HEALTH

ANAHEIM, Calif. — Aculief on Friday will showcase its recently released Aculief "wearable acupressure" product at the Natural Products Expo West here. 

Aculief applies pressure to the LI4 acupressure point, located between the thumb and forefinger. The LI4 has been used in traditional Chinese medicine to relieve tension and to promote your body’s natural flow of energy. 

Just about every healthcare practitioner recommends over-the-counter medicines to their patients. And nearly 3-out-of-4 make that OTC recommendation as the first therapy option, according to a recent survey released by the Consumer Healthcare Products Association. 

This is another proof point that OTC medicines play an important role in holding down cost. 

SILVER SPRING, Md. — Last year the Food and Drug Administration warned parents against using the ingredient benzocaine in children to relieve oral pain. Children under the age of 2 years who are teething and given benzocaine should be under the supervision of a doctor, the agency warned.

LAKE FOREST, Ill. — Omron recently charged analgesic aisles with a new pain relief option. Omron's Electro-Therapy Pain Relief unit is the only approved transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation unit on the market and should be an adjunctive sale for chronic pain sufferers. The product could add a spark to nonmedicinal, external pain relief. Sales of heat and ice packs were relatively flat in 2012, with sales approaching $235 million.

BETHESDA, Md. — Global warming could spell the end of flu seasons, research released Friday by the National Institution of Health suggests, because the influenza virus better propagates and is more sustainable in colder climates. 

PARAMUS, N.J. — Oceans Omega launched its omega-3 EPA/DHA enhanced water product, branded Omega Infusion, into 100 H-E-B stores with Healthy Living Departments, the company announced.

CHICAGO — Morton Salt on Thursday introduced a new line of Natural Epsom salt products, marking its first foray into the health and beauty category.

"The Epsom salt category has seen sustained growth over the past few years, presenting an opportunity for Morton Salt to begin leveraging its ubiquitous brand equity with the health and beauty shopper," stated Carol Panozzo, VP consumer products sales and marketing at Morton Salt.

Morton's new Epsom salt line includes four core products, which are unique in that they are made with natural magnesium sulfate.

ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. — Heel on Thursday announced the launch of the Reboost cold and flu product line and new packaging for the Traumeel pain relief product line. The Reboost product line brings together four of the company’s cold, cough and flu products under a single brand that has been specifically designed to speak to the consumer in a retail environment.