Eye health

AlgaeBio aims for spring launch of novel algal EPA/DHA oils

18-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

Algae Biosciences Corporation – one of several high-profile new entrants to the algal omega-3 fatty acids market – hopes to be in a position to supply commercial quantities of EPA/DHA-rich oil by April.

Neptune posts 20% rise in nutraceutical sales in Q3 as krill oil demand grows

17-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has posted a 20% rise in third-quarter revenues to $5.12m in its nutraceuticals business and a $869,000 net profit compared with a $13,000 loss for the same period the previous year.

Grapes may match lutein/zeaxanthin for retinal protection: Mouse data

13-Jan-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing the diet with grapes may protect retinas from degeneration as much as lutein plus zeaxanthin, according to new data from mice.

Vitamin Angels to oversee DSM vitamin A-child blindness programme

12-Jan-2012

DSM is handing its developing world vitamin A-based anti-blindness project, Sight and Life, to Vitamin Angels, the charity that has connected ingredient suppliers with more than 24m children, especially those who are vitamin A deficient.

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.

Zeaxanthin may match lutein for MPOD boost: RCT

17-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of zeaxanthin may increase the macula pigment optical density (MPOD) as much as lutein, and boost the functioning of cones in retina, says a new study.

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...

Researchers develop GM yeast to produce vitamins in bread

28-Oct-2011 By Nathan Gray

A group of undergraduate students have used synthetic biology to enhance common yeast that yields beta carotene, which could be baked into bread rich in vitamin A.

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.

Algae protein promises ‘ultra-premium alternative to soy and whey’

17-Oct-2011 By Elaine Watson

Renewable Algal Energy (RAE) – the latest entrant into the rapidly-heating-up market for nutritional ingredients from microalgae – will be able to supply commercial quantities of its novel algal oils and proteins by the third quarter of 2012, bosses have...

Unibar enters US lutein market with UniGold ingredient

06-Oct-2011

The $140 million US eye health market has a new entrant as Unibar Corp. introduces a self-affirmed GRAS free lutein ingredient.

Kalsec partners with OmniActive on paprika-derived zeaxanthin

06-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Herb extract and antioxidant supplier Kalsec has signed an exclusive agreement with OmniActive Health Technologies for the global production, marketing and distribution of its paprika-derived zeaxanthin.

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...

Meta-analysis supports lutein’s eye health benefits

03-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

High dietary intake of lutein and zeaxanthin, compounds with a long history of eye health benefits, may reduce the risk of late-stage age-related macular degeneration (AMD), but they show little effect in the early stages of the disease, claims a new...

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.

Lutein sales double in 12 months for Chinese supplier, but marigold shortage threatens

19-Sep-2011 By Shane Starling

Chinese ingredients supplier Fenchem reports that sales of eye health carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin have doubled in a year to break the million-dollar mark for the first time – even as a marigold shortage sets in.

Beauty and the feast: Taking the risk out of beauty-from-within

13-Sep-2011 By Elaine Watson

One of the best-known names in the nutrition/energy bar market is trying its luck in the beauty-from-within market with the launch of a new bar laced with lutein for healthy skin.

Vitamin A supplements may save 600,000 children annually

29-Aug-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of vitamin A may reduce child mortality in low and middle income countries by an astonishing 24%, which could save 600,000 lives per year, says a new meta-analysis.

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...

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.

Neptune promises productivity boost as sales rise but profits slide

17-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources posted a modest rise in revenues in the first quarter of 2012 but said its bottom line had suffered owing to changes in exchange rates, a switch to International Financial Reporting Standards...

AlgaeBio unveils production stats as algal omega-3 market heats up

17-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Algae Biosciences Corporation – a high-profile new entrant to the omega-3 fatty acid market – has unveiled detailed figures on anticipated production volumes after finalizing a deal to build the first phase of its new production facility near Holbrook...

Aker BioMarine aims to launch ‘unique’ powdered krill product by year-end

17-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Aker BioMarine is aiming to launch a novel powdered product from Antarctic krill “without using expensive and dilutive microencapsulation technology” by the end of this year.

Astaxanthin sales surge 97 percent at Cyanotech in Q1

16-Aug-2011 By Elaine Watson

Hawaii-based Cyanotech has posted a dramatic rise in sales in the first quarter of 2012 driven by growing demand for natural astaxanthin: a potent red antioxidant that hit the headlines earlier this year following favorable coverage on Dr Oz and Oprah.

Enzymotec USA notches up double-digit growth for krill oil

27-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

The US arm of Israeli biotech firm Enzymotec says it is confident of sustaining double-digit growth in sales of krill oil as awareness of its multiple benefits grows.

New entrant set to shake up algal omega-3 market

25-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

A new player is poised to enter the vegetarian omega-3 market with a production process it claims will enable it to make the long chain fatty acids EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) and DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) from algae at a fraction of the cost of rivals.

Vitamin C shows eyes & brain health potential: Study

18-Jul-2011 By Stephen Daniells

One of the nutrition industry’s biggest sellers – vitamin C – may help nerve cells in the eye to function properly, says a new study that suggests the vitamin may also be important for brain function, too.

Martek predicts double-digit rise in sales to food & bev market

08-Jul-2011 By Elaine Watson

Martek expects sales of its algal-sourced omega-3s to food and drink manufacturers to grow in the double-digits each year for the next four to five years as it broadens its product range and gains access to new markets and customers post its takeover...

GOED/Neptune: Krill monograph will help firms detect genuine article

30-Jun-2011 By Elaine Watson

Another leading supplier has weighed into the debate over unscrupulous firms peddling ‘krill oil’ that contains “next to no phospholipids” but says the development of a monograph and better testing protocols might go some way to tackling the problem.

Fake krill undermines whole market, warns Aker Biomarine

29-Jun-2011 By Elaine Watson

Unscrupulous firms peddling ‘krill oil’ that contains “next to no phospholipids” risk denting confidence in the efficacy of krill and the broader omega-3 market, a leading supplier has warned.

Lutein may protect eyes from effects of strong light: Study

17-Jun-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The eye health benefits of lutein supplements may extend to protection against the damaging effects of strong light, suggest new findings from a Japanese study with mice.

Pycnogenol retail value tops $500m as double-digit growth continues

10-Jun-2011 By Elaine Watson

The retail value of products containing Pycnogenol, a potent antioxidant from the bark of the French maritime pine tree, is estimated to top $500m, according to bosses at producer Horphag Research.

Corn starch may offer inexpensive vitamin carriers: Study

12-May-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Corn starch may be able to protect vitamins on their passage through the stomach, and provide a new and inexpensive opportunity for food supplement manufacturers, suggests new research from Penn State.

$Turmeric contains curcumin, a powerful anti-inflammatory agent$

Academic rejects ‘fuzzy math’ claim in spat over curcumin bioavailability

29-Apr-2011 By Elaine Watson

The authors of a recent study into curcumin bioavailability have rejected claims by a cancer researcher that “fuzzy math” led them to overestimate the absorption of the anti-inflammatory agent curcumin from some supplement formulations.

Omega-3s may not give kids 20/20 vision, says study

20-Apr-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) during pregnancy may not improve the eyesight of the infants, says a new study from Australia.

Vitamin D linked to lower eye risk in young women: Study

12-Apr-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Higher blood levels of vitamin D may be associated with a decreased risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in women, says new research.

In search of lutein eye health biomarkers

24-Mar-2011

Biomarkers for eye health nutrient lutein deserve validation, says a leading academic in the area.

Macular xanthophylls and their effects on vision and cognition

21-Mar-2011 By Rachel Leah Blumenthal in Boston

Recent lutein and zeaxanthin research provides more evidence for the macular pigments’ roles in healthy vision and cognition, according to speakers at New Developments in Carotenoids Research, an international conference held at The Jean Mayer USDA Human...

Omega-3 may reduce risk of AMD vision loss

15-Mar-2011

Omega-3 fatty acids docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) may significantly reduce the risk of developing age-related macular degeneration (AMD), according to new research.

Study reveals pathways for omega-3’s eye benefits

10-Feb-2011 By Nathan Gray

Research in mice has suggested the mechanisms that enable dietary omega-3 fatty acids to help prevent retinopathy, a common eye disease that can lead to blindness in premature babies and diabetics.

The nation’s eye health increases – what does this mean for lutein?

12-Jan-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The incidence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in the US has shrunk to 6.5 percent, from a level of 9.4 percent 15 years ago, says a new survey.

FTC raps Disney supplements for “bogus health claims”

14-Dec-2010 By Shane Starling

NBTY has settled with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over DHA-based brain and eye children’s health claims it has been making for some its Disney-branded dietary supplements.

Expert panel highlights need for beta-carotene fortification

12-Nov-2010 By Nathan Gray

The vitamin A precursor beta-carotene has an important function in providing for an adequate supply of total vitamin A, according to a consensus paper published by international experts.

Special edition: Tocotrienols

Regulations: The regulatory landscape for vitamin E tocotrienol

09-Nov-2010 By Stephen Daniells

In the final part of our series on vitamin E tocotrienols, we look at the regulations surrounding tocotrienols, both in the US and Europe.

Vitamin Angels: Focusing on the most vulnerable to make a difference

05-Nov-2010 By Mike Stones

‘Life changing’ may be two small words, but achieving this is no small feat. Mike Stones explores how Vitamin Angels is making a huge difference for the children who need it most.