Your web design is typically one of the first interactions potential clients have with your brand. First impressions are key, and your website is your chance to make a lasting first impression on users.
With over 1 billion websites on the Internet (and growing by the second), your website has to stand out among the rest, especially if you want users to love, trust, and return to your brand. But how do you stay inspired and craft a website unlike any of the other billion out there?
Today, we’ll talk about various web design ideas that you can tweak and manipulate in order to concoct a design for your perfect website.
Can’t build a website on your own? Don’t worry, WebFX can help. We offer web design and development services for tons of industries. Find some inspiration here, decide on elements that you like, and bring your blueprint to us.
When it comes to your website, simple is better. The more site elements you have, the more potential there is for overwhelming users, which could cause them to leave your website.
Here are some tips for keeping your web design simple, crisp, and aesthetically pleasing.
Keep your navigation simple
Your navigation bar is one of the most important elements of your website. Not only does it give site visitors an overview of what your website has to offer, but it also helps them navigate effectively.
Sometimes though, companies will cram all their site pages into their main navigation bar. Although this seems like it might be the best way to show users all of your site pages, it can easily overwhelm viewers and do more harm than good.
If users become too overwhelmed by your navigation bar and have to sift through tons of pages before they can find what they’re looking for, they might navigate away from your page.
Your main navigation should feature four to six main tabs with a few options under each. This will ensure that your users have enough choices to direct their interests, but not too many to overwhelm them.
Don’t use too many colors
If you use too many colors on your site, you could again leave users feeling overwhelmed. It’s one thing to have a core color palette with a few main colors, but when you use them all at once on your site, it won’t bode well for your design.
You should try to stick to two or three main colors on your website, not including black and white. From there, use the other colors in your core palette to accent elements of your page.
For example, you could use one of your louder colors for a call-to-action (CTA) button or use a second accent color for your sidebar.
Another important thing to remember with color is to choose a core color palette and stick to it. Using the same colors on all pages of your site will help to boost your brand awareness and help every page feel cohesive, even if they’re designed differently.
Take this page for example. Between the images, the promotions, and the header, there are so many colors that it definitely has the potential to overwhelm users. In just this top section of the home page, there are over six colors.
Relish white space
White space is one of the most important parts of great web design. Not only does it allow page elements to breathe, but it keeps visitors from becoming overwhelmed by too many site elements.
White space refers to the gaps of space left between site elements, along the borders of your pages, and in-between content. Without white space, your pages tend to feel crowded to users.
This website does a great job of utilizing white space to ensure that visitors can easily make their way through the page and its content. Scroll through this restaurant website’s homepage to see what we mean!
Simple website design ideas to inspire your next web design
Now that you know a few key elements that help keep your site design clean and simple, check out some of these amazing, modest website design examples that will inspire you to redesign your own online presence.
Warby Parker
Warby Parker, an online eyeglass company, does a great job at showing users exactly what they sell right off the bat, without overwhelming them with information.
Their homepage is short in length and features less than 100 words, including their brand name and navigation. This simplistic design presents little information up front, prompting site visitors to click around to find what they’re looking for.
But just because there isn’t a lot of information on the home page doesn’t mean users will navigate away.
In this case, the simplistic design pinholes users into clicking one of the few options that they have in order to find what they’re looking for. This is extremely clever since users won’t feel overwhelmed. They’ll be more likely to click to another page to find additional information about the product they’re looking for.
Rothy’s
The “total game-changer” shoe website, Rothy’s, features a core color palette, lots of images, and tons of white space.
Its simplistic navigation menu only offers three options — giving users a few choices and a high probability of clicking one of them.
There is ample space between site elements, and though the images are extremely colorful, the site itself sticks to a core color palette of only two colors: royal blue and gray. This allows the images to pop off the page while exciting and engaging site visitors, without overwhelming them.
The Gregory
A fantastic restaurant in Baton Rouge, The Gregory restaurant has a stellar website that is simple, enjoyable, and makes your mouth water for their food.
Their simple home page features six main areas that are backed by gorgeous images of their food and chefs. The color palette features three main colors as to not distract or overwhelm users. The neutral color tone allows the colors of the images to bounce off the page, and white space allows for their page elements to breathe.
They also feature a number of effective CTAs in order to get more information about their target audience or allow them to make a reservation.
Did you know that the amazing designers at WebFX created this website? It’s true!
Want more web design inspiration?
If you’re looking to jazz up your current website or start from scratch, WebFX is here to help! We’ve been creating gorgeous, effective, and enticing websites for clients just like you for over a decade. We can also provide you with web design ideas to help you get a better feel for what you’re looking for.
In that time, we’ve won over 50 awards for our designs and pride ourselves on our full in-house team of some of the most talented web designers in the world.
If you’re looking to create a website that entices users to purchase your products and keep coming back for more, contact us online today or give us a call at 888-601-5359!
Garcinia Cambogia a small, sweet tropical tree fruit also known as Malabar tamarind. Other names for Garcinia Cambogia are Assam Fruit, Gorakkapulli, Panampulli, Manda Huli, Goraka Pulli, Mangosteen, and Vadakkan Puli. Garcinia Cambogia is obtained in different colors depending on the spices such as yellow, green and red. Garcinia Cambogia extract is a hub of vitamins B, Thiamin, Folic Acid, Niacin, Magnesium, Vitamin C, Manganese, Potassium and Hydroxycitric Acid (HCA). Hydroxycitric Acid in Garcinia Cambogia Extract is appetite suppressant which reduces cravings and decrease the urge to consume calories. Hydroxycitric Acid also helps in managing stress hormones, increase serotonin level, speed up metabolism leading to better mood sleep and reduce belly fat. Garcinia Cambogia Extract not only improves your overall health, but also prohibits the conversion of calories into fat. Hydroxycitric Acid inhibits the production of an enzyme that slows down the metabolism rate of the body. Because of this, the body converts the extra calories into glycogen. Garcinia Cambogia extract also helps the body to build more muscles.
Market Segmentation: Garcinia Cambogia Extract market is segment on the basis of form, distribution channel and region. On the basis of form market is segmented into powder, capsule and liquid.Garcinia Cambogia Extract come in different forms but the most popular form is the powdered form. Weight loss has become a common desire for many people these days and with huge rage of alternatives available it becomes quite difficult task for consumers to select one which they want for themselves. Exactly what makes garcinia cambogia extract powder hugely popular is the fact that it is natural, safe to consume and has proven positive results for weight loss. Garcinia cambogia extract powder with 100% HCA is probably the best remedies for weight loss. On the basis of distribution channel the market is segmented into supermarkets/hypermarkets, convenience stores, medical stores and online stores. Online Stores is expected to hold a relatively high share in the garcinia cambogia extract market. Medical stores have also contributed significantly to the growth of Garcinia cambogia extract market over the forecast period. On the basis of region garcinia cambogia extractmarket is segmented into North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA and Japan.
Market Regional Outlook: Regional segment for the market of asparagus is divided into seven different regions: North America, Latin America, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, Asia Pacific, MEA and Japan. Among these segment Asia Pacific is expected to have the major market share globally, as it is the largest consumer of garcinia cambogia extract. In Asia Pacific region the India is generating the major revenue. In terms of revenue Africa is the second prominent contributor in the garcinia cambogia extractmarket.
Market Drivers: The rise in demand for weight loosing supplement is expected to drive the growth of global garcinia cambogia extract market. Garcinia cambogia extract is not only used as a supplement for weight reduction but it also exhibits some special properties such as it helps to reduce the cortisol level, reduce risk of heart disease, reduce risk of ulcer and improve lipid profile. It also helps in maintaining better metabolism and better cardiovascular health. The versatile properties of garcinia cambogia extracthas defiantly attracted the pharmaceutical companies which will drive the garcinia cambogia extract market to a greater extent.Moreover, the market is also driven by the increasing awareness among the consumers about the health benefits associated with garcinia cambogia extract.
Market Key Players: Some of the key players in garcinia cambogia extractmarket are Power up health, BioGanix, Nature wise, Naturabest, NOW Foods, Top Secret Nutrition, Natrol, Global Health Ideas, Quality Encapsulations, shape organics,Search Results, Potent Organics, St.Botanica, Healthawin, Whole Body Research, NutriRise, PureNutria, Gaia Science? and Morpheme Remedies among others.
The stock of NUTRAFUELS INC (OTCMKTS:NTFU) registered an increase of 192% in short interest. NTFU’s total short interest was 14,600 shares in April as published by FINRA. Its up 192% from 5,000 shares, reported previously. With 100,800 shares average volume, it will take short sellers 0 days to cover their NTFU’s short positions.
The stock increased 0.20% or $0.0004 during the last trading session, reaching $0.1743. About 27,175 shares traded. NutraLife BioSciences, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NTFU) has 0.00% since April 16, 2018 and is . It has underperformed by 4.37% the SP500.
NutraFuels, Inc. manufactures and distributes oral spray nutritional and dietary products to retail and wholesale outlets. The company has market cap of $19.17 million. The companyÂ’s products include sleep spray to support a healthy sleep cycle and improve the quality of restful sleep; energize spray to enhance energy, and restore vigor and vitality; and garcinia cambogia spray, an appetite and weight management spray. It currently has negative earnings. It also offers NRG-X extreme energy spray to enhance energy and stamina; headache and pain spray to relieve headaches and pain; and hair, skin, and nails spray to nourish and encourage hair, skin, and nail growth.
Another recent and important NutraLife BioSciences, Inc. (OTCMKTS:NTFU) news was published by Globenewswire.com which published an article titled: “Freedom Leaf Inc. Announces National Distribution Agreement Other OTC:FRLF – GlobeNewswire” on February 28, 2018.
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For the past few months, Hetq has been researching the weight loss biological medicine/supplement market in Armenia. Our investigation shows that in addition to the official market of registered weight loss pills, there is also a “black market” operating in Armenia. Under the guise of 100 % natural capsules, some are freely selling slimming pills that potentially pose health risks.
Investigating both markets, we’ve revealed that in addition to serious legislative shortcomings regarding health supplements, there are people who totally flout the law. Some of these weight loss pills contain the banned ingredient Sibutramine. More interesting is some of these supplements are government-approved.
Prior to this investigation, no Sibutramine had ever been found in slimming biologically active additives in Armenia.
Legislative Shortcomings and Lack of Specialists
Excess weight and obesity are the cause of 5% of all deaths worldwide.
Women are found to be more actively struggling against excess weight. According to data of the last reporton “Health System Performance Assessment” of 2017, the number of men and women having excess weight or obesity in Armenia is almost equal – 54% and 46 %.
In Armenia, among people under 40, excess weight and obesity are more often found among males. After 40, the number of overweight women starts to overtake that of men. However, the average distribution continues to remain equal.
Weight loss medications have become a profitable business all over the world. Armenia is no exception. People are sometimes ready to sacrifice their own health to achieve a desired weight, using both medications and supplements.
Biologically active weight loss supplements are especially widespread. They are identified with food and are controlled by the Food Safety Inspectorate. That’s why the registration of biologically active supplements is a quick and not so expensive process, unlike the registration of medications serving the same purpose. Moreover, before Armenia became a member of the Eurasian Economic Union, the state registration of biologically active supplements was not mandatory.
Vahe Danielyan, Head of the Food Safety and Quality Control Inspection of the Food Safety Inspectorate.
“We carried out inspections in all the major pharmacies in 2016 and we found that there is a great number of biologically active supplements, which either have no labeling or no state registration certificate, but there was also a casus : there was no such authority in the Republic of Armenia that would make the state registration» – Vahe Danielyan.
Today there are eight certification authorities in the Republic of Armenia entitled to issue registration certificates. However, mandatory state registration is only in the form of documents. Biologically active supplements are not tested. Only the package of documents of these supplements presenetd by their manufacturer is being checked. Based on this, distribution and sales permits are issued. Furthermore, the state registration certificate issued in one member state of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) is mutually acceptable in all member states.
Armenia’s Food Safety Inspectorate (FSI) has only one function in this process – to enter the number of the state registration certificate of the product into the register.
Vahe Danielyan says: “There is no any definition about what should be done in the state registration procedure and often they take advantage of this. Business entities bearing no social responsibility take advantage of this, so to say.”
To date, the main part of violations found by FSI referred to labeling or absence of state registration certificate.
Vahe Danielyan confirms this: Technical Regulations 021/2011 “On the Safety of Food Products“ of Customs Union, which regulate biologically active supplements, are too weak.
“We have a problem of making clarifications in the field: this doesn’t depend on us. I brought up this issue myself many times in different circles of the Eurasian Economic Union. We have serious discrepancies in the legislation,” he says.
Healthcare specialists share the same opinion. Head of the Department of Pharmacognosy at Yerevan State Medical University (YSMU) Naira Chichoyan says that biologically active supplements should also be the domain of healthcare.
“These technical criteria formed within the scope of the Eurasian Economic Union, which only control the safety of the biologically active supplements (heavy metals, radionuclides, microbiological contamination) is not enough and the biologically active supplements must definitely be under control of healthcare experts as well.” says N.Chichoyan.
Head of the Ecocenter’s Informational-Analytical Center for Food Chain Risk Assessment Davit Pipoyan says that there are no nutritionists in Armenia. “Who is the one that prescribes these products? We have no such specific institute as dietitian.One cannot go and receive training in this field. I have witnessed many cases, when a person calls himself a dietitian or a nutritionist having no idea about nutrigenomics”.
Davit Pipoyan says that people very often don’t pay attention to the active ingredient of the biologically active supplement, overdose of which can have a negative effect.
“There are no healing substances and toxic substances in nature. The dose differentiates toxic from medication or healing substance. The problem is with dosage, as one food intake can result in possible exceeding of active ingredients contained in it”.
The «Black Market» of Slimming Pills
During the last four years, the number of biologically active weight loss supplement varieties has increased twofold. 396 types of biologically active supplements have state registration and are being sold in Armenia’s pharmacies, this according to 2018 data. Most of them are imported from the USA, Germany, Russia, Slovenia and Italy.
But the market of weight loss remedies is not restricted to legally imported products getting through customs control. The internet also offers us quite “natural” and “safe” medications for weight loss.
“Getting slim is not a dream”, “lose 9-15 kg in a month without harm”, “100% guarantee, 10 years of experience, without diets and workouts, natural and safe”.
You can see such advertisements in social networksin Armenia almost every day. Such posts attract dozens of people and buyers.
Since these remedies for weight loss are described to consumers as quite natural and safe, and not medications that require special license for sale, Hetq decided to study this market as well.
We chose 3 people actively selling such products on Facebook and tried to contact them in order to buy these “magic” medications .
We first turned to Facebook user An Darya (real name – Ani, auth.). She promises “the loss of 15 kg in one month” and certifies that her product is phytogenic and quite harmless.
To lose 15 kg in 1 month is not a dream but a real result.
Ani also promises “the elimination of stored body fat” and “loss of appetite”. We called her and found out that those are American biologically active weight loss supplements Garcinia 3000 Extreme. The active ingredient is Garcinia Cambogia Extract Powder.
A fragment of our conversation with Ani
-The course lasts 20 days; you should take it thrice daily, 20 or 30 minutes before the meal. This is done in order to lose appetite; it is intended to suppress the appetite.
-I have problems with my stomach. Is it OK to take this medicine in this case?
– We had people with stomach diseases – gastritis, gastric erosion, who took this medicine. Actually, they were afraid when buying, but to tell the truth it was interesting for me too. It is contraindicated during pregnancy and lactation and is not recommended to the underaged. There were people, who were afraid as they had stomach problems. However, they took this medicine. Then it was interesting for me, I asked them, and they said that everything was OK.
As Ani said, the product is sold in Vanadzor, but they sell it in Yerevan too. We thus managed to buy this supplement at a price of 16,500 AMD. It normally sells for about 6,000 AMD.
Though there are biologically active supplements containing Garcinia in Armenia that are registered and sold, this product has no registration. It is imported and sold without customs control, is sold illegally, and has no Armenian labeling.
Naira Chichoyan says: “Today, when listing the European information data about biologically active supplements, it is mentioned there that in case of Garcinia side effects have also been registered. So, definitely we can announce that the quality must be under control and attention should be paid to ingredients”.
Next, we turn to Viktorya Khachatryan, who promises to help us lose 9-15 kg in a month “with phytogenic capsules”. She says, “We guarantee safety and result”.
Viktorya Khachatryan, more precisely Captain Viktorya Khachatryan, works in the Ministry of Emergency Situations, in the Special Rescue Team. As she told us, she’s been selling weight loss remedies for seven years.
The first time we phoned her to ask about product licensing she just hung up.
A fragment of our conversation with Viktorya Khachatryan
– Does it have a normal license?
– Yes! I have already said so!
– If necessary, will you bring those documents for me to see, when I buy the product?
– How?
– The documents, the licenses, bring them, when I purchase…
– No dear, there is the internet for this. I can send it online. Shall I give you the license now? Or maybe you want me to make a copy for you, and then you will give it to others! Eh! /hangs up, auth./
We didn’t give up, and a bit later tried to contact Viktorya again. In the meantime, we found out that she sells two types of “phytogenic capsules”. As she says, there’s the Russian “Нормомасс” (Normomass), actually made in China, and the so-called “high dose”, variety. Again, as she says, the latter is from abroad, from America, and that it’s of higher quality. Actually, it is also Russian.
Viktorya denied all our requests to reveal the name of this “strong remedy”, to show its packaging, or at minimum the photo of the package, before buying.
A fragment of our conversation with Viktorya Khachatryan
-There is no information about it on the internet You can search it in Armenian, in French, you can write anything you want, and you won’t find it.
-Why? What kind of medicine is this, that there is no information?
-Well, no. If there was available information, it could also be sold in pharmacies.
We decided to buy those “phytogenic capsules” in both low and high doses. One capsule of the latter is 1,500 AMD, it is sold in quantities of at least 10 capsules. The price of 1 capsule of “Нормомасс” (Normomass) is 500 AMD. But, as it has many buyers, we had to wait our turn a few days.
A fragment of our conversation with Viktorya Khachatryan when buying the capsules
-Should she take it for one month?
-One month, at least 9 kg in a month. There are people who lost 15-17 kg. It depends on weight, age, generally it depends on the organism. But for sure it’s impossible to lose 10 kg taking this quantity. Well, she can call me, I will tell her how to take it.
-Is this sold more? Is this a good one? Shall we take this?
-The blue one? Yes, definitely the blue. It is of higher dose and of higher quality. I almost don’t recommend anyone this (shows the green one). I gave this, because she told me. It’s the same for me. Just this one is of higher dose and of good quality (she means the blue one, auth.)
The third person who promises “quick and harmless weight loss and 100% guarantee” is Facebook user Lilarm Gev (real name – Lilit Yeganyan), who presented herself as a doctor during our conversation. We found out that she works in the Department of Otolaryngology of Yerevan Polyclinic #8 as a nurse. She says she’s been selling these products for ten years.
Lose weight quickly and healthy. 100 % result… natural and safe, -she says
Like Viktorya Khachatryan, Lilit Yeganyan also sells two types of weight loss remedies “Нормомасс” (Normomass), which according to her is even prescribed for children above 12 years old, and again “its strong version”, the name of which she refuses to reveal. After prolonged questioning she confesses that it was imported from Kiev and it is “chemical”.
A fragment of conversation with Lilit Yeganyan
-So, I will tell you. They are of two types – chemical and phytogenic. The phytogenic ones are prescribed starting from 12 years of age. They have no contraindications or age limitations. In comparison, its influence is weaker. Well, they do the same thing. They impact the appetite, they suppress appetite, increase metabolism, remove fat and cholesterol.
-The phytogenic?
-That’s “Normomass”. Taking it, you lose up to 5 kg in a month. If you decide to start with it, I can’t say you will lose 10 kg in a month, because for sure you won’t have that result, maximum 5 kg. There are people who don’t hurry, this is for them, so they can lose weight slowly, and I recommend this. And the other one is chemical, i.e. it’s like a medicine, I mean the ingredients… Well I can say that the influence is almost the same, just in this case you will lose weight quicker. You will lose 8-10 kg in a month, for sure. There are people losing even 15 kg, or people losing 7 kg in ten days, that’s just individual. Losing 3-4 kg in 10 days, this is definite.
We ask which one she will recommend as a doctor. Lilit Yeganyan first asked what health problems we have. We answer that have no problem. She recommends taking “the one with higher dose” in order to “have a good effect first”, then to combine it with the “low dose”.
We only buy the chemical ones from Lilit, paying 1,000 AMD for each.
Fragment of conversation with Lilit Yeganyan
-This are «Капсулы для похудения» (capsules for weight loss).They don’t have a particular name that I can tell you. We have ten years experience with it.
-In which country is it produced?
-In Kiev.
During this period, we also go to pharmacies, to find out what they have for losing weight and which are sold more than others. We buy four types of biologically active weight loss supplements that were mostly recommended by pharmacy employees.
We takethis and all these pills for weight loss bought from pharmacies and private individuals to the “Scientific Center of Drug and Medical Technologies Testing” to find out whether they contain synthetic materials suppressing appetite.
We provide eight weight loss remedy samples for testing – «Турбослим День» (Turboslim Day), «Турбослим Ночь» (Turboslim Night), Apple Cider 600, BioDrain, which were bought from pharmacies and which are registered and Garcinia 3000 Extreme, «Нормомасс» (Normomass) and two types of the so called “higher dose” versions.
Samples Taken for Testing
During the last ten years, the “Scientific Center of Drug and Medical Technologies Testing” found synthetic materials only in the biologically active supplements for male potency sold in the market. In particular, Sildenafil and Tadalafil were found.
Acting Director of the “Scientific Center of Drug and Medical Technologies Testing” Levon Melikyan says: “It is wrong to qualify the biologically active supplements as products having pharmacological activity. Biologically active weight loss supplements have been studied and no orlistat or sibutramine have been found in them”.
Banned Substances in Weight Loss Pills: Test Results
According to the results of the laboratory examination we found out that samples N1,2,3,4 and 5 doesn’t contain synthetic materials suppressing appetite.
But in the 6th, 7th and 8th samples we found the psychotropic medication Sibutramine, which suppresses appetite and is banned in Armenia. (N6 – 14,95 mg, N7-5,6 mg, N8- 13,7 mg)
Sibutramine is a strong psychotropic medication, which influences the central nervous system and blocks the centers which are responsible for feeling hunger.
Sibutramine especially negatively impacts the heart. Its use increases the risk of heart disease. It can cause insomnia, stress and mental disorders. Deaths linked to the substance have also been registered.
Because of this and many other side effects, as well as a great number of contraindications, the United States’ Food and Drug Administration has recalled medications containing sibutramine from markets since 2010, and their further sale was banned in a number of countries, such as the USA, Canada, Mexico, European countries, China, India and etc.
In Russia, sibutramine is included in the list of strong medicines and is available only by special prescription.
From these three pills for weight loss containing Sibutramine only “Нормомасс” (Normomass) is considered to be a biologically active supplement. Though it has state registration and can be sold in all the EAEU countries, but it was issued by old normative documents in 2011 with sanitary-epidemiological and hygienic norms. Kazakhstan made the registration.
“Нормомасс” (“Normomass”) is not Russian or American as the sellers try to introduce it, but it is the product of “Green World” Network Company established in China.According to estimates of some pharmacologists the 6th and 8th samples can be identified with Russian weight loss pills «Редуксин» (Reduxin). The anger arising from questions about license or not telling the name of the pills let us conclude that the sellers knew what they were selling.
More than 30 Criminal Cases – Illegal Distribution of Drugs
According to the Law of the Republic of Armenia “On Medicines” it is prohibited to sale medications having no registration and not complying with quality requirements. And in accordance with the Criminal Code the contraband of psychotropic medication through the customs border of the Eurasian Economic Union or the state border of Republic of Armenia is punishable by imprisonment.
In the Investigation Department of Armenia’s State Revenue Committee more than 30 criminal cases were launched in 2018 concerning the illegal circulation of drugs and psychotropic medications. They were found in postal parcels sent from abroad – particularly from the USA and European countries. It’s necessary to mention that packages for personal use weighting up to 5 kg are not subject to customs clearance in Armenia.
“Do you imagine? Five kg of biologically active supplements in capsules. This can be a serious quantity; it can be about 500 packages. 500 packages are already a commercial quantity and will be sold in the market. We should try to regulate this stage in order to prevent their entrance into the Republic of Armenia,” Vahe Danielyan says.
Registered but Counterfeit Biologically Active Supplements: Labeling Violations
Out of 8 samples taken to laboratory expertise only 5 have state registration as biologically active supplements, but only 4 of them are sold in Armenian pharmacies. That’s why we have studied the labeling only of these products and have found breaches in biologically active supplementsN1, N2, N4.
In particular, biologically active weight loss supplements «Турбослим День» (Turboslim Day) (serial number 111076) produced by Russian pharmaceutical company “Evalar” (Эвалар) were taken to expertise under N 1. Importer is Armenian «Sia Pharm» company։
According to the original Russian labeling the active ingredients of the supplement are “L Carnitine Tartrate, Guarana extract, gelatin, iron oxide, titanium dioxide, inulin, chromium picolinate, calcium stearate of herbal origin, silicon dioxide – amorphous”.
The requirement concerning the labeling of biologically active supplements is preserved on the original labeling, i.e. not mentioning any healing properties directly, but only mentioning “contributes to” or “helps” something.
However, the Armenian labeling does not correspond to the original labeling: it contains a number of inaccuracies. It’s illegible, incomplete and different from the original labeling, which is a breach of the “RA Law On Food Safety” as well as of Technical Regulations 021/2011 of the Customs Union.
In particular, there is no information about ingredients of the biologically active supplement in Armenian labeling. It’s only in Russian.
In the Russian version it’s noted that «Турбослим День» (Turboslim Day) contributes to:
Active weight loss in the daytime
Fat-burning
Appetite suppression during the day
In the Armenian labeling we read about the products following “healing properties”, which are not mentioned anywhere in the original labeling:
Lowers cholesterol level in organism
Improves the functional state of gastrointestinal tract
Contraindications of the biologically active supplement also differ from each other. According to the requirements for biologically active supplements, only the breaches of labeling were enough to forbid the sale of this product in Armenia and in accordance with the “RA Law On Food Safety” to consider it counterfeit (the labeling has been amended without the corresponding amendment of ingredients).
The next labeling infringement is in the biologically active weight loss supplement«Турбослим Ночь» (Turboslim Night) (serial number 112089) produced by the same Russian pharmaceutical company “Evalar” (Эвалар) taken for testing under N 2.
The product has state registration. It’s imported into Armenia again by Armenian «Sia Pharm» company. The pharmacies recommend taking «Турбослим Ночь» (Turboslim Night) in the evening along with «Турбослим День» (Turboslim Day), as if they “complement each other” and so it’s possible to have quicker results. Like in the case of the previous biologically active supplement, here the original and Armenian labels also do not correspond.
In the original labeling dealing with ingredients, it’s mentioned that the biologically active supplement contains “Garcinia extract, senna extract, gelatin, indigo carmine, titanium dioxide, chitosan, fennel extract, melissa extract, calcium stearate of herbal origin and silicon dioxide – amorphous”.
In the Armenian labeling there is no information about this. It’s noted that it contains some B1, B2, E vitamins and L Carnitine. The Armenian importer describes the product as a “source of chromium and zinc”, which is not mentioned in the original labeling. According to the manufacturer the expiration date of the product is three years while according to the importer it’s two years. Contraindications are also different. In accordance with RA Law “On Food Safety” «Турбослим Ночь» (Turboslim Night) is also considered counterfeit.
Biologically active supplementBioDrain (manufacturer: «Legosan» AB, Switzerland) again of Danish company «New Nordic» was taken to expertise under N 4. The product has state registration. Importer: “Geniapharm” LLC. It’s mentioned among the ingredients that “it is made by Scandinavian herbalists on the basis of famous plants” which “are being used for cleaning the organism and losing weight for more than 10 years”.
Biologically active weight loss supplementBioDraincontains “chicory root powder, citrus peel extract, plantago seed powder, extracts of urtica, asparagus, artichoke, apium, taraxacum and thymus”. There is no any information about ingredients in Armenian labeling. It’s only written that “it is made on the basis of 7 herbs and fibers of fruits and plants”, which “are successfully used in Denmark for more than ten years”. It’s unknown why only seven herbs are mentioned (in original labeling we can count nine herbs) and why especially in Denmark.
It’s mentioned in original labeling “if you take other medications, consult a doctor”. There is no information about this in Armenian. So, biologically active weight loss supplement«BioDrain»also has a labelling discrepancy – it’s incomplete and violates the “Law On Food Safety” as well as Technical Regulations 021/2011 of the Customs Union.
From non-registered remedies for weight loss we had only the package of the sample N5. It was written in its labeling that “Garcinia 3000 Extreme” contains “100% natural ingredients *” but it was marked with an asterisk (*). Following this mark we see that it’s written “these statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA, Food and Drug Administration, USA)”.
(FDA is one of the United States federal executive departments, responsible for protecting and promoting public health).
In the labeling of this biologically active supplement it’s also mentioned to consult a doctor before using it. However, in Armenia this product is prescribed and sold “not by doctors”.
Video: Ani Sargsyan, Saro Baghdasaryan, Harutyun Virabyan
The investigation was prepared with the financial support of the European Union and supported by the OPEN Media Hub.
On the Build Your SaaS podcast Justin Jackson sits down with Taylor to talk about how Laravel got started and how it went from a side project into a full-time affair.
Visit Laravel News for the full post.
The post Podcast: The Lar...
There are times when a WordPress plugin’s functionality gets you close to what you need – but not quite the whole way. In addition, there are also situations where you’ve committed to using a particular plugin and would like to build additional features around it.
These are prime examples of why you’d want to customize or extend an existing WordPress plugin. It’s one of the really cool aspects of how the CMS allows us to build highly-custom websites. We can take a plugin we’re already using on our site and integrate extra functionality or usability items that help us to do more.
And, while it may sound like something reserved for seasoned developers, extending a plugin doesn’t require a PhD. Depending on what you’re looking to achieve, a basic understanding of PHP, HTML and CSS may be all you need to add some powerful features.
Today, we’ll review the process of choosing a plugin worth extending and some basics regarding what you can achieve.
Finding the Right Plugin
The first part of this process is also the most important: choosing a plugin. Sure, you can pick any one of the tens of thousands of available choices out there. And you may already have one in mind. But if you’re going to go to the trouble of adding extra capabilities, your ultimate pick is worth some serious consideration.
In many cases, a plugin you would consider customizing is playing a key role in what your website does. For example, an ecommerce plugin such as WooCommerce is going to be a major part of an online store. Just as an organization that holds a lot of events might heavily rely on a calendar plugin.
Regardless of what the plugin does, it’s vital to choose one that you can commit to for the long term. Therefore, you’ll want to look for software that:
Is being actively maintained by its author;
Has an adequate userbase, relevant to its niche;
Has a track record of fixing bugs and responding to support requests;
Offers, at the very least, a majority of the features and functions you need;
While these aren’t the only characteristics of a good plugin, they do make for a solid place to start. Another great feature, for instance, would be a library of plugin-specific hooks that allow you to more easily tap into its various functions. It’s not required, but certainly a great help in the customization process.
Once you’ve taken the plunge, it’s time to start thinking about what type of extras you want to add!
Exploring Potential Add-Ons
The types of features you can build to customize a plugin are limited only by your skill and imagination. Just think of some of the amazing add-ons that developers have built for plugins such as Gravity Forms or Advanced Custom Fields. They are proof that you can take an already-great piece of software make it even more useful.
However, our focus here is more on site-specific functionality rather than pie-in-the-sky endeavors. These items are narrower in scope and are there to help facilitate what you want to do with your website. You might also want them to make a certain aspect of your site easier for you or a client to maintain.
Here are a few basic ideas that can help you brainstorm:
Adding More Types of Data
A default installation of your favorite plugin might not include all of the relevant data that your website has to offer. But through using WordPress custom fields (which can be created with plugins like the aforementioned Advanced Custom Fields), enables you to add just about any type of data you like.
Take, for example, a calendar plugin. Let’s say that your website uses one to post meeting information. Out of the box, that plugin may not allow you to easily add links to an agenda or other documents you’d like to share with users.
While you could manually add links to these items within the content of each event, that may not necessarily be the easiest thing in terms of maintenance. Instead, you could create a simpler process that is more user-friendly.
In this case, integrating a few custom fields into event posts can make a huge impact with regards to ease-of-use. It also adds a layer of consistency to both the front and back end of your website. The back end is now easier to maintain, and the fields can be styled in your theme to help users find this important information.
Changing Plugin Output
Going beyond adding different types of data to go along with a plugin, you might also find a need to change its default output. There are a couple of situations where this could be of use:
It’s Not Relevant to Your Site
Sometimes, the language or terminology a plugin uses may not fit the subject matter of your website. For instance, if your site uses WooCommerce to take online donations – but doesn’t sell products – the cart’s terminology could seem confusing to users.
By default, WooCommerce calls everything you sell a “Product”. This is fine for a typical online store, but here it seems out of place. Thankfully, there are ways to change it.
Through the use of the gettext WordPress filter, it’s possible to change all instances of the word “Product” to “Donation”, along with any similar terms you deem appropriate.
Changing or Adding Data in Special Situations
There are often little bits of information that could really enhance the user experience of your site. Yet, they may only be relevant at specific times.
Sticking with WooCommerce, let’s say that you need to display important information to all products within a specific category. The goal, once again, is to streamline things so that you don’t have to manually add this message to each product.
A fairly simple conditional statement in your theme or a custom plugin can do the job. By combining the is_product() WooCommerce function and the has_term() WordPress function, you can target just the products in a specific category and add in the important information.
<?php
// Add important information to products within the "Jackets" category.
add_action( 'woocommerce_single_product_summary', 'jacket_information', 10);
// Check to see if it's a WooCommerce product and in the "Jackets" category.
if ( is_product() && has_term( 'Jackets', 'product_cat' ) ) {
// Now, provide the important information.
function jacket_information() {
echo 'Wear a jacket - it is very cold outside!';
}
}
?>
Combining Features with Other Plugins
On occasion, you might want to combine all or parts of what one plugin does into another. This one may sound like it’s well beyond the scope of the word “simple” – which is a fair point. But, depending on what you want to do, it may be easier than you imagine. Here are just a few ideas:
Use a slider plugin to dynamically display the best-selling products from your WooCommerce store.
Provide access to purchase a product after a user completes a specific lesson on an online course.
Include a survey form on a user’s account page – but only after they have been a part of your membership site for a month.
These types of combinations are often possible through plugin-specific hooks or ones that have been built into WordPress itself. The possibilities here are endless. All it takes is a little imagination and a willingness to experiment with code. Reading through documentation can provide you with some clues on how to put it all together.
A More Customized WordPress Website
Building a great website isn’t just a matter of implementing large, sweeping functionality. It’s often the smaller details that help to separate a great site from an average one.
WordPress plugins tend to help us with the big stuff. They provide the framework for us to get up and running. But with a little elbow grease, we have the ability to further customize things to match the needs and goals of our projects.
DOES IT WORK?Further studies needed to determine effects, writes DÓNAL O’MATHÚNA
GARCINIA SPECIES are widely used in Thai and Indian cuisine. The fruit, especially from Garcinia cambogia, has developed a reputation among those seeking to lose weight and build muscle.
Extracts of the fruit contain up to 50 per cent hydroxycitric acid, which is believed to be the active ingredient.
Earlier this year, the Food Safety Authority of Ireland (FSAI) issued a product alert, calling on consumers to discontinue using all “Hydroxycut’’ products.
The product name comes from hydroxycitric acid, which is added to some of the products in the form of Garcinia cambogia. The FSAI called on retailers not to sell these products, but they can still be found on Irish websites and remain available elsewhere.
The FSAI alert is based on recent case reports suggesting a link between Hydroxycut products and liver damage. The Canadian manufacturer voluntarily withdrew its products from the US market after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a consumer warning.
The weight-loss properties of hydroxycitric acid have been studied since the 1960s. Laboratory tests have shown that it inhibits an enzyme involved in producing body fat from other foods. Research also suggested that hydroxycitric acid may suppress appetite and reduce food intake in animals.
These results led to a series of small human studies in the early 1990s which produced contradictory results. One of the largest randomised controlled trials of hydroxycitric acid to date was published in 1998.
More than 130 overweight men and women took either 1.5g hydroxycitric acid (3g Garcinia cambogia) daily or placebo while also eating a high-fibre, low-calorie diet. Both groups lost weight during the study, but the two groups did not differ in the amount of weight lost or their body fat. Some have claimed that the diet may have interfered with the effects of the Garcinia.
At this point, close to a dozen randomised controlled trials have been conducted with Garcinia, although some of them have used it in combination with other herbs. Some of the studies have produced positive effects, although the quality of the research was sometimes poor.
The safety of hydroxycitric acid has been evaluated in recent studies, in addition to the long traditional use of Garcinia. In general, the herb and food supplements have not produced adverse effects and are generally regarded as safe at recommended doses.
Then several case reports were published in the medical literature of liver damage following consumption of Hydroxycut products. In 2009, the FDA reported that it had received 23 cases of serious health effects from these products.
The damage ranged from jaundice to liver failure requiring transplantation and one death. Although the number of cases is low, their seriousness led to the consumer alerts mentioned above and subsequent product withdrawals.
Determining the precise cause of the liver damage is difficult. Hydroxycut contains a number of herbs and other agents, with different mixtures used in different products. Some formulations do not contain any Garcinia cambogia.
The case reports have not been able to identify which ingredient, or combination of ingredients, may have led to the liver damage.
Further research is needed to understand the precise source of these problems.
Hydroxycitric acid from Garcinia cambogia shows some potential as a weight-loss product. However, the available studies are variable in their quality and the types of products tested. More studies are needed to demonstrate whether or not the products are effective and safe.
The reports of potential liver damage associated with Hydroxycut products point to the need for careful evaluation and monitoring of all herbal remedies.
When products contain several herbs, the precise source of positive or negative effects is difficult to determine. Given this uncertainty, and the complexity of weight loss, people should rely on the standard, proven methods of weight loss: reduce calorie intake, increase physical activity and find others to support your efforts.
While some supplements may be helpful, Hydroxycut should be avoided.
Dónal O’Mathúna has a PhD in pharmacy, researching herbal remedies, and an MA in bioethics, and is a senior lecturer in the School of Nursing, Dublin City University. He is author of Alternative Medicine: The Christian Handbook, Updated and Expanded Edition, Zondervan, 2007
As per the latest study by Persistence Market Research (PMR), the global weight loss dietary supplements market is anticipated to witness healthy growth. The market is likely to register 6.0% CAGR throughout the forecast period 2017-2026. The global weight loss dietary supplements market is also estimated to bring in US$ 37,177.6 million revenue by 2026 end.
With obesity becoming a global health concern, weight loss continues to be one of the most focused areas. Hence, increasing number of companies are coming up with the new products in weight loss supplements. The increasing consumption and demand for weight loss dietary supplements, regulations on the production of these supplements along with ingredients used are also gaining traction in various countries. The government in various countries are also focusing on the quality and quantity of ingredients used and if any of these ingredients can have severe side-effects, affecting the health of the consumers negatively.
Increasing use of Natural and Organic Ingredients in the Weight Loss Dietary Supplements
The negative effects of being obese and overweight are resulting in the increasing use of weight management products. Consumers are also adopting weight loss supplements in forms of pill, liquid, and powder. Hence, with the increase in the use of these supplements, manufacturers are also trying to produce safer products, thereby using organic and natural ingredients and plant-based ingredients. Among various ingredients, green tea extract is considered as one of the most popular and safest ingredients in the weight loss dietary supplements. Similarly, Garcinia cambogia is also being considered as an ingredient in the weight loss supplements. However, these ingredients have been reported to have adverse effects like a headache, constipation, UTI. Hence, there has been an increase in the investment in the research on other organic ingredients that can be used to produce weight loss supplements.
Global Weight Loss Dietary Supplements Market: Segmental Insights
The global weight loss dietary supplements market includes various segments such as end-user, form, ingredients, distribution channel, and region. Based on the form, the market is categorized into powder, liquid, and soft gell/pills. Soft gell/pills are expected to dominate the market during the forecast period. By the end of 2026, soft gell/pills are expected to exceed US$ 18,500 million revenue.
Based on the end-user, the segment consists of men, women and senior citizen. Among these, women are expected to be the largest users of weight loss dietary supplements. Women segment as the end-user is estimated to create an incremental opportunity of more than US$ 7,900 million between 2017 and 2026.
By Distribution Channel, pharmacies drug store is expected to emerge as the largest distribution channel for the weight loss dietary supplements. Pharmacies drug store is estimated to account for more than one-third of the revenue share by the end of 2017.
Based on the ingredients, the segment consists of amino acids, vitamins minerals, botanical supplements, and others. Vitamins minerals are expected to emerge as one of the largest used ingredients in the weight loss dietary supplements. By the end of 2026, vitamins minerals are estimated to exceed US$ 16,900 million revenue.
Region-wise, the market is categorized into Europe, North America, Asia Pacific Excluding Japan (APEJ), Latin America, Japan, and the Middle East and Africa (MEA). Among the given regions, North America is expected to dominate the global weight loss dietary supplements market throughout the forecast period 2017-2026.
Global Weight Loss Dietary Supplements Market: Competitive Assessment
Key players in the global weight loss dietary supplements market are Amway (Nutrilite), Abott Laboratories, GlaxoSmithKline, Glanbia, Herbalife International, Pfizer, American Health, Stepan, Nature’s Sunshine Products, and FANCL.
