Gut/digestive health

Nestlé eyes herbal sector with Hong Kong JV; 2013 clinical trials planned

28-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Nestlé has amplified its nutrition presence by forming a joint venture to develop Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM). Orally consumed gastro products will be first off the rank based on an extract from the andrographis paniculata plant grown in Indian...

DuPont on EU probiotic health claim ban: “Mention specific strains”

21-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Giant of probiotic supply, DuPont, is not afraid to admit its European business has been altered by the rejection of probiotic health claims under the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR).

Probiotics may help cut body fat levels: RCT data

14-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily probiotic yogurt consumption may improve energy metabolism and reduce body fat levels by up to 4%, say results of a placebo-controlled, double-blind cross-over clinical trial in Canada.

Daily dose of probiotic may boost cholesterol management

12-Nov-2012

A daily dose of a new probiotic strain could help to levels of 'bad' and total cholesterol, according to a new small-scale study.

Ganeden BC30 strain shows potential against C. diff: Mouse study

02-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing the GanedenBC30 ingredient may reduce the recurrence of C. difficile-induced infection, according to a study with lab mice.

Emerson Ecologics to distribute Douglas Labs' Klean Athlete line

01-Nov-2012

Emerson Ecologics has been chosen as the exclusive external distributor in the practitioner channel of Douglas Labs’ new Klean Athlete line of sports supplements.

Deerland targets gut health with yeast defense enzyme formula

29-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Deerland Enzymes’ new dietary supplement formula, called ThioZymeYD, has targeted a condition-specific positioning aimed at supporting gut health by promoting a healthy population of yeast in the small intestine.

Spruce extract could be ‘untapped’ prebiotic

26-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

An extract from spruce (Picea abies) may selectively enhance the growth of beneficial gut bacteria and offer a novel prebiotic for the nutritional products, says a new study.

Competition heating up among spore forming probiotics suppliers

18-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Competition in the spore-forming quadrant of the probiotics sphere is heating up with a new offering from Nebraska Cultures called ProDURA, a strain of bacillus coagulans.

Dispatches from the Whole Grains on Every Plate conference

The rise and rise of whole grain: Whole Grain stamp now on 7,600+ products in 35 countries

18-Oct-2012 By Elaine Watson in San Antonio, Texas

The Whole Grain stamp now features on more than 7,600 products in 35 countries, while the number of new products featuring whole grain claims rose from 164 in 2000 to 3,378 in 2011, according to data unveiled at the Whole Grains on Every Plate conference...

Prebiotics backed to help recovery from intestinal failure

17-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

A combination of ‘the right’ pre- and probiotcs could help people suffering with intestinal failure to grow a new and improved gut ecosystem, say researchers.

PLT beefing up to support anticipated BC30 probiotic sales surge

12-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

PL Thomas is beefing up its science staff to better drive the sales growth of one the major ingredients it offers, Ganeden’s BC30 probiotic, to take advantage of an anticipated demand surge.

Coffee could aid bowel functions after surgery

10-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of coffee could be cheap and safe way to help to speed up and improve the bowel functions of people after surgery, according to new data.

Lonza launches daily immune supplement in chews, stick packs

08-Oct-2012

Lonza, based in Basel, Switzerland, has launched a new immune supplement featuring delivery systems that take a step beyond capsules and tablets.

Sabinsa widening horizons for probiotic ingredient

04-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa, a  New Jersey-based supplier of botanical and other functional food ingredients, is breaking new ground with an older ingredient by placing its LactoSpore probiotic into a bread brand in Colombia.

Gut bacteria changes touted as a cause of diabetes

27-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

Major changes to the profile of our gut bacteria ecosystem are associated with the development of type two diabetes, according to ‘exciting’ new meta-genomic data published in Nature.

Buckwheat benefits linked to d-fagomine content

25-Sep-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A diet rich in buckwheat products would provide a daily dose of the sugar d-fagomine linked to benefits in the range of the active dose seen in supplemental studies, says a new study.

New prebiotic technology drives company launch

24-Sep-2012 By Hank Schultz

A new company called Nutrabiotix has launched around a prebiotic fiber technology that aims to boost both the ingredient’s health benefits and functionality.

Probiotics may boost gut health for athletes

20-Sep-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a probiotic blend may improve gut function in performance athletes and help provide a way of reducing gastrointestinal complaints, suggests new research from Austria.

Gut bacteria play key role in fat absorption: Study

13-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

The presence of certain gut microbes is linked with better digestion and absorption of dietary fats, according to new research that suggests modifying gut bacteria could help to battle malnutrition and obesity.

Synbiotic shows constipation relief potential

30-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of a symbiotic mix of prebiotic fibers and probiotic bacteria may provide relief for constipation without affecting abdominal symptoms, suggests a new study.

‘DMAA issue is behind us’, says Vitamin Shoppe as retailer reports record Q2

09-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Vitamin Shoppe has reported a record second quarter with gross profit increasing 16.3% on the same quarter of last year, with the pre- and post-workout category growing consistently despite the ongoing DMAA controversy.

Probiotics show anti-diarrhea potential in kids: RCT data

02-Aug-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of probiotic bacterial strain Lactobacillus reuteri DSM 17938 may reduce the frequency and duration of diarrhea for children, says new data from Italy.

Yakult Light probiotic drink makes US debut

02-Aug-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Japanese probiotics pioneer Yakult has launched a light version of its fermented dairy drink in the US.

Schiff Nutrition: Our brands now account for 9 out of every 10 dollars of revenue

01-Aug-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Branded supplements such as MegaRed and Digestive Advantage now account for almost nine out of every 10 dollars of revenue generated by Schiff Nutrition International, bosses have revealed.

Standing out in a crowded pomegranate extract market

31-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Pharmachem Laboratories subsidiary American Ingredients Inc is hoping to stand out in the crowded US pomegranate extracts market with a polyphenol-rich organic extract that has been a bit hit in Europe.

Researchers explore molecular mechanisms of malnutrition

27-Jul-2012 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have uncovered new molecular mechanisms involved in malnutrition, which may one day mean those with poor nourishment do not suffer from ill health.

Women and children first? Benefits of cranberry may be better for certain population groups

17-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming cranberry products may reduce the risk of urinary tract infections (UTIs) by about 40%, says a new meta-analysis that also indicates that certain groups may benefit more than others.

Prebiotic breakfast cereal gets gold standard RCT support

10-Jul-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Fortifying ready-to-eat breakfast cereal with prebiotic wheat bran extracts can selectively enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria, say results from a double-blind, randomized, controlled, crossover trial.

Do probiotics work in outer space? Yakult launches mission to find out...

09-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

How do our gut bacteria handle a prolonged stint in space? And do probiotics work in the same way up there vs down here on earth?

Common dietary fibres may alter gut bacteria composition: Study

28-Jun-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of common dietary fibres may promote beneficial shifts in gut bacteria that may lead to better intestinal health, suggesting the fibres may have prebiotic applications, say researchers.

Big Interview: Peter Haferman, president, Improve USA

Improve USA: Aloe is already the biggest botanical on the planet, but it’s about to get even bigger…

25-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

It might be gracing the functional beverages aisles in Costco and Trader Joe’s, but if you “ask Joe in the street what Aloe Vera is, he’ll still say it’s something you put on your skin when you have sunburn”, says the new boss of Aloe ingredients expert...

Probiotics begin to flex their muscle in the sports nutrition market

21-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential benefits of probiotic ingredients in sports nutrition products may extend beyond immune support, as emerging evidence suggests a potential to enhance protein utilization.

"will most certainly advance further research into probiotics and prebiotics”

€138m, 5-year Human Microbiome Project completion excites probiotic community

14-Jun-2012 By Shane Starling

The 5-year, $173m (€138m) Human Microbiome Project has completed with a 14-article publication blitz in journals like Nature that spells out some of its pioneering findings into the make-up and behavior of the human microbiota.

Our brand-building strategy is paying off, says Schiff Nutrition boss

11-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Schiff Nutrition’s decision to pump all available cash into branding and innovation instead of deep discounts has paid off for its Move Free joint care brand, with posted a 25% surge in sales in the third quarter in a category that was “basically flat”,...

Pomegranate peel extract shows prebiotic potential

08-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenol-rich extracts from pomegranate peel may selectively enhance the growth of potentially beneficial gut bacteria, suggesting prebiotic activity for the extract, says a new study.

Ganeden takes BC30 probiotic into instant coffee

05-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Ganeden Biotech has announced that its BC30 probiotic ingredient will soon be available in instant coffee, as the company builds on success in teas and other beverage formats.

Cereal fibers show prebiotic potential in bread: Puratos study

04-Jun-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Bread enriched with specific cereal fibers may beneficially modify bacterial populations in the gut without any adverse effects, says a new study by scientists from the University of Reading, UK and Puratos.

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2012

EndoSeaRch: A new way to modify gut health?

30-May-2012 By Nathan GRAY

A new approach to modifying gut bacteria via orally delivered minerals has been gaining a lot of interest from probiotics players, says Aquapharm.

Yakult unveils US volume surge as good bacteria message gathers pace

16-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

US consumers now drink around 142,000 bottles of Yakult's probiotic fermented dairy drink a day, 24% more than they were gulping down this time last year.*

Dispatches from the 6th Annual Food Technology & Innovation Forum, 2012, Chicago

Novel digestive health ingredient targets big guns in food and beverages

15-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

Wild Flavors is in advanced negotiations with leading food and beverage firms about using a novel milk-based digestive health ingredient claimed to help maintain and repair the lining of the gut wall.

Probiotics have benefits for antibiotic induced diarrhoea: Meta-analysis

10-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of probiotics is associated with a reduced risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea, according to a review and meta-analysis of previous studies.

Red wine polyphenols show prebiotic potential: Study

09-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Polyphenol compounds in red wine may selectively boost the growth of certain bacteria in the gut, says a new study from Spain.

‘Cobiotics’ firm launches mission to defuse ticking time bomb of prediabetes

09-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

Targeting the 79m adults in the US with prediabetes represents a “significant untapped opportunity” in the foods and supplements market, says the firm behind a new ‘cobiotic’ ingredient claimed to help maintain healthy blood sugar levels - and a healthy...

Prebiotics may reduce severity of colitis, say researchers

04-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

Prebiotic supplements could help to reduce bacterial infection and inflammation so reducing the severity of colitis, according to new research.

Cocoa products may offer fiber source for consumers

24-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Fiber-rich cocoa products may help consumers hit recommended levels and improve their bowel habits, says a new study.

Dispatches from the IPA World Congress

Sports nutrition offers big opportunities for $775M US probiotic supplement market

23-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells in Universal City, CA

Sports nutrition offers a great opportunity to expand the $2.7 bn global probiotic supplement market, with products like Gaspari’s Myofusion leading the field.

Yakult's first US manufacturing plant to open in the fall, 2013

20-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

The first bottles of Yakult will start rolling off the production line at the Japanese probiotic pioneer’s first US factory in Fountain Valley, CA, in the fall of 2013.

Chr Hansen shares jump 9% on strong H1 profits

19-Apr-2012 By Shane Starling

First half EBIT profits for 2011-12 surged 19% to €83m at Chr Hansen as it shrugged off the effects of severe fluctuations in the price of red colorant carmine, and ongoing probiotic health claim uncertainty in Europe – its biggest yet most stagnant market.

Cargill on inulin: Today it’s about fiber and weight… tomorrow it will be about prebiotics and mineral absorption

05-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

While US firms using inulin and oligofructose are still primarily interested in adding fiber or reducing fat and sugar, they are starting to move beyond generic fiber claims into discussing more specific health benefits, says Cargill.