the “Ingredients for Health Reference” to provide market data and information on commercially available ingredients that assist in the development of products targeting various health benefits. From ingredients such as chia seed and red tomato for antioxidant supplementation, to the colors, flavors and textures used to make nutraceutical products attractive and palatable, this section offers a comprehensive range of information.

The categories are as follows:

• Antioxidants for Health

• Bone and Joint Health

• Cancer: Reducing Risk

• Cardiovascular Health

• Cognitive Health

• Diabetic Benefits

• Digestive Health

• Energy and/or Sports Performance

• Eye Health

• Immunity Enhancement

• Weight Management and

• General Health

Cognitive Health

With a growth in the world’s aging population worldwide, products that offer cognitive health benefits should be well-received by seniors to ward off age-related complaints, such as Alzheimer’s disease, and for better quality of life, in general. However, product launches with a brain-health positioning target a wide range of consumers, due to a vast array of benefits being claimed. Relaxation, improved focus and stress reduction are some examples. The lion’s share of brain-health product launch activity in 2011, as tracked by the Innova Database, was found in the baby formula/milk category, whereby DHA is often incorporated for its brain-development attributes. The next most popular market categories for brain-health claims were milk and other dairy drinks, energy and sports drinks, and yogurt. The top ingredients utilized in 2011 for brain-health claims include DHA, choline, taurine, omega-3 and Ginkgo biloba.

—Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights, helpdesk@innovami.com, www.innovadatabase.com

 DHA for Brain Development

Marinol naturally concentrated omega-3 triglycerides are high in EPA and DHA for use in clinical and infant nutrition products.  Marinol DHA 20% powder grade is new to the market and offers an option for dry-blend formulations. The power grade complements Stepan’s high-concentrated EPA/DHA omega-3 oils. For infants, DHA is essential to brain development, yet often, levels in newborns are less than optimal. To bring levels up, mothers can supplement their diets with DHA during pregnancy or feed their babies DHA-enriched formula. Marinol can also help the adult brain to maintain function, reduce risk of developing dementia and even improve the status of Alzheimer’s patients. Neobee medium chain triglycerides (MCTs), from Stepan, are valuable tools in the nutritional support of treatment for various neurological diseases, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, multiple sclerosis and epilepsy. Because MCTs use metabolic routes independent of those used by LCTs, they are metabolized more easily and quickly, and can potentially reduce free radical damage. Please contact Stepan for its newly released brochure on MCTs. Stepan Lipid Nutrition, in the Americas: 800-457-7673, food.health@stepan.com; in Europe: +31 (0) 75-727-1000, info@lipidnutrition.com, www.stepan.com

 Safely Reduce Anxiety, Stress

Blue California says its Natural L-theanine, L-Tea Active ingredient helps consumers improve concentration and mental alertness, while the product induces relaxation without drowsiness. Ideal for functional beverages or even confections, L-Tea Active is water-soluble, with no taste or color. Developed from a natural source—using a natural process—this ingredient is FDA GRAS-certified and kosher, and GMP-process-certified. Blue California created a proprietary process to develop this 98% pure ingredient and offers assured quality (with independent validation) from batch to batch. Blue California, www.bluecal-ingredients.com

 Walnuts Aid Memory, Cognitive Function 

Findings in the Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease suggest that the antioxidants in walnuts and other Mediterranean foods may help counteract age-related cognitive decline and reduce incidence of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer’s. California Walnut Commission notes that walnuts are a nutrient-dense, whole food that not only provide antioxidants, but also alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), the plant-based omega-3 fatty acid. These nutrients offer anti-inflammatory properties and protect brain cells from oxidative damage.  California Walnut Commission, www.walnuts.org

 Get Smart, Naturally

Alchem USA Inc.’s ReQollect is a natural, plant-derived vinpocetine (ethyl apovincaminate) for memory and cognitive function. ReQollect is a branded, high-purity vinpocetine from periwinkle and Voacanga africana plants. Vinpocetine often is called the “smart nutrient,” for its studied ability to help improve cognitive function and memory by increasing blood circulation through the brain. Vinpocetine is commonly used for enhancing memory, as well as for helping to prevent Alzheimer’s disease and other conditions that affect learning, memory and information-processing skills as people age. It also could help protect the brain from damage caused by strokes. Vinpocetine has been the subject of several published clinical studies involving more than 30,000 individuals. Alchem USA has developed a white paper summarizing research on vinpocetine to assist product development managers when creating new formulations for memory, focus and aging. Alchem USA Inc., www.alchem international.com NS