Content about B vitamins

DALLAS — Taking vitamin E supplements does not increase or decrease heart failure risk among women, according to a study in Circulation: Heart Failure, an American Heart Association journal, released Tuesday.

The spring 2012 Vitamin & Supplement Ingredient Guide breaks down the indication, ingredients, purpose and dosage of Centrum Specialist Heart, One-A-Day Women's Petites, DRS Health Complete One, Megavite Fruits & Veggies, Cosamin ASU, Omojo Acne & Tissue Support, NatureMade Krill Oil, Feosol and Slo-Niacin.

MAPLE GROVE, Minn. — Drug maker Upsher-Smith Labs has launched a prenatal vitamin designed to help relieve morning sickness, the company said Monday.

Upsher-Smith announced the launch of B-Nexa, which contains B vitamins and ginger to help calm morning sickness, known medically as nausea and vomiting of pregnancy, which affects 83% of pregnant women throughout the day, according to medical experts.

Vitamin D has been one of the fastest-growing segments in the VMS market since 2010, a factor that has been in step with the number of positive clinical studies establishing the need for vitamin D supplementation.

One of the more recent clinicals, presented Oct. 2 at the 53rd annual meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology, found that more than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer.

NEW YORK — People taking oral steroids are twice as likely as the general population to have severe vitamin D deficiency, according to a study of more than 31,000 children and adults by scientists at Albert Einstein College of Medicine of Yeshiva University released last week.

Their findings, published in the Sept. 28 online edition of The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology and Metabolism, suggested that physicians should more diligently monitor vitamin D levels in patients being treated with oral steroids.


Findings from the past year show that vitamin sales have been stronger than most other health and beauty categories. The recent emphasis placed by vitamin and nutritional supplement manufacturers on new multivitamin brands has delivered positive results. SymphonyIRI Group reported that, in the 24 weeks ended May 15, multivitamins outperformed the total vitamin category. 



The vitamin D category continues to grow. Category leader Nature Made from Pharmavite is on the cusp of launching a host of new products, including a Super D-Complex with magnesium, vitamin D chewable tablets and vitamin D with vitamin C and zinc.


NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — A survey conducted on behalf of The Vitamin Shoppe and released Wednesday found that 60% of adults currently take a vitamin or supplement.

ABBOTT PARK, Ill. — Abbott Diagnostics on Friday announced its filing of a submission for clearance by the Food and Drug Administration for a fully automated vitamin D assay performed on its Architect testing system for use by healthcare professionals.

"Increasing interest in vitamin D is fueling a surge in orders for tests as more healthcare professionals and consumers become aware of the rising prevalence of vitamin D deficiencies in otherwise healthy people and the potential health risks," stated Sudarshan Hebbar, senior medical director of Abbott Diagnostics.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. — Generic drug maker Par Pharmaceutical Cos. had sales of $227 million during fourth quarter 2010 and $1 billion for the year as a whole, according to an earnings statement Thursday.

Profits were $17.5 million for the quarter and $92.7 million for the year, compared with $10.7 million in fourth quarter 2009 and $76.9 million for 2009 as a whole.

EAST HANOVER, N.J. — Kraft Foods is building on the success of its vitamin-infused gums for Trident by expanding another gum brand's portfolio with a nutrient-filled, "ridiculously long-lasting gum," according to the company.

New Stride Spark gum contains vitamins B6 and B12, and will be available in two new flavors: Kinetic Mint and Kinetic Fruit. Each piece of Stride Spark contains 25% of the recommended daily value of the B vitamins, according to Stride.

WOODCLIFF LAKE, N.J. Strativa Pharmaceuticals is working with a Swedish drug maker to develop and commercialize a prescription vitamin supplement, Strativa said Tuesday.

The company said it had signed a license and supply agreement with Swedish Orphan Biovitrum, also known as Sobi, concerning European rights to Strativa’s Nascobal (cyanocobalamin), a vitamin B12 nasal spray.