Eye health

New lutein-phospholipid ingredient boosts lutein absorption much more than conventional form: Study

08-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A new solid-lipid particle (SLP) complex of lutein and phospholipids may increase plasma lutein levels by a whopping 563%, says a new study.

Eye health supplements may contain undeclared meso-zeaxanthin, say researchers. Nothing to see here, says supplier

19-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Commercial lutein and zeaxanthin supplements for eye health may contain undeclared meso-zeaxathin, say researchers from Ireland, which may challenge a long-held hypothesis in the eye health sector.

Two decades of data and 100,000 participants support role of lutein-zeaxanthin in lowering AMD risk

06-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Increased levels of lutein and zeaxanthin are associated with a whopping 40% reduced risk of advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to researchers from Harvard and Brown.

Opportunity exists to boost astaxanthin awareness, new player Solix Algredients says

29-Oct-2015 By Hank Schultz

Despite all of the hubbub surrounding astaxanthin, there’s room for more, said new category entrant Solix Algredients.

New lutein and zeaxanthin forms launched

05-Oct-2015

Ingredient giants DSM and Kemin have debuted forms of lutein and zeaxanthin for use in tablets and soft gels via their partnership on the eye health carotenoids.

AstaReal announces plan to further expand US astaxanthin facility as finished product brand hits market

08-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

Astaxanthin manufacturer AstaReal has announced plans to further expand its production facility in Washington State and has followed other producers of the carotenoid into the direct-to-consumer finished products market.

Vitamin D and eye health: Study links sunshine vitamin to AMD risk

03-Sep-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Low blood levels of vitamin D are associated with an increased risk of age-related macular degeneration, says a new study.

Lutein/zeaxanthin and cognitive health: New study supports macular pigment as potential biomarker of brain health

27-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Measuring macular pigment offers potential as a biomarker of cognitive health, and Alzheimer’s patients are more likely to be seriously deficient in carotenoids, say data from two new studies.

Multi-component formula shows potential eye health benefits for diabetics: RCT

25-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Six months of supplementation with xanthophyll pigments, antioxidants and selected botanical extracts may improve visual function in diabetes, says a new study.

Piveg expands Mexican carotenoid production to meet growing demand

20-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

Mexican carotenoids manufacturing Piveg is expanding to meet a market demand that CEO Roberto Espinoza says will remain strong for the foreseeable future, a demand that he said is bolstered by the company's certifications of quality.

Early lutein doesn’t impact kids’ diabetes, heart disease, stroke risk: 2000-strong 5-year study

20-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Taking lutein at 13 months of age does not benefit the child’s cardiometabolic health at six, say researchers.

ABC lab document to help industry stem tide of bilberry adulteration

14-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

The American Botanical Council has taken another major step in its Botanical Adulterants Program with the release of a Laboratory Guidance Document on bilberry.

Continuous supplementation with carotenoids may further boost eye health: Study

07-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sustained supplementation with the macular carotenoids can lead to greater augmentation of macular pigment and improve contrast sensitivity, says a new study.

B vitamins may slow cataract occurrence & development: AREDS data

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased dietary intakes of B vitamins are associated with reduced incidence and decreased risks of developing different forms of cataracts in older people, says new data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.

Too much time in front of a screen? Omega-3s may ease computer-related dry eye

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily omega-3 supplements may improve symptoms of dry eye associated with prolonged exposure to computer screens, says a new study from India.

Zeaxanthin + lutein may speed up visual processing: RCT data

15-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of zeaxanthin with or without lutein may boost macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and visual processing speed in young adults, says a new study.

New leader Steinford says NAXA will broaden mission from ingredient defense to market expansion

12-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Natural Algae Astaxanthin Association (NAXA) is aiming to rekindle its momentum with the naming of a new president.  Longtime industry insider Scott Steinford, who is also president of the recently formed CoQ10 Association, has taken the job, effective...

Norwegian krill player appoints new chief

09-Jun-2015 By Shane Starling

Matts Johansen has been appointed CEO of krill major Aker BioMarine with a mandate to “to continue to develop one of Norway's most exciting biotechnology companies into a solid and predictable company”.

‘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.

Special Edition: Supply in the time of Schneiderman

13-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

The supply end of the dietary supplement sector has come under extraordinary pressures of late. While the NYAG affair has called the integrity of the supply chain into question, demand continues to increase for certain ingredients such as Ayurvedic herbs...

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Omniactive passes 10,000 farmer threshold for lutein supply program

06-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

Omniactive Health Technologies has passed a milestone with the enrollment of more than 10,000 farmers in its lutein supply program, the company said Wednesday at the Vitafoods Europe trade show in Geneva, Switzerland.

Lutein and DHA ‘need attention’ as healthy aging bioactives: Tufts researcher

12-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A lack of attention on key bioactives like lutein and DHA, misinformation from the internet, and the medical community's focus on treatment rather than prevention are just a few of the issues that need to be addressed to promote healthy aging, says...

Lutein/zeaxanthin may boost retinal sensitivity for people with early AMD: Long-term study

05-Mar-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Two years of supplementation with lutein and zeaxanthin may boost macular pigment optical density (MPOD) and retinal sensitivity in people with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says a new study.

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. 

New study extends lutein’s ‘functional evidence’ for eye health benefits

23-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased intakes of lutein may not only have a direct beneficial role in the macula of the eye, but may also affect inflammation, says a new study.

New flavours for omega-3 aimed at children and pregnant women

13-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Croda has added two new flavours to its omega-3 syrup range that are easier to swallow than capsules for pregnant women and children.

Neptune launches NKO Focus backed by clinical data

16-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has launched a blend of krill and lutein for brain and vision health, with clinical data  showing the absorption of lutein being improved by as much as eight times.

Always Omega-3s consumer campaign doubles sales in test market

20-Nov-2014 By Stephen Daniells

An integrated marketing campaign to change the conversation on omega-3s and reverse declining sales has increased sales by almost 6% in four weeks in the test market in Charlotte, NC, says GOED.

DSM invests in former patent suit opponent ZeaVision

21-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

DSM Venturing, the investment arm of Royal DSM, has announced a strategic investment into ZeaVision, a dietary supplement company based on the benefits of zeaxanthin, a carotenoid eye health ingredient.

‘There is a market opportunity around delivery forms’ – BASF taps nutrition and pharma expertise to boost consumer health

20-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Ingredients giant BASF is leveraging its ‘unique expertise’ in nutrition and pharma in technologies, capabilities, and ingredients for the ‘next generation of dietary supplements’, the company tells NutraIngredients-USA.

BlueOcean to debut high phospholipid omega-3 shrimp oil via licensing deal with Neptune

20-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

BlueOcean NutraSciences, which had earlier signed agreements with cold water shrimp harvesters to use its extraction technology to extract omega 3 oils for the leftovers of shrimp processing, has signed a licencing agreement with Neptune Technologies...

Lutein + zeaxanthin may boost visual processing speed: RCT data

02-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Lutein and zeaxanthin may boost visual processing speed even in young people at their peak, says a new study that ties together the eye and brain health benefits of the carotenoids.

DSM backs natural zeaxanthin with exclusive deal

01-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DSM, previously focused on synthetic zeaxanthin, has launched a natural version sourced from longtime carotenoid partner Kemin.

Algatech enters deal to boost astaxanthin production with thin-walled tubes

23-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Algatechnologies Ltd. has announced an R&D deal with German company SCHOTT AG to boost the productivity of its closed-tube cultivation system at its plant in the Negev region of southern Israel. 

Special Edition: LATAM

Hispanics are key opportunity for supplement marketers, Packaged Facts report says

22-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Hispanic consumers are an area of untapped growth potential for dietary supplement marketers, according to a report from market research firms Packaged Facts.

Vitamin E and selenium's cataract prevention abilities questioned by cohort

22-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin E and selenium supplementation is unlikely to impact the progression of age-related cataracts in men, as suggested by previous research, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmol.

Functional food giving supplements a run for their money: Packaged Facts

12-Aug-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

After taking a hit due to recent negative press and a consumer shift toward more use of functional food and beverages, the US nutritional supplements market will see growth return to just over 6% per year through 2018, when sales will reach $16.4 billion,...

science short

Olive & coconut oils may improve intestinal absorption of lutein in mice

04-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Olive and coconut oils may improve the intestinal absorption of lutein, according to research in mice.

Special edition: Cognitive Health

‘The eye and the brain are connected, so it’s no surprise lutein is important for brain health,’ says Kemin

24-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Lutein and zeaxanthin are well-established in the realm of eye health, but ever emerging science shows the importance of the carotenoids in brain health. And that comes as no surprise to Kemin, with ‘eye health and brain health are coming together as...

Age-related macular degeneration may start as early as 35: Cohort study

22-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

An early form of the eye condition age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can occur in people as young as 35, according to German researchers.

Arizona center emerges as hotbed of algae innovation

17-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

An institute in Arizona has emerged as one of the world’s foremost centers of research on algae production. Called the Arizona Center for Algae Research and Innovation (AzCATI), the organization helps companies validate technologies in an effort to get...

Neptune's losses steepen as company nears end of recovery phase

17-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources absorbed a steep loss in the first quarter of its fiscal year as the company nears the end of its recovery from an explosion and fire that destroyed its lone production plant. Net loss for the quarter was $5.3 million,...

EFSA health claim opinion

Science still matters to Kemin and DSM as EFSA rejects lutein-eye benefits for fourth time

15-Jul-2014 By Shane STARLING

Two years ago lutein player Kemin said it was, “baffled and annoyed” when EFSA rejected its eye health claim that was already approved in France. This week the EU’s food science agency has done it again, but Kemin and its lutein partner DSM, say they...

Chlorella supplements show cardiovascular benefits: Human data

07-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing Chlorella may reduce cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with mildly elevated cholesterol levels, says a new study from Korea.

Heliae enters joint venture to produce astaxanthin in Japan via hybrid algal technology

03-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Astaxanthin has been a red-hot ingredient in the United States for several years and demand is ramping up worldwide. To meet that demand in the Japanese market, Heliae, an algae technology company based in Gilbert, AZ, is teaming up with Sincere Corporation...

IND guidance unfairly restricts supplement research, VDF FutureCeuticals says

13-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration has overstepped its bounds by ruling that a study’s endpoints, rather than the intended use of the product or ingredient being studies, determines whether an Investigational New Drug application must be filed in the opinion...

New plant, new products, and changes at the top: Neptune bullish over brighter future after challenging times

13-Jun-2014 By Stephen Daniells

With a newly constructed plant in Sherbrooke, Québec, now open, three new products launching, and the IP wars behind it, krill oil pioneer Neptune Technologies & Bioressources is in a ‘strong position’ moving forward, the company’s senior vice president...

Abbott Nutrition study: Maternal lutein supplementation passes to child

12-Jun-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing lactating women with lutein is an effective way of raising the lutein status of the breast-feeding infant, says a new study from Abbott Nutrition with potential implications for eye and cognitive health of children.

DRIs for bioactives? Start with lutein, set the template, and work out the kinks, says academic

10-Jun-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Efforts to establish a framework for dietary reference intakes for bioactives should start with lutein, says a leading researcher, with ‘different kinds of data saying the same thing’.

Nutrition researchers shoot holes in assertion that multivitamins are unnecessary

03-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

A response published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine by four well-known nutrition researchers takes strident issue with an editorial published in the same journal that multivitamins are not useful.  The authors of the first paper “ignored decades...