HEALTH

SEATTLE — A new review of existing studies points toward a potential role for vitamin D in helping to prevent dental caries, or tooth decay. The review, published in the December issue of Nutrition Reviews, encompassed 24 controlled clinical trials, spanning the 1920s to the 1980s, on approximately 3,000 children in several countries. These trials showed that vitamin D was associated with an approximately 50% reduction in the incidence of tooth decay, the University of Washington announced Tuesday. 

CINCINNATI, OH — To help women counteract age-related changes to their hair, Proctor & Gamble has announced a new line of Pantene products designed to improve the strength and diameter of their hair. A result of significant clinical research, P&G will offer shampoo, conditioner, a masque and a thickening treatment in their new Pantene Age-Defy line.

PARSIPPANY, N.J. — Reckitt Benckiser on Tuesday announced the appointment of Suzanne LoGalbo to the position of regulatory affairs director, Reckitt Benckiser North America.  

LoGalbo joins RB from Pfizer Consumer Health. While at Pfizer, LoGalbo most recently held the position of global regulatory portfolio lead worldwide regulatory strategy. Prior to Pfizer, Suzanne was the head of global regulatory affairs North America for Novartis Consumer Health. She has also held regulatory leadership roles at Polaris, Solvay, Arganon and Sandoz.  

CHICAGO — BlipCare on Tuesday launched the BlipCare Wi-Fi Weight Scale, one of the first weight scales to provide reminders of the time users prefer to step on the scale. 

Whenever the user steps on the scale, the scale stores the reading with a time stamp and transmits it to the user's account over their home Wi-Fi network. The user or their caretaker can now track, chart and trend the data from anywhere.

The majority of OTC purchases are made in chain drug, according to an online survey of more than 900 AccentHealth viewers conducted in September. No fewer than 47% of AccentHealth viewers make their purchases there, followed by mass outlets (33%) and grocery stores (12%). Less than 3% seek out OTC products in the dollar store, local drug store and club store, respectively. And only 1% make that OTC purchase online.

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GREENWICH, Conn. — Brynwood Partners VI on Monday announced that it has sold its Balance Bar Company, which manufactures nutrition and energy bars, to NBTY. 

SLOUGH, England — Reckitt Benckiser successfully wrapped up its pursuit of Schiff Nutrition on Friday with the signing of a definitive merger agreement in a deal valued at $1.4 billion. Bayer officially relinquished its proposed acquisition on the same day. 

WASHINGTON — Many health insurance plans are failing to provide coverage mandated by the healthcare reform law for treatments to help smokers and other tobacco users quit, the Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids reported Monday, citing a study of insurance contracts by Georgetown University researchers that the group commissioned.