Fall 2010 Nutraceutical Manufacturing Trends

While summer temperatures fall, the nutritional supplement industry continues to rise with more Americans making a greater effort to protect their health in the midst of economic upheavals. According to Nutrition Business Journal, in 2009 non-retail channels of the nutrition industry generated more than $15 billion of sales with 61 percent of these sales coming from nutritional supplements.

What are the top Fall 2010 nutraceutical manufacturing trends? Here's our take on the products consumers will most likely be looking for:

Immune Support - With temperatures dropping, seasonal changes can impact immune health. Popular immune-supporting ingredients include beta glucans, Echinacea, Vitamins C and E and herbs such as astralagus, andrographis, elderberry and ginseng.1-5 The most popular delivery forms for these immune system supporting ingredients include capsules, tablets, or powders.

The Omega-3 Supplements - Omega 3 supplements hold a wide range of health benefits which include support for heart health, brain health, bone and joint health, immune health, vision, and cognitive function. The list of health benefits grows longer as research continues, ranking omega-3 supplements top on the consumer demand list.6 The most popular delivery form for Omega-3 supplements is softgels.

Stress Relievers - Personal and professional stress are causing more people to try out herbal or other natural ingredients. Therefore, for the products you manufacture, consider the following herbal or natural ingredients:

Valerian is obtained from the valerian plant and may be helpful for temporary insomnia, mild anxiety and stress. It is often taken for 4 to 6 weeks at a time.7
Passion Flower may have a calming effect on the body, helping to alleviate mild anxiety. It is usually sold as an extract in teas, infusions and tinctures.8
GABA (gamma aminobutyric acid), a non-essential amino acid is found mainly in the human brain and eyes. It is believed to promote a natural calming effect on the brain, promoting relaxation and easing nervous tension.9
L-Tyrosine, an essential amino acid is used as a supplement for fighting fatigue, anxiety, and helping support a positive mood.10
Chamomile is a traditional herb that is used for conditions such as temporary insomnia, mild anxiety, and mild gastrointestinal conditions, although there are not many scientific studies to support this. It is an herb that has no known side effects and traditional use has shown effective results.

Popular delivery forms for stress relief supplements include capsules, tablets, or powders.

Weight Loss Aids - To avoid high health risks attached to being overweight consumers continue to search for better-formulated products that have scientific support. Nutritional supplement manufacturing can help meet those needs with ingredients that help promote fat loss, preserve lean body mass and support satiety such as green tea, capsaicin, guarana, conjugated linolenic acid (CLA), apple polyphenols (APP), fucoxanthin and prebiotics such as fiber, inulin and oligofructose.11-17 Popular delivery forms for weight loss products include capsules, tablets, powders, and herbal teas.

Digestive/Detox Aids, Fiber Products - The use of colon cleanse products that promote natural regularity and also promote digestive health through the combination of probiotics and prebiotics will continue to be popular. These products may include herbs to relieve occasional constipation, detoxifying herbs, and other nutrients that support digestive and general health. Such colon cleanses are also thought to be useful in weight management by promoting the proper absorption of nutrients. Herbs used include senna leaves, aloe vera, psyllium fiber, milk thistle, slippery elm bark and many more.18-22 Popular delivery forms can be capsules, tablets, fiber powders, and herbal teas.

Healthy Aging Supplements - America's aging population, along with younger health-conscious individuals, will increasingly turn to healthy aging supplements in a desire to live active, live healthy, and look young! Nutritional supplements that provide scientifically-supported herbs and nutrients for brain health, joint health, immune health, heart health and vision will continue to receive attention, along with antioxidants. According to a survey reported in the Journal of the American Osteopathic Association, glucosamine and garlic were the most frequently used products, followed closely by Echinacea and Ginkgo Biloba. Other ingredients include herbal teas and ginseng. The most common reasons stated by survey respondents for taking an herbal product or dietary supplement were to improve general wellness, to help support joint health, to help support a healthy immune system or to support cognitive function. 23 Popular delivery forms include capsules, tablets, powders, and liquids.

Multi-vitamins - A broad spectrum of multi-vitamins will continue to be a top priority supplement for more than 60 percent of the American population. More than just preventing deficiency diseases, multi-vitamin supplements may achieve new status in the future as scientists understand their role in supporting cellular health. For example, research studies on Vitamin D have shown that its scope goes way beyond that of simply supporting bone health and may even impact several other body systems. 24 Popular delivery forms include capsules, tablets, or powders.

Manufacture Your Line Of Fall Products With An Experienced Manufacturer

NutraScience Labs is a leading company that specializes in providing dietary supplement brand owners, like you, with best-in-class, turnkey manufacturing, graphic design, packaging, and fulfillment services - all under ONE roof! For more information on how to get started with us, submit your request to receive a free manufacturing quote in 48 hours or call (855) 492-7388 to speak with one of our Production Specialists.

References

1. Study presented at the 60th Anniversary Meeting of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (AAAAI).

2. JAMA 277 (17) 1380-6, 1997).

3. Astralagus: Alternative Medicine Review, Feb 2003.

4. Andrographis: Pharmacology 1993;46(1):182-85.

5. Drugs Exp Clin Res. 1996;22(2):65-72.

6. The Journal of the American Board of Family Practice 18:28-36 (2005).

7. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs. Newton, MA: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins; 2000:394-400.

8. Anesth Analg. 2008 Jun;106(6):1728-32; search PubMed for PMID: 18499602.

9. J Clin Psychiatry. 2003;64 Suppl 3:21-7.

10. J Psychiatr Res. 1982-1983;17(2):175-80. Gelenberg AJ, Wojcik JD, Gibson CJ, Wurtman RJ.

11. Am J Physiol Regul Integr Comp Physiol 292: R77-R85, 2007.

12. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 5, 1203-1211, May 2007.

13. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/releases/14387.php

14. Nutr Rev. 2001 May;59(5):129-39.

15. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2005 Jul 20;(3):CD003892.

16. Journal of Nutrition. 1999;129:1402S-1406S.

17. J. Agric. Food Chem., 2007, 55 (19), pp 7701-7706.

18. Buzzelli G, Moscarella S, Giusti A, et al. Int.J Clin Pharmacol Ther Toxicol 1993;31(9):456-460.

19. Br J Surg. 1970 Nov;57(11):864. Wilkins JL, Hardcastle JD. PMID: 4921423.

20. http://www.mayoclinic.org/drugs-supplements/aloe/background/hrb-20058665

21. Am J Clin Nutr. 2000 Sep;72(3):784-9. Marlett JA, Kajs TM, Fischer MH. Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 53706, USA. PMID: 10966900.

23. JAOA. Vol 107. No 1. January 2007 13-23.

24. http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/multivitamin/