Best new supplements at Expo West 2011

New Chapter Organics Perfect Energy and Perfect Calm
Specialized stress relief in a multivitamin? You got my attention. New Chapter hones in on to two different common responses to everyday stress—fatigue and irritability—with two new whole-food multivitamins. Perfect Energy uses organic maca, ginseng and rhodiola, along with antioxidant-packed grapeseed extract, to boost and sustain energy naturally.

Perfect Calm showcases soothing holy basil, chamomile and lemon balm, and provides 25 vitamins and minerals.

Garden of Life RAW Digestion
The Raw Revolution swept Expo this year, most noticeably in the food aisles, but it also showed face in supplements. Raw-nutrition champion Garden of Life debuted its RAW Digestion line, consisting of RAW Fiber, four different age- and gender-specific formulations of RAW Enzymes and RAW Probiotics, and a kids’-targeted RAW Probiotics. All products are—of course—raw and unadulterated, but also gluten and dairy free with no artificial fillers or binders.

Brainard’s Natural Remedies All Natural Antacid
A new company on my radar, Brainard’s Natural Remedies launched its blueberry-flavored, blueberry-powered All Natural Antacid at Expo West 2010. But judging by the swarms of curious stoppersby (many likely looking for instant heartburn relief after sampling so many different show-floor foods), this product is now generating major buzz. Available in 30- and 90-count bottles, 10-tablet tubes and 4-tablet pouches, Brainard’s antacid relies on blueberry fiber, along with pomegranate, bilberry and elderberry extracts, and magnesium and calcium citrate to aid absorption.

Myceuticals Nutrisqweeze and Nutriscoop
Myceuticals, the new company of MyChelle Dermaceuticals founder Myra Michelle Eby, debuted its Nutrisqweeze and Nutriscoop lines at Expo. Portable, 1-ounce packets of Nutrisqweeze come in four distinct formulations—myEyes, myHeart, myRejuvi-La and myJoints—each made with whole-food nutrients and providing a tasty, nutrient-packed punch on the go.

Six powdered Nutriscoop varieties, including vegan/vegetarian and detox formulations, mix up into light yet nutritionally potent elixirs. And I have to hype both lines’ packaging: Bright colors, beautiful art and a clean logo should draw shoppers’ eyes to the powders and packets.

Organic India Immunity
Ayurvedic herbal tea and supplements company Organic India bolstered its supps line with Immunity, a daily immune-system support made with the Himalayan herb katuki and USDA-certified organic tulsi, aka holy basil.

MegaFood Kids One Daily
Mini tablets made with raw, whole foods and no added sweeteners, preservatives, colors or flavors are easy to swallow and digest. Each dose offers a buffet of essential vitamins and minerals from carrots, cranberries, cabbage, organic brown rice, broccoli, oranges and more.

Reserveage Organics CocoaWell
Reserveage stormed onto the supplements scene in 2008 with resveratrol-based products and has since expanded to include cocoa-based supps, launching its CocoaWell line at Expo West. Inspired by the heart-healthy, cocoa-drinking Kuna people of Panama, Reserveage taps the high flavanol content of cocoa powder for its Advanced CoQ10 Heart, Maximum Potency and True Energy formulas.

Barlean’s Total Omega Swirl Flax Oil Blackberry
Omega-3 stocked, sugar free and straight-up delicious, Barlean’s new Blackberry flavor of Omega Swirl Flax Oil had me salivating for a second spoonful. For people—like me—who need extra EFAs yet struggle with capsules and fishy-flavored products, blackberry-masked flax does the trick.

EcoTensil EcoTaster Mini
I first encountered these foldable, sustainable paperboard sampling utensils at the Barlean’s booth. This teeny origami-like spoon with the large tasting area intrigued me, so I made the EcoTensil booth one of my next stops. I learned that EcoTensil makes a range of sustainable utensils, but manufacturers and retailers that offer samplings should check out the biodegradable, compostable EcoTaster Mini, which breaks down in two to five weeks, according to EcoTensil.