Immune support

Unilever to acquire supplement manufacturer SmartyPants

30-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Unilever announced it has signed an agreement to acquire fast growing supplement manufacturer SmartyPants Vitamins.

Lockdown, COVID fuel renewed interest on vitamin D

25-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A whopping two out of three consumers are concerned they are not getting enough vitamin D, according to a new survey.

Artemis teams elderberry with aronia, black currant in new immune blend

23-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Dark berry specialist Artemis International has launched a new immune support ingredient that the company says offers an array of health benefits.

NutraCast Podcast: MSU's Director of Performance Nutrition on COVID challenges

20-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

In light of the Thanksgiving holiday, we’re rolling with a special family edition on the NutraCast. Today’s guest is Rob Masterson, RD, the Director of Performance Nutrition at Michigan State University and host Danielle Masterson’s younger brother.

High degree of standardization sets new propolis ingredient apart, PLT says

20-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

After a search over a period of years PLT Health Solutions says it has brought a propolis ingredient to the North American market that meets the company’s requirements for quality control and standardization.

Study discovers microbiome modulation possibilities in obese population

20-Nov-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Modulation of the gut microbiome may help prevent metabolic abnormalities in the obese population, according to a new study which reveals gut microbial differences in healthy and unhealthy overweight and obese adults.

Industry stakeholders look forward to working with Biden Administration even as pandemic, Kessler add cause for concern

18-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Industry stakeholders anticipated a smooth working relationship with a new Biden Administration, but said this year’s highly unusual circumstances makes this transition more uncertain than most.

Probiota Champions: In conversation with Prof Glenn Gibson

16-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Purported prebiotics must show efficacy in in vivo studies to be worthy of the term, and that currently only applies to an exclusive list, says Prof Glenn Gibson, the scientist who co-coined the term in the mid-1990s.

NutraCast Podcast: Mantra Labs on Chrononutrition

13-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Taking care of ourselves is more important than ever. Two major pieces to the self-care puzzle are sleep and nutrition. However, that may not be enough. Research is mounting to suggest that there are very real and important implications for when we eat....

Ingredients by Nature and Galam introduce new prebiotic fiber

12-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

California-based Ingredients by Nature (IBN) recently announced its partnership with Israel-based Galam to distribute a new prebiotic fiber, GOFOS. IBN said they will be distributing the ingredient solely to the nutraceutical industry.

Whether vitamin C can help COVID sufferers may depend on level of transporter

11-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

One of the reasons COVID-19 is so unsettling is because the virus’ impact on each individual is so different. Researchers say a number of factors could impact this — including age, race, gender and an underlying mechanism.

Supply chain revamp leads to new line of algal omega-3 concentrates

11-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

New omega-3 concentrates have recently entered the North American supplement market. Algarithm Ingredients just added thetamega3 to their lineup of vegan Omega-3s, which are derived from the co-stream of their alphamega3 oils.

Pharmacy driven: McPherson’s paving new retail focus for soon-to-be acquired Blackmores’ TCM business

11-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

McPherson’s will be focusing on the pharmacy distribution network for the TCM and oriental botanical brands that it will be acquiring from Blackmores.

Ingredient supplier touts “insurance policy against pathogenic invasion”

10-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

M-Gard is yeast-derived beta glucans (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) that work as an immune-enhancing agent. The natural yeast beta 1,3/1,6 glucan was developed by using a proprietary process that extracts the ingredient from the cell wall of a proprietary...

Is it all in their heads? Experts criticize assumptions, structure of BMJ paper that blasts multivitamin use

10-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new study that asserts that multivitamin use is based mostly on positive thinking and not on health outcomes has been criticized for structural limitations that contribute to unfounded conclusions.

Today! IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas Digital Summit

10-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Kicking off at 12pm Eastern, the three-day event will combine dynamic live broadcasts with exclusive on-demand content about probiotics, prebiotics, and the microbiome. There is still time to register for FREE.

Probiota Americas Poem: Our editor's rhyming welcome to this week's Digital Summit

09-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A Probiota America tradition, my welcome poem gives attendees a glimpse of what to expect during the event. And this year, I've added a special message ... and a fire place.

Probiota Champions: Exclusive interviews with industry influencers

06-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

In addition to three days of live content, the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas Digital Summit 2020 will feature our exclusive Probiota Champions interview series with people who have made significant contributions to the category.

NutraCast Podcast: Dr. Ivan Petyaev on female fertility support

06-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

About 28 million women around the world encounter fertility problems every year. Micronutrient status is one risk factor that may have a major impact on female fertility.

Current sensitivity about claims shouldn’t obscure immune support benefits of EPA, DHA, Wiley’s Finest asserts

06-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Finished goods manufacturer Wiley’s Finest maintains that the immune health benefits omega-3s shouldn’t get swept under the rug, even with the heightened sensitivity about antiviral claims during the pandemic crisis.

As infant gut develops, microbial strains form individualized patterns of stability: Study

05-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Two researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham have spent the last three years using the microbiome ‘fingerprint’ technique -- a method that harnesses the power of genomic tools and supercomputers to identify individual strains within a...

FDA warns sports brand Predator Nutrition over COVID-19 claims covering plethora of ingredients

05-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Predator Nutrition, a top selling sports nutrition brand in Europe, has been caught in the FDA/FTC coronavirus net, having received a warning letter for illegal COVID-19 treatment claims.

UK’s Prime Minister considers handing out free vitamin D in coronavirus fight

05-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

The UK Prime Minister could follow Scotland’s example by offering free vitamin D supplies to those shielding as the country hunkers down in the latest round of lockdown.

Multivitamins popular for children, adolescents

04-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

While use varies by demographic characteristics, about one-third of children and adolescents used a dietary supplement in 2017-2018 — a conclusion consistent with findings in recent years.

COVID-inspired study links high vitamin A, E, and D intake to fewer respiratory complaints

04-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

An analysis of nationally representative long term survey data has found that high vitamin A, E, and D intake may be linked to fewer respiratory complaints in adults.

Judge closes case of colloidal silver marketer that made COVID-19 claims

04-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

An Oklahoma federal judge has granted a permanent restraining order against a company that had been warned about selling colloidal silver supplements to treat COVID-19 but continued to do so anyway, FDA said yesterday in press release.

Study: Elderly patients previously on vitamin D3 supplements more likely to survive COVID-19

04-Nov-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Elderly patients who have previously taken vitamin D3 supplements are more likely to survive COVID-19 but a single standard dose of 80,000 IU vitamin D3 after infection is probably too low and too late in the day to generate protective effects, according...

COVID-19 changes preferences? China consumers less interested in overseas supplement brands, while trust in TCM rises

04-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China consumers are placing more trust in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), with a declining interest in overseas supplement brands and functional foods with health claims, said a consumer survey funded by the High-Value Nutrition National Science...

Study shows maternal vitamin D linked to child IQ, finds disparities among black women

03-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A new study found that a mother’s vitamin D level during pregnancy is associated with their children's IQ — suggesting that higher vitamin D levels in pregnancy may lead to greater childhood IQ scores. The study also revealed significantly lower...

NutraVideo: myAir tackles stress with personalized nutrition and smart tech

02-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Personalized nutrition start-up myAir is taking on stress with the help of nature and technology. The company developed a patent-pending algorithm based on cognitive and physiological data.

Cargill Health Technologies: ‘The microbiome space is going to change the way the world feeds itself’

02-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Partnerships and collaboration are going to drive the rapid advances needed in the microbiome space to better feed animals and humans, says the President of Cargill Health Technologies.

NutraCast Podcast: Evolve Biosystems on infant probiotics

30-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The process of prenatal development of the infant microbiome is significant. In order to correct immunological and physiological development, timing and the selecting the right strain play a major role.

Warning letter shows silver products continue to crop up as coronavirus cures

30-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

Another seller of colloidal silver products has been warned by the US Food and Drug Administration over making COVID-19 treatment claims.

Shared values paved way for Gaia—Salus partnership

30-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

A recognition of shared values lead Gaia Herbs to team up with German firm Salus Haus to do something it hadn’t done before — enter into a distribution agreement.

News in brief

Nutrasource expands with on-site clinic to support trials

29-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

Canadian contract research organization Nutrasource has completed an expansion to its on-site clinic that it says will enable the company to conduct a wide variety of trials.

Kid-centric products dominate October

29-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

While immune support products have been on trend during the entire pandemic, developers have shifted their focus to children. Immune-supporting ingredients like elderberry and zinc lead the way, along with probiotics, multis, and even a magnesium supplement...

CRISPR is going to reshape the future of probiotic genomes: Expert

29-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

We are just on the cusp of realizing the opportunities offered by CRISPR technology to open up a new generation of probiotic ingredients, says one of the leading scientists in this field.

Consumers are using multivitamin as a “silver bullet” to address specific health concerns: Survey

27-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Technology is paving the way for the rise of personalized nutrition and the end of a one-size-fits-all approach. But despite advancements in nutrition science in recent years, a recent survey has found that Americans expect their multivitamin to do all...

NutraVideo: Zinc, vitamin D are key in COVID fight

26-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The dietary supplement market has been flooded with new products, with an unprecedented demand in immune health. A recent Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN)-IPSOS survey found that vitamin D usage jumped 37% and zinc grew 17% amid the pandemic.

NutraCast Podcast: Jennifer Jimenez on Sun Chlorella for sport nutrition

23-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

When you think of supplements to give your workout an edge, a few ingredients may come to mind. But what about algae?

Gains in Asia Pacific region boost Usana to record-breaking third quarter

22-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

Usana Health Sciences posted a 14.5% year over sales increase during a record third quarter that saw volumes grow significantly in the Asia Pacific region.

Diet and supplements: Swiss panel publishes COVID-19 recommendations

21-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

An expert panel has written a white paper with a set of recommendations regarding the diet and micronutrient supplement needs of the Swiss and wider European population in order to support immunity during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Improved strain-specific use of HMOs identified in DuPont-backed study

20-Oct-2020 By Will Chu

Probiotic strain specificity is crucial if the benefits of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) such as 2′-fucosyllactose are to be passed on to the infant, according to a DuPont-sponsored study.

Whole Foods reveals top 10 food trends for 2021

19-Oct-2020 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Heavily influenced by the COVID-19 pandemic, Whole Foods Market has unveiled its top 10 food trends for 2021, which include revitalized “epic” breakfast meals and culinary-inspired baby food, to growing consumer adoption of fringe cooking oils and food...

SmartyPants unveils new line for multifunctional immune support

15-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

SmartyPants recently announced it is expanding its product lines with the launch of its new immunity series of supplements. The immune support formulas work with a combination of clinically-proven ingredients and are taken to compliment daily multivitamins.

Whole fruit vitamin C boosts mood, energy

14-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A New Zealand study found that vitamin C has a positive impact on feelings of vitality.

New supplement line gives gamers a reboot

14-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Skinz.gg, an esports health and wellness company, has launched its "Power Your Performance” line, geared toward the 2.5 billion gamers across the globe.

NutraVideo: Making the leap from pharma to nutra

13-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Global pharmaceutical company Inventia Healthcare recently launched Nutriventia, it’s new nutraceutical brand.

Global probiotics market grows 8%, says IPA’s Paraskevakos

13-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

As consumers seek out immune-support products, probiotics are one of the categories to have experienced sales growth in 2020. The science to substantiate the claims has been key, said George Paraskevakos, Executive Director of the International Probiotics...