A tool to break through the mountain of confusion that surrounds dietary supplements has been created by BioValidity, Lansdale, PA. The "BioNutritional Encyclopedia" began as both a product and a company four years ago, with the first customer GNC's 2200+ stores nationwide. The company has now broadened in scope and licensed its database to a host of companies interested in an unbiased source of information on dietary supplements.
"We believe we're offering a unique product to customers," said Barry Bealer, vice president-business development. "We have researched over 55,000 journal articles in over 750 medical journals and produced simplified, one-line benefit statements about the products." The database covers more than 200 supplements and can be searched according to body system, supplement or health concern. The BioNutritional Encyclopedia also grades the level of scientific research behind each benefit statement as well as grading the scientific studies according to the amount of information. It then assigns it one of four categories: strong, substantial, limited or minimal. The product is updated on a frequent basis.
While the original information provided is simple for the average user to understand, the database also has a depth of information for more technical details, explained Mr. Bealer. The information is compiled by a research team based at Baylor College of Medicine and led by John Foreyt, Ph.D., a nationally known psychologist, clinical researcher and obesity expert. The BioNutritional Encyclopedia also has a strong editorial advisory board; members include Robert Cousins, Ph.D., Boston Family Professor of Nutrition and director of the Center for Nutritional Sciences at the University of Florida; Peter Barton Hutt, J.D., former Chief Council for FDA and nationally recognized legal expert in the fields of food labeling, food standards and drug development; Joseph Jacobs, M.D., former head of the Office of Alternative Medicine for NIH and director of policy and program analysis for the National AIDS Program Office; Paul LaChance, Ph.D., professor of Nutrition and Food Sciences at Rutgers University and A. Elizabeth Sloan, Ph.D., president of Sloan Trends and Solutions.
BioValidity will also develop a customized database upon request. "For example, some websites are interested in strategic content," said Mr. Bealer. "Many of them link to Medline, which provides an overwhelming amount of information. We can tailor our information to the audience." He added that drkoop.com is among the licensees of the BioNutritional Encyclopedia. "They selected us because we are a credible source of information with no bias," said Mr. Bealer.
New on the horizon at BioValidity is a pet nutrition database that is being compiled by researchers at Texas A&M University. That should be available in the next few months. Additional plans include a database on weight management and illegal and abused drugs. BioValidity also plans to develop a subscription service for professional subscriptions. "We've talked to a number of people who are interested in individual access to this information and we are hoping to get that service up and running within the next six months," said Mr. Bealer.
The company has also launched a brand new company website, found at BioValidity.com. The site details information in the BioNutritional Encyclopedia, which can be accessed free for 45 days. It also provides a "knowledgebase" content licensing program.
Mr. Bealer summed up the company's strategy. "There's a wealth of information out there and it can be very hard to find a credible source to narrow down all the studies. We consider ourselves an evidence-based resource of all the scientific information available on dietary supplements. We want to guide people who are in search of better health. We're taking the information to the consumer in a way they can understand."
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