March 2023 Launch Pad

This month's new product launches include a vitamins and minerals range for women, a partnership between sports nutrition and confectionery giants, and omega-3 supplements for all ages.

Vitl women's health range

Vitl's new range includes three new products aimed at women: Female Fertility, Pregnancy & Breastfeeding, and Menopause Support. 

Female Fertility - a multivitamin formulated to prepare the female body for healthy conceptions with high strength folic acid, vitamin B12 and iodine to tackle potential barriers to pregnancy, and promote normal fertility, as well as zinc to aid egg maturation. The supplement also includes vitamin B6 to help hormonal balance and support normal hormone production in the thyroid gland.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding - a multivitamin to be taken throughout pregnancy and in the early stages of newborn life containing high strength folic acid to help reduce the risk of a premature birth, low birth weight and development of birth defects. The daily supplement also contains Iron and vitamin B12 to promote healthy cell division which aims to support the female body as it grows and aids the formation of red blood cells, which carry oxygen to the baby.

Menopause Support - a multivitamin designed to support mood and energy with high strength B vitamins. To help with hormonal regulation, vitamin B6 is paired with soy isoflavones, a plant oestrogen which mimics oestrogen. To combat the natural drop in collagen production during menopause, this supplement also includes vitamin C for its collagen stimulating properties.

Jonathan Relph, Founder and CEO of Vitl says: “We are delighted to be expanding our range of tailored multivitamins to include the Women’s Health Range. With around 78% of our customer-base being women, we are passionate about being able to support women throughout key stages of female wellbeing, and the launch of these multivitamins allows us to cater for these needs more specifically.”

Bulk partners Barratt

Hitting the sweet spot between nutritional value and famous flavours, the sports nutrition brand Bulk has merged its formulas with classic confectionery flavours from Barratt Sweets to create new nostalgic supplements. 

The line-up includes a Flumps vanilla and marshmallow whey protein, a BlackJack sweet licorice whey protein, a Lime Refresher Pre-workout, a Fruit Salad whey protein and BCAA, a Refreshers Pre-workout, Clear Whey Isolate and Clear Vegan Protein, and a DibDab sherbet dust Clear Whey Isolate.

The BCAA mix includes 7.5g BCAA per serving in a 2:1:1 ratio of leucine, isoleucine and valine.

The pre-workout includes 5g BCAAs (branched-chain amino acids) in a 3:1:1 ratio, 3g beta-alanine, 1g taurine and 200mg caffeine in every serving.

The Clear Vegan Protein contains 15g protein per serving, 0.1g of sugar and 0.1g fat per serving.

The whey protein offers 22g protein and 5g BCAAs per serving, with 1.3g sugar and 1.2g fat per serving.

Omega-3 supplements

The UK-based health, nutrition and supplements company Osavi has released ‘Norwegian cod liver oil’, ‘Osavi daily omega’,  ‘Daily Omega Kids’ and ‘Norwegian Cod Liver Oil Kids’ products.

The new marine fish oil range, sustainably sourced using pelagic fish, contain the essential fatty acids DHA and EPA as highly digestible triglycerides; a form with improved bioavailability when compared to ethyl esters commonly used in other supplements.

Bart Ratus, general manager at Osavi, discusses how the increasing occurrence of dietary restrictions, such as allergies and vegetarianism and veganism, can act as significant barriers in achieving optimum EPA and DHA levels.

He tells NutraIngredients: “The body cannot produce omega-3 fatty acids in adequate amounts on its own. Nutrition standards recommend to adults a minimum amount of omega-3 fatty acids at the level of 250 mg a day, preferably in the form of two portions of fish a week, including at least one oily fish.

“The main source of EPA and DHA are fatty fish such as salmon, anchovies, sardines, mackerel, herring, and seafood, as well as linseed oil, linseed, algae, and walnuts.

“These foods can be expensive for customers to buy if they are to consume the large recommended weekly quantity and it can be difficult to source high-quality fish and seafood in areas which are not close to the sea,” he stresses, highlighting the benefits for supplementation.

Ratus highlights that the ‘Daily omega’ supplement contains 1600 mg of DHA and EPA; quantities shown to support the brain and vision whilst supporting immunity, ant-inflammatory action, and cardiovascular health. The ‘Norwegian cod liver oil’ also provides 270mcg of vitamin A, with studies highlighting additional benefits to eyesight and immunity. Both oils can be purchased with additional added vitamin D.

“All Osavi Marine products are natural, GMO-free, containing no preservatives, colourants, or artificial flavours. All marine products are sourced from sustainable fishing (oil with Friend of the Sea certificate) and are highly purified products produced according to the GOED monograph,” he adds.

In addition to findings suggesting support for healthy aging, it has been reported that achieving an optimal omega-3 status during infancy is particularly critical for development. Yet, there can be significant challenges in achieving this optimal status at such an age.

Following this, the company have also released their additional ‘Daily Omega Kids’ and ‘Norwegian Cod Liver Oil Kids’ products to meet these requirements, also available in a range of volumes and a natural lemon flavour.

“Many people are put off by the fishy taste of common omega-3 recommendations such as cod liver oil.  Osavi Marine oils are available in a range of flavours and are fresh with a low TOTOX, meaning they taste better than common omega-3 recommendations,” Ratus explains.