Healthy aging

Canada OKs enhanced health claims for Ixoreal's KSM 66 ashwagandha

07-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

KSM-66, an ashwagandha root-only extract from Ixoreal BioMed, has been approved in Canada for health claims that include stress reduction, sports nutrition benefits and support for healthy testosterone levels.  The approval of the claims, which go beyond...

CRN says 2015 dietary guidelines should include supplements

06-Feb-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The Council for Responsible Nutrition urged the Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee (DGAC) to adopt a new posture on dietary supplements in the next round of federal dietary guidelines, encouraging the use of multivitamins and supplements as a low-cost,...

Register now for our free online event

The latest developments in healthy and functional lipids: Exclusive online event

03-Feb-2014

Want the latest market information, and scientific insights in for the nutritional lipids and oils market? Then join us at our free online event, Nutritional Lipids and Oils 2014.

Special edition: Polyphenols

The big challenges in polyphenols: Providing credible evidence and a quality supply chain

28-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

With surging interest in the potential health benefits of polyphenols around the globe, experts suggest that there are still some major sticking points in the polyphenol success story.

Special edition: Polyphenols

Polyphenol science needs to catch up to better inform regulators and consumers, say experts

28-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A paradigm shift is needed in the study of polyphenols to better understand the bioavailability, bio-activity, and the role of the gut microbiota in polyphenol metabolism and health benefits, say experts from academia and industry.

Observers disagree about whether report of tainted thyroid supplements points to wider problems in market

24-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

A recent blog in The New York Times raised questions about some thyroid supplements, but passed over the legitimate role dietary supplements scan have in the support of health thyroid function, observers say.

Omega-3 may help preserve brain volume in old age: Study

23-Jan-2014

People with higher levels of the omega-3 fatty acids DHA and EPA may also have larger brain volumes in old age equivalent to preserving one to two years of brain health, according to new research.

Understanding the aging gut: Microbiome modifications may be linked to health and lifespan

17-Jan-2014 By Nathan Gray

Modifications to the microbiota could lead to changes in health and lifespan that are associated with aging, according to new research in fruit flies.

Simpler blood test for vitamin D could enhance preventive care, developer says

13-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

In another way point in the personalized healthcare movement, Purity Labs of Portland, OR has announced the development of a vitamin D blood test that involves obtaining only small spots of blood applied to cards. The new test lowers costs, simplifies...

ChromaDex signs $62 million deal for Niagen, Purenergy ingredients

07-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex has announced the largest deal in its history, a $62 million agreement with nework marketing company 5LINX that covers its Niagen and Purenergy ingredients.

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...

New info details size of potential Chinese export market for US supplements

18-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

New information released by the US-China Health Products Association gives insight into the massive export opportunity that awaits US dietary supplement manufacturers.  A high proportion of Chinese consumers buy health products, and a large proportion...

Vestiage hires direct-media partner with history of building brands

16-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

Vestiage, Inc., a California-based nutraceutical company pursuing an off-the-shelf launch strategy, has enlisted ROI Media to conduct a direct-to-consumer marketing campaign.

Purified omega-7 supplement hits market

13-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

A supplement called Cardia7, built around the benefits of omega-7 palmitoleic acid, a long chain fatty acid found in fish oil as well as sea buckthorn berries and macadamia nuts, has been launched by Ohio-based Omega Wonders.

Grant of patent vindicates cognitive support supplement's protracted gestation, researcher says

12-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

The patent granted on Perceptiv, a cognitive support dietary supplement, is a vindication of the approach taken on developing the product, one of the researchers says.  From the start the team worked on a finished, fixed formulation and painstakingly...

Review questions vitamin D for reducing chronic disease risk

06-Dec-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Low vitamin D levels may be a consequence of ill health and not the cause of chronic disease, says a new review, but industry groups have responded that supplementation is vital for bone health and should not be dismissed.

Poster deadline extended by one week to December 13

Probiota 2014: Poster proposal deadline extended

04-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Probiota 2014 – the leading conference bridging the interface of academia and industry for cutting edge science about the prebiotics, probiotics and the microbiome – has extended the call for proposals for its poster sessions by one week to Friday 13th...

New test aims to measure 'wellness' via metabolic state, developer says

03-Dec-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutraceutical technology development firm Health Enhancement Products Inc. has a new urine test in field trials that will measure a participant’s ‘wellness’ level via biomarkers for oxidative stress, the company announced recently.

Is research on delayed aging a better investment than cancer and heart disease?

03-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Greater investment in research to delay aging may be a 'highly efficient' way to prevent disease, extend healthy life, and improve public health, according to new research.

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2013

Chromadex CEO: 'If we need to spend millions of dollars to develop an ingredient pipeline, we will do that'

26-Nov-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Buoyed by recent investment from DSM, the CEO of Chromadex says the company is not scared to spend big to develop ingredients that stand up to increased scientific scrutiny and resonate with the market.

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2013

Magnesium is 40% of our business and it keeps growing: Albion

22-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

It has been described as the ‘hottest ingredient in the mineral category’, and leading mineral supplier Albion most definitely agrees as sales of its magnesium ingredients now account for 40.6% of Albion mineral sales.

Do recent changes in marijuana laws make room for CBD as a supplement ingredient?

20-Nov-2013 By Hank Schultz

Cannabidiol, a non-narcotic fraction of cannabis, has been studied for a variety of health effects, from antioxidant properties to anti seizure effects. The health effects appear to be real, increasing the interest of some supplement formulators in the...

Calcium and heart health: ‘Nutrition savvy dietitians do not recommend calcium in isolation’

31-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Studies linking calcium intakes to heart concerns continue to be published, but studies showing no effects and even benefits can also be found in the literature, so what are the lessons to learn and what questions remain unanswered?

Vitamin D has longer than expected half-life: Tests may not show true 'plateau'

30-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Tests to assess levels of vitamin D status months or years after supplementation finishes may not be showing a true rise - or plataeu - in vitamin D status, according to new research that suggests it may take up to three years for stocks of the vitamin...

New company mining massive protein database for new medical foods, supplements and drugs

25-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

Flagship VentureLabs, a Massachusetts-based innovation funding company, has announced the launch of Pronutria, a company that has been operating in “stealth mode” for the past couple of years and has been developing health products derived from a massive...

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...

Special edition: Brain boosting ingredients

Battling cognitive decline: Where do we stand?

22-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Cognitive impairments have been long linked to the development of dementia and memory problems in the elderly. However, recent research has begun to suggest that nutrition can play a vital role in protecting against such declines. In this special edition...

Dietary polyphenols may be associated with longevity: Study

14-Oct-2013

High dietary intake of polyphenols may be associated with up to a 30% reduction in mortality rates in older adults, according to new research that identifies urinary concentrations of polyphenols as a more acurae measure of intake.

Omega-3 supplements linked to younger biological age in older people

08-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of omega-3s may slow cellular ageing in older people with mild cognitive impairment, according to results of a pilot randomized clinical trial

Neptune, Rimfrost end patent dispute, enter into krill oil supply agreement

03-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

The lengthy court battles in the krill sector took a new turn when the category’s newest entrant, Rimfrost, settled a patent dispute and entered into a supply agreement with Neptune Technologies and Bioressources, the company that first brought krill...

Sulfate metabolites may boost resveratrol absorption, but big questions remain over implications for supplements

03-Oct-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Delivering resveratrol as resveratrol sulfate may increase its uptake by cells, says a new study, but the implications for dietary supplements remain unknown.

Dr Oz effect's dark side: Booming demand opens door for adulterated, synthetic astaxanthin

02-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Dr Oz Show has been a boon for the natural products and dietary supplements industries. It has brought awareness to many less well-known ingredients, boosting usage and sales and, if the efficacy of the ingredients matches the claims, presumably positively...

CoQ10 may reverse effects of age-related mental decline: Mouse data

30-Sep-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing the diet of old mice with Coenzyme Q10 may reverse some age-related impairments in cognitive and psychomotor functions, says a new study.

Vitamin D may boost bone health for adolescent girls, but not boys: RCT

30-Sep-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of vitamin D may increase bone mass and structural bone parameters in adolescent girls, but boys didn’t seem to get any benefits in the parameters measured, says a new study.

Calcium, vitamin D opportunity grows as osteoporosis prevalence rises

24-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

Osteoporosis continues to be a silent killer. A major fracture can be the start of a fatal cascade for an older patient, yet the majority of elderly patients still do not receive a bone density test after an initial fracture, according to The National...

Sarcopenia: ‘Adhering to the RDA for protein would be like white water rafting without a paddle’

19-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Aging populations and the growing threat of degenerative muscle loss (sarcopenia) will provide a lucrative category for brands to target, say industry experts, but the current recommended daily intakes for protein are simply nowhere near enough.

Planning needed to ensure health of US wild ginseng stocks in face of huge Chinese demand, experts say

11-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

A recent TV news segment on the subject of ginseng poaching raised the specter of the plant’s possible extinction in the United States.  While that fear may be overblown, there’s little doubt that a number of factors (including overharvesting) are working...

More than a third of global population have low vitamin D, study finds

06-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

New data from a systematic review of almost 200 population-based studies shows that more than a third of populations worldwide may suffer from low levels of vitamin D.

Vestiage acquires line of men's anti-aging supplements

04-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

Vestiage, a Newport Beach, CA-based supplement marketer, is making good on its promise to grow rapidly through strategic purchases by acquiring the RegiMEN brand of anti-aging supplements.

Use of oral nutritional supplements cuts hospital stays: Abbott study

03-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

A study funded by Abbott Nutrition has found that providing oral nutritional supplements to patients was associated with significant reductions in length of stay and hospitalization cost. Additionally, the 30-day readmission risk was significantly reduced...

7-year gap: New nutrition concepts for a new elderly generation

02-Sep-2013 By Diana Cowland

The ageing population remains under-served in terms of functional food and drink products, says Euromonitor's Diana Cowland, despite 'elderlies' living longer and healthier than ever before.

Pure Encapsulations launches ‘novel’ PureSynapse brain health range

30-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Four specialty supplement formulas have been developed by Pure Encapsulations with James Greenblatt, MD, for emotional health, memory and behavior, as the company sees ‘definite growth potential’ for the cognitive health market.

Maple water as ‘a great candidate for functional beverage applications’: Study shows processing has no effect on chemical and nutrition components

30-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sterilization and pasteurization have no effects on the chemical composition and antioxidant activity of maple sap, says a new study that supports it as a ‘great candidate for functional beverage applications’.

Thorne files suit to defend newly-acquired CoQ10 patent

26-Aug-2013

Thorne Research has moved to defend a CoQ10 patent to which it recently acquired exclusive rights and has sued Xymogen, an Orlando, FL-based supplement manufacturer and marketer.

Piracy blights fragile global botanicals sector

23-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

The global botanical medicines and supplements sector is a fragile one, and one whose fragility is being amplified by a small number of – let’s not beat about the sea buckthorn bush – dodgy players.

Fast growing gummy vitamin company hits 'home run' with crowd funding site

23-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

SmartyPants Vitamins, which specializes in delivering vitamin formulas via a gummy delivery system, has raised $2.59 million via a crowd funding platform to drive new growth.  Getting the money was nice, but saving time was even better, said company co...

Hybrid algae producer Heliae quietly approaches full scale production

22-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Early stage algae company Heliae has taken a quiet approach to business development.  While the Arizona-based company is close to coming to market with a range of nutraceutical ingredients, not much has been said about them in the marketplace or the press,...

Higher dairy intake in elderly women linked to greater strength, less falls

20-Aug-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Elderly women that consume “higher” levels of milk, yogurt and cheese are at less risk of a fall, new research findings have suggested.

Challenge foreseen to FDA's exclusion of medical foods for diabetics

19-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

FDA’s recently updated draft guidance on medical foods specifically excluded diabetes as a condition for which a medical food can be formulated and marketed. As there are a number of such foods on the market, this change has been greeted with some consternation...

Mannatech granted 90th patent

16-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Mannatech Inc., a Texas-based supplement manufacturer, announced the granting of its 90th patent, with the granting of five new patents in 2013 relating to the company’s product portfolio.