Naturade Launches New Line to Boost Profit

Paramount-based Naturade Inc., distributor of nutritional supplements such as the popular N-R-G protein powder, unveiled a line of herbal medicines in an effort to boost earnings, which have been in steady decline since last year. The Chinese Way line of throat, sinus and immune system products is expected to hit the shelves at health food stores sometime this fall, the company said. Naturade had annual sales of $12.5 million last year, up 24% from 1996, but it has posted a loss in each of the last three quarters. Its earnings have been declining since January 1997, when it acquired the operating assets of the bankrupt Carrollton, Texas-based Performance Nutrition. Naturade shares rose 7 cents to close at $3.88 in over-the-counter trading.