It appears that almost every week, some newspaper or TV show decides to wield a popular scare tactic trying to sway consumers to become skeptical about using dietary supplements. And this negativism isn’t just in the U.S. In April 2009, Professor Regan’s Diet Clinic, a TV program on the BBC2’s Horizon series, overarchingly told viewers that supplements are not necessary if you eat a balanced diet.

Well, perhaps in theory this may make some sense. But … how many people really eat a balanced diet? And of those, how many perfectly manage stress (preventing stress from creating free radicals), do not drink alcohol or smoke cigarettes, drink no caffeine, and who exercise regularly?

Dietary supplements are … just that. They are nutrients in convenient forms (pills, beverages, powders for shakes) that fill in the gaps and in many cases, give us more optimal doses of compounds for our bodies.

However, more and more experts are proponents of consuming quality, researched dietary supplements. As a great example, more than 80% of registered dietitians who took part in a survey said they consider most Americans have gaps in their diets that can be filled with vitamins and other dietary supplements.

The research, from the “Life…supplemented” 2009 Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study, also showed that 76 percent said that supplements can address their own diet gaps, and, 96 percent stated they take supplements with 87 percent recommending dietary supplements to their clients.

Beyond this, more and more studies are being conducted on nutraceuticals and human health. Science appears to be determined to discover exactly how naturally occurring chemicals influence and impact a variety of processes in the human body and in certain states of disease.

Our lives are busier than ever and most of us do not have the time to ensure we eat daily diets abundant in vitamins and minerals which will benefit us in the long-term. Dietary supplements are the perfect solutions to top off our bodies’ empty or partially filled tanks, keeping us moving for the long journey!

For more information about the Healthcare Professionals Impact Study, visit www.lifesupplemented.org

You may believe that there’s no difference between a generic ingredient and a brand name ingredient, except the fancy name.

Generics, or “no frills” products, indeed have their place in industry and in retail.  However, there are many key factors why, when it comes to many ingredients, notably specialty ones, the proprietary branded ingredients make smart investment sense.

Branded ingredients are often what the finished product manufacturer touts as its product’s identity, either in full or in part.  So the branded ingredient needs to be one that is easily read and grasped by the consumer as the brand marketer is counting on making a memorable first impression.

Branding starts in the supplier’s research and development, along with cultivating relationships with growers and processors responsible for producing superior quality and pure product. Often, a well-researched and proven-effective proprietary processing technique that enhances the biological value of the ingredient versus its generic counterpart is a significant part.

Once an ingredient and the facility that manufactures it are assured of exceptional quality and the research of its safety and efficacy are likewise validated, it is taken to a marketing think tank to create a brand around it. This includes a name that reflects the nature of the ingredient and that also speaks to a core consumer that will find it valuable. A logo is also developed, and paperwork is filed for trademark protection.

Crafting a valuable branded ingredient is, therefore, an investment. Reputable branded ingredients have everything: the quality research, the quality production, the characteristic distinctions, and the marketing savvy.

When it comes to specialty ingredients such as antioxidants, the power of branded ingredients makes the best sense for long-term product success!