THE MAGIC OF ESSENTIAL OILS
The popularity of essential oils is increasing exponentially. These organic plant compounds, most commonly associated with aromatherapy, have remarkable therapeutic properties that can benefit physical, mental, emotional and spiritual health. Essential oils are concentrated, fragrant liquids that are extracted from the bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds or roots of plants, thus incorporating the highly aromatic ‘essence’ of the plant
Essential oils are usually extracted by steam distillation, but other methods include expression, solvent extraction and absolute oil extraction. Various cultures have for centuries made use of these concentrated plant oils, and they can be used for healing, cosmetics, soaps, cleaning products, food and drink flavouring, as well as perfumes. When it comes to using essential oils for healing, quality is the key. Courses and products abound on the internet, so one must exercise discretion. Be aware that many of these oils are highly toxic to pets, so do your research before diffusing oils in your home, as you may put your pet’s health at risk.
For online courses and information:
https://www.udemy.com/
https://draxe.com/
https://drericz.com/
LEGISLATION
REGULATIONS “HIT A WALL”
Regulations in the South African dietary supplement and CAMS industry have, according to HPA President, Bruce Dennison, “Hit a wall!” “With the introduction of the Medicines and Related Substances Amendment Act of 2008, enforced by parliament in June 2017, the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) has had its hands tied by the Minister of Health,” he explains. “Despite the consistent growth of the dietary supplement industry in South Africa, room for growth has been severely stunted.” The HPA is however continuing with its mission to lobby for appropriate and acceptable regulations.
The HPA sent a four-page letter to the South African Registrar of Medicines, appealing the categorisation of dietary supplements and CAM as medicines. The letter addressed the HPA’s concern over:
•The classification of CAMS as medicines
•New licensing requirements for exporters, importers and marketers within South Africa
•The lack of provision made for qualified, responsible pharmacists within this country
•The lack of provision for fast-track screening of new products to market
“There is no doubt that the dietary supplement and CAMs industry in South Africa is in need of regulation,” says Dennison, “but it needs to be suitable, appropriate to ingredients and, most importantly, workable for manufacturers and marketers in order to succeed.” The HPA awaits a response from the Registrar of Medicines.
INDUSTRY TRENDS
DIGESTIVE HEALTH A TOP PRIORITY, COLLAGEN MARKET BOOMING, AND FIVE 2018 WELLNESS TRENDS
A new survey conducted by the organizers of Vitafoods Europe has revealed that digestive health is now a top priority for the nutraceuticals industry. Of the 220 industry professionals asked to identify the three most important health benefit areas for their companies, 23 percent named digestive health, 23 percent selected general wellbeing and healthy ageing, 22 percent opted for cardiovascular health, and 21 percent pinpointed immunity. Experts have attributed the findings to growing consumer awareness about the importance of healthy gut microbiota, and of the potential of probiotics.
This is the third time that the Vitafoods Europe poll has been conducted, but the first in which digestive health has been a top concern for the industry. The importance placed on digestive health reflects the current boom in the global probiotic industry, which is expected to reach a value of €53 billion by 2023. In the U.S., the number of products promoting probiotic content grew from below 100 in 2002 to nearly 1 800 in 2016, according to Packaged Facts.
For more:
https://www.nutraceuticalsworld.com/contents/view_breaking-news/2018-01-26/digestive-health-tops-nutraceutical-agenda/?utm_source=SilverpopMailing&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Nutraceuticals%20World%20eNewsletter%20(1-30-2018)%20(Final)&utm_content=&spMailingID=1215984&spUserID=MjQwMzg5OTA5NDIS1&spJobID=460914985&spReportId=NDYwOTE0OTg1S0
INNOVATION IS PUSHING THE COLLAGEN MARKET FROM BOOM TO BLOCKBUSTER
Collagen is breaking through capsule and tablet formulations and is going far afield in providing consumers with a range of intake options.
For more: http://www.newhope.com/ingredients/innovation-pushing-collagen-market-boom-blockbuster
FIVE OF THE MOST EXCITING SPACES TO GROW IN 2018
Brain boosters, magnesium oil, moringa, natural deoderants, and unplug retreats predicted to make an impact in 2018:
For more: https://www.forbes.com/sites/annabelacton/2018/01/12/5-wellness-trends-set-to-explode-in-2018/#afac52f5ede5
WHAT’S HAPPENING
CHANGES IN THE CAMS AND PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY
Wayne Robinsons has been appointed to the Board of Directors at Afriplex (Pty) Ltd in Paarl, Western Cape. The HPA is pleased to announce that Wayne Robinson will remain on the HPA Executive Council as the Director of Scientific and Regulatory Affairs. Wayne will also remain the HPA representative on the Industry Task Group (ITG), CAMS Working Group and the Marketing Code Authority Board. We at the HPA wish Wayne every success in his future endeavours, and we are delighted that he will remain an integral part of the HPA Executive.
HPA LAUNCHES ON FACEBOOK
The HPA is excited to announce the launch of its new Facebook page which is being managed by an experienced and dynamic social media company, Leap Communications. The Facebook page has been created to educate the public about the HPA and health-related subjects, as well as to inform consumers, professionals and the industry about the new regulations that severely affect the industry at large. Please visit and like our new page here: https://www.facebook.com/HPASA-178616436074856/
GREEN LIGHT FOR RICHARDSON LECTURE TOUR
Globally recognised nutrition authority, Professor David P. Richardson, will be visiting South Africa in March 2018 to present various workshops countrywide on anti-ageing nutrition.
Richardson is the author of a scientific paper entitled “Nutrition, Healthy Ageing and Public Policy”, and which was researched and written in cooperation with IADSA’s Scientific Group of leading international scientists. According to Richardson, “Nutrition has the power to make a substantial impact on the health and functional status of older individuals. Nutritional interventions, therefore, could hold the promise of mitigating the impending burden of chronic disease and disability, as well as improve the quality of life of the increasing ageing population.”
INTERNATIONAL
IADSA ACHIEVEMENTS
The International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplements Associations (IADSA) had a busy and productive 2017. The Association’s five notable achievements of the year are: its involvement in the International Congress of Nutrition (ICN) in Buenos Aires, the New Resource Centre on Health Supplements and Nutraceuticals in India, the Pacific Alliance Food Supplement Harmonisation process, the 1st IADSA Grant award, and the Turkey Gov/KOL study tour in Europe to share regulations and manufacturing practices. All are detailed in the February edition of IADSA Newsflash, which can be accessed via the HPA website: https://www.hpasa.co.za/media/
INDIGENOUS CORNER
REMARKABLE ROOIBOS
Few flavours are as uniquely South African as rooibos tea. This remarkable herb that hails from the slopes of the Cedarberg mountains in the Western Cape – where it was first brewed as a refreshing drink more than 300 years ago by the indigenous people of the area – is now internationally recognised for its numerous health and beauty benefits. According to the Rooibos Council of South Africa, a wealth of research on the composition, chemistry and bioactivity of rooibos explains how it protects the human body against disease, and promotes health and longevity.
In 1968, Annique founder, Dr Annique Theron, put the spotlight on Rooibos with her claim that it soothed away her baby’s colic. She published a book on her findings, called “Allergies: An Amazing Discovery”, and continued to make huge strides in the promotion of the health benefits of Rooibos. Today, Annique is the leader in Rooibos health and beauty products. http://www.annique.com/.
This polyphenol and mineral-rich plant can reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body, and is reputed to help fight cancer, improve heart health, protect the liver, aid digestion, improve mental function, prolong fertility, reduce blood-pressure, delay ageing, boost immunity, build and repair muscle tissue, and is helpful for Type 2 diabetes. In fact, a schoolgirl tested rooibos on diabetic dogs as part of a science project – with extraordinarily positive results. http://sarooibos.co.za/schoolgirl-tested-rooibos-diabetic-dogs/
For more: http://sarooibos.co.za/
HELPFUL HINTS
CRN LAUNCHES #SARMsCanHarm
The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), which is the leading trade association for the dietary supplement and functional food industry, has announced the launch of a consumer education initiative designed to raise awareness of Selective Androgen Receptor Modulators (SARMs), a dangerous class of ingredients that poses a serious threat to consumer safety, particularly in the bodybuilding and fitness communities.
For gyms, sports clubs, coaches and personal trainers interested in accessing the #SARMsCanHarm toolkit, visit http://www.crnusa.org/SARMs. Additional information on SARMs and resources for athletes can be found a https://www.usada.org/.
