Gatorade challenges choc milk health claims

Gatorade has challenged a recent advertising campaign that claims that chocolate milk helps athletes to work out longer than conventional sports drinks.

Vitamin D, calcium supplements could reduce falls in women, not men

A daily supplement of vitamin D and calcium cut the rate of falls in elderly women by 50 per cent, but not men, reports a new study.

Vitamin E market in turmoil

A new report says that the market for vitamin E supplements is in turmoil as consumers become confused by conflicting media messages, but despite this the cosmetics and toiletries industry...

Cocoa flavonols linked to low blood pressure

Regular eating of flavonol-rich chocolate can cut the risk of death from cardiovascular disease (CVD) by half, reports a long-term study of elderly men.

AHPA starts fifth herbal harvest survey

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) has initiated its fifth survey in order to quantify annual harvests of selected North American herbs used as ingredients in herbal products.

Weekly Comment

The bad research debate

The dust is settling on the WHI trial. First came the news that low-fat diets didn't reduce the risk of breast or colorectal cancer or cardiovascular disease, then came news...

New Zealand aims to put kiwi supplement on global market

Seeka Kiwifruit Industries, New Zealand's largest kiwifuit supply company, says it is to extend its business portfolio into the nutraceutical world by investing further in health supplements business Vital Foods.

Soft drinks industry pledges to tackle benzene in drinks

America's soft drinks association said it would have to look again at benzene in drinks, after new tests revealed to BeverageDaily.com suggest it and food safety authorities failed to stamp...

The supplements - bird flu debate: selenium

Following last week's claims and counter claims that dietary supplements may offer protection from avian flu, Stephen Daniells looks into statements that selenium supplements may offer protection.

FDA seizes more ephedra supplements

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized around $3m worth of dietary supplements containing ephedrine alkaloids in a move to "protect the public health."

Zeaxanthin on the eye health map

As Prevent Blindness America observes AMD/Low Vision Awareness month in February, Jess Halliday speaks to Manuel Pavon of Chrysantis about the emerging role of zeaxanthin in eye health.

Melatonin could help tinnitus, improve sleep

A daily supplement of melatonin could improve tinnitus and sleep, a result that offers hope to the estimated 15m Americans who consider their tinnitus to be a serious problem.

Southeast Asia offers opportunities for nutraceuticals

The nutraceuticals market in Southeast Asia has high growth potential but companies must invest heavily in advertising to help consumers understand the health benefits, says new strategic analysis from Frost...

Australian olive leaf extract moves into Canada

Canadian based C.K. Foods Inc. has entered into an exclusive agreement with Olive Products Australia, the world's largest specialized olive leaf grower, to distribute its Fresh Olive Leaf Complex.

Mental health: a global supplement trend

Supplement-makers on both sides of the Atlantic, and in other parts of the world, too, are tapping into consumer anxiety to become, or remain the brightest button in the box,...

Martek DHA could bring eye health claim to soymilk

Natural oils maker Martek Biosciences yesterday announced that its key product, the omega-3 fatty acid DHA, is to be used in a new soymilk product, which could allow the manufacturers...

Vitamin C helps smokers maintain vitamin E levels

A daily supplement of vitamin C can help preserve vitamin E levels in smokers, a group at risk of low vitamin E levels due to higher oxidative stress, by 45...

B vitamin may protect against fetal alcohol syndrome

A form of vitamin B3, nicotinamide, could reverse the brain defects due to maternal drinking, suggests a mice study from Cornell University.

NutraCea to triple capacity with Louisiana agreement

NutraCea has entered into a raw rice supply agreement with the Louisiana Rice Mill LLC (LRM) that could see the company's Stabilized Rice Bran capacity tripled.

Isoflavone and phytosterols supplements could ease CVD risk

A low glycemic index (GI) diet with a supplement of soy proteins and phytosterols for 12 weeks cut the risk of death from heart problems by 17 per cent compared...

Ingredients for innovation: New Zealand

Joint health from sheeps' wool, kiwi fruit crossed with berries and calcium-boosting bone extract… innovative ingredients from a small Pacific archipelago are starting to make a disproportionately big impact in...

Latin America health focus for new sterol, tocopherol supplier

Advanced Organic Materials, the new sterol and tocopherol supplier on the Latin American scene, is aiming to bring the benefits of healthy ingredients to a local market that has previously...

Green tea may reduce, but black tea may increase breast cancer risk

Drinking five cups of green tea a day can reduce the risk of breast cancer by 22 per cent, claims a meta-analysis of previous studies, the same studies that the...

Eastern Europe leads global sports drink growth

The global sports drinks market grew by 10 per cent in 2005 to 9,700 million litres, with the fastest growth recorded in Eastern Europe.

Cargill continues patent battle for high oleic canola oils

US agribusiness firm Cargill on Friday filed an appeal of a judge's ruling in December that prevents the company from enforcing patents for high oleic oils.

Ingredients for innovation: Japan

Japan may have been the first country to have fully-regulated, health claim-bearing functional foods, but according to Paul Yamaguchi, president of New York-based market analyst Paul Yamaguchi & Associates, FOSHU...

Dietary fibre and colorectal cancer - where do we stand?

Men who have diets high in fibre are 29 per cent more likely to be protected from colorectal cancer than women, a result that may explain the disagreement between other...

New deal in Canada for SourceOne's Sytrinol

Sytrinol, a cholesterol-lowering compound from citrus peel, is being introduced in products by Natural Factors Nutritional Products for the Canadian market, as a result of a deal with SourceOne Global...

More evidence for diabetes and CVD protection by whole grains.

Eating a diet rich in whole grains, a rich source of bran, fibre, minerals and vitamins, could reduce the risk of type-2 diabetes and heart disease, claims a new study...

B&D teams up with Xsto in the Northeast

California-based B&D Nutritional Ingredients is extending its reach across the United States with a new agreement for Xsto Solutions to act as a business sales agent, representing its full range...

Agreements and research push BioGaia towards profitability

A raft of new agreements and some positive study results have helped BioGaia to report promising results for full year 2005, in which it edged SEK 8.1m (€0.86m) closer to...

Vitamin D, calcium and colorectal cancer

Daily supplements of vitamin D and calcium 'had no effect' on the risk of colorectal cancer, according to a large-scale study from the US. But an independent cancer expert says...

Calcium, vitamin D supplements are good for bones - if you take them

Consumer confusion over vitamin D and calcium seems likely to grow, following claims from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial about their effect on bone health that oppose other studies.

FDA defines whole grains, issues guidance for manufacturers

The FDA has released draft guidelines on the labeling of food products containing whole grains, to support the message of the 2005 Dietary Guidelines. Although subject to comments, it seems...

WellGen secures $3m for obesity nutrigenomics research

WellGen has secured $3 million in series B financing, which it will use to fund human clinical trials of its ingredients developed through nutrigenomics to target obesity and inflammation.

Special report

FDA re-opens probe into benzene contamination of soft drinks

US food safety authorities have re-opened an investigation closed 15 years ago into soft drinks contaminated with cancer-causing chemical benzene, following evidence the industry has failed to sort out the...

NutraCea plans quick capacity increase

An increase in demand for stabilized rice bran derivatives since NutraCea's merger with RiceX is requiring the Californian company to increase capacity at its plant by more than 50 percent.

Australia requires black cohosh liver warning

Australia's Therapeutics Goods Administration (TGA) has taken a tough stance over the safety record of black cohosh, requiring that OTC and alternative medicines containing the herbal must carry a warning...

Vitamin E, beta-carotene may protect smokers from prostate cancer

Daily supplements of vitamin E and beta-carotene may reduce the risk of prostate cancer in smokers, but not non-smokers, reports a new study, adding more contradictory results to an already...

Grapefruit flavonoid could repair DNA, may protect against cancer

Naringenin, a flavonoid found in grapefruit and oranges, helped to repair damaged DNA in cancer cells, reports a lab study.

Long term low-carb diet leads to cholesterol rises

A low-carbohydrate diet results in more weight loss after six months than a low-fat diet, but long term could raise bad cholesterol and increase the risk of heart disease, claims...

The use of herbals and plastic surgery

Fifty-five per cent of plastic surgery patients take natural remedies that may lead to post-operative complications, claims a study, but an industry expert questions the quality of the research.

Forbes MediTech, Pharmavite extend Reducol agreement again

Forbes MediTech is to continue supplying Pharmavite with its Reducol cholesterol-lowering ingredient until at least mid-2007, in an extension of the existing supply and license agreements.

Supplements better than fortification for folic acid?

Pregnant women who do not take folic acid-containing supplements are eight times more likely to have low serum folate values, despite eating folate-fortified foods, claims a new study.

Weekly Comment

The cost of bad research

The science has spoken. Low-fat diets don't work: Forget the carrots and broccoli sprouts, I can now have my cake and eat it, and put extra cream on top.

From vitamins to new nutrition: DSM's FY 2005

DSM Nutritional Products has reported operating profit of $252 million in full year 2005, up 25 per cent on 2004. But with sales hampered by price pressure on mature vitamins,...

'No evidence' that melatonin helps with jet lag

A review of 25 studies has led researchers to claim the human hormone melatonin does not help people with sleep problems like jet lag, conclusions that have questioned by an...

First soft drinks obesity lawsuit set for Massachusetts

A lawsuit aimed at getting soft drinks out of US schools on obesity grounds will be filed in Massachusetts, just as lawmakers there prepare to vote on a school junk...

Astaxanthin softens sales blow for Cyanotech

Astaxanthin for human nutrition is still a saving grace for Cyanotech, which has reported that a 27 percent drop in sales for 3Q 2006 compared to the prior year period...

More support for soy's protection against prostate cancer

A diet rich in soy, sunflower seeds, berries and peanuts can reduce the risk of prostate cancer by 26 per cent, claims new research from Sweden.

Yasoo to develop nutritional formula for CF

Yasoo Health, Inc. is to develop and commercialize a novel nutritional formulation for sufferers of cystic fibrosis after receiving almost $1 million from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

Date set for first HerbDay

Almost a year has gone by since the idea of HerbDay was mooted at Natural Products Expo West. But now a date has been set - October 14 2006 -...

Saw palmetto 'does not improve' prostate problem

Contrary to earlier reports, saw palmetto, the extract from the berries of a dwarf palm tree, has no effect on non-cancerous prostate swellings, claims that have been called "puzzling" by...

Low fat diet: breast cancer link 'due to chance'

Five servings of fruit and vegetables per day and a diet low in fat reduced the risk of breast cancer by nine per cent, a figure dismissed as not significant...

Chr Hansen expands US dairy cultures production

Chr Hansen is increasing the fermentation capacity of its US cultures plant by 35 per cent in order to tap potential growth in the probiotics market.

Low fat diet 'has no effect on heart risk'

Eating less fat and more fruit and vegetables has no effect on the risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD), claims a long-term dietary intervention study claimed to be the largest ever...

Abnormal hormone may contribute to obesity, study

New research reveals that an abnormal brain hormone may increase the risk of obesity, findings the scientists say could lead to the development of a drug to treat certain cases...

Broccoli and soy could cut cancer risk

Compounds found in broccoli and soy may help protect against certain cancers that affect over two million new people every year, according to a cell culture study.

Latin company starts sterol, tocopherol production

Argentina's Advanced Organic Materials claims to be Latin America's first manufacturer of tocopherols and sterols, since it started to produce and commercialise the ingredients at the end of last year.

Vitaquest majority stake sold to Hong Kong group

CK Life Sciences is poised to make a splash in the US nutraceutical market, with the acquitisition of a majority stake in Vitaquest.

Low fat diet recommendation for type-1 diabetics

People with type-1 diabetes should switch to a low-fat diet, scientists have recommended after showing that the metabolism of a diabetic heart is affected by high blood fat levels.

Chromium supplement offers diabetes hope - animal study

Researchers have reported how chromium picolinate improves muscle sensitivity to insulin in obese, insulin-resistant rats - findings that could have implications for diabetic humans.

NCCAM streamlines quality aspect of funding review

The standard of NCCAM-funded research looks set to rise, and the funding approval procedure simplified, thanks to the formation of a new working group specifically focused on quality.

New oat variety boasts high cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan levels

A new oat variety containing high levels of cholesterol-lowering beta-glucan has been developed, meaning that food manufacturers could soon offer whole oat products that pack the same health benefits as...

More evidence of null link between coffee and colorectal cancer

Drinking as much as six cups of coffee per day has no effect on the risk of colon or rectal cancer, according to Swedish researchers, adding to evidence that coffee...

Weekly Comment

Marketing the risky way

Nationality is a dangerous brand.

Pycnogenol reduces osteoarthritis pain, study

A daily supplement of pycnogenol could reduce inflammation and reduce pain for arthritic sufferers, claims a new study.

US teens not getting sufficient calcium

US teenagers are living with the threat of osteoporosis in later life by not getting enough calcium, claims a new report that suggests supplements could help.

Obesity may contribute to type 1 diabetes, say scientists

Obesity has long been recognized as a cause for type-2 diabetes, but scientists now say that the disease may be a factor in accelerated type-1 diabetes in some children.

Med diet helps keep the weight off

People who eat a tradition Mediterranean diet are 60 per cent less likely to be obese, Greek researchers have said as the country's women top Europe's obesity table.

ADM's CardioAid gets GRAS for more foods

ADM has received FDA go-ahead for its CardioAid plant sterols to be used in a wider range of food products, which will make it easier for consumers to lower cholesterol...

Cargill expands trans-fat lowering soyoil production

US agribusiness firm Cargill is to expand its processing of Vistive, a low-linolenic soybean, which claims to reduce or eliminate trans fatty acids in soybean oil.

Vitamin E and selenium could reduce mercury toxicity

Taking vitamin E and selenium supplements could reduce the toxicity of mercury from fish, indicates an animal study. If replicated in humans, the findings may mean pregnant women could consume...

Melatonin may cut hypertension

Melatonin, a naturally occurring hormone that can be taken orally to regulate sleep patterns, reduced the blood pressure (BP) of hypertensive women, claim Italian researchers.

Medicinal herb use common in WIC clinics

Almost 50 per cent of children in WIC clinics are given herbal remedies with known safety issues, says a study from Penn State, supporting calls for better education for herbal remedies.

Vitamin D - sunlight or supplements?

Supplements and diet, and not sunlight, should be your source of vitamin D, dermatology experts have concluded after reviewing studies from both sides of the on-going debate.

Cyanotech courts consumers

Hawaiian microalgae producer Cyanotech has become the latest company to tout its wares direct to consumers, with the initiation of an advertising campaign aimed at end users of BioAstin.

Change your diet to reduce your BP

A new statement on diet from the American Heart Association emphasises weight loss, cutting back on salt and alcohol and increasing dietary potassium as viable ways to reduce blood pressure,...

FTC charges settled by supplement ad creator

The creator of dietary supplements advertisments pulled up over allegedly false and misleading claims has settled charges with the FTC.

Corn oil, omega-6 could speed up prostate cancer, study

Omega-6 fatty acids speed up the growth of prostate tumor cells in the laboratory, according to a study published in today's issue of Cancer Research.