Eye health

Special edition: eye health

Lutein DRI: ‘A substantial undertaking but an opportunity for industry and the scientific community to work together’

28-May-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Despite a substantial body of science supporting the eye health of lutein, a DRI (dietary reference intakes) for lutein is still many years away, say experts.

Meso-zeaxanthin is pharma and needs holistic research beyond eye health, says expert

26-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The meso-zeaxanthin cartenoid is a synthetic, quasi pharmaceutical that needs holistic research on whole body affects, says an eye health researcher.

Special edition: eye health

Eye health benefits help drive booming astaxanthin demand

22-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

The eye health benefits of astaxanthin will steadily increase demand for this already red-hot ingredient, says Rudi Moerck, PhD, CEO of Valensa, one of the major suppliers.  This benefit is tied into an aging demographic; few younger consumers think about...

ADM enters into omega-3 market with partnership on algal DHA ingredient

21-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

Archer Daniels Midland Company has announced a move into the omega-3s space with a deal with privately-held Synthetic Genomics to develop and commercialize an algal DHA ingredient. The deal will make itself felt first in the animal feed markets, but will...

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Natural and synthetic astaxanthin are different products, Algatech exec says

20-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

The natural vs synthetic astaxanthin debate centers on the fact that the products are not strictly analogous. “We are not saying that natural is necessarily better.  We are saying it’s different,” said Efrat Kat, director of marketing and sales for Algatechnologies.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Meso-zeaxanthin’s road to EU novel approval – blindsided by commercial interests?

14-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The discourse around eye health carotenoid meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) has been marred by commercial interests, according to supplement firm OmniActive Health Technologies.

No signs of slowdown for global probiotic market, says BCC

14-May-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The global market of probiotic ingredients, supplements, and foods is expected to reach nearly $27.1 billion in 2013 and climb at a compound annual growth rate of 6.2% over the next five years to reach $36.7 billion in 2018, according to Wellesley, MA-...

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Old age and HEALTHY old age, there’s a difference industry should address: Euromonitor

13-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

In 2012 there were over 577 million people aged over 65 globally, but there remains a 7-year gap between life expectancy and healthy life expectancy, according to a Euromonitor analyst.

Special Edition: Eye health

Beeting eye disease

05-May-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Roughly 14 million Americans say they have visual impairment, a number that’s likely to grow as the population continues to age. But the founder of the Dade City, FL-based Healing The Eye & Wellness Center says one ruby-hued solution to eye disease...

Meso-zeaxanthin safety & QC debated

Neither illegal, unnatural nor unsafe, says meso-zeaxanthin defender

16-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Meso-zeaxanthin (MZ) proponent says a French government report on the fraudulent use of meso-zeaxanthin in eye health supplements casts unnecessary doubt on a safe and viable compound. 

Responsible supply: IFFO changes fish oil and fishmeal sourcing rules

04-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Non-members of the International Fishmeal and Fish Oil Organization (IFFO) are able to apply for ‘responsible supply’ (RS) certification, after the body altered its criteria recently.

Vitamin Angels premieres online documentary to broaden its message

26-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin Angels, a nonprofit organization that has delivered millions of servings of vitamin A and other vitamins to at-risk children and mothers worldwide, has premiered an online documentary that shows some of the communities the organization serves...

Frutarom jumps into the omega-3 sea

25-Mar-2014

The health division of Swiss ingredients player Frutarom has launched omega-3s for the first time with the company noting their potential in heart, brain and eye health along with inflammation and general well-being.

Court dismisses Cyanotech's counterclaims in ongoing astaxanthin dispute with Valensa

21-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

On Wednesday a federal court in Florida dimissed two counterclaims on technical grounds made by Cyanotech Inc. in its ongoing astaxanthin patent infringement battle with Valensa Inc. Cyanotech has option to refile the claims after correcting certain legal...

Gut bacteria to battle vitamin A deficiency: Could probiotics be modified to produce beta-carotene?

14-Mar-2014 By Nathan Gray

Research backed by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation could offer a new solution to the problem of vitamin A deficiency by creating modified gut bacteria, researchers told NutraIngredients.

Daily multivitamin supplement may decrease cataract risk in men: RCT data

24-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

Long-term daily multivitamin supplement use may lower cataract risk by around 9%, according to a new trial of nearly 15,000 men.

Euromonitor: Strong momentum to propel global omega-3 sales

18-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

The omega-3 market continues to grow and appears to have unstoppable momentum worldwide, according to expert Diana Cowland, who keeps tabs on the sector for Euromonitor International.

DSM leads charge to raise global vitamin E intake recommendations

06-Feb-2014

Global vitamins leader DSM is calling on authorities to raise vitamin E intake recommendations after hosting a workshop and posting a paper on the issue that highlight public health threatening global deficiencies.

Nutraceutical blend may ease dry eye symptoms: Study

20-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of omega-3s and antioxidants may significantly reduce dry eye symptoms, including ‘scratchy’ eyes, eye redness, and blurry vision, according to a new study.

Most vitamin studies are flawed by poor methodology, say Linus Pauling researchers

06-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

Many large clinical trials of vitamin supplements, including those concluding vitamins are of no value or may even be harmful, have a flawed methodologies that means they are 'useless' in determining the real value of such micronutrients, according...

IFFO welcomes UK retailer support for responsible fish oil sourcing

09-Dec-2013 By Shane STARLING

UK retailers like Morrisons’, Sainsbury’s and Tesco are backing an international ‘responsible’ fish oil certification earned by 100 processing factories in 9 countries and representing 40% of global fish oil and fishmeal outputs.

Trade groups take 'supplements save health care costs' message to Capitol Hill

06-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Congressional Dietary Supplement Caucus in conjueciton with the leading dietary supplement industry associations held a briefing yesterday for members of Congress to drive home the point that supplements are not only good for users’ health, but good...

Dispatches from Supply Side West 2013

Supplements are cost effective, survey finds

25-Nov-2013 By Hank Schultz

Dietary supplement use isn’t just about health;  certain supplement regimens can be shown to deliver significant cost savings, said Steve Mister, president of the Council for Responsible Nutrition.

Dispatches from #FIE2013

Researchers back zinc citrate bioavailability

22-Nov-2013 By Shane STARLING

A just published study has found zinc citrate is equal to zinc gluconate and higher than zinc oxide in terms of bodily intake, research that could help battle regional deficiencies and conditions like diarrhea.

DSM elbows into astaxanthin market with synthetic ingredient

18-Nov-2013 By Hank Schultz

A major competitor has entered the astaxanthin ring with DSM’s launch of its new synthetic ingredient at the Supply Side West trade show in Las Vegas last week.

The Botanical Explorer: We’re on the cusp of a new era with phytonutrients

07-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A new science developing around phytonutrients is opening the doors of an entirely new domain, but understanding how to use the information and combining this with ethical cultivation will have to go hand in hand for successful commercialization, says...

Omega-3 may have benefits for dry AMD: Pilot Study

31-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with EPA-rich omega-3 fatty acids could help battle inflammation in the macula and therefore improve the vision in patients with dry Age-related Macular Degeneration (AMD), according to the findings of a new pilot study.

Chia on the cusp of joining protein and omega-3 in mainstream functional food/beverage ranks: Marketing expert

30-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increasing numbers of products with superfoods like chia will see this favorite of the Aztecs joining the mainstream functional food/beverage ranks, says a leading marketing expert.

Detecting deficiencies: New strategy could speed up mass testing of vitamin and mineral levels

25-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Analysing levels of proteins in blood could be used to estimate levels of essential vitamins and minerals without directly testing for each nutritional factor, according to new research that suggests the use of mass spectrometry to rapidly detect nutritional...

Bilberry and lingonberry extracts show eye health potential

18-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Extracts from bilberries and lingonberries may protect the retina in the eye against UV damage, says a new study from Japan.

Infographic: Dietary supplements for smart prevention

23-Sep-2013

Dietary supplement regimens may save hundreds of millions of dollars – and in some cases billions – of healthcare savings by reducing the number of disease-associated medical events, says a new report, but what do those numbers look like?

‘Game changing’ economic report: Supplements could save billions of dollars in health care costs

23-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Dietary supplement regimens may reduce the number of disease-associated medical events, representing the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars – and in some cases billions – of savings, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan and commissioned...

OmniActive shifts management focus to North American market

23-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

OmniActive Health Technologies has reoriented its company by moving its headquarters to Morristown, NJ from Mumbai to focus more closely on its key customers in the North American market. Abhijit Bhattacharya, president of OmniActive, will move to New...

Sea buckthorn and bilberries may improve metabolic and heart health for women: RCT data

20-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of sea buckthorn berries, its extracts, or bilberries may boost the overall metabolic profiles of overweight women, says a new study from Finland.

FTC mails checks from $2.1m fund created by NBTY to settle deceptive marketing charges over kids' multivitamins

09-Aug-2013 By Elaine WATSON

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has mailed 10,144 checks to reimburse consumers who bought Disney- or Marvel Hero-themed supplements for kids from NBTY and two subsidiaries under allegedly false pretenses.

Omega-3 and GLA supplement backed to battle dry eye: Trial data

26-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 could help to boost eye health for people who suffer with dry eye, according to new RCT data.

Brunswick Labs unveils antioxidant database to open ‘new dimensions of analysis and understanding’

01-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Brunswick Labs – the pioneer developer and service provider for ORAC antioxidant values – has launched a new database to ‘open up new dimensions of analysis and understanding’ for antioxidant substances.

Lakeview Farms and Oceans Omega claim industry first with gelatin cups fortified with omega-3 EPA and DHA

13-Jun-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Dips and desserts specialist Lakeview Farms and omega-3 emulsions expert Oceans Omega have unveiled what they claim are the first gelatin cups fortified with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

EuroPharma aims at eye dryness with sea buckthorn product

29-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Wisconsin-based EuroPharma has expanded with its eye health offerings with a novel approach, using an omega-7 rich product to address eye dryness and proper hydration.

Special edition: Battling malnutrition

Vitamin Angels: We could reach 100 million kids tomorrow if we had the funding

24-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

It started with an earthquake. Then a call from a local relief agency led to a mobilizing of connections. Nineteen years later and Vitamin Angels is reaching 30 million kids with micronutrients. But it could be so much more...

AREDS2

Lutein/zeaxanthin benefits for people with low dietary intakes is an ‘important message’ for the general population: OmniActive COO

08-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The significant benefits of adding lutein and zeaxanthin to the AREDS formula for people with low dietary intakes of the carotenoids is an ‘important message’, especially since a large portion of the population has low levels, says the COO of OmniActive.

AREDS2 data published

Lutein + zeaxanthin may reduce risk of progression to advanced AMD, compared to original AREDS formula

06-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Adding lutein, zeaxanthin and/or omega-3 fatty acids to the AREDS eye health formula may not offer any additional benefits regarding age-related macular degeneration (AMD) risk, says the much anticipated AREDS2 data.

Warning letters show companies still vague on nature of website language

01-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Now, almost 20 years after DSHEA became law, some companies seem to be just starting to get the message that the regulations governing health claims language don’t apply just to product labels. Websites are fair game, too, and can form easy pickings for...

Lutein, zeaxanthin plus omega-3 shows benefits for AMD sufferers

27-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of lutein, zeaxanthin and omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids may boost the pigment in the retina and help people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), says new data from Germany.

LycoRed's new carotenoid beadlet system enhances stability, flexibility

22-Mar-2013 By Hank Schultz

LycoRed has extended its line of carotenoid coatings with a new beadlet system that will function both for tablets and beverages.

Special edition: Antioxidants and carotenoids

Astaxanthin: Still red hot or cooling off? The Dr Oz effect… two years on

15-Mar-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Rewind two years, and astaxanthin was the hottest nutraceutical in town, with sales “skyrocketing” following a slot on Dr Oz in which Dr Joseph Mercola described the potent red antioxidant as the “number one supplement you’ve never heard of that you should...

Prof Blumberg: We need reference intakes for phytochemicals (and we’re not calling them antioxidants)

15-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Establishing some kind of intake recommendations for polyphenols and carotenoids will spur innovation and allow for rational synergies of phytochemicals with specific health outcomes, says Prof Jeffrey Blumberg from Tufts University.

Special edition: Omega-3

Finding the sweet spot in the algal omega-3 market

21-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Most experts say we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to exploring the commercial potential of microalgae. But who is best-placed to translate this promise into hard cash in the food and dietary supplement market?

UK venture capitalists eye expansion at Israeli antioxidant specialists

18-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

Southern Israel-based algae-sourced astanxanthin specialists Algatechnologies has won investment from a UK venture capitalist in a move that will broaden its capacity, R&D and distribution scope for the eye and skin health carotenoid.

Cyanotech posts record sales, marred only by production issues, legal fees

13-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Microalgae producer Cyanotech recorded a record $7.2 million in sales in the third quarter, an 8% rise year-over-year. Net income declined, however, coming at at $607,000 compared to $1.1 million a year earlier.