Nina Wagner

Specialty ingredients, which go beyond the standard vitamins, minerals and herbs to provide nutritional support for specific conditions and systems, have been the driving force in supplements sales in recent years, and made up 18% of total supplements sales in 2008. These ingredients are also common in functional foods and beverages, which outpaced overall food sales in 2009 (2.7% versus 1.6%) in spite of difficulties with the overall economy.

Specialty ingredients include omega-3s and EFAs; probiotics and prebiotics; glucosamine and chondroitin; CoQ10; SAMe; and enzymes. In the functional foods arena, digestive products enhanced with probiotics and prebiotics have been one of the leading growth categories. The GoodBelly brand of probiotic-enhanced juices, for example, saw a 200% growth rate in 2009. EFA-enhanced foods and supplements have also shown strong growth, bolstered by new research and an FDA qualified health claim linking EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids to reduced risk of coronary heart disease.

Branded ingredients have dramatically increased in popularity in the supplements and functional foods industry in recent years. These proprietary blends are often targeted at specific conditions and have branded names, such as Relora (for relaxation and stress-related appetite control) Fabuless (for weight loss) and Seditol (to improve sleep quality). Anti-oxidants are one category with a growing number of branded ingredients, each containing a specific, controlled blend of various carotenoids, bioflavonoids, polyphenols and other phytonutrients.

Branded ingredients also offer clinical research to back their claims, and thus can command a higher price for manufacturers. One notable example is Pycnogenol, a patented extract of maritime pine bark. This antioxidant is backed by studies showing benefits for cardiovascular heath, osteoarthritis pain reduction and ADHD symptoms.

Though branded ingredients are most common in supplements, they can also be found in functional foods and cosmeceuticals. One example is Ester C, a branded, more stable form of vitamin C that is used both in supplements and in skin care products for its antioxidant activity.

Condition-specific supplements and functional foods use a variety of vitamins, minerals, herbs and other ingredients, such as probiotics, to support a particular system or function of the body. Condition-specific supplements may contain a dozen or more substances formulated to work together for optimal efficacy.

Common categories of condition-specific formulations include joint health, heart health, prostate health, digestive health and mood health. In some cases, manufacturers and formulators are able to provide clinical efficacy data on their specific proprietary blends for a given condition.

In the functional foods arena, drinks and even bars are often formulated with a specific goal, such as mood enhancement, weight management or increased energy. Many common food ingredients are also linked to specific conditions as well—for example, soy for bone health and whole grains for cardiovascular health and anti-cancer properties.

The human mind functions both as intellect and consciousness. Primarily, people associate the mind with the mental faculty of thinking, or processing information, problem solving, and the like. The mind also encompasses memory, emotion, perception, and imagination.

From a health perspective, the focus is on the brain and brain health. For infants and children, proper brain development is key. Good, balanced nutrition and healthy fats such as omega-3 fatty acids, or omega-3s—whether from foods such as fatty fish and flaxseed or from supplements like fish oil—support brain development and may help with disorders such as ADHD (attention deficit hyperactive disorder) as well as alleviate depression at any age.

As people age, concerns about problems with memory and cognitive function increase. Up to 5 percent of the world’s population is affected by Alzheimer’s disease, the most common form of dementia. Experts recommend the following healthy lifestyle choices to help keep thinking focused and memory sharp. Avoid chemicals in food, water, and products you use at home; eat fresh fruits and vegetables; drink lots of filtered water and green tea; eat choline-rich eggs; exercise regularly; meditate. Recommended supplements include fish oil, alpha-lipoic acid, acetyl-L-carnitine; phosphatidyl serine (PS); curcumin (from turmeric); and B vitamins. Experts also recommend doing mind exercises such as learning a new hobby, language, or musical instrument, or doing challenging puzzles.

Depression is a disorder reflecting a sad or irritable mood beyond usual sadness or grief. Depression affects not only mood, but also can change bodily functions such as eating, sleeping, and libido, and it can raise risks for developing other health problems. An estimated 19 million Americans suffer from major or chronic depression. Healthy lifestyle choices can alleviate depression; recommended supplements include folate (vitamin B9), 5-HTP (5-Hydroxytryptophan), SAM-e (S-Adenosinemethionine), tryptophan, selenium, inositol, fish oil, and vitamin C.

The mind-body connection is another popular concept related to individual health, whereby the mind is believed to influence individuals’ health, helping make a person healthier or sicker, depending on conscious and unconscious thoughts and emotions. Studies have shown regular meditation can change the brains physical structure. Other examples might include the placebo effect and studies that show hospital patients recover more quickly when their windows open onto nature as opposed to a city.

The body is the physical structure of humans, which consists of body parts (head, neck, arms, legs, and torso) and organ systems (respiratory, circulatory, and nervous). The human body is affected by a variety of factors, including nutrition, the environment, exercise, stress, disease, and genetics. Over time, the human body ages, increasing the risk of certain age-related conditions and diseases, such as diabetes, arthritis, and heart disease. Certain supplements and foods, particularly those rich in antioxidants, can help protect the body from harmful free radicals in the environment and decrease the risk of disease.

Mixed berry and mint granita, tapioca pudding with passion fruit, chestnut chocolate mousse pie and more – these refreshing desserts make perfect summertime treats.

Try these great raw-foods recipes… everything from soups to desserts.

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