HEALTH

i-Health bolsters probiotic lineup with UP4 acquisition
CROMWELL, Conn. — i-Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of Royal DSM, announced Tuesday that it has entered into an agreement to purchase the UP4 Probiotic brand from UAS Laboratories. UP4 is a successful specialty channel brand that features a full line of probiotic products.

Terms of the deal were not disclosed.
CRN names new chairman
WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced that Jim Hyde, VP and general manager at Balchem Human Nutrition and Pharma, has been elected chair of the association’s board of directors. He has served on CRN’s Executive Committee for the last five years.

Ascensia, Glooko improve diabetes management through new partnership
PL Developments expands into VMS space

WESTBURY, Westbury, N.Y. — PL Developments on Tuesday made its strategic entry into the VMS marketplace. PLD intends to serve the consumers of this dynamic market in three ways, including through U.S. retailers under own brands, as a development and manufacturing partner to marketers of branded products and directly to consumers.
Mintel: Wearables contributing to an increase in exercise

CHICAGO — Many Americans are taking a proactive approach to their health and wellness as new research from Mintel released Friday found that nearly half (45%) of exercisers say that they exercise to prevent future health problems, including two-in-five (39%) who exercise to reduce stress. Concerns about short- and long-term health are a motivating factor for the majority of Americans given that more than two thirds (64%) of exercisers say that improving overall health is their biggest motivation to work out.
CDC: Flu incidence on the rise, particularly in the Southeast

ATLANTA — The flu is continuing to impact the United States, especially across the Southeast U.S. for the week ended Jan. 21 the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Friday.

The proportion of outpatient visits for influenza-like illness was 3.4%, well above the national baseline of 2.2% and an increase from the week prior ILI report of 3.2%.
Walgreens Flu Index: Flu continues to rage across Texas

DEERFIELD, Ill. — The Walgreens Flu Index for the week of Jan. 22 is picking up on significant rising incidence throughout the Lone Star State — the three markets with the greatest amount of flu incidence gains in the past week are all in Texas.

According to the Texas Influenza Surveillance Report, for the week ending Jan. 14, the percentage of doctor and hospital visits for influenza-like illnesses appoached 6%.

For the week of Jan. 22, the top 10 markets as measured by flu activity were:
Acure moves beyond beauty with new dietary supplements

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — Organic skin, hair and body product maker Acure is rolling out a new line of dietary supplements, bringing its products with high-quality natural and certified organic ingredients to a new space. The line includes three flavors of Acure’s Power Meal and the company’s Green Super Food.

The wheatgrass-free Green Super Food is a magnesium with vitamin B complex and includes a probiotic, vitamin C and Omega 3, all of which promote daily nutrition and healthy skin.
Liquid I.V. gaining traction as efficient hydration solution
Eating healthier, losing weight two of top three 2017 resolutions

NEW YORK – This year the top New Year's resolutions among American adults all revolve around two main themes: health and money, Harris Poll reported Thursday. Most commonly, adults are resolving to eat healthier (29%), save more money (25%), lose weight (24%), drink more water (21%) and/or pay down debt (17%). Slightly less common resolutions are to spend more time with family/friends (15%), become more organized (15%), travel more (15%), read more (14%) and/or improve relationships (14%).