Naturex Launches Botanical Remedy to Aid Male Prostate Discomfort

25 Apr 2014 --- Naturex has launched a natural, clinically proven botanical ingredients range designed to address an uncomfortable prostate condition suffered by many males. Flowens, which is a cranberry-based powder engineered to relieve the lower urinary tract symptoms typically associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), does not cause any side effects, according to the company. It has been designed for use in nutritional supplements or functional foods.

“Flowens is highly suitable for use in dietary supplement form, and this is expected to be a key market for this new ingredient,” Dan Souza, senior director of sales & marketing, told Nutrition Insight. “It can also be used in food applications such as cereal bars and confectionery, giving companies the flexibility to develop products that appeal to a wide range of consumers and offer a clear point of difference.”

Flowens offers an effective and safe alternative to existing pharmaceutical remedies and other, less effective botanical options. BPH can cause an overactive bladder, leading to increased frequency of urination, or an underactive bladder, resulting in hesitancy, intermittency, weak stream and an inability to empty the bladder fully. The symptoms can impair quality of life.

Souza explained that the market potential for Flowens is “huge”. “Research suggests 26% of men in their 40s display lower urinary tract symptoms that are moderate to severe, with this figure rising to 33% for men in their 60s, 41% for men in their 70s, and 50% for men in their 80s. The numbers of men affected illustrates the significant market potential for an effective ingredient that helps alleviate BPH without any side effects – such as Flowens.”

At present the market does offer pharmaceutical products that address the symptoms of BPH but all have various side effects. “There are no side effects associated with Flowens,” confirmed Souza. “There are also alternative botanical ingredients marketed for alleviating the symptoms BPH, but these are not proven effective.”

“The effectiveness of leading botanicals in the prostate health category, such as saw palmetto, has recently come into question,” he said. “According to the US National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), saw palmetto at double and triple the recommended doses is no more effective than a placebo. As our recent clinical study demonstrates, Flowens is highly effective in addressing the symptoms of BPH, with no side effects.”

Flowens will make its European debut at Vitafoods Europe, which takes place in Geneva from 6 to 8 May 2014. Naturex will exhibit on Stand 18033. Dan Souza is also scheduled to speak about the new ingredient at a seminar in the exhibition’s presentation theatre on 6 May 2013, from 3.10pm-3.40pm.

by Sonya Hook