Prepared Foods and its NutraSolutions brand present this annual “Ingredients for Health” reference. It offers market data and information about commercially available ingredients that assist developers and formulators with products that target various health benefits. From ingredients such as chia seed and red tomato for antioxidant supplementation, to the colors, flavors and textures that make nutraceutical products attractive and palatable, this section offers a comprehensive range of new offerings.

The categories are as follows:

• Antioxidants for Health
• Bone & Joint Health
• Cardiovascular Health
• Cognitive Health
• Diabetic Benefits
• Digestive Health
• Energy and/or Sports Performance
• Eye Health
• Immunity Enhancement
• Weight Management
• General Health

Bone and Joint Health

Bone and joint health claims featured on less than 1% of global food and drinks launches in 2012, with bone health by far the more popular, used on 80% of the total, compared with 25% for joint health. This indicates that some products carried both types of claim. In addition to products using actual bone health claims, a similar number used “added calcium” claims, relying on consumer awareness of the link between calcium and bone health. Perhaps not surprisingly, dairy products—particularly milk and dairy drinks—led the products sporting bone health claims, featured on more than a quarter of launches with that positioning, and an even more significant 45% of added calcium claims. Baby food products also were major users of both types of claim. Pet foods featured strongly, as well, but had an even higher share of activity in joint health products.

–Lu Ann Williams, Innova Market Insights,

helpdesk@innovami.com, www.innovadatabase.com

Better, Stronger Bones

Nutritional supplementation for people with osteoporosis has long been focused on calcium, vitamin D and recently vitamin K. However, all these approaches are addressing the calcium deficiency only. Calcium builds bone density but collagen builds the frame work for calcium to attach to. It is more like the skyscraper. Collagen is the steel frame, while calcium is the cement. AIDP’s patented KoACT collagen form is essential to improving bone flexibility, which helps bones absorb impact. Without it, even the strongest bones can crack, shatter or break, and running, jumping and other activities become painful. Although the body produces collagen naturally, its production diminishes with age. KoACT is a compound of collagen peptides and calcium. This unique ingredient was found to increase both bone strength and bone mineral density in a preclinical animal studies and a recently completed human study. It’s ideal in tablets, capsules, soft-gels and functional food applications such as bars.

—AIDP Inc., 866-262-6699

www.aidp.com

Vitamin K2

Vitamin K2 is a fat-soluble vitamin required by the body in metabolic pathways for bone formation, cardiovascular health and other key functions and recent clinical studies have confirmed the importance of this vitamin for both bone and cardiovascular health.  Within the vitamin group of Vitamin K2, Menaquinone or MK-7 is considered the most bioactive and bioavailable form available. Most people do not get enough Vitamin K2 from diet alone, and are considered sub-clinically deficient, therefore supplementation is recommended.  UniK2 is derived from Japanese natto, a healthful fermented soy food consumed in Asia for centuries. Not only is it naturally derived, it is also considered easily assimilated by the body.  More specifically it has been demonstrated to stimulate bone formation and to inhibit bone resorption by the activation of a specific protein (osteocalcin), resulting in optimal binding of calcium to the bone structure. UniK2 is a valuable addition to bone health, women’s health and 50+ formulas in both functional foods and dietary supplements.  Recommended intake of Vitamin K2 MK7 is 45 µg/day.

—Frutarom Health, 310-480-5364

Eden Somberg, Technical Specialist, esomberg@frutarom.com, www.frutarom.com

Joint Health 

PNI’s Celadrin is comprised of innovative, targeted and proprietary cetylated fatty acid esters and other active synergists. It’s a proprietary natural compound that’s scientifically designed to be absorbed rapidly and provide immediate and continuous results. Celadrin has been clinically shown to reduce joint discomfort.  Human studies have shown extensive reduction in pain and swelling and increased range of motion with Celadrin, with no reported side effects. Research has shown that the special fatty acids in Celadrin inhibit inflammation in endothelial cells (the thin cells that line the inside of various body cavities) and decrease the pro-inflammatory effects of arachidonic and other fatty acids. Celadrin has also been shown to reduce the production of the negative immune factor IL-6 and to control the immune factors responsible for inflammation.

–Proprietary Nutritionals Inc., 519-647-2071

www.pnibrands.com

Boswellia Extract for Healthy Joints

According to the Centers for Disease Control, longer life spans and aging baby boomers will combine to double the number of Americans aged 65+ during the next 25 years.  In fact, approximately 20% of the US population will be comprised of older adults.  Mobility issues associated with aging joints will be a significant issue for many. AprèsFLEX was developed to help improve the bioavailability and bioactivity of the potent boswellic acid AKBA (3-O-Acetyl-11-keto-β-boswellic acid).  By targeting key mediators, including inhibiting 5-lipoxygenase, TNF-α and other enzymes, AprèsFLEX supports healthy joints. In fact, three clinical studies showed that AprèsFLEX supplementation provided significant improvements in joint health – joint comfort, function and mobility. AprèsFLEX is a selective enrichment of Boswellia serrata extract, shown to significantly improve joint comfort in just five days.

— PLT Health Solutions, 973-984-0900

plt@plthomas.com, www.plthomas.com