The world's number two vitamin maker BASF opened a new production
plant for the chemical citral yesterday, the key building block for
vitamins A and E, as well as the carotenoids beta-carotene and
canthaxanthin.
Supplement manufacturers can expect an end to falling vitamin
prices over the next few years, with growth markets in Asia and
overall higher consumption offsetting the continuing battle with
Chinese competitors.
Vitamins are increasingly recognised for their role in skin health,
according to experts who yesterday highlighted the new research
showing the benefits of vitamin K and niacin.
High doses of three common vitamins - folic acid, B12 and B6 - may
be able to slow the progression of Alzheimer's disease, if the
early results of a pilot study are further confirmed.
