FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Noted Journalist, Author Jean Carper Stresses Value of Natural Vitamin E, Other Supplements
July 15, 1998, San Antonio, TX -- Many health food store retailers and consumers are not aware of the significant differences between natural and synthetic supplements, despite mounting evidence showing the benefits of natural products, said Jean Carper, noted journalist and author, during her keynote address at the annual meeting of the National Nutritional Foods Association.
"On many labels, it's difficult for even the well-educated to distinguish between the two," Carper said. "Yet, study after study has shown that natural supplements, such as natural vitamin E, are far more effective than synthetic versions."
Carper, a leading authority on health and nutrition and the author of numerous books, addressed more than 1,000 health food store retailers and leaders in the natural product industry today in San Antonio, Texas. Henkel Nutrition and Health Group co-sponsored Carper's talk, "Herbs, Vitamins and Nutraceuticals: The New Frontier."
Identifying the most remarkable studies in recent years, Carper mentioned the Cambridge Heart Antioxidant Study (CHAOS), which showed that natural vitamin E could reduce heart attack risk by 75 percent.
Another study, conducted by Graham W. Burton, Ph.D., and published in the April 1998 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, revealed that natural vitamin E is retained twice as much by the body and is more biologically active than synthetic vitamin E. Carper also referenced a study by Robert Acuff, Ph.D., which showed that the human placenta delivers natural vitamin E to the fetus in much greater concentration (3Ω to 1) than the synthetic supplement.
"Unfortunately, even those who know the difference, may not know how to tell what they're buying by looking at the label," Carper said. To identify the kind of vitamin E in a supplement, Carper said to "scan the list of ingredients for 'd-alpha-tocopherol,' the natural vitamin E. The synthetic version begins with 'dl.'"
"There's no question that consumers are demanding more natural remedies and supplements," Carper said. "The doctors are actually learning from the consumers, but they are going to have to find other ways to obtain reliable information. That's why more companies need to do studies on the products they're selling," Carper said. She recognized several companies, including Henkel, that are setting the standard in this regard.
Carper has authored more than 20 books, including the most recent New York Times bestseller Miracle Cures: Dramatic New Scientific Discoveries Revealing the Healing Powers of Herbs, Vitamins and Other Natural Remedies. A former medical correspondent for the Cable News Network (CNN), Carper now writes "Eat Smart," a weekly health and nutrition column for USA Weekend. Henkel Nutrition and Health Group is a worldwide marketer of branded ingredients used in the formulation of leading antioxidant products sold in fine health food stores, pharmacies, groceries and other retail outlets. The Henkel antioxidants include Betatene(r) natural beta-carotene with mixed carotenoids, Covitol(r) natural-source vitamin E, Lipoec (r) alpha-lipoic acid, Covi-ox(r) natural mixed tocopherols, Pycnogenol (r) French maritime pine bark extract, and Xangold(tm) lutein esters from marigolds.
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