Blood sugar management

‘Game changer’: ChromaDex inks deal with Suntava to produce concentrated anthocyanin ingredient

26-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Irvine, CA-based ChromaDex has signed a worldwide license and supply agreement for Suntava Purple Corn to produce a highly concentrated anthocyanin ingredient at a price point that should appeal to mass markets, the companies have announced.

DHA supplements may help restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle: Mechanism mooted

19-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps to restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle by blocking inflammation and the accumulation of other lipid intermediates, say researchers.

Large-scale, long-term cocoa flavanol study looking at heart, cognitive health enters recruitment phase

15-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

Cocoa flavanols are an ingredient that has been poised at the edge of the runway for a few years now. A new large-scale, long-term study into their cardiovascular and cognitive function benefits that is entering its recruitment phase may help provide...

Sabinsa expands Ayurvedic herb cultivation as demand grows

08-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Botanical supplier Sabinsa is expanding its existing cultivation program for Indian herbs to ensure sustainable supply of ingredients such as turmeric, gac, and black ginger, in order to match demand in the global US$1.6 billion market.

Resveratrol may boost mitochondrial function for diabetics: Pre-clinical data

05-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of resveratrol, an antioxidant compound from red wine, may protect blood vessels from the detrimental effects of high blood sugar, says a new study.

Dietary carotenoids linked to lower type 2 diabetes risks in healthy adults

01-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

High dietary intakes of alpha- and beta-carotene are associated with reduced type 2 diabetes risk in generally healthy adults, says data from the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition-Netherlands (EPIC-NL).

Cranberry juice may slash cardiometabolic risk factors: RCT study

30-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of a low-calorie cranberry juice may improve certain risk factors of heart disease, including blood pressure and triglycerides, says a new study from the Agricultural Research Service at the USDA and Ocean Spray Cranberries.

Micronutrient-dense bar shows broad health improvements for overweight/obese adults: CHORI study

29-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A micronutrient and fiber-dense supplement bar may improve metabolism in overweight/obese but otherwise healthy adults, says a new study from the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI).

Green algae combo may counter obesity-linked metabolic changes: Study

20-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A mixture of green algae extracts may lower body fat and improve lean mass in rats fed a high carbohydrate, high fat diet, says new study.

Vitamin K1 may improve insulin sensitivity and blood sugar levels for pre-diabetics

14-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing vitamin K1 (phylloquinone) may improve glycemic status and insulin sensitivity for premenopausal and pre-diabetic women, says a new study.

Probiotic potential for pear antioxidants explored in study

24-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Antioxidants and phenols in pears can balance gut microbiota as well as manage early-stage type 2 diabetes and hypertension, according to researchers.

Vitamin D may prevent inflammation behind type 2 diabetes and clogged arteries

20-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin D may play an important role in preventing the inflammation that leads to the development of type 2 diabetes and atherosclerosis, according to research in mice.

Gut microbiota shifts could predict diabetes risk, suggests study

06-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

The composition of our microbiota may change through the development of pre-diabetes and diabetes, thus predicting risk and potentially leading to new ways to aid blood sugar management, say researchers.

Nutrition 21 announces settlement of patent infringement lawsuit over Chromium Picolinate

04-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Nutrition 21 LLC and JDS Therapeutics LLC have entered into a confidential settlement and license agreement with Schwabe North America and Nature’s Way, thereby ending a patent infringement lawsuit involving the use of chromium picolinate.

Science short

Daily coffee polyphenols can reduce diabetes risk, say Japanese researchers

04-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

Japanese researchers have found coffee polyphenols can reduce type 2 diabetes risk via an insulin-regulating intestinal peptide.

Catechins, but not quercetin, behind some of cocoa & tea’s benefits

02-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementation with epicatechin may beneficially affect insulin levels and insulin resistance, but another flavonoid quercetin had no effect, says a new study from The Netherlands.

Mushroom extracts show blood sugar management potential: Study

26-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Powdered preparations of the mushrooms Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus cystidiosus may reduce blood sugar levels after a meal in healthy people, while also impacting insulin levels in diabetics, says a new study.

Pharmachem launches sprinkle-on application for Phase 2 carb controller in North American market

25-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Pharmachem Laboratories is seeking new markets for its Phase 2 carb controller ingredient with the North American release of DietSpice, a line of functional seasonings that can be sprinkled on food to help weight watchers absorb fewer calories from the...

Excess vitamin A may prevent foetal formation of blood cells

25-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Excessive retinoic acid – a molecule derived from vitamin A  – can prevent the healthy development of blood in embryos, a team of Swedish researchers have found. 

Amaranth seeds may help cardiovascular health and diabetes

20-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Amaranth seeds may help prevent coronary disease, lower cholesterol and manage diabetes, according to a scientific review.

Purified anthocyanins show metabolic benefits in diabetics: RCT data

18-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with purified anthocyanins may improve blood lipid levels and lower blood sugar levels in type 2 diabetics, says a new study from China.

Probiotic drink may help control insulin resistance: Healthy human research

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic supplementation may be useful in preventing insulin resistance caused by excessive consumption of high-fat foods, according to industry-backed research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Stevia First expanding fermentation technology to ingredients beyond steviol glycosides

03-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Stevia First Corp, producer of a fermentation-based steviol glycoside ingredient, is moving its technology beyond its namesake high intensity sweetener into new ranges of functional ingredients that the company is billing as “geroprotectors.”

Probiotic pill shows promise in blood sugar management and battling diabetes: Rat data

30-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

A genetically engineered strain of human gut bacteria from the lactobacillus family could help to slash in incidence of high blood sugar by up to 30%, according to new research in rats.

300-strong ‘teenage nutrition & health’ cohort extended to 2017; diabetes-obesity insights sought

30-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

A 300-person cohort assessing how youthful diet and lifestyle affects health via methods like amino acids, sugars and antioxidants measurement has been extended to 2017, with an aim to plug a gap in teenage data.

Special edition: Blood Sugar Management

Pre-diabetes: Public health time bomb … and industry opportunity

22-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

By 2035 it is estimated that 8% of the global population will be classed as ‘pre-diabetic' – putting them at significantly higher risk of developing full type 2 diabetes. Such startling statistics are ticking bomb for healthcare costs, but could...

Special edition: Blood sugar management

Glycaemic (GI) foods remain in obesity-diabetes niche but claims are changing game

22-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

Foods that help moderate blood sugar activity are gaining more traction with diabetics, the overweight and the obese – with new EU claims backing their promise to control hunger impulses. With 2bn people overweight or obese in the world, and type-2 diabetes...

Special Edition: Blood Sugar Management

Evidence continues to bolster polyphenols' blood sugar management story despite murky mode of action

22-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Although the mechanism of action is somewhat unclear, polyphenols have a solid and growing body of research backing their effect on the regulation of blood sugar levels, experts say.

Special edition: Blood sugar management

The key ingredients for blood sugar management

22-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

With diabetes rates rising, many healthy people are starting to consider the effects of blood glucose levels and keeping them in the healthy range. In this gallery we look at the key ingredients in this growing sector. 

Special Edition: Blood Sugar Management

Medical foods for blood sugar management in limbo more than a year after FDA issued draft guidance

21-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Medical foods formulated for diabetes are still in a state of limbo more than 18 months after the US Food and Drug Administration issued an updated draft guidance on the category in 2013.  After a comment period, the guidance has languished in a draft...

Special Edition: Blood Sugar Management

FDA rule offers only narrow field for blood sugar management claims, experts say

20-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

As obesity rates worldwide continue to rise and the related scourge of diabetes increases in lockstep, companies marketing ingredients in the United States intended to help consumers who find themselves sliding somewhere along this curve toward a full...

Red wine grape powder harvests full range of polyphenols for blood pressure benefits, manufacturer says

20-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

BioHarvest, an Israeli company harvesting dietary supplement ingredients from plants grown via a unique hydroponic method, has launched a “biofood” ingredient called VINIA Red Grape Powder, said to offer the benefits of drinking red wine without the sugar,...

Vitamin D may enhance exercise benefits for type-2 diabetics: Study

16-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining vitamin D supplements and circuit training may trim belly fat levels and improve blood lipid profiles in elderly women with low D levels and type-2 diabetes.

Fish and borage/echium oil may improve metabolic syndrome biomarkers: Human data

09-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementing the diet of people with early-stage type-2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome with fish oil or a combination of borage and echium oil may improve cholesterol levels and other biomarkers, says a new study.

NutraIngredients-USA: What’s on our special edition calendar for 2015?

07-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

From blood sugar management to an in-depth look at the retail sector, inflammation, outsourcing, and the latest trends in sports nutrition and immune support, Nutraingredients-USA’s 2015 editorial calendar of special editions spans the hottest trends...

Wild blueberries may counter obesity, inflammation and hypertension: Mice study

19-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Wild blueberries may help alleviate low level inflammation and hypertension associated with the development of obesity, according to a study on mice.

Large scale trial to validate testing platform that measures metabolic health via urine

17-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

Zivo Bioscience Inc. has announced a large-scale test of its WellMetris testing platform that will validate a technology that the founders say will be a game changer for dietary supplement companies and, eventually, the traditional healthcare sphere as...

PLMI 2014 Thought Leaders Consortium

‘Lifestyle medicine is the right idea at the right time’: Dean Ornish, MD

17-Dec-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Eat well, stress less, move more and love more: These four simple principles of lifestyle changes have been shown to have significant benefits in managing chronic disease risk, influencing aging, and reducing health care costs. And that’s why lifestyle...

Potato extract may reduce weight gain by over 60%: Mice study

10-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Polyphenol-rich Irish potato extract may help reduce weight gain, according to research in mice.

Boston Therapeutics expands Asian markets for Sugardown ingredient as company scrambles to raise capital

26-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Boston Therapeutics Inc. has announced a new marketing deal for its recently-launched Sugardown blood sugar management ingredient that will expand the potential distribution in Asia. The deal comes at an opportune time as the company is scrambling to...

Magnesium linked to lower metabolic syndrome risk: Meta-analysis

17-Nov-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased dietary intakes of magnesium may reduce the risk of developing metabolic syndrome by about 30%, says a new meta-analysis of six studies.

Tech innovation in health care delivery will transform debate now dominated by struggle over "Obamacare"

07-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

A dizzying array of personalized digital health care solutions may in the future help the Affordable Care Act deliver on the ‘affordable’ part of its promise, attendees at the Council for Responsible Nutrition’s annual conference were told on Thursday.

Low calorie whey-guar mix may help reduce blood sugar: Study

07-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A low-calorie drink of whey and guar before breakfast could lower blood glucose levels for pre-diabetics and type 2 diabetics, without the calorie burden of a high dose of protein, according to a study.

Internet helps noncompliant retailers ply their trade but also helps FDA find them, expert says

05-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

The growth of online retailing has bee decried by some in the dietary supplements business for allowing the rapid appearance of fly-by-night marketers.  But the Internet has a flip side, acting as a powerful and low-cost enforcement tool that the Food...

Flavonoids may be ‘important to promoting broad health and wellbeing in aging’: Harvard study

03-Nov-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Higher intakes of flavonoid compounds in the diet during middle age may boost healthy aging in women, according to data from 1,517 women from the Nurses’ Health Study.

Bran more effective than whole grain in alleviating obesity symptoms: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation with finger millet bran may help alleviate symptoms of obesity like oxidative stress, inflammation and gut microbial imbalances, according to mice research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Prebiotics and synbiotics show potential to reduce obesity-related issues: Meta-analysis

22-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementing the diets of overweight and obese people with prebiotics and synbiotics may improve some metabolic measures, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, says a new systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials.

Study finds tainted supplements still for sale months after FDA recalls

21-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

A small number of products marketed as dietary supplements previously recalled by FDA can still be found for sale with the same adulterants (or is some cases new adulterants), says a study published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The...

New class of ‘good’ fat could aid diabetes prevention

20-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

The ‘surprising’ discovery of a previously unidentified class of lipid molecules that enhance insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control could offer a route to the prevention of type 2 diabetes, say researchers.

Bifidobacterium may prevent weight gain and glucose intolerance in obese mice

06-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the potential probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 may reduce fat levels and glucose intolerance in obese and diabetic mice, says a new study from DuPont Nutrition and Health.