Immune support

Baze expands biomarker panel to include vitamin A

12-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Baze has extended its at-home Nutrient Test Kit, now offering Vitamin A in the test panel for a total of 11 essential nutrients.

Could 2021 be THE worst year in memory for botanical supply?

Experts sound alarm over 2021 botanical supply challenges

12-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

As sales of dietary supplements and natural products remain high – and many companies report record sales – the strain on the supply chain is immense, and for botanicals in particular, and that means a difficult 2021 could be on the horizon.

Unibar launches mushroom extract for immune support

09-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Ingredient supplier Unibar recently introduced Maitake Pt78, a clinically-validated immune modulating mushroom extract.

NutraCast Podcast: Dr. Chris D’Adamo on the role probiotics in COVID-19

09-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

About 70% of the immune system is housed in the gut, so it’s no wonder probiotic bacteria have been shown to have a number of beneficial immune and health effects. With a pandemic playing out before us and immune-supporting ingredients at the forefront,...

Review suggests vitamin K as potential 'missing link' in COVID-19

09-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new review presents vitamin K metabolism as the potential missing link between lung damage and thromboembolism, two of the most serious outcomes observed in COVID-19 patients.

Probiota Americas Digital Summit to explore next gen pre- & probiotics, benefits beyond digestions, & communication best practices

07-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Experts from Seed Health, P&G, Culturelle, Fitbiomics, University College Cork, and North Caroline State University are just some of the confirmed speakers for North America’s flagship event for the prebiotics, probiotics, and microbiome community.

C-section’s toll on gut bacteria prompt scientists to restore infant microbes

05-Oct-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The events surrounding a baby’s entrance into the world could have profound implications on the rest of their lives, new research published in the journal Gastroenterology suggests.

NAD refers immune claims case on to FTC

05-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

The National Advertising Division has referred the case of a supplement manufacturer making what have been deemed to be unsubstantiated immune health claims on to the Federal Trade Commission for possible enforcement.

Trending terms: ‘Gut Flora’ out of fashion as shoppers learn strain names

05-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Consumers are no longer reverting to simplistic phrases like ‘gut flora’ but are instead researching the specific bacterial strains associated with their target health concerns, according to a new trends analysis tool from Lumina Intelligence.

CV Sciences further differentiates line with addition of PEA-based immune health product

02-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

New immune health launches are helping CV Sciences transform itself into a broader based supplement brand, company officials said recently.

COVID-19: Scientists raise the vitamin D alarm

02-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A group of researchers and doctors have formed an international alliance aiming to encourage governments to increase recommendations for vitamin D intake to 4,000 IU daily as they believe this would reduce COVID-19 hospitalisations.

Paper lays out historical precedents in use of plant based remedies during pandemics

01-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

The effusion of natural products connected to COVID-19 is nothing new. Plant-based remedies have played a central part in all of the pandemics in human history, a Spanish researcher maintains.

Hemp, cacao fruit, gourmet CBD and more surprises in September

30-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

This month, Martha Stewart ditched the fancy desserts for gourmet gummies, seasonal probiotics for the whole family are now available and cacao fruit headlines a new wellness line.

CRN supplement survey shows ‘intensified focus on ingredients to support overall health, wellness & immunity’

30-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

About 75% of Americans continue to use dietary supplements, with more and more consumers reporting that immune health is a key consideration for their usage, according to the 2020 CRN Consumer Survey.

Kyowa brings ‘novel option’ to immune health market with Immuse Paraprobiotic

29-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Ingredient manufacturer Kyowa Hakko and parent company Kirin Holdings unveiled its novel dietary supplement ingredient Immuse to deliver what they call a new approach for broad range immune support.

Sleep, immune support define September product launches

29-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

As the weather cools down and we get back into routines, brands are launching products that offer sleep and immune support and even candy flavored protein to get consumers into the Halloween spirit.

Pharmactive reveals edible botanical complex for immunity

29-Sep-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Global biotech firm Pharmactive has revealed a proprietary complex of olive leaf and ribwort plantain for immunity support and respiratory function in an edible format.

Global survey: Obtaining genetic information comes down to trust

28-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Analyzing genomic data across populations is key to understanding the role of genetic factors in health and disease. However, the outcome is only as good as the data people are willing to share.

Webinar panelists say immune response, cognitive support interface offers promise for future of omega-3s

28-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

The interface between brain health and immune system function is an exciting area for future omega-3s research, panelist during a recent event agreed.

Gut simulation expands health benefits of HMOs in adults

28-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The potential health effects of human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) for adults may extend beyond just promoting the growth of beneficial Bifidobacteria to also impacting immune function and the gut barrier, says a new study.

Study highlights potential of targeted fiber use for gut health benefits

25-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with arabinoxylan fiber may modulate both the composition of the gut microbiota and the output of health-relevant short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), with effects seen within one week, says a new study.

Researchers investigate gut microbiome and COVID-19 connection

25-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The recent webinar "The Human Microbiome and COVID-19: Investigating a Potential Connection" offered an exclusive look into a pioneering clinical investigation that wrapped up in August. The research is being led by Dr. Martin J. Blaser, Henry...

Chr. Hansen adds Jennewein HMO expertise to microbial platform in €310m deal

24-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

Chr. Hansen is to acquire Jennewein Biotechnologie for €310m in a deal designed to merge the bioscience firm’s probiotic interests with the gains Jennewein have made in the Human Milk Oligosaccharides (HMO) market.

Nature’s Way finds more evidence of widespread elderberry adulteration

23-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

Testing done by supplement manufacturer Nature’s Way and publicized by the American Botanical Council further solidifies the notion that adulteration of elderberry products is on the rise.

Sept. 24 Omega-3s webinar

Do omega-3s have place in pandemic plan? Tune in on Thursday to find out

22-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

Omega-3s are the one of the oldest and best researched of ingredients, but new science is being done all the time. A NutraIngredients-USA webinar this week will look at some of the emerging evidence in immune health, sports nutrition, cognitive benefits...

Polysaccharide from a ginseng tissue culture shows immune health benefits

21-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

A polysaccharide fraction isolated from ginseng via a cell culture approach showed promise as an immune health ingredient in a recent in vitro study.

Pharmacists now being snared in COVID-19 disease claims net

21-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

FDA has now widened its Covid-19 warning letter net to include pharmacists as well as other health care providers and dietary supplement manufacturers and marketers.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to 54% higher SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate: Study

21-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The associations between vitamin D status and COVID-19 risk continue to strengthen, with new data from Quest Diagnostics and Boston University indicating that people with deficiency in the sunshine vitamin may have a significantly higher positivity rate...

NutraCast Podcast: Chef Kukuruzovic on the flavor of immunity

18-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

What does immunity taste like? As it turns out, it tastes like green tea, honey, blood orange or pretty much anything you want it to.

A credit score for your gut? Scientists develop index to distinguish between healthy and diseased microbiomes

18-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

We may have taken a step closer to understanding what a ‘healthy microbiome’ looks like, as scientists at the Mayo Clinic report the development of the Gut Microbiome Health Index. The proposed index may help differentiate a healthy microbiome from a...

Scent product could transform dietary supplement marketing, manufacturer says

17-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new product providing long lasting, pleasant scents that has been quietly making inroads in the industry aims to revolutionize the marketing of dietary supplements by improving customer experience.

FDA’s Tave highlights ‘Regulatory Gap’ for dietary supplements

17-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A ‘Regulatory Gap’ exists within the US dietary supplements industry, and recent talk of modernizing the regulations are ways to close that gap, FDA’s Steven Tave said yesterday

Nouri launches new immune stick pack solution for everyday use

16-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotic start-up Nouri is expanding its portfolio beyond its current capsule within a capsule offering with a new “proactive” immune health formulation in stick packs.

Dr. Fauci weighs in on vitamins C & D

15-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Dr. Anthony Fauci, Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, recently did an Instagram Live interview with the actress Jennifer Garner where he discussed immune health and supplementation.

Sept. 24 NutraIngredients-USA webinar

Latest research continues to hone in on best usage of omega-3s to achieve optimum results

08-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

The ability to test for blood levels of omega-3s has revolutionized omega-3s research, as has the appreciation that higher dosages are necessary to achieve statistical significance in shorter term studies, an expert says. An event on Sept. 24 will look...

Viome launches precision personalized supplements based on deep health insights

08-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Personalized nutrition player Viome has launched Viome Precision Supplements, individualized supplement formulas based on a person’s cellular, mitochondrial and gut microbiome health insights.

Vitamin D deficiency may boost risk of coronavirus infection

04-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Scientists at the University of Chicago are calling for clinical trials to investigate if vitamin D may reduce COVID-19 incidence after their retrospective study found a link between deficiency of the sunshine vitamin and the likelihood of becoming infected...

Probiotics usage surged mid-May, levels in the US expected to stay high

03-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Consumer usage of probiotic supplements in the US increased by 66% in May, compared to six months earlier, with daily usage also increasing, according to a new survey from DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences.

Dutch Medical Food enters global medical foods category with innovative, high quality products

02-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The new company, which is led by Dr Rolf Smeets (a former executive of Danone’s medical food division) and Dr Guru Ramanathan (former Chief Innovation Officer for GNC), aims to make its innovative products accessible in underserved markets.

Herbal supplements had another stellar year in 2019 with 8.6% sales growth, ABC report says

02-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

Herbal supplements continued the strong growth they have enjoyed for over the past decade by notching an 8.6% sales gain in 2019, according to the American Botanical Council.

Study supports Nouri’s Duocap formulations to deliver viable probiotics to the gut

01-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A capsule-within-a-capsule delivery of probiotics leads to increases in viable bacterial cells in the upper gastrointestinal tract, says a new study that supports Nouri’s Duocap product.

Probiotics help preterm babies establish a 'normal' microbiome: Study

27-Aug-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Specific strains of probiotic Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria given to preterm babies in combination with breast milk may help to build microbial populations and gut health that mirror those of full-term babies, suggests data from the Baby-Associated...

Larger studies 'frankly overdue': Daily multivitamin linked to less-severe illness

25-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Older adults who take a daily multivitamin and mineral supplement experience sickness for shorter periods and with less severe symptoms, according to a 12-week study.

Review finds vitamin D and some minerals might benefit fibromyalgia sufferers

24-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new review has found some promise for the use of vitamin D and mineral supplementation to support fibromyalgia sufferers. There was less evidence in favor of vitamins C and E and probiotics, however.

Dietary supplement usage changes & increases during pandemic, says new Ipsos-CRN survey

20-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Forty-three percent of dietary supplement users have changed their regimens during the COVID-19 pandemic to boost overall usage, says a new survey by IPSOS commissioned by CRN that hints at lasting changes to their approach to supplementation.

Ashwagandha finds itself in the right place at the right time

19-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

The pandemic crisis has boosted the sales of ashwagandha, but suppliers agree that even before this year’s unusual market conditions, interest in the adaptogenic herb had been on the rise.

Supplement industry quick to warn consumers about Trump's enthusiasm for oleander as COVID-19 cure

19-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

Sources in the natural products industry were nearly unanimous in condemning the Trump Administration’s apparent new found enthusiasm for a toxic oleander extract as a potential COVID-19 cure.

Study adds weight to link between COVID-19 and vitamin D

19-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new cohort study involving 9940 men and women has added to the mounting research to indicate vitamin D supplementation may reduce the seriousness of COVID-19 infections.

Stress management supplements sales surge with sleep and adaptogen lines leading the way

18-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Sales of stress management supplements, which includes mood support and sleep products, have increased over 35% year-on-year, according to data provided by SPINS.

Vitamin Shoppe COO: ‘Immunity is strong but demand for foundational health, sleep, & stress products is growing’

17-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

While sales of immunity health products have been strong for most of 2020, consumer interest in other categories is also surging, from sleep and stress management to a resurgence in sports nutrition, says the COO of The Vitamin Shoppe.