Vitamins, Diet and Sports Nutrition

NEW YORK — A recent survey commissioned by Dannon found that 68% of consumers believe certain probiotics help regulate the digestive system, yet one-third of Americans agree that they don’t get enough probiotics in their average daily diets.

That suggests an upside for an already hot category — sales of probiotics were up 16.2% across all channels to $232 million for the 52 weeks ended Oct. 28, according to SymphonyIRI Group data.

SALT LAKE CITY — Zarbee's on Tuesday noted that more consumers have gravitated toward natural solutions over allopathic medicines, at least through the end of December, citing Nielsen scan data. 

For the 12 weeks ended Dec. 31, supplemental immune system boosters and homeopathic cough and cold medicines were up 13%, Zarbee's reported. The trend is even more pronounced across children's remedies with allopathic medicines declining 15% in the 12 week period while sales of pediatric natural solutions were up 19%, and now make up more than 20% of the category. 

BENICIA, Calif. — CytoSport on Tuesday launched Evolve, a naturally flavored protein shake that will serve as a complement to any woman's evolution toward a healthy lifestyle. Shaped by Muscle Milk, Evolve is the latest protein beverage innovation to hit CytoSport's portfolio. Available in early January 2013, Evolve can be found in the weight management or protein nutrition aisle at retailers nationwide.

Interest in vitamins, minerals and supplements as a viable consumer product with strong profit-bearing potential has got to be at an all-time high right now, judging from the number of merger and acquisition deals scrolling across the latest finance news feeds.

HORSHAM, Pa. — Symphony Health Solutions on Tuesday named Frank Lavelle CEO.  

ATLANTA — Medagate, a wholly owned subsidiary of InComm Holdings, on Monday announced the launch of the MasterCard Dual Value Health Card, the first dual network healthcare spending card. The Dual Value Health Card enables employers and health plans to combine a member/employee healthcare funding purse with a restricted-spend purse for targeted items and incentives.

FERNDALE, Mich. — Ferndale Healthcare on Thursday unveiled a redesigned corporate web site www.ferndalehealthcare.com to make it easier for a variety of target audiences to navigate the site.

EASTON, Md. — Konsyl Pharmaceuticals on Wednesday named Roger Giannico VP sales and marketing. Giannico has more than 25 years of experience in health care product sales and marketing management, most recently at ChaseHealthAdvance Patient Financing, a division of JP Morgan Chase. 

Giannico earned his MBA at Dowling College in Oakdale, N.Y., and has been an adjunct professor at Stony Brook University.