Cognitive function

Folic acid plus B12 shows brain function benefits in older people

20-Dec-2011 By Nathan Gray

Long term supplementation of folic acid and vitamin B12 may promote improvements in brain functioning in older people, according to new research.

Abbott explores brain food with the University of Illinois

20-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

Healthcare giant Abbott has announced a tie up with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign to establish a multi-disciplinary research center exploring the relationship between diet and cognition.

New research boosts case for caffeine in sports performance

15-Dec-2011 By Nathan Gray

The addition of caffeine to carbohydrate could help to boost athletes’ performance of skilled tasks in addition to boosting endurance, according to UK researchers.

Neptune to double krill oil production capacity by next fall

13-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has begun the first phase of an expansion project at its facility in Sherbrooke, Québec that will see production double to 300,000kg of Neptune Krill Oil (NKO) per year.

New research suggests top-selling brain supplement does what it says on the tin

13-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

New, as yet unpublished, research on top-selling cognitive function supplement FOCUSfactor suggests it could improve memory, concentration, and focus in healthy adults.

Pine bark extract shows brain health benefits: Study

07-Dec-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a French maritime pine bark extract may enhance mental performance, according to a new study with Italian university students.

FTC ups the ante in crackdown vs bogus acai weight loss claims

05-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

The Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC’s) crackdown against firms making bogus weight loss claims about açai supplements has stepped up a gear.

Krill oil specialist Neptune predicts 17-22% rise in Q3 revenues

02-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

Bosses at Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources are confident that third quarter revenues (three months to Nov 30) will be in the $5m to $5.25m range compared with $4.29m in the same period last year, representing a 17-22% rise.

Choline may help protect the brain from effects of ageing

30-Nov-2011 By Nathan Gray

Increased dietary intake of choline may be related to better cognitive performance and protection against memory loss, according to new research.

Human data on memory-boosting magnesium compound expected mid-2012

30-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Preliminary results of a human study into Magtein - a patent-pending magnesium compound called magnesium-L-threonate claimed to boost memory and cognitive function - will be available next year.

Neptune shares start trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange

28-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Canadian krill oil specialist Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has started trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange.

Multivitamins may boost alertness and mood for men: RCT data

23-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with added herbal ingredients may boost alertness and feelings of ‘general day-to-day well-being’, suggest data from a randomized controlled trial from Australia.

Resveratrol may boost mental functions, but pterostilbene may be even better: Animal studies

21-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with resveratrol at doses achievable in the diet may boost mental function, but pterostilbene may be even more potent for brain boosting benefits, suggests new studies in mice.

Special edition: Vitamins

Vitamin health halo set for brighter global glow as claim power grows

16-Nov-2011 By Shane Starling

The first part of this vitamins special edition looks at how increasing government support and ‘industry standard’ fortification programmes, coupled with favourable regulatory shifts, is benefitting the sector.

Multivitamins may boost memory: RCT data

14-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A daily multivitamin and mineral supplement with added herbal ingredients may boost memory in older women, but no effects were seen for other mental processes, suggest data from a randomized controlled trial from Australia.

Vitamin E may ease memory problems from lack of sleep – rat study

10-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily doses of vitamin E may improve memory associated with a lack of sleep, suggests new data from rats.

McCormick-backed study probes effects of black pepper and rosemary on mental energy and fatigue

09-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Researchers at the University of Georgia are exploring whether rosemary or black pepper could tackle mental fatigue as part of a series of studies financed by the McCormick Science Institute.

Squid gains traction in omega-3 market

03-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

The Norwegian entrepreneurs behind Pharma Marine - a new business set up to commercialize long chain omega-3s from the trimmings of food-grade calamari - have struck deals with a clutch of leading players in the US supplements industry just two years...

Omega-3 may benefit depression symptoms, but only for depressive people

31-Oct-2011

Daily supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may improve symptoms of depression, but only in people taking antidepressant medications, according to a new study.

B vitamins may slow cognitive decline: Oxford University study

25-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of B vitamins may slow the decline in mental function in people with mild cognitive impairment, says a new clinical trial.

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2011

Stepan ends years of North American isolationism with strategic European nutrition shift

21-Oct-2011 By Shane Starling from Las Vegas

In 2010, Stepan Company, the New Jersey-based firm that had for decades supplied flavours and emulsifiers, decided to move into nutrition - a decision that led it to buying Dutch supplier Lipid Nutrition from Loders Croklaan for an undisclosed sum in...

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2011

Are Millennials the next big opportunity for the natural product industry?

20-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Manufacturers need to think about the market potential of Millennials (Generation Y), but understanding how they differ from Boomer is key, says a well-known marketing expert.

Nordic Naturals launches DIY omega-3 fortification solution

19-Oct-2011 By Elaine Watson

Nordic Naturals is targeting consumers that want to get the higher omega-3 dosages found in supplements - without popping pills - with the launch of a new “neutral-flavored” cod liver oil powder they can add to their own food.

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2011

Scalable new sources of omega-3 key to success for algae oils

18-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The omega-3 market needs the new entrants from algae, but the new sources need to be manageable and scalable to ensure success, says the VP of business development for Aurora Algae.

New review backs nutrient modification for Alzheimer's prevention

14-Oct-2011 By Nathan Gray

A diet with an appropriate ratio of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids, rich in healthy oils and antioxidants, but low in cholesterol-containing foods, may be a beneficial component in the prevention of Alzheimer's disease, according to a new review.

Lonza boosts cognitive health portfolio with Lipogen partnership

11-Oct-2011 By Nathan Gray

A new partnership between Lonza and phosphatidylserine supplier Lipogen will result in an improved nutritional ingredient and cognitive health portfolio for the company.

Krill wars round two: Neptune patent is ‘invalid’ and ‘unenforceable’, says Enzymotec

06-Oct-2011 By Elaine Watson

Israeli nutritional lipids giant Enzymotec has weighed into the patent infringement row engulfing the krill oil industry with a statement from its boss declaring rival Neptune’s new US patent for marine phospholipids ‘invalid’ and ‘unenforceable’ and...

Krill oil dispute turns ugly as new patent prompts wave of litigation

05-Oct-2011 By Elaine Watson

The biggest players in krill oil are at war again - this time over a US patent awarded to Neptune Technologies & Bioressources, which its arch rival argues should never have been granted, and Neptune has immediately moved to enforce in the courts.

Golden Omega to compete on quality and price after finalizing state-of-the-art fish oil facility

03-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Omega-3 supplier Golden Omega is finalizing it $60 million state-of-the-art omega-3 fish oil processing plant in northern Chile, and promises to compete on quality, concentration, and price.

Coffee lowers depression risk in women up to 20%: 10-year study

28-Sep-2011 By Shane Starling

The risk of depression lowers by up to 20% with increased caffeinated coffee consumption, a study of more than 50,000 US women has found.

Low B12 levels may boost brain shrinkage: Study

27-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Vitamin B12 deficiency may increase the risk of reduced mental function and increase the loss of brain volume in older people, says a new study.

Omega-3 may ease depression symptoms, slash dementia risk: RCT

23-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil supplements may reduce symptoms of depression and a subsequent risk of dementia, suggests new data from Australia.

Horphag launches bid to make Pycnogenol next big thing in functional foods

23-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

Horphag Research is on a mission to turn Pycnogenol - a potent antioxidant from the bark of the maritime pine tree – into the next big thing in functional foods and drinks with the creation of a new division dedicated to this market.

Walnuts can boost “inferential reasoning” in young adults: Study

20-Sep-2011 By Shane Starling

Antioxidant-rich walnuts won’t improve memory, mood or non-verbal reasoning abilities but can increase “inferential reasoning” according to new research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Omega-3 supplements show benefits against anxiety: Human data

14-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A daily dose of 2.5 grams of omega-3s may reduce symptoms of anxiety by about 20%, according to new data from the Ohio State University.

Martek name to disappear as DSM creates new Nutritional Lipids business

12-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

Seven months after sealing a billion dollar deal to acquire Martek, DSM has created Nutritional Lipids, a new division that will combine Martek’s algal omega-3 and omega-6 products and DSM Nutritional Products’ polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) portfolio.

Multi-nutrient supplement shows anti-inflammatory benefits

09-Sep-2011 By Stephen Daniells

A supplement containing a mix of B vitamins, amino acids, and botanical extracts was effective at reducing markers of inflammation, says new research.

EuroPharma to launch probe into synthetic vs natural curcumin

07-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

EuroPharma is planning to launch a probe into commercially available curcumin supplements to establish whether products purporting to contain exclusively natural extracts in fact contain cheaper, synthetic raw materials.

Interview: Jan Haakonsen, ArcticSource1

ArcticSource1: Fish oil prices will inch up by 5% a year

01-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

Fish oil prices will continue to inch up by around 5% a year, according to one omega-3 industry veteran who has just set up a new business selling marine ingredients from the Nordic region to the US.

Vitamin D may reduce depression for women: Study

31-Aug-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of vitamin D from foods but not supplements are associated with reduced prevalence of depression for postmenopausal women, says a new study.

Curcumin and Indian gooseberry to feature in new Alzheimer’s trials

31-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Scientists at the forefront of research into Alzheimer’s disease are about to embark on two human studies examining the role curcumin and Indian gooseberry could play in tackling beta amyloid, the neural plaque associated with its progression.

‘Most’ American children not getting enough vitamin D

30-Aug-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The majority of American children are not getting sufficient vitamin D from sun exposure, even in summer months, says a new analysis from leading researchers.

USDA expresses skullcap supplement concerns with new analytical method

30-Aug-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Scientists with the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) have developed a ‘simple, fast, and easy’ method to test for adulterants in skullcap herbal formulations, a timely development given potential short-comings with formulations currently on the market.

Probiotics may reduce anxiety and depression, suggests study

30-Aug-2011 By Nathan Gray

Probiotic bacteria may have the potential to alter brain neurochemistry, affecting anxiety and depression-related disorders, says new research.

Omega-3 DHA may reduce the severity of stroke: Study

29-Aug-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may reduce the extent of damage following a stroke by 25%, suggests a new study with mice.

Special edition: Omega-3

US military: Low omega-3 levels may boost suicide risk

25-Aug-2011 By Stephen Daniells

US troops and service personnel with low levels of omega-3 are at increased risk of suicide, says a new study that potential opens the door to widespread omega-3 supplementation.

Special edition: Omega-3

Whole Foods Market: We’re still making up our minds on krill

25-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Whole Foods Market (WFM) says it still needs more time to evaluate its position on the sustainability of krill oil, more than 15 months after announcing plans to stop selling it while bosses reviewed the evidence.

Special edition: Omega-3

Beyond the heart and brain: Emerging benefits of omega-3

24-Aug-2011 By Nathan Gray

Omega-3 fatty acids have a wide range of reported benefits, some of which have more scientific support than others. As part of our special focus on omega-3’s, NutraIngredients takes a look at some of the emerging benefits that are currently less well...

AlaskOmega plays all-American card to gain growing foothold in omega-3 market

24-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

If current trends continue, omega-3s could soon account for more than 50% of sales at Ohio-based ingredient supplier Organic Technologies, bosses have predicted.

Special edition: Omega-3

Aurora Algae ups ante in omega-3 market with plans for Q4, 2012 launch

23-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Aurora Algae – the firm promising to turn up the heat in the algal omega-3 market by producing a concentrated 65% EPA-rich oil on a completely new scale – aims to ship out its first commercial products in the fourth quarter of 2012.