Heart Health

Let’s focus on milk and soy. To say which of these two protein sources is more significant would be to detract from their uniqueness. Milk, after all, is animal based, and soy is vegetable. Milk protein accelerates physical recovery from numerous ailments, and soy protein mitigates heart disease.

The good news is that there’s growing evidence nutritional supplements can play a key role in treating people with heart disease.

How will the new products fare in the market? That depends on how the science behind them stacks up. Here’s a look at the latest crop of ingredients to keep an eye on in 2006.

Recent natural products research suggests that ingredients derived from common foods, such as fruits, vegetables, and grains, may have beneficial effects on heart health. While scientists need to complete more research before they can have an accurate picture of how effective these ingredients are, excitement is building among consumers and manufacturers.

The dietary supplement industry is on an upward curve, spurred by more university research and scientific partnerships linking together U.S. and international developers, suppliers, and research centers. One result of this positive trajectory is that raw-material suppliers are now refining and introducing compounds backed by science that address the issues that matter most to consumers: cardiovascular health, antioxidant and immune support, healthy glucose levels, smooth digestion, weight control, energy and stress reduction, and detoxification.

Soy foods have come a long way since the early days of tofu and meat substitutes. In the past few years, food technologists have become adept at devising new applications for soy and have expanded the array of choices available to consumers.

Dietary supplements cannot improve memory or mental acuity, but several new products offer support for those hoping to keep their faculties sharp for years to come.

The future looks encouraging for antioxidant research, despite some new articles that questioned the effectiveness of antioxidant supplements.

Consumers and food companies understand that dietary fiber provides a healthy, sustained glycemic response to glucose spikes.