Breaking News on Supplements & Nutrition - North America EU edition

Probiotics may cut diarrhoea amongst the elderly

Probiotic-containing drinks may help reduce diarrhoea among older people receiving antibiotics, reports new research that could offer savings to public health services.

Shuster Labs offers testing for Chinese sourcing

Yet another company is promoting its ability to help dietary supplement manufacturers ensure their imported ingredients are safe, following safety issues with products of Chinese origin.

Low B6 intake linked to colorectal cancer study

Low intake of vitamin B6 may increase a man's risk of colorectal cancer by 31 per cent, suggests a study from Japan.

Roasted soybean targets 'beany-free' snacks

A roasted soybean, made from a newly-available soybean variety, claims to allow snack manufacturers to develop products with less of a beany taste.

Advitech enters France and Belgium via pharma

Canadian supplier Advitech has announced it is taking its psoriasis product Dermylex to France and Belgium through a distribution agreement with a pharmaceutical corporation, Iprad Santé S.A.

Guest article

IP enforcement and how to corner the market

Several recent Supreme Court decisions relative to patent issues have generated media attention and will have implications for nutraceutical companies seeking to protect their technologies.

Sea buckthorn may cut inflammation, CVD

Regular consumption of sea buckthorn berries reduced levels of a protein that is associated with inflammation, diabetes and heart disease, say Finnish scientists.

How media has announced the arrival of our GMPs

The announcement that Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs) for dietary supplements have finally arrived is having a ripple effect across industry itself, but what is perhaps less expected is the relatively positive coverage this has received from mainstream media.

Cranberries may fight ulcer-causing bacteria in humans

Cranberry juice may enhance the power of antibiotics to clear the stomach of women of a bacteria known to cause ulcers and cancer, new research reports.

Codex to consider international food safety standards

International food safety standards on fish, eggs and infant formulas are likely to be adopted next week at the annual meeting of the Codex Alimentarius Commission.

Long-term vision for vitamin C and diabetic eye health?

Long-term supplementation with vitamin C may one day help prevent diabetic retinopathy, the most common diabetic eye disease, if preliminary results from animals can be reproduced in humans.

Frutarom USA launches salvia seed omega-3

Frutarom is bringing its plant-based omega-3 ingredient line to the US where it says ALA is not getting enough attention.

USP calls for caution on black cohosh and green tea extracts

The US Pharmacopeia (USP) is asking manufacturers to label dietary supplements containing green tea extracts and black cohosh with a cautionary statement for liver damage.

Blueberries may reduce Alzheimer risk

Eating a diet rich in blueberries may reduce the severity of neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's or cognitive disorders relating to ageing, if results from an animal study can be translated into humans.

LycoRed launches value-added dried tomatoes

Israeli manufacturer LycoRed is launching a new addition to its Lyc-O-Mato line of antioxidant ingredients.

Sabinsa gets patent for cosmeceutical ingredient

Sabinsa Corporation announced it has received a patent for the process and cosmeceutical application of a solvent-free policosanol, the company says is relevant given tightening environmental standards for the industry.

Cinnamon again linked to better blood sugar

Using cinnamon as a functional ingredient may lead to slower emptying of the stomach and reduce the rise in blood sugar after eating, says a new study.

Burcon incurs protein R&D expenses in fiscal 06

Based on its year end results, Burcon NutraScience Corporation is still incurring expenses in what has been a lengthy process of bringing its protein ingredients closer to market.

Nutracea signs Southeast Asian joint venture

Nutracea is taking its stabilized rice bran to Southeast Asia through an Indonesian industrialist it says is affiliated with a large wheat milling operation in the region - PT Panganmas Inti Persada.

Fish omega-3 linked to lower prostate cancer risk

Higher intake of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) and EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) may cut the risk of developing prostate cancer by 40 per cent, says a new study from Harvard.

Weekly comment

Clinical trials - gold standard or white elephant?

Randomised clinical trials are the ultimate. Forget what the observational studies tell us, if the RCT gives us an answer it must be the final word, right? Wrong.

GMPs could force manufacturers to clean-up

On Friday, the US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) issued the final rule on Good Manufacturing Practices (GMPs), which some say is the most important regulatory development for the dietary supplement in over a decade.

Echinacea effective against colds - review

Taking the herbal Echinacea may cut the risk of catching the common cold by almost 60 per cent, suggests a new study from the US.

Capsugel says new Licap suited to supplements

Capsule maker Capsugel has announced the launch of a new larger liquid capsule it says is particularly suited to the dietary supplement industry.

Omega-3 eyed for retina protection

Omega-3 fatty acids may protect our eyes against the development and progression of retinopathy, a deterioration of the retina, is results from a mice study can be translated to humans.

cGMPs expected today?

After so much waiting, the dietary supplements industry is preparing itself for the expected announcement of current good manufacturing practice (cGMP).

Novel hunger-stopping glucan from probiotics

Reuteran - a novel alpha-glucan produced by the bacteria Lactobacillus reuteri - could be finding its way into bakery and dairy products as a weight management ingredient, Dutch scientists have reported.

New report examines increased demand for portion control

American consumers desire more portion control choices to help with weight management, according to a new report published this month.

Prebiotics could help combat meat pathogens, says USDA

US Department of Agriculture (USDA) scientists have reported a new method of developing prebiotics from certain crops, which could have the potential to help combat the incidence of salmonella and E. coli in animals slaughtered for their meat.

More omega-3, less omega-6 better for prostates

Increasing omega-3 fatty acid levels, and decreasing levels of omega-6, could reduce the risk of prostate cancer risk in individuals with a genetic predisposition to cancer, if results from an animal study can be translated to humans.

SourceOne takes Sytrinol beyond US

Chicago-based SourceOne Global Partners is partnering with Solgar Vitamin & Herb to introduce Sytrinol in the United Kingdom, France and Ireland.

Scientists look for prebiotics from corn cobs

Scientists in Portugal have reported a novel method for producing fibres from corn cobs capable of boosting the growth of friendly gut bacteria.

NSF expands testing capacity for Chinese exports

NSF International has added a new testing service in China for the purpose of analyzing products or ingredients for the presence of melamine following recent contamination scandals.

CITES seeks to update trade rules for web age

The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) has been shaping its agenda and framework according to the evolving global market.

Novel lycopene encapsulation method reported

Using a supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) process to encapsulate lycopene could lead to greater stability and offer important advantages over the conventional method of encapsulation.

Naturex eases maca patents for benefit of Peruvian growers

Naturex is looking to protect the interests of maca growers and communities in Peru by loosening restrictions surrounding its patents on the herbal product.

Neptune lands NKO deal with Yoplait

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources is taking its Neptune krill oil (NKO) into functional dairy through a partnership with diary giant Yoplait.

Genistein may boost bone formation in older women

Supplementation with the soy isoflavone genistein led to increases in bone mineral density in postmenopausal women, says a new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial from Italy.

Probiotics protect against bacterial infection, says study

A newly characterised strain of probiotic bacteria may have potential to kill Listeria monocytogenes, an often-lethal pathogen in pregnant women, Irish researchers report.

Maypro to launch Oligonol on high bioavailability platform

The Maypro Group has secured New Dietary Ingredient (NDI) status for its proprietary lychee extract, Oligonol, and foresees a wide array of market applications for the antioxidant.

Skin health could sustain lutein expansion

The global lutein market is set to hit $124.5 million (€93 million) in 2013, says a new report from Frost & Sullivan, with skin health offering a major new avenue for the carotenoid.

Dr. Weil takes ONC's Meg-3 on board

Ocean Nutrition Canada has announced yet another product will be using its flagship omega-3 ingredient, MEG-3. This time it is for alternative medicine and health guru Dr. Andrew Weil's product line.

Low-carb diet bad for gut health?

Eating a low-carbohydrate diet, like the once fashionable Atkins diet, may adversely affect the numbers of certain types of bacteria in the gut of obese men, Scottish researchers have reported.

CRN gives details on PR campaign aimed at consumers

The Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) has announced further details of a comprehensive public relations campaign geared at presenting the mainstream side of supplementation it says shows its face less often than the controversial side.

Cocaine goes no-name

The saga of the Las Vegas energy drink formerly known as 'Cocaine' is continuing, with the product undergoing a second name change in the space of a month.

Supplements laced with drugs slip through cracks in Canada

Health Canada is advising consumers not to use certain products that have been illegally sold as dietary supplements and are said to contain tranquilizing drugs.

Bioriginal goes condition-specific for women

Bioriginal is harnessing the promises of an emerging trend by taking its lignan ingredients into a softgel supplement to support women's health.

Weekly comment

A sobering thought for the alcohol industry

Much against my own better judgement, there are some issues it seems, where corporate social responsibility must really live up to its name and truly look after its consumers.

Mulberry extract may prevent diabetes - study

A new mulberry powder, rich in a compound that inhibits the digestion of carbohydrates, may have the potential to prevent diabetes, suggests a new study from Japan.

Dietary calcium better for bones than supplements - study

Women who get most of their daily calcium from dietary sources have healthier bones than women whose calcium comes mainly from supplements, says new research.

PL Thomas to bring Kaneka's CoQ10 to US foods

One of the bastions of the CoQ10 market in Japan, Kaneka Nutrients, is bringing its ingredient to the US food and beverage industries through PL Thomas.

Health Canada attempts to lift cosmetic regulation confusion

Health Canada has published a guidance document in order to counterattack confusion regarding the regulation of ingredients in cosmetics - a hot topic in the cosmetics industry at present.

Astaxanthin linked to improved heart health

Astaxanthin, the nutrient that gives salmon its pink colour, may also have heart health benefits, suggests a new study from Finland.

Advitech to finally launch Dermylex in US

Advitech has secured an exclusive five-year distribution deal for its psoriasis product Dermylex that will allow it to now access the US market.

Breakfast cereals as good as special drinks for sports recovery?

A bowlful of whole-wheat flake cereal and nonfat milk may work just as effectively as specialized sports drink in boosting recovery after exercise, researchers told attendees at the 54th Annual Meeting of the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).

Cocoa's heart benefits given another boost

Consumption of the polyphenol-rich cocoa may cut cholesterol levels, says a new study from Japan that adds to the ever-growing body of science supporting the potential heart health benefits of chocolate.

PharmaNutrients awarded CLA use patent

PharmaNutrients has secured a US patent for the use of CLA for preventing and treating metabolic syndrome, giving the company exclusive access to burgeoning market potential.

Nutraceutical market ripe for baby boomer products

There is still more room for functional food and dietary supplement manufacturers to target baby boomers, but it will require the use of sensitive marketing tactics say analysts.

Cod liver oil linked to less depression

Regular and long-term intake of omega-3 fatty acid-rich cod liver oil may protect people from symptoms of depression, says a large study from Norway.

GMP consultants prepare for new opportunities

Impending Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) legislation is setting the stage for new business opportunities as companies look to ensure they are up to standard and third party services spread the word they are ready for the task.

Not all fruit antioxidants behave alike, USDA

Not all fruit antioxidants behave the same according to a recent study conducted by USDA researchers, information that reinforces the need for further research into how antioxidants perform in supplements.

Flavonoids linked to improved mental health

A diet rich in flavonoids, compounds in fruit, vegetables, coffee, tea and chocolate, could reduce the decline in mental function associated with age, says a new study from France.

Usana commits millions to micronutrient research

Usana Health Sciences has announced it is expanding its partnership with Oregon State University's Linus Pauling Institute, by committing financially to assess the role of vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants in promoting health and preventing disease.

Nutrition, health claims perception differs by country - survey

A consumer's perception of nutrition and health claims labeling differs not only between the US and Europe, but also among European countries, says a new survey from Unilever.

Special edition: Climate change

US manufacturers might have to play emissions catch-up

The recent G8 meeting in Heiligendamm Germany saw a veering in US rhetoric on climate change that could force food manufacturers to tighten their belts and change their business practices.

Fenchem enhances CS testing following Chinese ingredients scare

The highly publicized contamination scares involving imports from China are leading some suppliers, such as Fenchem, to take extra precaution in testing their ingredients so as to calm potential fears from US clients.

Fungus to join mushrooming immune health market?

Consumption of the humble white button mushroom may boost the immune system and protect again infection, suggests a new animal study from the US.

AHP issues feverfew botanical reference

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP) has released its newest monograph, on feverfew aerial parts, in an effort to promote botanical purity for the herbal products industry.

Ajinomoto paves way for capsinoids in the US

Ajinomoto has launched a website to educate health professionals and consumers about the potential benefits of capsinoids, after laboring to get New Dietary Ingredients notification from FDA.

Probiotics again linked to lower eczema risk

Probiotic supplementation during pregnancy and then for the infants after birth could reduce the incidence of eczema, suggests a new clinical trial from Sweden.

Ajinomoto to acquire Calpis in $680m stock swop

Ajinomoto plans to merge with Japanese compatriot Calpis, in a bid to further its transformation into a health and nutrition company and develop more value-added products to meet market demands.

Whole grains linked to lower atherosclerosis risk

An increased intake of wholegrain-rich foods has been linked to improvements in blood vessel health, says a new study that adds to the heart-health benefits of a diet rich in wholegrains.

Cosucra builds science behind prebiotic ingredient

Two low doses of the prebiotic inulin every day can efficiently boost levels of beneficial gut bacteria, and reduce levels of an enzyme linked to colon cancer, says a new study sponsored by Belgium's Cosucra.

Croda unleashes vegetarian omega-3 alternative for US

Croda Health Care is looking to position its omega 3, 6, 9-combo ingredient Incromega V3 as an alternative for US vegetarians to existing fish-derived products.

Soft drinks form part of functional bevie trend

The nutraceutical soft drink market is expected to reach $9.9bn in the US and $10.3bn in the EU by 2010, according to market researcher Business Insights.

Phyto-Sources builds capacity for functional food demand

Phyto-Source has announced a significant expansion of its pine tree sterol production capacity for the second time in one year, due in large part to EU demand for its product.

Tate & Lyle unveils Promitor to help bridge fibre gap

Tate & Lyle has announced the introduction of a new line of branded fibre ingredients called Promitor, which can be used in a broad range of food products to help consumers meet fibre intake targets.

Vitamin D vital for cancer prevention, researchers

A growing body of scientists believes that most Americans and Europeans do not receive enough vitamin D, and according to the latest study this could be putting them at a significant risk of developing cancer.

UK Dairy Council conference spreads health message

UK's Dairy Council yesterday held a Diet & Health conference geared at getting the message of the diverse health-promoting properties of milk out to health professionals and as such on to consumers.

National Enzyme Company expands Chinese distribution

The National Enzyme Company (NEC) and Wedar Biotechnology have announced a distribution agreement for the NEC's BioCore line of enzymes in the Chinese market.

Martek sees Q2 dip, but foreshadows improvement

Martek Biosciences' revenues for Q2 2007 were up nine percent over the same period in 2006, but operating profits saw a slight dip as contract manufacturing margins were down and ARA costs rose.

Choline recommendations may be too low, study

Current choline recommendations may not be enough for some people, suggests a new study which found requirements differed between men and women, and pre- and post-menopausal women.

Canada invests further into functional foods industry

The Canadian government is looking to build further opportunities for its functional food and natural health products industries and has announced a $721,000 investment into the Nutri-Net Canada Project.

IADSA calling on industry to take survey

IADSA is urging dietary supplement companies to participate in the Nutrition Business Journal's global survey so as to identify the size of the nutrition market and what trends are shaping it.

Green tea drinking may halve the colorectal cancer risk

Regularly drinking antioxidant-rich green tea may halve the risk of colon and rectal cancer, suggests a new study based in China.

Dietary vitamin E linked to lower prostate cancer risk

Increased intake of vitamin E from dietary but not supplemental sources may cut the risk of prostate cancer by over 30 per cent, says new research from the US.

Folic acid may increase risk of colorectal tumours

Folic acid does not decrease the risk of benign colorectal tumours and may increase the likelihood of contracting some types of tumours, say researchers - but the supplements industry urges caution in light of documented benefits.

IPA to fine tune probiotic awareness, standards

The International Probiotics Association has placed a new executive director at the helm who is looking to bring transparency and self-regulation to the growing global market for so-called friendly bacteria.

Prevagen set to tackle the anti-aging market

Quincy Biosciences has announced its long-awaited jellyfish supplement Prevagen is ready to be sold - a development that could make waves in the anti-aging supplement market.

Trace Minerals Research claims victory in trademark case

Another of case of trademark infringement has been won between feuding dietary supplement companies - Trace Minerals Research (TMR) and Mineral Resources International (MRI).

Natrol strengthens its sports portfolio with MRI buy

In an effort to expand its diversification as a supplement manufacturer and marketer, Natrol has acquired sports nutrition supplier Medical Research Institute (MRI) for $8m.

Nutrition 21's research further boost Diachrome

Nutrition 21 is publicizing the results of a study conducted on its patented Diachrome as significantly improving the glycemic levels of patients with poor blood sugar levels being treated with oral anti-diabetic medication.

Researchers recommend apple peel to protect against cancer

Apple peel may be more nutritious than apple flesh for people trying to keep cancer at bay, according to researchers at the Cornell Institute, New York, US.

Canadian hemp milk looks to nourish US dairy alternative market

Canadian hemp manufacturer Manitoba Harvest is counting on its new hemp milk to bring further consumer awareness to the health benefits of a seed often associated with marijuana.

Ginseng could relieve cancer-related fatigue

Ginseng may help patients suffering from cancer-related fatigue, according to researchers based at Mayo Clinic, Rochester, US.

Toyo Bio-Pharma enter US market with pine bark

Japanese supplier Toyo Shinyaku, which claims to be a market leader in its home country for pine bark sales, is unleashing its ingredients on the US market.

Eating flaxseed may halt prostate cancer growth

Daily consumption of flaxseed may stop the growth of prostate cancer tumours, according to research presented this weekend.

Weekly comment

Could organic eat itself?

Just when organic food has begun to make a noticeable dent in the overall food market, air freighting - a measure that solves the segment's biggest current problem - is facing potential prohibition.

Coca-Cola dips further into vitamin waters

Following its $4.1bn step into the functional beverage category last week, Coca-Cola North America is now swimming further into vitamin-fortified waters through its Dasani brand.

Folic acid seen to reduce stroke risk

Folic acid supplementation is best known as a means of protecting unborn children against birth defects, but research suggests that it could also be beneficial to adults and significantly reduce their risk of suffering a stroke.

FDA issues research on health claim awareness

The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has released its primary findings a report on what consumers understand from health claims, which reveals a somewhat cloudy consumer understanding.

Aloecorp bolster aloe profile

Aloecorp is bolstering its research behind its research and development into the health benefits of the aloe plant by publishing a compendium of studies.

Comment

Press releases for the press?

In a world where getting your name out there is called branding, and branding in turn equals better market share, some companies will go to great lengths to draw attention to their name. With information sources driven by open-access Internet, companies can tailor press releases not always intended for the press.

CITES meeting to impact sustainable sourcing

The triennial Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) conference, beginning Sunday in The Hague, is set to influence regulations for the nutraceutical ingredients trade.

Vitamin-B in diet helps slim avoid pancreatic cancer

A diet rich in B vitamins may decrease the risk of slim people contracting pancreatic cancer, according to a meta-analysis, but supplements may have the opposite effect.