California-based Metagenics has introduced a nutrition bar under its UltraMeal brand for people with 'altered body composition', or excess body fat.
The UltraMeal Bar is soy-based, like the UltraMeal shakes, and designed to help manage conditions such as dyslipidemia (elevated LDL levels), hypertension, estrogen imbalance, and metabolic syndrome (abnormal blood sugar metabolism).
It also contains added vitamins and minerals such as calcium and the fiber inulin which serves as a prebiotic to promote the growth of beneficial intestinal flora in the gut. ActivCoat - a bioactive phytonutrient coating - has been included to promote cardiovascular health and improve blood sugar metabolism.
The ready-to-eat product will be included in the UltraMeal Body Composition Program, a practitioner-supervised program designed by Metagenics to support National Institutes of Health recommendations.
The company said the convenient delivery form will promote patient compliance.
Dr Jeffrey Bland, president and chief science officer of Metagenics, said: "UltraMeal Bar was formulated not only to incorporate the superior nutrition of our original UltraMeal shakes but also to build upon the program's convenience factor with a portable, ready-to-eat bar for patients on the go."
The bar, which comes in Chocolate Raspberry flavor and has a crispy texture, is available only through physicians or other licensed healthcare practitioners.