The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) announced that it has found hazardous levels of selenium in samples of certain flavors of the dietary supplement products "Total Body Formula" and "Total Body Mega Formula." The FDA has received 43 reports of persons from nine states who experienced serious adverse reactions using these products.

On March 27, the FDA warned consumers not to purchase or use "Total Body Formula" in flavors Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor of these products after receiving reports of adverse reactions in users in Florida and Tennessee (www.fda.gov/bbs/topics/NEWS/2008/NEW01812.html). The adverse reactions generally occurred after five to 10 days of daily ingestion of the product, and included significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, deformed fingernails and fatigue.

Selenium, a naturally occurring mineral, is needed only in very small amounts for good health and can boost the immune system. Generally, normal consumption of food and water provides adequate selenium to support good health. Excessive intake of selenium is known to cause symptoms to include significant hair loss, muscle cramps, diarrhea, joint pain, fatigue, loss of fingernails and blistering skin.

Presently, the FDA has 43 reports of adverse reactions including cases from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

Analyses of samples of the products by FDA laboratories have now found most of the samples contain extremely high levels of selenium—up to 40,800 micrograms per recommended serving, or more than 200 times the amount of selenium per serving (i.e., 200 micrograms) indicated on the labels of the products.

The FDA continues to investigate the matter to determine how excessive amounts of selenium were added to the products. It is advising consumers to stop using "Total Body Formula" in flavors Tropical Orange and Peach Nectar and "Total Body Mega Formula" in the Orange/Tangerine flavor and discard them by placing them in a trash receptacle outside of the home. "Total Body Formula" products are sold in eight-ounce and 32-ounce plastic bottles. "Total Body Mega Formula" is sold in 32-ounce plastic bottles. Both product lines are solely distributed by Total Body Essential Nutrition of Atlanta, which has voluntarily recalled the affected products. According to the company, the products were distributed nationwide.

Consumers who have been taking the products and have experienced adverse reactions should consult their health care professional. Consumers and health care professionals are encouraged to report adverse events to the FDA's MedWatch program at 800-FDA-1088 or online at www.fda.gov/medwatch/how.htm.

According to the recent “Life…supplemented” Healthcare Professionals (HCP) Impact Study, the majority of physicians do engage in very healthy behaviors, with three of the top shared healthy behaviors being: trying to eat a balanced diet (82 percent), exercising regularly (73 percent) and taking vitamins and other supplements (72 percent).

Nurses tend to follow a similar wellness checklist, with 87 percent of nurses saying they try to eat a balanced diet and 89 percent taking supplements. But nurses seem to exercise slightly less than doctors, with only 67 percent saying they exercise regularly. The dichotomy doesn’t end there—nurses are also more likely to seek out advice from other healthcare professionals (81 percent say they visit their own healthcare professional regularly), while only 48 percent of doctors say that they visit a healthcare professional regularly.

“It’s encouraging that for the most part, doctors and nurses practice the healthy behaviors that they preach, such as eating a healthy diet, exercising and taking supplements,” said Donnica Moore, MD, president of the Sapphire Women’s Health Group and a consultant to the “Life…supplemented” consumer wellness campaign.

There is also interesting news when it comes to sleep and the thirst for caffeine. Despite their often long hours, nearly two-thirds of physicians and nurses say they regularly get a good night’s sleep (62 percent of physicians and 65 percent of nurses), and only 28 percent of physicians and 33 percent of nurses admit to consuming large quantities of caffeine.

Additionally, the overwhelming majority of physicians and nurses abstain from smoking (90 percent and 86 percent, respectively) and only four percent of physicians and three percent of nurses say they often consume large quantities of alcohol. Most doctors and nurses (72 percent and 68 percent, respectively) claim they maintain a healthy weight. The study also reported that 40 percent of physicians and 32 percent of nurses do not take any prescription medications.

“It appears from this survey that the majority of healthcare professionals are focusing on staying healthy and are trying to do the types of things we all need to do before we get to the point where we need treatment. That’s a good lesson for consumers,” said Moore.

An increased intake of cruciferous vegetables may slash the risk of bladder cancer by 36 percent, according to new research that attributes the benefits to the isothiocyanate content.

The benefits were limited to raw vegetables, report the researchers in the journal Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention, while no benefits were observed for the consumption of fruit and other vegetables.

"These data suggest that cruciferous vegetables, when consumed raw, may reduce the risk of bladder cancer, an effect consistent with the role of dietary isothiocyanates as chemopreventive agents against bladder cancer," wrote lead author Li Tang from Roswell Park Cancer Institute in Buffalo, NY.

Epidemiological and animal studies have shown that diets high in cruciferous vegetables result in fewer instances of certain cancers, especially lung, colon, breast and ovarian cancer, and builds on a study published last year that claimed to be the first epidemiological study linking isothiocyanates from cruciferous vegetable to a reduced risk of bladder cancer.

The Roswell Park researchers collected dietary data from 275 hospital-based bladder cancer patients and 825 cancer-free people, and found that those who consumed the highest consumption of raw cruciferous vegetables was associated with a 36 percent reduction in bladder cancer risk.

Furthermore, stronger protective effects were observed among current and heavy smokers with an intake of three or more servings of raw cruciferous vegetables per month associated with a 54 and 40 percent reduction, respectively.

On the other hand, no benefits were observed when the researchers considered the combined raw and cooked cruciferous vegetable intake.

Source: Cancer Epidemiology Biomarkers & Prevention
1st April 2008, Volume 17, Pages 938-944, doi: 10.1158/1055-9965.EPI-07-2502
"Consumption of Raw Cruciferous Vegetables is Inversely Associated with Bladder Cancer Risk"
Authors: L. Tang, G.R. Zirpoli, K. Guru, K.B. Moysich, Y. Zhang, C.B. Ambrosone, S.E. McCann

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) and the Ayurvedic Drug Manufacturers Association (ADMA) have announced the establishment of a formal agreement of cooperation. AHPA represents the herbal industry in the US, while ADMA serves the same function for the Ayurvedic trade in India. The two organizations share a mutual interest in promoting and protecting commerce in products that are based on traditional Ayurvedic formulations and ingredients.

“The herbal products industry is multi-faceted, sophisticated and complex,” said AHPA president Michael McGuffin. “The laws and markets for Ayurvedic products are constantly evolving in many countries and partnering with international allies to share information and expertise will benefit members of both organizations.”
 
“We look forward to an era of co-operation and communication in mutual interest,” said Ranjit Puranik, the ADMA general secretary. “It is time to build closer relationships among the many organizations that share an interest in Ayurvedic herbal products.”
 
Under the new agreement, each association will keep the other informed of relevant information that may affect the functioning of the herbal Ayurvedic industry. The organizations will also share ideas about self-regulatory policies as they are brought up for consideration and also suggestions submitted to government regulatory agencies.
 
AHPA and ADMA celebrate this relationship established in the interest of promoting and protecting the trade of products rooted in the Ayurvedic tradition.

For more information visit www.ahpa.org.

Americans increasingly express environmental concerns, so manufacturers are taking steps to convey the eco-friendliness of their products. According to Mintel Global New Products Database (GNPD), the number of new products with an environmentally friendly claim has grown substantially over the past five years. In 2002, only five such products were launched, but in 2007 there were a staggering 328. This was an increase of nearly 200 percent from the year before.

"We're seeing rapid growth in new products with environmentally friendly traits," said Chris Haack, senior research analyst at Mintel. “More than ever, shoppers want to purchase goods that help protect and preserve the world around them. Manufacturers have responded with everything from recyclable packaging to products that maintain the body's health to entire brands that support environmental causes."

According to Mintel, people especially look for eco-friendliness when shopping for household paper products (66 percent), food (57 percent) and energy efficient appliances (48 percent). The environment, a desire for pesticide-free foods and the rising costs of energy are driving people toward greener purchases. One new trend observed by Mintel is foods that are not necessarily organic or natural but address other environmental concerns. For example, some companies use Green Energy Credits logos on packaging, while others support major health associations.

Mintel reveals that almost 200 million Americans buy green products. Price, perceived value and convenience drive these purchases as more and more people take on a green lifestyle.

Canadian organic food company, Nature’s Path Foods Inc., has acquired Kraft Foods Inc.'s former pizza production plant in Sussex for $5.5 million.

Nature's Path, based in Richmond, BC, Canada, is converting the 231,000-square-foot facility into an organic food factory that will package whole grain products such as cereals, granola bars, toaster pastries, pasta and bread.

Kraft closed the frozen pizza factory in March 2007, and consolidated production at its plants in Little Chute and Medford where the company has more than 1,200 employees. Kraft, which eliminated 330 jobs in Sussex, bought the plant when it purchased the Tombstone Pizza brand in 1986.

Nature's Path plans to bring back 200 jobs in about four years, said Arran Stephens, the company's president and founder.