Gut/digestive health

NutraCast: “biological age” vs. chronological age

01-Oct-2021 By Danielle Masterson

We all know our age. But how old does our body think it is? One test looks at “biological age” vs. chronological age and Terrain Health is just one of a dozen approved companies in the nation offering a biomarker-based evaluation called Agebio, a test...

Benexia launches encapsulated oil as latest move in quest to derive added value from chia seeds

01-Oct-2021 By Hank Schultz

Chilean firm Benexia has made big strides in moving toward becoming a supplier of chia-based ingredients as opposed to being purely a purveyor of the seed itself.

Cargill: 64% of US consumers find immune health more important than ever, interest expected to rise

30-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Interest and demand for products that support the immune system increased since the pandemic began and according to a new survey, the dialogue has ushered in consumer knowledge of the strong interrelationship between digestive and immune function.

Study: Medications accumulate in the gut, alter microbiome

27-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The study prompted one researcher to call on the medical community to treat the gut microbiome as an organ.

Catching consumer’s attention: The art of packaging design

27-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Packaging is often the first interaction that shoppers have with a product and most consumers agree it plays a major role in their purchasing decisions.

Dark chocolate may alter gut microbiome, improve mood: RCT

24-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming an 85% cocoa dark chocolate significantly altered the diversity of the gut microbiome and improved mood in a randomized controlled trial with healthy young adults.

Select gut microbes linked to potential health benefits of hop compound: Study

23-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Understanding how xanthohumol operates could pave the way for unlocking its potential to counter diet-induced obesity and health risks associated with type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Consumers commonly confused by probiotics, survey finds

23-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Now that fall has officially arrived, immune health is front and center, with 75% of consumers saying they’re relying on some type of supplement. So where do probiotics stand? Danone conducted a survey recently to find out.

Probiotic BB-12 beats placebo for improving colic in babies: RCT

23-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Daily administration of the BB-12 probiotic may shorten crying times and improve daily sleeping time in babies with colic, says a new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Meta-review examines evidence linking flavonoids, gut microbiota and health

23-Sep-2021 By Lynda Searby

Review calls for studies that correlate microbial community analyses with flavonoid intake and measurable health outcomes.

Study: Klebsiella overgrowth linked to early brain injury in extreme premature infants

20-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Shifts are likely to occur in premature babies, whose immune system and microbiome have not been able to develop fully. These shifts may result in negative effects on the brain.

Elderberry supplement sales skyrocketed to $320 million in 2020: ABC report

15-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Sales of herbal supplements in the US grew by a record-breaking 17.3% in 2020, with elderberry supplements surging to almost $320 million in the combined mainstream and natural channels.

Kiwifruit polyphenols may offer prebiotic potential, protect against leaky gut

15-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A polyphenolic-rich extract from kiwifruit peel may reduce intestinal permeability associated with a high-fat diet by boosting the levels of beneficial bacteria in the gut, suggests a new study from China.

Getting to the root of a good hair day starts in the gut

13-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Whether it’s stress-related hair thinning or more grays popping up, a growing number of people are laser-focused on their head.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Allison Ellsworth, Chief Brand Officer, Poppi

08-Sep-2021 By Danielle Masterson

From Allison Ellsworth’s home kitchen to the hands of J. Lo, Poppi is disrupting the multi-billion-dollar soda category.

Synthetic glycans developer issued warning over failure to file IND in COVID-19 trials

08-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

A company that develops synthetic glycans as targeted microbiome therapies has received an FDA warning letter over the way it has conducted two clinical trials.

Are omega-3 fatty acids prebiotic ingredients?

03-Sep-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Omega-3s may beneficially alter the composition of the gut microbiome and lead to increases in the production of short chain fatty acids, says a study from King’s College London.

Researchers say individualized fiber recommendations may soon be possible

02-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

As more evidence accumulates on the specific health effects of whole and isolated dietary fibers it may become possible to recommend a personalized suite of ingredients for IBS patients, a new review argues.

AIDP gets Health Canada nod for prebiotic beauty-from-within ingredient

02-Sep-2021 By Hank Schultz

Branded ingredient firm AIDP has achieved Health Canada registration for a prebiotic beauty-from-within offering. The approval will help the company capitalize on a wave of interest in such ingredients brought on by the global pandemic, according to...

Microalgae startup joins research initiative to spearhead IBD innovation

01-Sep-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Microalgae cultivation start-up Yemoja, Ltd. is joining the MIGAL Galilee Research institute to spearhead an extensive, four-year research initiative to identify algae-sourced compounds with the potential to help manage inflammation and Inflammatory Bowel...

August Launch Pad: The latest releases revealed

31-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

As we head into Fall, immunity is in focus. Expect the season to bring in adaptogenic mushroom extracts, probiotics and a few ayurvedic ingredients for good measure.

Probiotic Akkermansia strain may protect against cognitive dysfunction

31-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A specific strain of Akkermansia muciniphila may reverse the detrimental cognitive effects of a high-fat, high-cholesterol (HFHC) diet, including for measures of working memory and recognition, says a new study in rats.

Synbiotic helps obese subjects avoid weight gain during study

26-Aug-2021 By Hank Schultz

A synbiotic supplement prevented weight gain among obese subjects while a control group continued to gain weight, a new study has found.

Probiotic combination may slow fat build-up in the liver and fat tissue: Study

19-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of two Limosilactobacillus fermentum strains may reduce body weight gain, and the amount of fat in liver and adipose tissue, says a new study with lab mice.

AnimalBiome fetches $8.6 million investment led by Cargill

17-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The biotechnology startup recently closed its Series A funding round with $8.6 million investments, led by Cargill. Other investors include SOSV (IndieBio), Moai Capital, Digitalis Ventures, Michelson Found Animals Foundation and R/GA Ventures.

Must-have ingredients to include in your spring 2022 products

16-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Our everyday habits and behaviors have dramatically shifted in the past two years and they continue to do so—including our dietary supplements routine. So what trends will be left in 2021 and what will roll over into 2022?

NutraCast: Greg Leyer, PhD, on probiotics for vulnerable populations

13-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The number of preemies receiving probiotics in the US and Canada is increasing steadily, but skeptics say there is potential for harm in this vulnerable population. Greg Leyer, PhD, the Senior Director of Scientific Affairs, at Chr. Hansen says if done...

Experts wary of study’s advocacy of ‘duplibiotics’ term

13-Aug-2021 By Hank Schultz

A recent review of the action of polyphenols in the gut proposes yet another descriptive term for get health ingredients which might create further confusion and blurring of categories, experts say.

Survey: 1 in 4 global consumers used probiotics in last 6 months

12-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Probiotic use on the rise as science-backed probiotic strains meet a range of market needs.

Study highlights anti-inflammatory immune effects of BLIS K12

12-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming the probiotic Streptococcus salivarius BLIS K12 can induce a regulatory, anti-inflammatory peripheral immune response, according to a new study from New Zealand.

Ingredients that mimic breast milk to propel growth in formula space

10-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

A recent analysis has found that the global infant formula ingredients market is expanding steadily with the rising middle class and the demand for high-quality infant formula gains traction.

Vitamin D not effective in easing IBS discomfort

02-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Stomach cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation—Today, most doctors recognize symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). However, standardized criteria to diagnose the condition didn't exist until the 1980s.

Muniq tackles gut health with new addition

02-Aug-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The brand has brought in Dr. Chris Damman to spearhead Muniq's first clinical trials.

‘Timely, interesting and important’: Study links gut microbe metabolism to longevity

02-Aug-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Unique bile acids produced by a distinct set of gut microbes may contribute to longevity by inhibiting the growth of gut pathogens, says a new study with 160 people over 100 years old in Japan.

Postbiotics see 1,300% increase in Google searches

02-Aug-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Postbiotics have become the fastest growing area in terms of gut health related Google searches, with a nearly 1,300% increase in the last two years, according to new data from Lumina Intelligence.

Contact with biohacking community led supplement firm down rebranding road

30-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

Participating in a biohacking conference led a longtime niche supplement company down a road toward a full rebrand.

Kewpie Corp. reports novel mechanism for Hyaluronic Acid’s benefits

27-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Scientists at the Japanese company reported that the body converts HA into the assimilable oligosaccharide forms that produce increased skin hydration and enhanced collagen production via a potential gut microbiota-related mechanism.

NutraIngredients-USA Awards: Meet the Products of the Year!

26-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

Independent expert judges recruited by NutraIngredients-USA scored the entries on five parameters: demand, application and design, scientific merit, commercial success, and innovation and differentiation.

Culturelle expands range with Metabolism + Weight Management product

22-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Culturelle, the world’s number one-selling probiotic brand, has expanded is probiotic portfolio with its first product targeting metabolic health and weight management.

Reckitt Benckiser surrenders probiotics, DHA claims for infant product

22-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

Nestlé has scored a point against competitor Reckitt Benckiser by inducing it to drop claims for the probiotic and DHA content of one of its infant formulas.

Prenexus Health gets big cash infusion to bring prebiotic ingredient to commercial scale

21-Jul-2021 By Hank Schultz

A new $15 million investment will help prebiotic manufacturer Prenexus Health finally hit commercial scale production for its unique prebiotic xylooligosaccharide ingredient.

NutraIngredients-USA Awards: Meet the Ingredients of the Year!

21-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

The Ingredient of the Year categories honored the best and the brightest across a range of health endpoints, including beauty-from-within, cognition, healthy aging, prebiotic, sports nutrition, and weight management.

Individual gut microbiome responses to pomegranate overcome by direct urolithin A supplementation

20-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Only about 40% of people may have the gut microbes to convert ellagitannins from pomegranate into urolithin A, an ingredient positioned for boosting mitochondrial and muscle function, but direct supplementation with the compound overcomes these individual...

Probiotic pair may improve insulin sensitivity in obese kids & teens: RCT

19-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of two Bifidobacteria strains may exert beneficial effects on insulin sensitivity in obese children and adolescents, says a new study from Italy.

Inulin linked to beneficial gut changes and insulin sensitivity improvements in prediabetics: Study

16-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with inulin may improve measures of insulin sensitivity in people with pre-diabetes, says a new study from China that strengthens the prebiotic’s benefits for blood sugar management.

Study: Vaginal 'seeding' confers microbial benefits to C-section babies

15-Jul-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Babies born via cesarean section don't have the same healthy bacteria as those born vaginally, but a new study finds that these natural bacteria may be restored.

Resistant dextrin may boost satiety, help blood sugar levels in healthy adults: RCT

15-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with Roquette’s Nutriose resistant dextrin may boost the feeling of fullness and blunted blood sugar spikes in healthy adults living in the UK, says a new study.

NutraWomen Wednesday: Jessica ter Haar, Scientific Director, IPA

14-Jul-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Microbiology expert Jessica ter Haar, PhD, is the scientific director at the International Probiotics Association (IPA). She focuses a lot on helping women achieve their best possible microbial health during every stage of life—a topic that she’s helping...

HR exec: ‘Competition for talent across virtually all disciplines is as intense as I have seen it during my career’

13-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Turnover of employees across the US is increasing, presenting companies with the challenge of recruiting. In the second of our two articles on the changing HR landscape, NutraIngredients-USA explores the challenges of recruiting good people in a competitive...

HR exec: ‘In 20+ years, I’ve never experienced a labor market as fluid & as unpredictable as the current market’

12-Jul-2021 By Stephen Daniells

As the US economy surges back, many industries are bracing themselves for a tsunami of employee turnover. In the first of our two articles on the changing HR landscape, NutraIngredients-USA explores the challenges of staff retention and how the dietary...