Content about Biochemistry

WATSONVILLE, Calif. — Nordic Naturals on Tuesday launched Nordic CoQ10 Ubiquinol, formulated with 100 mg of coenzyme Q10 (CoQ-10) ubiquinol in a soft gel delivery format. Shown to support cardiovascular health and the transformation of food into energy, ubiquinol is the active antioxidant form of CoQ-10, a fat-soluble molecule found in nearly every cell, tissue, and organ in the body, the supplier stated.

The energy drink category, which has enjoyed double-digit sales and unit growth for several years, faces increasing scrutiny from the Food and Drug Administration.

The FDA has said it will consider requiring companies to disclose the amount of caffeine in the drinks and add warnings about possible side effects on labeling.

BETHESDA, Md. — The National Institute on Drug Abuse last week released the 2012 Monitoring the Future survey, finding that 5.6% of high school seniors abused over-the-counter cough and cold medicines containing dextromethorphan, a rate that has held relatively steady over the past five years. Abuse of DXM products was reported to be 3% among eighth graders and 4.7% among tenth graders, bringing the overall average to under 5%.

TAMPA, Fla. — Natural skin care brand Aubrey, which is sold at natural food stores, has introduced new travel-sized moisturizing lotions for those on the go.

As with its entire range of personal care products, Aubrey packs its lotions with herbals and plant extracts in their most natural form, and no synthetic additives or petrochemicals of any kind, the company said. The travel size collection includes Evening Primrose, Collagen and Almond, Sea Buckthorn, unscented, Rosa Mosqueta and Honeysuckle-CoQ10.

The lotions are priced at $6.49 each.

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration and the Federal Trade Commission on Tuesday issued seven warning letters to companies marketing over-the counter human chorionic gonadotropin products that are labeled as "homeopathic" for weight loss. The letters warn the companies that they are violating federal law by selling drugs that have not been approved and by making unsupported claims for the substances. There are no FDA-approved HCG drug products for weight loss.

MILPITAS, Calif. — LifeScan announced a major settlement regarding counterfeit packaged LifeScan blood-glucose monitoring test strips sold by Aristides Spanellis.