resources

20-Oct-2006
Omega-3 sources and products formulated for enhanced efficacy highlight offerings

Valensa International participated in Supply Side West 2006 showing off a range of products that have been introduced over the last year that underscore the company’s commitment to creating high quality, high efficacy botanical extracts and formulated products for the nutraceuticals market. One major trend addressed by the new product introductions was the company’s support of the trend toward increased awareness and use of omega-3 as a nutritional supplement targeting a number of health issues. New products introduced in 2006 by Valensa in this area include Tresalbio™ Salvia hispanica seed (Chia) CO2 extract and Z-Omega™ fish oil analogue. Another major 2006 entry for Valensa is its Nanocosanol™ policosanol nanodispersion that features a high concentration of omega-3 oil as an important part of its formulation. Valensa also discussed the need for high quality basic extracts and highlighted its USPlus™ and Palmetto Rosso™ saw palmetto extracts, both of which are supported by a free saw palmetto testing service the company announced in September.

According to Dr. Rudi E. Moerck, demonstrable quality and efficacy will become increasingly important in a market where consumers want targeted products for key health issues but at the same time have concerns about the value of supplementation with nutraceuticals. "There is a large part of our population who embrace the importance of nutraceutical supplementation as a part of their daily lives, but there is an even larger group who are still on the fence. If we are going to grow as an industry we are going to have to address the concerns of this larger group who are concerned about efficacy and quality," he said. "In a time when organic and natural foods are experiencing unprecedented growth in mainstream markets, we in the nutraceutical industry have overall flat growth. We can and must do better for consumers," he added.

New, premium sources of plant-based omega-3s
One of the newest products introduced by Valensa at Supply Side West 2006 was its Tresalbio™ Salvia hispanica seed CO2 extract. Also known as "chia" seed, Tresalbio™ Salvia hispanica seed CO2 extract outperforms traditional ingredients that deliver omega-3 fatty acids in four key areas: concentration, taste, odor and stability. Tresalbio™ delivers a higher concentration of omega-3 fatty acids by weight – more than 60% -- than any plant (linseed/flaxseed oils) or fish source found in nature. The nature of Salvia hispanica and Valensa’s CO2 extraction process ensure product stability – contributing to longer shelf life, and reducing the incidence of rancification, thereby improving the taste and odor of the omega-3 delivering ingredient.

Earlier this year, Valensa launched Z-Omega™ fish oil analogue to offer beneficial levels of the essential omega-3 alpha linolenic acid without some of the issues associated with fish oil in the areas of taste and odor. The new ingredients are also targeted at the vegetarian/vegan community and other consumers. All of the Z-Omega™ products are fortified with Valensa’s ZANTHIN® astaxanthin to provide additional antioxidant properties as well as a ‘wild salmon’ color.

According to Moerck, plant-based ingredients have a great deal of market potential. "Omega-3 fatty acids are among the hottest health trends right now, with new products coming to market every day. There is also a strong push toward developing plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids as an alternative to fish-based sources. In addition, vegetarians and vegans, who number in the millions, will only consider plant-based sources for supplemental nutrition. Beyond this, there is mounting evidence of the health benefits associated with plant-based sources of omega-3 fatty acids," he said. He went on to say that Tresalbio™ is targeted as a premium alternative to linseed/flaxseed oils, while Z-Omega™ products have been created to offer a plant-based alternative to fish oils.

New data for policosanol nanodispersion
In a presentation on the newly introduced Nanocosanol™ policosanol/omega-3 nanodispersion, Dr. Moerck reviewed the results of a recent human clinical trial that gives Nanocosanol™ some very high marks in lipid reduction and some other positive health impacts. These are some of the most positive trial results since the original Cuban policosanol studies that put these extracts on the nutraceutical map. The Nanocosanol™ ingredient formulation takes advantage of three key technology strengths of the Valensa organization – extraction, delivery and stabilization – to create the most scientifically advanced form of policosanol available to the market today. This patent-pending nanotechnology-based product promises a higher level of biofunctionality compared to existing policosanol supplements for promoting a heart-healthy lipid balance.

Quality is seen as essential to building trust and brand presence
In an environment where the efficacy of some well known nutraceuticals has been challenged by studies that have been conducted by the pharmaceutical industry, quality and efficacy are issues that are emerging as more important than ever. According to Sid Hulse, Vice President of Sales and Marketing, the nutraceuticals industry has the tools to deliver top quality materials to the consuming public right now. "By buying the best raw materials, keeping proper chain of custody and using top quality manufacturing practices that we can prove via analytical methods, the industry has it within its power to consistently deliver consumers the best we can," he said.

Recently, Valensa developed a free saw palmetto oil testing service for anyone in the industry, regardless of whether they buy from Valensa, to ensure the quality of the saw palmetto extract they use to create finished products. . Says Hulse, "There is an objective standard for saw palmetto that is based on years of studying the makeup of mature saw palmetto berries and their extracts – the only saw palmetto product that has been shown to be safe and effective in dealing with the symptoms of BPH. If we want consumers to take us seriously about the issue of quality, we should use this objective standard," he said. "The science exists to ensure the quality of the product. With this new free program, there is no reason not to deliver the best product to consumers," he added.