2018 Best New Natural Kid's Product NEXTY Winner: Barlean's Omega Pals Omega-3 + Blue Light Protection Supplements

FERNDALE, Wash., Sept. 27, 2018 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ -- The new Seriously Delicious Omega Pals collection of Omega-3 + eye protection supplements from Barlean's has been selected as the NEXTY 2018 Best New Natural Kid's Product by industry expert judges at the Natural Products Expo East. The NEXTY Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence, given to award the most innovative, inspiring and trustworthy natural products.

Each of the four Seriously Delicious Omega Pals is aimed at helping children as young as one year old obtain the essential Omega-3 nutrition that is critical for proper brain and eye development. All Omega Pals products are emulsified for superior absorption, are sugar free, and have a creamy liquid texture and sweet fruity taste even picky kids love. Omega Pals Hooty Fruity Tangerine also includes an ingredient shown to help protect eyes from harmful blue light, an issue of increasing concern to parents with the rapid rise in use of electronic devices by children. Laboratory studies have shown that too much exposure to blue light can damage light-sensitive cells in the retina, causing eye strain and increasing the risk for macular degeneration.

"In today's digital age, vision deterioration is no longer exclusive to seniors," says John Puckett, CEO of Barlean's. "We've long known that Omega-3s are critical for proper brain development in children, and that we continue to need Omega-3s through life to old age. But the need for protection from blue light exposure is a new issue, and it's a very real threat. Now, not only can we give kids an Omega-3 fish or flax oil they genuinely see as a tasty treat, but we can also help protect their vision at the same time. We're really proud of these products for the good we know they can do for children. To have Omega Pals recognized by the industry in this way is really affirming."

THE OMEGA PALS LINEUP:

Omega Pals Hooty Fruity Tangerine offers 500mg of Omega-3 EPA/DHA (from fish oil) per serving, plus Lutemax 2020® Lutein and Zeaxanthin. Lutemax 2020® has been shown to help protect eyes against harmful blue light from digital device use and to protect eyes from oxidative damage. It is sugar free, dairy free, gluten free and non-GMO.

Omega Pals Chirpin' Slurpin' Lemonade and Lip Smackin' Citrus offer 540 and 750 mg of Omega-3 EPA/DHA (from fish oil) per serving, respectively. Both are sugar free, dairy free, gluten free and non-GMO.

Omega Pals Straw-Nana provides a plant-based Omega-3 alternative, with 1,483 mg of Omega-3 ALA from flax oil. It is sugar free, dairy free, gluten free, vegan and non-GMO.

WHY PROTECTION FROM BLUE LIGHT MATTERS.

Laboratory studies have shown that too much exposure to blue light can damage light-sensitive cells in the retina, causing eye strain and increasing the risk for macular degeneration.

• Estimates from population studies indicate that the average American spends more than 10 hours per day viewing screens and the prevalence of digital device use is only increasing.
• Children ages 8 - 10 spend about 5.5 hours each day using media, but they're actually exposed to almost 8 hours of media because of simultaneous multiple media use.
• Teens spend 9 hours a day using media. That's more time spent than going to school.
• 72% of children age 8 and under have used a mobile device for some type of media activity, up from 38% in 2011.
• In many cases, people may spend more time in front of screens than they do sleeping.
• The typical cellphone user touches his or her phone 2,617 times every day, while the heaviest user more than doubles that with 5,427 touches. It is now common for children to have their own cell phones starting in middle school or earlier.

NO FISH BURPS: HOW EMULSIFICATION PROVIDES SUPERIOR ABSORPTION FOR OIL-BASED NUTRIENTS

Also significant is that the Omega Pals products are emulsified for superior absorption and bioavailability. Oils are not generally absorbed well, that's why people often feel queasy after ingesting oils, or suffer "fish burps." Emulsification breaks down the particle size of the oils, allowing the body to absorb three or more times the Omega-3s, as compared to traditional fish or flax oil softgels or liquids.

ABOUT BARLEAN'S

Barlean's is a mission-driven, family-owned company that has been making healthy oils and supplements in the Pacific Northwest for nearly 30 years. Founded in 1989 as a maker of premium flax oils, Barlean's has grown to product over 70 different products that are sold around the world.

In 2013, owner Bruce Barlean implemented what he calls the "Pathway to a Better Life" philosophy within the company. Since that time, a significant portion of company profits has been shared with organizations dedicated to improving the health and wellbeing of people, both locally and around the world.

ABOUT THE NATURAL PRODUCTS EXPO & NEXTY AWARD

This year, the show hosted more than 1,500 brands from the natural and organic food, beauty and supplements industries. The NEXTY Awards are a prestigious recognition of excellence, chosen by natural product industry experts, to award the most innovative, inspiring and trustworthy natural products.

The U.S. natural products industry grew 6.3% to hit $206 billion in annual sales last year, and industry sales have been more than doubling since 2007, according to New Hope Network's Nutrition Business Journal. The combined U.S. sales of natural, organic and functional foods and beverages increased 6.5% to $143 billion in 2017. This growth was about 10 times that of the overall $280 billion total food industry, which saw another stagnant year of about 0.7% growth.

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SOURCE Barlean’s

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