HEALTH

SILVER SPRING, Md. — The Food and Drug Administration on Tuesday advised consumers not to purchase or use “MAXILOSS Weight Advanced” — a product promoted and sold for weight loss on various web sites, including DreamLifeWeightLoss.com, and in some retail stores.

NEW YORK — The Electronic Retailing Self-Regulation Program on Tuesday recommended that Casper Labs modify or discontinue certain claims for Calmestra, a dietary supplement marketed as providing relief for symptoms of menopause, including claims that the product has been “clinically proven” to address symptoms of menopause.

LAS VEGAS — iHealth Labs on Monday unveiled two new additions to its suite of devices — the iHealth Wireless Smart Gluco-Monitoring System and iHealth Pulse Oximeter — at the 2013 Consumer Electronics Show here. 

NORTH BERGEN, N.J. — The Vitamin Shoppe's proposed acquisition of Super Supplements has been delayed, the company recently announced. According to the company, the Federal Trade Commission had notified VSI that it is conducting an investigation into the planned acquisition, noting that the investigation will extend beyond Dec. 31, 2012.

COMMERCE, Calif. — Fueled by strong store growth and increased household penetration, dollar stores have been stepping outside of their comfort zone in pursuit of consumer trips that have historically belonged to retail pharmacy. 

WASHINGTON — The Council for Responsible Nutrition on Tuesday announced the addition of eight new members, including voting members Church & Dwight and P.J. Noyes Co., along with associate members AIBMR Life Sciences, Bell Advisory Services, Biofortis, Creative Flavor Concepts and Nutrasource Diagnostics.

DEERFIELD, Ill. — Walgreens has begun promotion of its exclusive PureLife Naturals line of health supplements, a line launched in September in its weekly circulars. The line of active-ingredient formulas are blended without any artificial ingredients, colors or preservatives and ideal for the purity-conscious shopper.

BOSTON — Topical pain relievers may be better suited for joint pain, according to a report published in the January 2013 issue of the Harvard Men's Health Watch. 

"Topical pain relievers can be very helpful for the more superficial joints like the knees, ankles, feet, elbows and hands," stated Rosalyn Nguyen, a clinical instructor in physical medicine and rehabilitation at Harvard Medical School. "In those areas, the medication can penetrate closer to the joint."