Health and Nutrition
Mars Symbioscience
Mars Symbioscience, our global health segment, develops innovative products and services supported by evidence-based science. Two of the businesses are focused on innovation in health and nutrition: Mars Botanical and Mars Veterinary.
Mars Botanical
Mars Botanical focuses on developing products containing cocoa flavanols, a phytonutrient naturally found in cocoa beans. Flavanols help keep blood vessels healthy and flexible, supporting good circulation1. Heart, brain and eye health depend on a healthy circulatory system.
Scientists have been studying cocoa flavanols and their effects on our bodies for two decades and have published more than 130 papers on their benefits to health.
We have created our own patented production process, COCOAPRO®, to deliver products with a guaranteed level of cocoa flavanols. We can now offer cocoa flavanols in a variety of formats. Our focus has been to develop dietary supplements other than chocolate and snacks that contain cocoa flavanols from cocoa extract.
Mars Botanical has launched two products abundant in cocoa flavanols: COCOAVIA™ and CIRKU™ beverage supplements. These products contain 350 mg of cocoa flavanols per serving. Some of our other products also contain flavanols. We continue to explore ways we can offer our consumers enjoyable products that contain cocoa flavanols as part of a healthy lifestyle.
Mars Veterinary
Mars Veterinary is improving the health and quality of life for dogs through the science of genetics. We have researched the genetic signatures of more than 190 dog breeds and used data to create two mixed-breed analyses: WISDOM PANEL™ Professional and WISDOM PANEL™ Insights. Both tests provide the dog owner with information about pure-breed ancestors in the previous three generations of ancestors. This information is vital to allowing owners to understand the medical, behavioral, nutritional and training needs for their unique mixed-breed dogs.
WISDOM PANEL™ Insights is an over-the-counter cheek swab DNA test that provides the dog owner with the breed profile of their dog. WISDOM PANEL™ Professional is a blood based DNA test that is available exclusively through veterinarians. It provides the veterinarian and client with a weight-prediction range based on the breeds identified and the chromosomes that each contributed, which allows the client to plan for training, exercise and nutritional needs over the life of their dog.
WISDOM PANEL™ Professional also prescreens for specific diseases associated with certain breeds. If an at-risk breed contributed chromosomes to the mixed-breed dog, the veterinarian is alerted to educate the owner on the clinical signs and consider testing the dog for the disease.
Mars Veterinary recently launched a third product called OPTIMAL SELECTION™. This DNA analysis ensures genetic diversity in male and female canines before mating and breeding.
1This statement has not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
