The Transformative Power of Nutritional Science

It is likely that you have never met anyone with rickets or beriberi. These serious diseases were widespread until the early 20th century. Today, however, they are much less common, and easily managed thanks to groundbreaking research performed in the early 1900’s that identified the critical role of nutrients in preventing and curing illness.

Since then, science has confirmed the benefit of nutritional compounds across a wide range of conditions. We know they can help us have healthier babies, protect our cardiovascular system, help improve our physical and mental acuity, and much more. At Bayer’s Consumer Health division, we have a number of brands in our portfolio that are enabling millions of people around the world to achieve these goals. For example, studies have shown our prenatal multi-vitamin, elevit? is proven to reduce neural tube birth defects by more than 90% and its efficacy has been established in 17 clinical studies – more than any other vitamin in this category. Every baby has the right to be born healthy and I’m proud of the meaningful contribution we are making to give them the very best start in life.

Personally, the enormous potential of nutritional science to transform our health is a source of deep inspiration. Adaptogens (plant-based molecules that help us manage stress) and nootropics (which help improve cognitive functions) are two areas that especially capture my interest. For us to be successful, we must take a science-based approach and demonstrate benefit through clinical studies, investigational trials and real world product use where people see tangible results.  That has been our standard in developing our existing portfolio, and remains at the core of our strategy as we explore new formulations.  

I am encouraged when I see there are more than 1,200 planned or ongoing vitamin studies registered on clinicaltrials.gov, and many more that explore other nutritionals across many conditions. History has taught us that we can use science to break new ground and change the paradigm of human health. At Bayer, we are working to make this a reality.