Productscan Online reported a variety of more unusual supplements this month, either containing strange ingredients, such as broccoli or yeast fiber, or targeting unusual conditions, like the male menopause. These features should help them stand out in a crowded supplement market. Meanwhile, Dr Fresh launched a toothpaste which should amuse the younger consumer with its light-up flashing cap.
Toothpaste has been given a new twist by Dr Fresh in the form of its FireFly Anticavity Fluoride Toothpaste. This bubble gum flavored kids' toothpaste, which was recently launched in the US, is presented in a tube which has a light-up cap. The cap flashes for 60 seconds when it is opened, signifying the length of time the user is meant to brush each row of teeth. Firefly is touted as "the first toothpaste using blinking technology that 'teaches' kids proper brushing habits."
Designed for the older consumer is Sera-Pharma Labs' Amidren Dietary Supplement, which is promoted as an aid to reverse the effects of the male menopause, often called the andropause. Although consumers may not have heard of the andropause, US-based Sera-Pharma states its supplement can cure a host of symptoms associated with it by restoring "optimal male hormone balance", including low sex drive, thinning hair and lack of energy.
A different type of supplement has been launched in Slovenia. The Broccolin Supplement, from Pond, consists of extract of broccoli presented in a tablet format. Broccoli contains SGS (sulforaphane glucosinolate) which is metabolized to sulforaphane when formatted into a tablet form, and is said to be a "highly active" antioxidant.
Asahi Foods' Asahi YeaStyle Kobo Alpha-Mannan also contains an extract from an unusual source. This high fiber supplement, launched in Japan, is said to contain extract of yeast alpha-mannan, which is a type of dietary fiber contained in yeast cell walls. It is blended with freeze-dried apple powder and refined, which Asahi claims will remove any odor or bitter taste that is associated with the yeast extract.
Meanwhile, the appeal of dual function products has led Avon to launch a new skincare product on the US market. The Super Shape addition to the Avon Solutions line targets both cellulite and stretch marks. The cream is said to be the company's first dual-action formula that fights the appearance of both these conditions. Its botanical formula contains Lipo-botanical complex to help reduce the fatty appearance of cellulite, skin renewal acid to help improve the appearance of older stretch marks and butea flower extract to help new stretch marks appear less visible.
Over in Finland, Coffeelings has introduced a coffee scented shampoo which claims to be beneficial to both the user and coffee farmers. The Robert Paulig Fruity Coffee Shampoo consists of extract of coffeeberry, which is the fruit that holds the coffee bean. The berry contains antioxidants and caffeine which are touted as having a favorable effect on hair growth. The fruit is also said to be beneficial for coffee farmers because they earn more from their crop than they would from farming the coffee bean alone.