Content about Vitamin

January 24, 2012

Survey: 20% of patients are asking pharmacists about supplementation

One-in-5 consumers are asking their pharmacists questions about vitamins and supplements, according to a survey of pharmacists that was released Tuesday by Pharmavite.

NORTHRIDGE, Calif. — One-in-5 consumers are asking their pharmacists questions about vitamins and supplements, according to a survey of pharmacists that was released Tuesday by Pharmavite.

The survey found that pharmacists estimated they answer questions regarding prescription medications for about half of their customers (51%). By comparison, they estimated they answer questions about OTC products for just 1-in-3 customers (35%) — and when it comes to answering questions about vitamins and supplements, they estimated they do so for 23% of their customers (23%).

January 24, 2012

Upsher-Smith launches prenatal vitamin to relieve morning sickness

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

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.

January 23, 2012

Vitamin World raises more than $500,000 for Vitamin Angels

Vitamin World raised more than $545,000 on behalf of Vitamin Angels during their "Be an Angel" campaign during the 2011 holiday season, the specialty retailer announced Friday.

HOLBROOK, N.Y. — Vitamin World raised more than $545,000 on behalf of Vitamin Angels during their "Be an Angel" campaign during the 2011 holiday season, the specialty retailer announced Friday.

"We could not have accomplished so much without the generosity of our customers. Their kindness and compassion has been remarkable," Vitamin World SVP Vicki McGuire said.

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January 19, 2012

Fresh & Easy expands private-label offering with vitamins, supplements

Fresh & Easy has introduced its own line of vitamins and supplements that includes 20 products.

EL SEGUNDO, Calif. — Fresh & Easy has introduced its own line of vitamins and supplements that includes 20 products.

Fresh & Easy said its vitamins and supplements provide many benefits, including supporting bone, urinary tract, prostate, heart, immune system, joint, prenatal, digestive, eye and general health. They also provide antioxidant support, help energy metabolism and provide sleep support, the company said.

The line ranges in price from $2.99 to $10.99.

January 6, 2012

Study: Low levels of vitamin D linked to depression symptoms

Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrists working with the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study in a release issued Thursday.

DALLAS — Low levels of vitamin D have been linked to depression, according to UT Southwestern Medical Center psychiatrists working with the Cooper Center Longitudinal Study in a release issued Thursday.

This new study — published in Mayo Clinic Proceedings — helps clarify a debate that erupted after smaller studies produced conflicting results about the relationship between vitamin D and depression. Major depressive disorder affects nearly 1-in-10 adults in the United States.

January 5, 2012

Vitamin Shoppe launches line of supplements certified for sport by NSF

The Vitamin Shoppe on Thursday announced the launch of a sports nutrition supplement line called True Athlete.

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe on Thursday announced the launch of a sports nutrition supplement line called True Athlete.

December 22, 2011

Survey: Registered dietitians will recommend vitamins, fiber to consumers in 2012

A survey of registered dietitians released by Pollock Communications Wednesday identified a "diet trifecta" of vitamins, minerals and fibers as the No. 2 nutrition trend that will play out in 2012.

NEW YORK — A survey of registered dietitians released by Pollock Communications Wednesday identified a "diet trifecta" of vitamins, minerals and fibers as the No. 2 nutrition trend that will play out in 2012.

December 20, 2011

Research: Vitamin E helps repair cell membranes

According to new research released Tuesday, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers have identified one of the internal bodily functions of vitamin E: The antioxidant found in most foods helps repair tears in the plasma membranes that protect cells from outside forces and screen what enters and exits.

AUGUSTA, Ga. — According to new research released Tuesday, Georgia Health Sciences University researchers have identified one of the internal bodily functions of vitamin E: The antioxidant found in most foods helps repair tears in the plasma membranes that protect cells from outside forces and screen what enters and exits.

December 14, 2011

CDC, CHPA partner on medicine safety education initiative

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Educational Foundation on Tuesday launched the Up and Away and Out of Sight educational program to help educate parents on the importance of keeping their medicines in a safe place from children.

WASHINGTON — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the Consumer Healthcare Products Association Educational Foundation on Tuesday launched the Up and Away and Out of Sight educational program to help educate parents on the importance of keeping their medicines in a safe place from children. In recent years, the number of accidental overdoses in children increased by 20%, the agency and association stated.

December 8, 2011

Study: Low vitamin D levels associated with risk factor for diabetes

A recent study of obese and nonobese children found that low vitamin D levels are significantly more prevalent in obese children and are associated with risk factors for Type 2 diabetes.

CHEVY CHASE, Md. — A recent study of obese and nonobese children found that low vitamin D levels are significantly more prevalent in obese children and are associated with risk factors for Type 2 diabetes. This study was accepted for publication in the Endocrine Society’s Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

December 6, 2011

Altrient introduces three new supplements

Altrient is launching three new nutritional supplements that will be available on the company's website.

LAS VEGAS — Altrient is launching three new nutritional supplements that will be available on the company's website.

The company said the lineup includes:

Altrient C, a full-potency vitamin C formula (which touts 1,000 mg of vitamin C in each packet);
Altrient ME, which combines B vitamins, essential trace minerals and cinnamon extract to boost energy and reduce the harmful byproducts of cell metabolism (and contains 313.5 mg of the "metabolic enhancement" formula in each packet); and

November 28, 2011

Study: Vitamin D supplementation saves lives

A study published online earlier this month by the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that supplementation with vitamin D conferred substantial survival benefits, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — A study published online earlier this month by the American Journal of Cardiology concluded that supplementation with vitamin D conferred substantial survival benefits, specifically in patients with documented deficiency.

According to the research, evidence supported an association between vitamin D deficiency and hypertension, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, coronary artery disease and heart failure.

November 14, 2011

CRN to host free webinar on supplement regs for Pharmacist Society

Dietary supplement usage is up among Americans, according to a National Center for Health Statistics report released earlier this year — half of all U.S. adults supplement their diets, most likely with a multivitamin.

WASHINGTON — Dietary supplement usage is up among Americans, according to a National Center for Health Statistics report released earlier this year — half of all U.S. adults supplement their diets, most likely with a multivitamin. And pharmacists are the No. 2 go-to source (behind doctors) for information around those supplements — according to a Council for Responsible Nutrition Survey on Dietary Supplements.

As a pharmacist, are you prepared to answer their questions?

November 7, 2011

Preliminary study: Vitamin D helped improve cell counts associated with lupus

The first study to report the effects vitamin D has on the immune system of people with lupus was unveiled Saturday at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting in Chicago.

CHICAGO — The first study to report the effects vitamin D has on the immune system of people with lupus was unveiled Saturday at the American College of Rheumatology Annual Scientific Meeting here.

The small sample study determined that vitamin D supplementation helped improve cell level counts associated with the disease.

October 24, 2011

Vitamin D meets the grade

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.

October 12, 2011

NIH study links vitamin E supplementation to prostate cancer

A National Institutes of Health study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association established a link between vitamin E supplementation and prostate cancer.

BETHESDA, Md. — A National Institutes of Health study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association established a link between vitamin E supplementation and prostate cancer. Men who took 400 international units of vitamin E daily had more prostate cancers compared with men who took a placebo, according to an updated review of data from the Selenium and Vitamin E Cancer Prevention Trial, the NIH stated.

October 7, 2011

Study: People with optimal levels of vitamin D have lower diabetes incidence

Scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum München have shown that people with good vitamin D status have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study released Sept. 30.

NEUHERBERG, Germany — Scientists at the Helmholtz Zentrum München have shown that people with good vitamin D status have a lower risk of developing Type 2 diabetes, according to a study released Sept. 30.

October 4, 2011

Study: 3-in-4 cancer patients are vitamin D deficient

More than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer, according to a study presented Oct. 2 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

MIAMI BEACH, Fla. — More than three-quarters of cancer patients have insufficient levels of vitamin D, and the lowest levels are associated with more advanced cancer, according to a study presented Oct. 2 at the 53rd Annual Meeting of the American Society for Radiation Oncology.

October 3, 2011

Study: Rx oral steroids linked to severe vitamin D deficiency

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.

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.

September 7, 2011

Naturade intros Sam's Club exclusive adult nutrition shake

Naturade on Wednesday announced the mass-market introduction of HealthSmart, a doctor-formulated daily protein ready-to-drink shake that will serve as a comprehensive source of nutrition for active adults.

ORANGE, Calif. — Naturade on Wednesday announced the mass-market introduction of HealthSmart, a doctor-formulated daily protein shake mix that will serve as a comprehensive source of nutrition for active adults.

Endorsed by baseball hall of famer George Brett, HealthSmart contains 18 g of whey, soy, pea and rice protein isolates, and is fortified with omega 3s and antioxidants for heart health, probiotics and fiber for healthy digestion, and 24 vitamins and minerals.

August 31, 2011

Alacer launches new for-kids SKU; pledges its support for Vitamin Angels

Alacer last week launched Emergen-C Kidz, a new vitamin drink mix specially formulated for children.

FOOTHILL RANCH, Calif. — Alacer last week launched Emergen-C Kidz, a new vitamin drink mix specially formulated for children. A portion of the proceeds from the new SKU will be donated to Vitamin Angels, the company added.

August 31, 2011

Star Scientific launches immune system booster

Star Scientific on Tuesday launched Anatabloc, a dietary supplement formulated to support the immune system.

GLEN ALLEN, Va. — Star Scientific on Tuesday launched Anatabloc, a dietary supplement formulated to support the immune system.

Anatabloc contains the dietary ingredient anatabine citrate, an alkaloid found in a variety of plants in the Solanaceae family, including the tobacco plant, as well as in eggplant, green peppers and green tomatoes. Anatabine citrate, combined with vitamins A and D3, is believed to assist the body in maintaining anti-inflammatory support, the company stated.

August 29, 2011

Boiron benefits Vitamin Angel for second year

Boiron USA will be partnering with Vitamin Angels, a global nonprofit organization working to reduce child mortality by connecting infants and children under 5 years with vital nutrients for the second consecutive year, the homeopathic medicine manufacturer announced Friday.

NEWTON SQUARE, Pa. — Boiron USA will be partnering with Vitamin Angels, a global nonprofit organization working to reduce child mortality by connecting infants and children under 5 years with vital nutrients for the second consecutive year, the homeopathic medicine manufacturer announced Friday.

August 18, 2011

Balance Bar introduces new nutrition bar for women

Balance Bar on Wednesday launched Nimble, a meal-replacement bar for women that combines beauty and nutrition.

VALHALLA, N.Y. — Balance Bar on Wednesday launched Nimble, a meal-replacement bar for women that combines beauty and nutrition. Fortified with antioxidants, beta-carotene and 10 mg of FloraGlo Lutein, Nimble provides nutrients for healthy skin and seven ingredients ideal for women: protein (10 g), fiber (5 g), calcium, iron, folate, and vitamins D and B6.

Nimble is sweetened with Truvia rebiana, a zero-calorie sweetener made from the stevia leaf. With 120 calories per bar, Nimble is available in two flavors: peanut butter and yogurt orange swirl.

August 8, 2011

Happyfamily offers organic nutrition on the go with new smoothies

Organic food brand Happyfamily has announced the launch of two new products to help tots, teens and adults easily kick hunger pangs while on-the-go — Happysqueeze, an organic superfruit smoothie, and Happymorning, an organic supergrain breakfast smoothie.

NEW YORK — Organic food brand Happyfamily has announced the launch of two new products to help tots, teens and adults easily kick hunger pangs while on-the-go — Happysqueeze, an organic superfruit smoothie, and Happymorning, an organic supergrain breakfast smoothie.

The new snacks are made with Salba, a grain that boasts omega-3 fatty acids, delivers 6 g of protein and is high in fiber, calcium, iron, vitamins and antioxidants. The packaging is BPA-free.