Healthy aging

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.

New FDA guidance sheds more light on formulation, marketing of medical foods

15-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration has given additional clarification to a ill-defined subcategory of foods by issuing a revised draft guidance on medical foods.  The new version clarifies some issues surrounding branding and marketing, and in so doing,...

Cyanotech continues transformation into consumer products manufacturer

13-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Cyanotech, which started as a supplier of algae-based ingredients, continues its transformation into more of a consumer products company.  Total net sales grew 6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, but Nutrex, the  consumer products division, grew by...

Star Scientific posts sales surge amid legal troubles

12-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Star Scientific, which markets the anitoxidant supplement Anatabloc, has reported third quarter earnings of $2.5 million, compared with $1.4 for the same period in 2012. The positive earnings was welcome news for a company that in recent months has seen...

Herbalife granted 25th direct selling license in China

08-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Direct selling giant Herbalife has passed a milestone by receiving its 25th direct selling license in China.  Direct selling activities are closely regulated in China, making the receiving of licenses a key metric for growth in the country.

Introducing phytochemomics: A new way to help win herbal health claims, say researchers

29-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

The use of novel phytochemomics technologies will define cause and effect relationships for phytochemicals that will assist in the substantiation of health claims for herbals and botanicals, say researchers.

Low vitamin D again linked to mobility issues for older people

23-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Vitamin D deficiency may increase a senior citizen’s risk of physical limitations like walking up and down stairs, and being able to dress and undress, says a new study from The Netherlands.

Herbals are ‘safe and effective’ for vascular dementia, say researchers

23-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Chinese herbal medicines appear to be safer and more effective than control measures in battling vascular dementia, according to a new meta-analysis from China.

BASF on ‘convenient nutrition’: We can tap our pharma solutions to enhance supplement compliance

22-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

‘Convenient nutrition’ offers options for dietary supplement consumers to improve their compliance, and experience from the pharma sector can provide solutions, says BASF’s Samy Jandali.

AstaReal to ‘more than double’ astaxanthin production in response to booming demand

18-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Astaxanthin producer AstaReal is set to build a new manufacturing facility in Moses Lake, WA that will ‘more than double AstaReal’s existing astaxanthin production by 2015’.

10 misconceptions about antioxidants

17-Jul-2013 By Kacey Culliney

Excitement around antioxidants has diminished, replaced by polarised views and misconceptions that have started to impede industry use of the ingredient in supplements and drugs, scientists suggest.

Proprietary Nutritionals applies full court press to marketing of Celadrin ingredient

15-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Proprietary Nutritionals president Dean Mosca said the company employs a “push and pull” strategy to help whip up demand  in the consumer marketplace for the supplements that contain the company’s ingredients.  And lately, part of that strategy has included...

Chokeberry potential could see it rival the cranberry market: Artemis Int’l President

15-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Once used for enhancing the diets of Russian astronauts, the chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) could have a stellar future, with the US’ leading supplier predicting extracts and concentrates could one day rival the cranberry market.

Cyvex Nutrition launches new Protomine line of clean-label hydrolyzed fish proteins from Bluewave

11-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Bluewave Marine Ingredients - which is blazing a trail in the burgeoning protein ingredients market with its ultra-digestible fish proteins - has struck a deal with Cyvex Nutrition to take a hydrolyzed fish protein called Protomine to market.

Worldwide macro trends favor Herbalife, president says

09-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Three mega trends will drive Herbalife’s continued expansion, said president Des Walsh.  The world is getting fatter, it’s getting older, and in the hangover from the 2008 financial crisis economic expansion still lags in much of the world leaving many...

High dose vitamin supplements may reduce lifespan by up to a quarter: Animal data

09-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

A high intake of vitamin C and vitamin E could 'dramatically' reduce life expectancy by up to 26%, according to new research in voles.

Antioxidant combination may curb inflammation and manage dyslipidemia: Human data

02-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of vitamin E tocotrienol in combination with antioxidant polyphenols and niacin may improve inflammatory markers and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease in seniors, says a recent clinical trial.

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.

SPECIAL FEATURE: Who is best qualified to provide nutrition counseling? RDs? MDs? a CNS? You or me?

26-Jun-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Who is best qualified to provide nutritional counseling? A registered dietitian? A medical doctor? A nutritionist? A nutrition scientist? A sports scientist? You or me?

Maker of muscle supp from eggs seeks to grow market with study on women

21-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

MYOS Corporation is seeking to expand applications for its signature muscle-growth supplement from fertilized hens eggs with a new clinical trial that aims to investigate the product’s performance among women.

Supplement users make healthier lifestyle choices: CRN Survey

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Users of dietary supplements seem to make healthier lifestyle choices compared to non-users, including exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and trying to eat a balanced diet, says a new survey from the  Council for Responsible Nutrition...

Curcumin: New studies support brain and cardiovascular benefits

11-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of curcumin – the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow color – may support healthy aging, with two new studies indicating benefits for arterial aging and cognition.