The Possibility of Supplements Being Included in FSA/ HSA.
For the 2nd time this year, working from both sides of the political aisle, bills have been proposed to allow supplements to be purchased either via insurance or Health Spending Accounts.
The first was proposed this summer, promoted by the Supplement Trade Association, along with Reps. LaHood, Boyle, Curtis, & Gottheimer to give Americans increased flexibility to purchase nutritional supplements. The stated purpose "Bill proposes to make dietary supplements eligible expenses in FSA/HSA accounts, allowing consumers to use tax-preferred health savings to purchase wellness products."
The second bill was just proposed by Rep. Cramer with the stated purpose " To amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to include certain over-the-counter dietary supplement products as qualified medical expenses."
Novolyze & Bioactive Services: Process Validation
We have entered into a third party process validation agreement with Novolyze regarding our Sterilization processing. If you would like to see why this data driven process is so effective in providing you with reliable food safety, please review the presentation below.
Weird 'gut-eye axis' links the retina and intestines, and may help explain glaucoma
A type of immune cell that travels from the gut to the eyeballs may help to explain why some people with glaucoma continue to lose their vision after treatment.
The wonders of Algae
From @IFT News
The uses and benefits of algae is an ever expanding category. From protein to thickening to coloring, this phyto-packed wonder of nature has much to offer the health & wellness sector, not to mention sustainable nutrient resources.
“Algae has a number of interesting traits that make it stand out as a future food crop, including high quality protein and overall nutritional content, promising scalability and cost, and consumer familiarity,” says Priera Panescu, senior scientist–plant-based specialist at The Good Food Institute. “Moreover, cultivating algae requires little to no habitable land or agrochemicals, so algae’s use as a crop would contribute significantly to a more sustainable food system.”. Read More
CA: Titanium Dioxide Allowed in Supplements
Titanium Dioxide has been removed from the list of banned chemicals in CA bill AB-418, the California Food & Safety Act.. The Bill was signed 10/07/23 to be enacted by 2027. It now includes only:
(1) Brominated vegetable oil (CAS no. 8016-94-2).
(2) Potassium bromate (CAS no. 7758-01-2).
(3) Propylparaben (CAS no. 94-13-3).
(4) Red dye 3 (CAS no. 16423-68-0).
You can read the bills contents in link below https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=202320240AB418
Going Vegan?
Taken from article in "The Conversation"
Written by Sophie Medlin
Lecturer in Nutrition and Dietetics, King's College London
Veganism, the plant-based diet which shuns meat and dairy, is having its time in the sun. Since 2008, there has been a 350% increase in the number of self-described vegans in the UK alone. Where this motivation stems from is varied, but includes concerns about animal welfare, worries about the environment and religious reasons.
Many people, though, seek a healthier diet. Research suggests that veganism can have health benefits, if well planned. For those who have pursued a diet rich in meat and dairy for most of their lives, embarking on a vegan diet can lead to significant changes within the body. continued here....
Why Organic?
Organic Industry Survey
Taken from OTA 2019-2020 Report
Understanding Organic Farming 101
From Pure Eco India
Ever wonder why Organic Food Crops are more expensive than conventional food crops?
The benefits to us and the eco-system are significant.
With practices like crop rotation, certifications, intensive TLC by labor and cultivation, here is a wonderfully simple explainer.
Ginger and mobility
Taken from article
in Journal of Nutrition in Gerontology and Geriatrics.
There is limited evidence that ginger powder consumption can aid in joint mobility due to their phytochemical constituents. This study investigates the effect of ginger supplementation on participants (n = 120) of a randomized double-blind placebo-controlled 3-month clinical trial investigating knee osteoarthritis. Patients were randomly assigned to one of two groups: the ginger group (GG) or the placebo group (PG). Administered daily for 3 months, participants in the GG intervention received capsules containing 500 mg of ginger powder, while PG participants received capsules filled with 500 mg starch. The results of this study indicate that ginger supplementation may have a promising benefits for joints and may, therefore, may warrant further study......