Wednesday, May 13, 2009
connor
In addition to having fewer pesticides and hormones, it appears that milk that is labeled organic also offers a better fat profile than conventional milk. This might be due to the fact that these cows spend more time grazing in an open pasture rather than being fed corn and other processed feeds. A recent study compared the omega-3 content in milk from thirty six organic and conventional dairy farms. They found that organic whole milk contained 70 percent more omega-3s than nonorganic whole milk, and the ratio of omega-6 to omega-3 was much lower in the organic milk.
Sunday, May 10, 2009
connor
Many people who take dietary supplements are in good health. Sometimes characterized as the worried well, this population tends to consume healthful diets and dietary supplements and to lead healthy, active lives. While there is no evidence that people in this group rely on dietary supplements as a substitute for good dietary habits, they do believe dietary supplements provide something that may be missing from their diets or that could help them to lead longer, healthier lives. Among people who use dietary supplements for prevention, some have a more specific agenda. Some take dietary supplements to prevent a specific disease or condition, such as a disease that runs in the family or any disease or condition that has caused the individual concern. If a woman’s mother and father died of heart disease, for example, she may use dietary supplements touted to prevent heart disease. However, many health conditions have gained popular attention through the media, and American consumers have responded with heightened awareness.
Friday, May 08, 2009
connor
Labels must include the word supplement and identify the product as a dietary supplement. The required information on dietary supplement labels includes the name and quantity of each nutrient and dietary ingredient or, for proprietary blends, the total quantity of all dietary ingredients (except inert ingredients) in the blend. Since 1997 all supplements must bear a label entitled “Supplement Facts,” which is very similar in format and content to the “Nutrition Facts” label that appears on all food and beverages marketed in the United States. Labels on herbal and botanical products must state which part of the plant the contents come from.
Some dietary supplements are included in official compendia, such as the U.S. Pharmacopoeia, the Homeopathic Pharmacopoeia of the United States, or the National Formulary. If a supplement is included in a compendium, it must correspond with the specifications of that compendium. For dietary supplements not included in official compendia, the label must correctly identify each substance and the amount in the supplement. Dietary supplement labels must also contain nutritional information, including ingredients present in significant amounts, and first listing those for which the FDA has established %DVs. Labels must also include the quantity per serving for each dietary ingredient and may include the source of the ingredients. The FDA published the Dietary Supplement Labeling Guide in 2005. This guide was created in response to numerous questions from the dietary supplement industry regarding all
legislation relevant to dietary supplement labels.
