Bryce Edmonds

April 24, 2008

2 Min Read
Supplements & Personal Care Briefs

This Bud's for your inflammation
Wine is great, but are beer extracts the next big thing? The journal International Immunopharmacology published a study in March that found the extracts helped reduce markers for inflammation, which may mean a reduction in inflammation in the body. Researchers looked at three different types of beer, including nonalcoholic, and concluded, "Data suggest that the immunosuppressive capacity of beer may relate to its anti-inflammatory nature." The extracts reduced production of neopterin, a marker for inflammation, and also caused the degradation of the amino acid tryptophan. Could beer also be the cure for the post-Thanksgiving meal syndrome?

Thirsting for beauty
The newest trend in beauty care may just be branded water ingredients. Three spas have gone tropical and added a Fiji Water branded treatment. So has one perfume company. The G-Spa in New York, The Snowmass Club in Snowmass, Colo., and the Spa Terre at Inn and Spa at Loretto in Santa Fe, N.M., now all have treatments that feature Fiji: a pedicure and manicure at G-Spa, a facial at Snowmass and a hair treatment at Spa Terre. In addition, Michael Kors Beauty now has Island Michael Kors Fiji, a fragrance with a "splash of Fiji Water."

"Including Fiji Water in the Island Michael Kors Fiji fragrance is a natural alliance that allows us to create something new in the fragrance industry while reaching our targeted demographic," says Justin Boxford, executive director of global marketing for Michael Kors Beauty. Maybe it's time to cross-market health and beauty aids with the water aisle …

Grape news for health
A University of California, Davis, study has found that grape seed extract lowered the blood pressure of patients. The study was the first human clinical trial to look at the effect of grape seed extract on people with metabolic syndrome, which is estimated to affect 40 percent of American adults. The syndrome is marked by a combination of factors, including high blood pressure, excess abdominal body weight, high blood cholesterol fats and high blood sugar, all known for increasing risk of heart disease. Twenty-four male and female patients diagnosed with metabolic syndrome participated in the one-month study. They were divided into three groups of eight. The first group received a placebo, while the second and third groups received 150 milligrams and 300 milligrams, respectively, of a new grape seed extract. The researchers presented the results at the American Chemical Society Meeting and Exposition on March 26. The UC Davis researchers recently began another human clinical study of grape seed extract, looking at its benefits for pre-hypertension patients.

Natural Foods Merchandiser volume XXVII/number 5/p. 30

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