Pulse Nutrition Solutions, a subsidiary of healthcare group Baxter International, is to launch Pulse water and nutrients supplements in 34 additional states across the United States. Baxter's plans for the Pulse product launch include staged regional retail roll-out with full national distribution by mid-2003, it said.
Pulse water and nutrients supplements are available in three targeted formulas - Heart Health, Women's Health and Men's Health - and a variety of flavours. They are the first dietary supplements of this type to be developed and marketed by an established healthcare company.
"We are expanding the roll-out of Pulse water and nutrients because we know we have a unique nutritional product that has gained great momentum in our introductory markets with favourable feedback from retailers, consumers and clinicians," said Karen King, president of Pulse Nutrition Solutions.
"Pulse provides targeted health and wellness benefits to adults and baby boomers by providing meaningful amounts of key nutrients and nutrient-related ingredients - such as soluble fibre, soy isoflavones, calcium, vitamin E, selenium and more - all carefully selected for their specific nutritional benefits based on existing clinical evidence."
"Pulse water and nutrients supplements are different because they don't have token amounts of nutrients," said Judy Gerber, clinical manager for Pulse Nutrition Solutions. "These are products that help people reach their dietary goals more easily."
Gerber also cited a public opinion survey released this year by the American Dietetic Association (ADA) that found that nearly 60 per cent of 700 American adults surveyed pointed to lack of time and inconvenience as major reasons for not focusing on proper nutrition and wellness.
Pulse Heart Health Formula contains 25 per cent of the recommended daily value of dietary fibre, 100 per cent of the RDI of vitamin C and 25 per cent of the RDI of selenium. The Women's Health Formula contains nutrients that may help reduce symptoms associated with perimenopause and menopause and help promote bone health, such as soy isoflavones, calcium (38 per cent of the recommended daily value), magnesium and vitamin D, vitamin B6 and folic acid.
Pulse Men's Health Formula contains a blend of antioxidant nutrients and nutrient-related ingredients designed to help maintain prostate health, heart health and other nutritional needs of men. All the supplements are low-calorie - containing between 19 and 38 calories per 500ml bottle.