Heart Health, Obesity Listed As Top Health Concerns for Men and Women

Heart Health, Excess Weight Listed As Top Health Concerns for Men and Women

In 2011, Solae, a world leader in innovative soy technologies, conducted a global survey with 4,000 participants from 13 countries to find out the top health concerns for men and women.

According to the results, heart health weighed heavily on the minds of 85 percent of those surveyed between the ages of 35 and 65. Being overweight was the secondary health concern expressed by 75 percent of American adults. 1

Several well-researched nutraceuticals have shown significant value, along with a healthy diet and exercise program, for mitigating the top two health concerns of people in the 35 to 65 age category. This fairly large segment of society presents a golden opportunity for supplement business owners to formulate supplements that combine efficacy for heart health and weight management. We've listed a few ingredients below that you may want to consider.

Protein: Protein is a major constituent in building and preserving lean muscle mass. The heart is basically the largest muscle in the body and requires protein for its function. Protein also plays a role in promoting satiety. Surprisingly, only 64 percent of those surveyed in the 35 to 65 age category by Solae said they are getting an adequate intake of protein in the diet. Although they know the benefits of protein intake, 50 percent in this age group think their diet lacks an adequate protein intake.

Soy protein is the most popular plant-based protein used for fortification. But only 40 percent in this age category use soy protein in their diet. Soy is derived from soybeans and offers multiple benefits for health. One study shows that consuming soy protein instead of animal protein results supported healthy cholesterol levels already within the normal range. Soy may be used to promote heart health. Some studies show that soy may contribute to weight loss. 2

Men in the 35 to 65 age category may find soy useful in supporting prostate health. 3

Fiber: The American Dietician Association recommends that adults consume 20 to 35 grams of fiber a day. Dietary fiber promotes colon health, lowers cholesterol, promotes satiety and is known to help support healthy blood sugar levels. Fiber-rich foods are processed slowly and therefore promote early satiety. They are usually low in calories, fats and added sugar. A fiber-rich diet is optimized to support heart health and weight management. In one study in which 252 middle-aged women participated, researchers observed that participants lost 4.4 lbs over a 20-week period by increasing their fiber intake by 8 grams for every 1000 kcal. 4

There is emerging evidence from science to suggest that a high-protein diet combined with a fiber-rich diet may induce greater fat loss and support cardiovascular health. 5 An 8-week double-blind trial noted that a daily intake of Glucomannan fiber was able to produce a mean weight loss of 5.5 lbs. 6

Green Tea: The high polyphenolic content in green tea offers multiple health benefits. Green tea contains catechins namely, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), that play a role in supporting cardiovascular health. Epidemiological studies show a benefit associated with regular intake of green tea beverages and cardiovascular health. 7

In addition, green tea may help reduce body weight by increasing thermogenesis and fat oxidation. Green tea contains theanine which is believed to work as a fat burner. Scientists think that green tea may increase the rate of metabolism, increasing caloric burn to help support weight loss. 8

Another benefit of green tea is its support of an immune system.

Resveratrol: Red wine is believed to be the solution to the French Paradox and could explain why the French enjoy robust heart health in spite of a diet that is rich in saturated fats. Those who drink red wine regularly have been noted to have better cardiovascular health. The main compound in red wine believed to exude these effects is an antioxidant called resveratrol. 9

Resveratrol has been found to mimic caloric restriction. Scientists believe that resveratrol, in combination with Vitamin D, may help support against weight gain and bone loss in menopausal women. 10

Heart health and weight management are the top health concerns of people approaching mid-life or their senior years, and rightly so. More than one-third of the nation is overweight. A healthy diet and exercise along with nutritional supplements for heart and weight management can play a strategic role in supporting heart health, while maintaining a healthy weight.

NutraScience Labs can manufacture a wide variety of supplements that help support the heart health and weight management needs of your customers in a variety of mediums such as capsules, tablets and powders. For more information about our services, call (855) 492-7388 to speak with one of our Production Specialists or submit your request to receive a free nutraceutical manufacturing quote in 48 hours or less!