Research

20-Apr-2012 - Veteran researcher Dr Stephen de Felice invented the term ‘nutraceutical’ in 1989 and ever since he has been imploring the sector to design and conduct better human clinical trials to back the medicinal potential of bodily nutritional interventions.

News in brief

Omega-3 may reduce damage from smoking, suggests research

20-Apr-2012 - Omega-3 fatty acids could help to reduce the physical harm caused by smoking, according to a new study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology.

Unilever aims to identify ancient plants with added nutritional value

19-Apr-2012 - A new scientific consortium led by Unilever aims to identify nutritionally valuable varieties of fruits and vegetables from the past, in order to produce natural health ingredients for the future, says the industry giant.

Botanical blend may boost joint health: Unigen study

19-Apr-2012 - A proprietary blend of botanical extracts may ease joint stiffness and improve joint function, suggest data from a small pilot study by Unigen.

Polyphenol-enriched soybean flour shows blood sugar benefits

19-Apr-2012 - Polyphenol-enriched soybean flour for supplements and functional foods may help reduce blood sugar levels, says a new study with lab animals that supports the potential health benefits of the Nutrasorb ingredients.

BioCell Collagen may slash joint health pain: RCT data

18-Apr-2012 - Daily supplements of BioCell Technology’s collagen-rich cartilage extract may reduce pain and other symptoms of osteoarthritis, suggest results from a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Omega-3 has no benefit for multiple sclerosis, finds 'underpowered' RCT

18-Apr-2012 - Supplementation with omega-3 fatty acids has no benefit on the disease activity of multiple sclerosis, according to data from a new clinical trial the authors acknowledged was underpowered.

Probiotic BLIS K12 may protect against oral yeast growth

17-Apr-2012 - Supplements containing the probiotic BLIS K12 ingredient may inhibit the growth of the yeast responsible for oral thrush, suggests new in vitro data that supports the oral health potential of the ingredient.

Multivitamin supplements boost brain function, say UK researchers

17-Apr-2012 - Taking a multivitamin supplement daily can improve cognitive performance in both children and adults, say UK researchers.

Antioxidant-rich watercress shows sports nutrition potential

16-Apr-2012 - Eight weeks of supplementation with watercress may reduce markers of oxidative stress and damage after exhaustive exercise, suggests a new study.

RCTs, health claims, and common sense deficiency syndrome (CSDS)

16-Apr-2012 - Continuing to insist on data from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to validate the health benefits of nutrients will lead to “stagnation” in the field of nutritional research, leading researchers have warned.

Cocoa no help for arterial stiffness: Study

16-Apr-2012 - Despite being related to a lower cardiovascular risk, cocoa intake does not necessarily improve arterial stiffness in subjects with cardiovascular risk factors, say researchers.

Eating cruciferous vegetables may boost breast cancer survival rate

13-Apr-2012 - Consumption of increased amounts of cruciferous vegetables such as turnips and bok choy is associated with improved breast cancer survival rates among Chinese women, say researchers.

Vitamin D does not affect academic performance: Study

13-Apr-2012 - Vitamin D does not boost kids' brain power despite proof of improved academic performance in adult studies, according to new research.

Influential MD Anderson natural products researcher under investigation for alleged research fraud

12-Apr-2012 - MD Anderson Cancer Center is conducting an investigation into alleged research fraud by an influential natural products researcher, NutraIngredients-USA can confirm.

Fish protein could provide basis for new wave of functional foods, suggest researchers

12-Apr-2012 - There is great potential to develop novel, marketable, omega-3 rich functional food products from inexpensive sources such as fish protein isolate, according to new research.

Personalised Nutrition: Genome testing could make dietary interventions for genetic disease possible, study suggests

11-Apr-2012 - Researchers may have moved a step closer to fighting certain genetic diseases with dietary interventions after new a new study found that come genetic mutations could be corrected with diet.

Concord grape juice shows brain boosting potential

11-Apr-2012 - Adding a glass of Concord grape juice to the daily diet may boost memory performance and boost mental function in older people with mild declines in their memory, suggests a new study.

Vitamin C good for blood pressure: Meta-analysis

10-Apr-2012 - Short-term supplementation with vitamin C may reduce blood pressure, with benefits even greater for people with high blood pressure, says a new meta-analysis.

‘Insufficient’ evidence for omega-3 heart benefits, suggests meta-analysis

10-Apr-2012 - There is insufficient evidence for a secondary preventive effect of omega-3 fatty acid supplements against overall cardiovascular events among patients with a history of cardiovascular disease, according to new research. However industry has said the analysis of previous study is ‘limited’ and ‘inaccurate’.