It is not particularly attractive on the outside, but cut it open and you will be presented with a bounty of plump rubies (seeds) in a creamy bed. That is the first magic of pomegranate, now widely enjoyed in the U.S. as an exotic fruit and delicious beverage.

The seeds of the pomegranate are rich in polyphenolic antioxidants, notably ellagic acid, which has been researched heavily since the 1970s. Ellagic acid has been shown to prevent abnormal changes in the genetic material within cells, thereby helping to promote healthy cell development and life, while curtailing unhealthy, rogue cell development. In addition, ellagic acid binds to unhealthy compounds found circulating in the blood and inactivates them.

The fruit and its seeds are red, which may be nature’s way of saying, “this is good for your heart.”  Research has shown favorable attributes of pomegranate’s ability to support healthy platelet aggregation activities in blood vessels. The pomegranate juice has demonstrated to not only reduce platelet aggregation in blood vessels, but also has shown to slow down the process of cholesterol oxidation.

One study, “Pomegranate juice consumption reduces oxidative stress, atherogenic modifications to LDL and platelet aggregation: studies in humands an din atherosclerotic apolipoprotein E-deficient mice,” by Aviram et al, analyzed the effect of pomegranate juice consumption on lipoprotein oxidation, aggregation and retention, macrophage atherogenicity, platelet aggregation and atherosclerosis in healthy male volunteers. The researchers found that after 14 weeks of daily consumption, LDL susceptibility to aggregation and retention was decreased and the activity of serum paraoxonase increased by 20 percent; paraoxonase is an enzyme that protects against lipid peroxidation. This study shows pomegranate has value in cardiovascular support. (Am. J Clin. Nutr 2000; 71:1062-76)

If you’d like more information, please email sales@cyvex.com

SupplySide West International Trade Show and Conference
November 11-13, 2009
(Exhibit Hall Open Nov. 12 & 13)
The Venetian & Sands Expo
Las Vegas, NV

As the world’s largest event for healthy and innovative ingredients with 1,100+ booths, SupplySide West is the must-attend event for developers, formulators and marketers of foods, beverages, dietary supplements and cosmeceuticals. Learn about the latest ingredient innovation and supporting science, examine new trends and emerging opportunities, meet new suppliers and network with thousands of your global colleagues.

Cyvex Nutrition will be exhibiting at SupplySide West at booth # 21054, please come and meet the Cyvex Team! We’ll be showcasing our newest ingredients that we have launched this year: FlavoVital™ Flavonoids: Apigenin, Diosmin, Luteolin, Nobiletin, and Tangeretin; Lingonol™ lingonberry extract; and the relaunch of Chirositol™ D-Chiro-Inositol targeted for women’s health.

We’ll also be discussing our social media efforts including our Twitter and Facebook accounts, along with the launch of this blog.  And we’ll be keeping everyone updated with tweets from the show floor! Follow us at www.twitter.com/Cyvex

For more information on SupplySide West, click here

Broccoli is a cruciferous vegetable that is abundant in specific compounds that have been shown to promote excellent protective benefits in the human body.

But,those who just don’t like eating broccoli or broccoli sprouts may enjoy the benefits of supplements made with sulforaphane and glucosinolates, the active health-promoting constituents found in viable amounts in broccoli and broccoli sprouts.

Sulforaphane has been shown in several studies to be protective against the adherence of Helicobacter pylori, a pathogenic bacterium that may cause ulcers. In addition, recent research reveals it plays a role in healthy inflammatory mediation.

In a study published in Arteriosclerosis Thrombosis and Vascular Biology (Sep 2009) researchers reported that sulforaphane may have the ability to activate the protective protein Nrf2 in arteries; the researchers found that Nrf2 is inactive in arterial regions that are susceptible to disease, and that exposure to sulforaphone showed reduced inflammation by activating Nrf2.

Broccoli, though, has other compounds that are attractive for human wellness:  glucosinolates. These are metabolized by the body into isothiocyanates, shown to be potent protectors against proliferation of rogue cells.   Broccoli and broccoli sprouts (baby broccoli) are a great source of glucosinates that induce phase 2 detoxification enzymes, which either promote the scavenging of highly reactive oxygen species or decrease their formation in the first place.  And also improve antioxidant status in the body.  What all this means is that consuming regular amounts of sulforaphane and glucosinolates can help keep your body’s cells healthy and functioning normally, while ensuring that abnormalities are able to be kept in check.

Please email at sales@cyvex.com for studies related to broccoli and its health benefits.

The expression to describe an abundance of something – “more than Carter has pills” — reflects a once very popular product called Carter’s Little Liver Pills, an early dietary supplement to promote liver health. Launched by Dr. Samuel Carter in 1868 to “positively cure … sick headache and torpid liver” this was the ancestor of the modern condition-specific supplements available today, but prior to FDA/FTC rules that prohibit a dietary supplement made with nature’s ingredients to make such outright health claims.

In the intervening years since 1868, the multivitamin became the dominant supplement, the must-have to start a healthy day. Also, prior to DSHEA in 1994, many dietary supplements were individualized – individual vitamins, minerals, herbs.

Since the successful advent of DSHEA, manufacturers with help from ingredient suppliers and formulators were able to start manufacturing multi-ingredient formulas that support the structure and function of a system or organ in the human body. These formulas did something amazing:  they made it easy for any consumer to shop for what was (and remains) most appropriate and desirable for him or her. These condition-specific formulas took away much of the intimidation factor.

In fact, the industry research publication, Nutrition Business Journal, has reported, “Supplement and ingredient firms remain committed to health condition-specific products, which accounted for 92% of U.S. supplement sales in 2007.”

In 2006, Packaged Facts concluded in its report, “Nutritional Supplements in the U.S.” that condition-specific supplements lead overall sales, because consumers tend to seek out those with labels clearly communicating intended benefit of use. In 2005, Packaged Facts reported that condition-specific products accounted for a large proportion of new product introductions which rose by 33 percent that year.

The communications and collaborations between nutritional ingredient manufacturers and their brand marketing partners have never been as strong, exciting and cutting-edge as it is today in launching new condition-specific supplements and refining older formulas based on new research evidence. Consumers are more excited than ever because they have adapted to using condition-specific supplements as a long-term tool or as part of a healthy lifestyle.

Armed with this knowledge, many ingredient suppliers continue to search through peer-reviewed journals to validate safety, efficacy and mechanism of action of their ingredients. As one example, D-Chiro-Inositol, which has been found to have a positive impact for ovarian health and to help support healthy blood sugar as well.

Given the sheer popularity of condition-specific supplement formulas on the market, the dietary supplement industry’s future is secured as a reliable means to nourish health, in a personalized and easy way.

Functional Ingredients magazine asked raw material suppliers what they thought of the “condition-specific” concept.  Is it the best way to market ingredients to manufacturers and marketers?

Our President’s response–which also is their Quote of the Week– was:  “The condition-specific concept works well with R&D formulators and consumers, and is ultimately why the consumer is perusing the dietary supplements aisle”.

We’d like to know your comments on the condition-specific concept. Do you think it’s the best way to market ingredients? If yes or no, why?

View other responses here