PARSIPPANY, N.J., Feb 27, 2006 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Since 1979, the Vitamin & Nutraceutical Information Service (VNIS) has been disseminating credible, science-based information on vitamins and nutrition to health professionals, researchers, nutrition policy makers and influencers throughout the United States. Now, for the first time the VNIS' extensive library is accessible to everyone via the Worldwide Web.

"As a health professional, VNIS materials have always been helpful in guiding my patient counsel," says Susan Male Smith, registered dietitian and published author. "VNIS has often provided the information on new research that I need to share with my readers -- it's high time that they made their materials available direct to the public at VNIS.org."

Featuring information about carotenoids: lycopene, lutein, zeaxanthin and beta-carotene; omega-3 fatty acids; probiotics; soy isoflavones; green tea extract, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG); co-enzyme Q10, and a range of vitamins, http://www.VNIS.org is a virtual goldmine for more than 52 million Americans who use the Internet for health and medical research.

"As consumers are faced with an increasing array of health and food choices, they are turning to the Internet to make sense of it all," says Lynda Doyle, director of business development for DSM, the site's sponsor. "By launching a Web site that features the vast body of knowledge that VNIS has acquired over the years, we hope to help consumers make more informed choices.

All of the information on http://www.VNIS.org is cross-referenced so that it can be accessed by health topic (e.g. Bone Health, Heart Health, etc.); by life stage (e.g. Men's Health, Women's Health, Aging, etc.) or by the specific vitamin or nutrient name. Each section provides basic descriptive information plus downloadable educational materials, bibliographies of scientific resources, and in some cases, consumer education brochures. For more information, visit http://www.vnis.org.
The VNIS is supported by DSM Nutritional Products, Inc., a multinational company active in life science and nutritional products, performance materials and industrial chemicals. DSM products are used in a wide range of end markets and applications including human and animal nutrition and health, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. It is the world's largest manufacturer of bulk vitamins, which are sold to food and supplement companies for use in fortified foods and dietary supplements. DSM vitamins can be found in familiar brands such as Centrum, One-a-Day, Total, Quaker Oatmeal and Tropicana juices.

DSM Nutritional Products, Inc. employs about 25,000 people around the world and ranks among the global leaders in many of its fields. It is headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations in Europe, Asia and the Americas.