NATURAL PLANET USA realizes its important role and rsponsibility to understand the market segments that demand and are in need of critical support. One of the biggest market segments is the anti-aging sector, being led by the "baby boomer" generation.

 

 

An Aging Population: With aging, the cells of the body begin to decay. They lose their ability to regenerate and repair tissue. Changes begin to show on the skin. The internal organs such as the heart, the sex glands, the immune system etc. begin to lose their functional efficiency. At this point, you begin to look and feel aged.

Aging also triggers the causal factors that culminate in a number of diseases like arthritis, Parkinson’s, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart complications, and even cancer. Most of them can be traced to deficiencies at the cellular level. For example, the beta cells in the pancreas become less effective and secrete less insulin, a condition that triggers diabetes. Again, the nerve cells become weak and harbor Parkinson’s disease.

 

Besides the supplementation that is required to keep the body in peak performance (maintaining a lower biological as opposed to chronological age), Natural Planet has developed several specialized approaches to counter the aging process. One approach to anti-aging therapy is to treat it at a hormonal level. The reduced activity of hormonal systems, that are extremely active in young people, slows down over time. Vitalife is a Natural Planet product that stimulates the production of human growth hormone (the "youth" hormone) without being a hormone itself.

One of the immediate manifestations of aging is on the skin. By using knowledge derived from stem cell function, Natural Planet has introduced several growth factor based products that stimulate skin cells to maintain youthfulness for a longer period of time. Natural Planet USA can also refer patients desiring advanced stem cell therapy to affiliate Atherton clinics that can administer prophylactic antiaging therapy.

 

By 2010, the wellness industry is projected to experience more than 500% annual sales growth.  Most of this growth will be directly attributed to the influential over-50 demographic that currently wields $2.0 trillion in annual spending.  Fifty-six percent of U.S. adults take supplements, and those age 65 to 74 years are 30% more likely than the average American to use vitamins, says research released by Packaged Facts.  Adults age 55 to 64 showed the highest propensity (72% higher) to take supplements more than once in 24-hour period. 

 

The Stealth Epidemic:  More than 40 million people in the U.S. are estimated to be pre-diabetic, while another 20 million already have clinically diagnosed type II diabetes.  More than 10.9 million or 10.5% of all men age 20 and older have diabetes, and 9.7 million or 8.8% of women older than 20 have the disease.  The prevalence of diabetes is at least 2 to 4 times higher among non-Hispanic Black, Hispanic/Latino American, American Indian, and Asian/Pacific Islander women than among non-Hispanic white women.  The various forms of diabetes, collectively called “The Stealth Epidemic”, is the greatest health problem of the 21st Century.  With the aging consumer population and the increase in susceptibility and incidence of health and wellness disorders such as blood sugar disorders, there has never been a better time for new product development and consumer education in regards to supplement solutions.  Diabetes has reached epidemic proportions in the U.S.  In the US, pre-diabetes and stage II type diabetes often begin between the ages of 50 and 70 and develop over years of nutritional neglect and sedentary unhealthy living.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, diabetes affected one in three people born in 2000 in the U.S.  The incidence of diagnosed diabetes in the U.S. is expected to increase 165% by 2050.  Diabetes is widely recognized as one of the leading causes of death and disability in America.  Natural Planet USA’s solution to this health epidemic is a proactive prevention solution based on a scientifically designed and clinically tested composition that assists the treatment and reversal of the negative effects of diseases such as diabetes.

 

Women and Children:  The everyday mom is the decision maker for purchases of many household products and services.  Moms are a powerful and growing group, especially through the Internet.  In fact, according to eMarketer, more than 32 million moms used the web to accomplish a variety of tasks.  Professional women are also Internet and tech savvy.

Approximately, 9.7 million, or 8.8% of women 20 years and older in the U.S. have diabetes while one third are unaware of that they have the disease.  Researchers have found a link between pre-diabetes and other conditions such as the cluster of cardiovascular diseases called Metabolic Syndrome (Syndrome X), as well as the hormonal imbalance called Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome (PCOS), which is a major cause of female infertility.  Research has indicated that up to 40% of women with PCOS suffer from Pre-Diabetes or Type 2 Diabetes by the age of 40.

Dietary supplement utilization is rising steadily among children, according to research published in the October issue of the Archives of Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine.  Most children take supplements in the form of multivitamins and minerals, but a small percentage also take botanicals.  During the study, investigators evaluated data from over 10,000 children 18 and younger, who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 1999 and 2002.  Those using the highest percentage of supplements were ages four to eight.  The study also revealed that children from higher income families were more likely to take supplements.  Those taking supplements were on average thinner and more physically fit.

 

Diabesity:  This term refers to obesity and diabetes.  Studies show that more than 60% of American adults are overweight with more than 30% classified as obese.  Obesity has far-reaching effects on health, increasing one’s risk of heart disease, certain cancers, diabetes, infertility, joint pain, and many other health problems.  One of the most common and serious consequences of obesity today is diabetes.  Diabetes now affects about 16 million Americans.  It is estimated that 80% of adults and 97% of children that have type 2 diabetes are obese.

Dozens of studies have confirmed the relationship between obesity, or excess weight, and the risk of developing pre-diabetes or diabetes.  A low fat diet, daily aerobic exercise, and a proper nutritional supplementation regiment will assist in the reversal of diabesity.  Supplementing naturally will scientifically facilitate the body’s energy burning mechanisms to fire on all cylinders to combat disease and related maladies.

 

Generation X:  The next generation of consumers in line for Natural Planet USA products includes Generation X.  This demographic group includes individuals born roughly between 1965 and 1982.  By 2012, this generation of consumers will enter its most productive and highest spending consumption years.  Gen X, and future generations, will follow suit behind the Baby Boomer generation in pursuit for proactive wellness.  Generation X demand centers on convenience and entertainment.  Ultimately, facilitating the needs of baby boomers will not necessarily satisfy Gen X-ers demand when they reach the same age.  In the near term, baby boomers control the market power that will drive Natural Planet USA’s strategy and implementation.  Keeping an eye to future generations and the demand of other demographic audiences is strategic to long-term success.  With this in mind, Natural Planet USA will plan a multi-generational product and marketing strategy to facilitate long-term growth and sustainability.