For the 13th consecutive year, Vitamin Retailer, with the guidance of a retailer panel, assembled the year’s best new natural products.
Thirteen years ago, Vitamin Retailer (VR) magazine decided to honor the year’s top products, and to do so by asking for the opinions of natural product retailers. Now, the objective remains the same, as these stores offer feedback and suggestions on items that made an impact on the market released starting in 2019 through 2020.
The VR editorial staff would like to extend a sincere “thank you” to not only all of the retailers who took part, but the manufacturers who created these memorable and successful products.
In no particular order, VR presents the 2020 best new products!
Elderberry & Honey Tonic by Roots and Leaves
Step aside basic elderberry syrup. This herbalist formulated blend of 12 herbs, roots and spices by Roots and Leaves of Asheville, NC, has improved the traditional formula resulting in a more comprehensive herbal immune support. Additions such as turmeric, garlic, echinacea and astragalus (just to name a few) cover most herbal needs, such as anti-inflammatory, anti-microbial, anti-bacterial in addition to the traditional immune support that elderberry offers. The tonic is all natural and free of undesirable ingredients, such as high fructose corn syrup, glucose, malic/citric acid and processed/refined sugar. Never bottled in plastic—the company always uses glass for the health of customers and the environment.
“This is a product that has just blown up for us this year,” said retailer Nick Beers, store manager of South Carolina-based Garners Natural Life. “I’m not sure if it’s because of COVID, or just regular immune support but it’s been just flying off the shelves. Customers love it!”
Certified gluten free, the MSRP for a 16-oz. bottle is $29.99.
For more information, call (919) 695-3247 or visit www.rootsandleaves.info.
Catchfree Omega by Wiley’s Finest
There’s no catch inside Ohio-based Wiley’s Finest’s fish-free omega-3 supplement designed especially for vegans to help support a healthy heart, healthy brain function and daily head-to-toe well-being.* Catchfree Omega includes two product offerings: a Full Spectrum Omega-3 Liquid that combines more than 2,300 mg of fish-free omega-3s, including 500 mg DHA omega-3, with 25 ug of vitamin D3 in a naturally flavored, great-tasting Tropical Mango Liquid, and a Full Spectrum Omega-3 Softgel combining more than 700 mg of fish-free omega-3s, including 500 mg DHA omega-3, 25 ug of vitamin K2, and 25 ug of vitamin D3 to nourish your heart and brain and support overall health and wellness.*
“Plant-based products have definitely been trending up for us this year,” noted retailer Travis Lemon, owner/operator and certified herbalist with West Virginia-based Tulsi at the Market, “so it was great for a brand known for high-quality fish oil to start offering two vegan omega supplements! Our customers love that Wiley’s Catch-Free Omega products are conveniently available in vegan soft gels and a great tasting liquid.”
The MSRP of the 4-oz. liquid is $34.99; 60 soft gels (two per day) are priced at $35.99.
For more information, call (855) 514-4088 or visit www.wileysfinest.com.
Intimate Essentials line by Bluebonnet
Ignite your sexual chemistry with Bluebonnet’s Intimate Essentials, a comprehensive line of fertility and sexual performance supplements that enhance/improve reproductive and sexual health. Available in easy-to-swallow vegetable capsules for maximum assimilation and absorption.
• Intimate Essentials For Him and For Her are specially formulated for each gender to enhance sexual desire, performance and libido.
• Intimate Essentials For Her Hormonal Balance are specially formulated to boost a woman’s sexual energy by balancing hormones during PMS and menopause.
• Intimate Essentials LJ100 and MACA deliver a clinically studied, standardized longjack or tongkat ali root extract and a highly digestible, gelatinized maca root extract, respectively, for sexual, hormonal and reproductive support.
“We like the packaging, formulas and price points,” said Ramona Billingslea from Texas-based Betsy’s Health Foods. “The Sexual Response and Libido Support for Her tends to do particularly well in our stores.”
The products are soy and gluten free, vegan, kosher and non-GMO (genetically modified organism). The MSRPs range from $13.95 to $32.95.
For more information, call (800) 580-8866 or visit www.bluebonnetnutrition.com.
HRG80 Red Ginseng Energy Chewable by Terry Naturally/EuroPharma
Red Ginseng Energy Chewable by Wisconsin-based Terry Naturally/EuroPharma takes ginseng to the next level. It features HRG80 Red Ginseng that is specially grown using ultra-clean, pesticide free cultivation, delivering seven times more rare, noble ginsenosides—the plant’s best-utilized form of the compound—so you’ll feel great all day long. Plus, we’ve combined this red ginseng with a special absorption-enhancing delivery system in a sweet-tasting (xylitol) chewable tablet for optimal benefits. The result is amazing support for focus, concentration and active life.
“The energy chewables from Terry Naturally have been really popular for us,” said Beers. “Customers are finding a really nice boost in daily energy with it.”
Lemon added, “Our customers have been very pleased with the new Red Ginseng HRG80 Energy Chewables. In a world of many capsules and tablets, a high-quality ginseng chewable has been a welcome change. The research on the HRG80 is amazing, not to mention that they taste pretty great, too.”
The MSRP for 30 chewable tablets is $29.95.
For more information, call (866) 598-5487 or visit www.europharmausa.com.
Sugar Free Electrolyte Stamina Power Pak Citrus Flavor by Trace Minerals
Utah-based Trace Minerals’ Sugar Free Electrolyte Stamina Power Pak has the same base formula as the original Power Pak line, but it’s formulated with xylitol and stevia so there’s no sugar. Sugar Free Power Pak is a citrus flavored, easy-to-fix high performance energy drink with no caffeine, artificial flavors, or artificial stimulants that helps replenish lost electrolytes from sweating to help fight off sluggishness, fatigue and muscle cramps. It contains 1,200 mg of vitamin C, B vitamins, all major electrolytes and a full spectrum of concentrated ionic trace minerals to support energy, immunity, and hydration. Sugar Free Power Pak is keto friendly, gluten free, certified vegan and non-GMO.
“We absolutely love the power paks here in Houston,” said Billingslea. “They help us handle the Texas heat. In fact, we even hand out individual packets free in our store as samples so our customers can experience first-hand how great these paks are for energy and electrolyte support.”
The MSRP is $18.79 for a 30-packet box.
For more information, call (801) 731-6051 or visit www.traceminerals.com.
NeuroQ by LifeSeasons
There is hope through science. Forgetting names? Dates? Feeling like you wake up before your brain does? Finally, there is something we can do now about our brain health. Dr. Dale Bredesen, world renowned neurologist, has utilized his 30 years of research and partnered with Texas-based LifeSeasons to create NeuroQ.
“NeuroQ has research-backed ingredients and nutritents to keep your brain firing on all cylinders,” Bredesen said. “NeuroQ helps protect the brain from normal and abnormal issues related to aging, so you can continue to enjoy making, and keeping precious memories.”
“We love LifeSeasons and our customers do too,” said Lemon. “So we were very excited to see them working with well-respected neurologist Dr. Dale Bredesen on their new NeuroQ supplement. Ingredients like phosphatidylserine, coffee fruit extract and Yamada Bee Farm Propolis make this supplement really stand out in the brain support category.”
The MSRP of a one-month supply (60 capsules) is $69.99.
For more information, call (877) 455-2826 or visit www.lifeseasons.com.
Natural Calm Sleep Gummies by Natural Vitality
Natural Vitality CALM Sleep Gummies help replenish the body’s magnesium levels and relaxes muscles for a Good Night’s Sleep.* A magnesium supplement, these delicious Blueberry Pomegranate flavored gummies feature Natural Vitality CALM along with L-theanine (a relaxing amino acid) and melatonin (3 mg per serving), which helps the body ease into restful sleep.* Natural Vitality CALM Sleep Gummies were developed specifically for those times we need sleep support.* We all encounter stress daily whether we realize it or not, and our bodies can respond by depleting our magnesium levels. A sleep support supplement, these gluten-free gummies support healthy magnesium levels to promote a sense of calm.* Suggested use: Ages 13 years and older, take one serving (two gummies) before bedtime.
“The Natural Vitality original magnesium gummies are already a huge hit!” said retailer Holly Prugar, supplement manager with New York-based The Mustard Seed Natural Market. “Natural Vitality added melatonin and L-theanine to help with a restful night’s sleep. The gummies are easy to take and delicious.”
The MSRP for 120 count is $29.99.
For more information, call (800) 446-7462 or visit www.naturalvitality.com.
Over-the-Counter Topicals by HempFusion
Kansas-based HempFusion’s FDA (U.S. Food and Drug Administration)-registered over-the-counter (OTC) drug-listed topicals are able to be sold for needs such as pain relief, wound healing, eczema and acne. Each formula is also enhanced with a skin-nourishing moisturizing complex that includes CBD, other cannabinoids, hemp-derived terpenes and other beneficial compounds. Customers can choose from eight targeted products to best meet their needs. Free of potentially harmful additives, the products are made without parabens, sulfates, phthalates, synthetic fragrances or colors. All products include HempFusion’s exclusive Panoramic Hemp Extract from DNA-Verified, E.U. Commission-registered hemp and are U.S. Hemp Authority Certified to ensure quality and cGMP (current good manufacturing practice).
“HempFusion came out with a new line of topicals addressing a variety of issues, from acne and wound care to muscle aches,” noted Billingslea. “The lotions are clean and absorb well. The Sports and Wound Care are the two most popular in our store.”
The MSRP ranges from $12.99 to $24.99 for size ranges from 0.34 fl. oz. to 1.69 fl. oz.
For more information, visit www.hempfusion.com or contact Jon Visser, jvisser@hempfusion.com.
Global Wellness Immuno-Shield with Mega-D3 by Irwin Naturals
Global Wellness Immuno-Shield with Mega-D3 is a dynamic formula by California-based Irwin Naturals that delivers targeted nutrients and botanicals to help keep your immune system balanced and ready to take on the workload that each day brings.*
Vitamin D3 is one of the most important nutrients for your body and mind and plays important roles in supporting both adaptive and innate immune responses, as well as processes related to mental and emotional wellness.*
This product delivers a full 4,000 IU (100 mcg) of vitamin D3 along with 120 mcg of vitamin K2 (as MK-7) per daily dose. Preliminary research suggests that this level of daily vitamin D3 supplementation is effective in helping to maintain optimized vitamin D status and is effective in supporting physiological processes related to health maintenance.*
Turmeric and eleuthero are both known traditionally for their immune supportive effects.*
Magnesium and zinc play critical roles in maintaining a healthy immune response and are essential components to robust immune-supportive formulations.* Prugar stated, “This powerful immune system support combination includes vitamin D3, vitamin K2, zinc, eleuthro and tuermic. As an added bonus, this combination can also promote a positive mood!”
The MSRP for 60 liquid soft gels (two daily) is $14.99.
For more information, call (888) 223-1548 or visit www.irwinnaturals.com.
Nordic Immune Daily Defense by Nordic Naturals
The immune system is your body’s frontline defense against invading pathogens. And while a number of different factors (age, stress levels, underlying health, sleep habits) contribute to your immune health, getting the right vitamins, minerals, and nutrients is essential to your body’s ability to respond to daily immune stressors. California-based Nordic Naturals’ Nordic Immune Daily Defense helps answer this need with standardized elderberry, potent doses of vitamins C and D3, and chelated zinc glycinate for better absorption. It supports innate and adaptive immune cell functions throughout your body to help keep you well.*
According to Prugar, “This product is a powerful four-in-one combination of immune supporting vitamins and herbs. Immune Daily Defense contains vitamin D3, zinc glycinate, vitamin c and black elderberry extract.”
The MSRP for 90 soft gels (three daily) is $34.95.
For more information, call (800) 662-2544 x2 or visit www.nordicnaturals.com.
