New Products In Brief

Citracal adds phytosterols: Bayer Consumer Care formulates a line extension of its calcium/vitamin D supplement with natural plant sterols, which may help reduce risk of heart disease. Citracal Calcium Plus Heart Health aims to prevent both osteoporosis-related fractures and heart disease, the most common killer of women, Bayer said Nov. 5. A spokeswoman for the Morristown, N.J., company said the supplement shipped during the summer and is available at food, drug and mass merchandise retailers nationwide. An 80-count bottle sells for the suggested price of $13.99. Bayer acquired the Citracal brand from Mission Pharmacal in 2007 (¹ 'The Tan Sheet' Oct. 8, 2007, In Brief).

Nutrition 21 pitches probiotic/omega-3 tandem: The Purchase, N.Y., nutritional bioscience company licenses the probiotic strain Lactobacillus casei from ProbioHealth and ProbioFerm, for combination with its own omega-3 fish oil. The resulting ingredient blend is the first of its kind available, according to a Nutrition 21 spokesman. He added the firm hopes to reach a deal with a finished product marketer and have capsules on the market by spring 2010.

GNC beefs up immune defense: Using a patented elderberry extract from HerbalScience Group, GNC launches the ViraBLOC supplement for immune system support. In an Oct. 6 release, Guru Ramanathan, the retailer's senior VP of innovation, cites clinical evidence of the product's immune benefits over placebo. Pittsburgh-based GNC sells ViraBLOC at $14.99 for a box of 14 lozenges, each with 175 mg of elderberry extract.

Years of research yields Immunity-FX: The sister product to Cold-FX contains the same patented American ginseng extract, plus Reishi mushroom, which Afexa Life Sciences says is recognized for its immune-boosting benefits. After several years of development, Immunity-FX was introduced at the Zoomer Show health and lifestyle expo in Toronto Oct. 31. Toronto-based Afexa, formerly CV Technologies, sells Immunity-FX at Canadian retailers and on the well.ca online drugstore at $23.85 for a bottle of 42 capsules or $36.26 per 70 capsules.

Saffron supplement claims anti-depressive benefits: Saffrene , launched in November under the Nutraceutical Co.'s Simple Wellness brand, has been clinically shown to keep serotonin in a normal range, thus stabilizing mood in people with mild-to-moderate depression, the company says. The supplement, derived from the saffron spice plant, also aids weight loss by reducing "emotional overeating," the Fort Lee, N.J., firm said Nov. 4. A Nutraceutical Co. spokesman said the firm is taking care not to make drug claims. Nutraceutical Co. currently sells Saffrene exclusively online at $129.90 for three bottles of 60 capsules each, reflecting manufacturers' rising costs for saffron.

Recovery drink infused with Kyowa ingredient: The Code Blue Recovery Drink contains Kyowa Hakko USA's Sustamine amino acid ingredient, along with agave nectar, prickly pear juice and a number of vitamins, to flush the body of toxins and replenish vital nutrients, Kyowa says Oct. 20. Kyowa USA and developer and marketer Code Blue, both based in New York City, joined to launch the beverage in New York- and Boston-area stores and gyms in September. Code Blue retails in 12-ounce cans for $2.99 each or $59.99 for a case of 24.

Breathe Right scores "Extra" point: GlaxoSmithKline teams with the National Football League to offer samples of Breathe Right Extra, the nasal strip with an additional "spring-like" band for opening airways and greater surface area to aid adhesion. The line extension is 50 percent stronger than the original strips and offers improved air flow for chronic snorers and cold sufferers, as well as serious athletes, GSK said Oct. 15. Breathe Right Extra is sold in stores nationwide, and through drugstore.com at $14.99 for a box of 26 strips.

Innova develops diabetic energy bar: Based on a sugar-free gourmet Belgian dark chocolate, DiabetEZE is an appropriate energy bar for diabetics, Seattle-based Innova Nutrition claims. Company co-founder Rick Posmantur said Oct. 27 the bar is "a smart choice for any diabetic or non-diabetic consumer," with 19 vitamins and minerals and just 4 grams of sugar. DiabetEZE is available in Pacific Northwest U.S. Costco stores at $24.95 per box of 12 bars.

Redd aims to strike out gout pain: Redd Remedies says its Goutch! supplement promotes normal kidney function and healthy uric acid levels through cherry-based antioxidants, quercetin, ginger root and other ingredients to relieve pain associated with the inflammatory joint condition gout. Redd CEO Daniel Chapman said in a Nov. 24 release that the Lansing, Ill., firm aims to correct the "surprising" lack of pharmaceutical and nutritional products for gout sufferers. Goutch! will launch Dec. 3 at the Southeast Natural Products Association Expo in Orlando, Fla., Redd Remedies said. A 60-capsule supply of the product retails for a suggested price of $29.99.