Inflammation

Pressure mounts for regulatory clarity on CBDs

21-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

The recent spate of FDA warning letters on the use of CBD as an ingredient in dietary supplements seems to have done little to dampen formulators’ enthusiasm for its use in new products. The situation is unprecedented in the herbal products sphere, observers...

Curcumin supplement reduces muscle damage post-exercise: Human data

21-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

‘Optimized’ curcumin may reduce markers of inflammation and muscle damage following excessive exercise, says a new study.

Five key Expo West supplement trends

16-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

We walked and we talked, and here’s our list of 5 key trends for supplements from Expo West in Anaheim.

Consumers shortchanged as formulators cut chondroitin use, dosages, Synutra CEO says

15-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

The chondroitin market might be getting cleaner, but price issues mean that formulators are shaving down dosages, a major supplier says.

Higher magnesium levels linked to healthier arteries: Study

08-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Higher serum levels of magnesium may reduce the risk of hypertension by almost 50% and the risk of coronary artery calcification by 42%, says a new study.

BGG folds astaxanthin, future algal ingredient development into new subsidiary Algae Life Sciences

03-Mar-2016 By Hank Schultz

A new player has entered the astaxanthin market as Chinese ingredient supplier BGG has formed a subsidiary named Algae Life Sciences to market the carotenoid produced from a facility in Yunnan province.

Deadline for submission: March 18!

We want you! Scientific committee calls for cutting-edge science at the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2016

01-Mar-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The scientific committee of the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2016 is calling for submission of abstracts for this year's event. Don’t miss your chance to present!

White House calls for microbiome science support

29-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Industry stakeholders have expressed their support and excitement at a recent White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP) national call to action for new public and private commitments to support microbiome science.

HMB may protect soldiers against inflammation during high intensity training

25-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Military personnel undergoing high intensity training may benefit from HMB supplements, says a new study from the University of Central Florida, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, and the Israel Defense Force.

Star fruit juice consumption may improve quality of life of the elderly

22-Feb-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found that 40 healthy elderly subjects who drank star fruit juice daily for four weeks showed lowered secretion of pathological cytokines and increased ability for 6-minute walks.

Selenium marketers should focus outside the US and on lower doses, says leading researcher

18-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

A large proportion of the US population is achieving adequate levels of selenium from their diets and marketers of selenium products should focus on populations in countries where levels of the micronutrient are low, says a leading researcher. 

Flavonoid metabolites but not flavonoids themselves linked to heart health benefits

16-Feb-2016 By Stephen Daniells

The potential heart health benefits of flavonoids are linked to their metabolites and not the unmetabolized precursors, say a new study from the UK.

Digesting science: Six ideas about prebiotics

11-Feb-2016 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn and Will Chu

Post-menopausal bone health, metagenomics and mimicking breast milk were among our top six ideas on prebiotics discussed at this year's Probiota in Amsterdam. 

FDA sends warning letters to 8 companies marketing CBD products

10-Feb-2016 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration has sent eight warning letters out to companies marketing dietary supplements containing CBD. The warning letters cite illegal drug claims and also hinge upon the existence of CBD as the active ingredient in two drugs...

GOED EXCHANGE 2016

Judging data choice, extraction methods can help mark a meta-analysis as good or suspect, GOED attendees told

09-Feb-2016 By Hank Schultz

Not all meta-analyses are created equal. Trying to figure out which ones hold water and which are riven with holes was the subject of one of the most gripping sessions as the recent GOED Exchange meeting in the Canary Islands.

RCTs the only way for probiotic acceptance, says leading professor

09-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

The only way probiotics will be accepted into mainstream medicine is to conduct randomised clinical trials that conform to drug standards, a leading gastroenterologist has said.

Gilad & Gilad defends usage patent for agmatine in nerve health

29-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

Gilad & Gilad, formulators of a neuroprotective dietary supplement, have defended their patent on the usage of agmatine in a settlement with an alleged infringer.

Trade association opposes U.S. Customs proposal to reclassify certain bilberry and blueberry extracts

29-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

The American Herbal Products Association (AHPA) submitted a comment to the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), expressing their opposition to proposals that would “change the tariff classification of certain bilberry and blueberry extract powders,” the...

Study: Antioxidant supplements (still) not an athlete’s best training partner

29-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

Back in 2009, a group of researchers in Germany and the US published a hotly debated study that said antioxidants may blunt the benefits of exercise. One of the researchers recently released a topical review of the subject, and he still stands by the...

IPA challenges article's assertion that science behind probiotics is 'shaky'

29-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

A recent online article that labeled the science backing probiotics as “shaky” was criticized by the International Proibiotics Association as lacking context and a basic understanding of the industry and the evidence behind it.

Cocoa flavanols may use gut microbiota pathway to ease metabolic syndrome: Review

29-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

Consuming cocoa flavanols may interact with the gut microbiota as a way of preventing metabolic syndrome or easing the condition’s symptoms, a review has concluded.

Weight Management 2020

Apples, pears & berries rich in flavonoids could help weight management, study finds

29-Jan-2016 By Elizabeth Crawford

If predictions are true that the future of weight management is less about what to cut out and more about eating healthy foods, then manufacturers and consumers should consider adding more apples, pears and berries to meals, which new research suggest...

ChromaDex closes deal to place Niagen in wide array of national chains

28-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex has hit another milestone in the market penetration of its Niagen ingredient with a deal that will put it into a number of national retail chains.

Special edition: Microbiome metrics & advances

Beyond microbiota: Prebiotics need hard health endpoints

28-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Hard health endpoints, not just changes to microbiota, are needed to secure EU prebiotic health claims and bring fibre intakes up to recommended levels, according to European researchers.

XOS alters microbiome of pre diabetic individuals in study

27-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

In a UCLA study on xylooligosaccharide the prebiotic fiber showed the potential for altering the gut microbiome of pre diabetic individuals.

Researchers in India use curcumin to create ‘functional ice cream’

26-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers from the National Dairy Research Institute in India sought to bring the health benefits of turmeric’s main metabolite—curcumin—into one of the world’s most popular treat: ice cream.

Study: pasta fortified with parsley brought limited antioxidant values

25-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

Researchers in Poland fortified pasta with parsley leaves. Though the phenolic level and antioxidant potential of the product was effectively enhanced, the values were significantly lower than predicted.

First-time study tracks nutritional distribution of fat in human GI tract

22-Jan-2016 By Will Chu

An innovative analytical method has provided insights into the emptying, phase separation and distribution of fat in the human gastrointestinal (GI) system, which could pave the way for more effective functional foods that control energy intake and homoeostasis.

Mangosteen rind ups 'cheap chocolate' polyphenols by 50%: Research

21-Jan-2016 By Louisa Richards

Adding a mangosteen fruit by-product to cheaper low cocoa chocolates could improve their nutritional content without compromising flavour, researchers have discovered. 

Study finds berry pigments may decrease bad cholesterol in overweight individuals

20-Jan-2016 By Adi Menayang

The anthocyanins found in berries help decrease bad cholesterol in overweight individuals, but don’t affect the levels of individuals considered to have a healthy weight.

All forms of omega-3s support health in different ways, flax advocate says

19-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

Omega-3s may have been created unequal, but all varieties, plant-based, marine and algal sources, have a potential role in supporting health, a consultant says.

EFSA uncorks EU market for DSM’s synthetic trans-resveratrol

18-Jan-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said synthetic trans-resveratrol is safe for use in supplements following a novel food application from multinational DSM.

Delivery matrix may influence anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics, says study

18-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming a yogurt with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB-12 added after fermentation could boost the anti-inflammatory actions of the strain, says a new study.

Dietary guidelines seen as big win for supplements, step forward for omega-3s

13-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

The new dietary guidelines release by the US Department of Health and Human Services are seen as a win for the concept of supplementation, and helped boost the fortunes of specific nutrients such as EPA and DHA.

Krill oil supplier Neptune bolsters formulation, marketing support with Biodroga acquisition

11-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

Canadian krill oil supplier Neptune Technologies and Bioressources is moving up the value chain by acquiring formulation service provider Biodroga for about $10.6 million (USD).

Navigating health conundrums: Nutrients, probiotics and nutrient-microbiome interactions

08-Jan-2016 By Mark J. S. Miller, PhD, MBA, FACN, CNS

The general public is just beginning to learn about the true potential of probiotics and the concept that microbes can provide health as well as drive complications previously assigned to germs. The challenge is how do we effectively manage these microbes...

Sabinsa concludes curcumin patent suit that was part of a series involving Indian suppliers

06-Jan-2016 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa Corp. has prevailed in yet another patent infringement suit based on its Curcumin C3 Complex ingredient. The most recent settlement is one in a series of suits the company filed to defend its patents in this red-hot sector.

What’s on NutraIngredients-USA's special edition calendar for 2016?

04-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

From transparency to an in-depth look at the Ayurveda, omega-3s, probiotics, contract manufacturing, and the latest trends in sports nutrition and minerals, Nutraingredients-USA’s 2016 editorial calendar of special editions spans the hottest trends in...

GOED updates monograph to keep up with rapidly changing omega-3 industry

18-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

In an effort to keep up with a changing industry, GOED has published an updated version of the GOED Voluntary Monograph, which sets specifications for omega-3 oils.

With right approach liposomes can be 'natural,' manufacturer says

16-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

Making a ‘natural’ liposome is a matter both of manufacturing technology and of careful messaging, says formulation pioneer Empirical Labs.

Curcumin, synbiotics, omega-3s & garlic: The Top 10 Science of 2015

16-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

From breakthrough studies to controversial hypotheses, it has been a fascinating year for science for dietary supplements. In this special gallery we review the top science headlines from 2015.

Peek inside Probiota 2016: Amsterdam, February 2-4

What’s fermented food and can it help make probiotics sexy?

16-Dec-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

When we say ‘fermented’ you say beer? Bread? Sauerkraut? But one start-up is coupling the concept with probiotics for a much needed sector make-over.

First study of its kind: Synbiotics may control excess weight in obese kids

14-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing prebiotics and probiotics may improve oxidative stress and enhance weight loss in obese kids, says a new study.

Does search for single component active constituents throw baby out with bath water?

11-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

Pharmaceutical-style reductionism has been the order of the day in the dietary supplement business. But strong synergistic countercurrents still exist, generated by product developers adhering to older traditions such as TCM and Ayurveda.

Selection for trial solidifies anti-aging bona fides for electrostatic CoQ10 form, manufacturer says

10-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

MitoQ Ltd, makers of an altered form of CoQ10, said the ingredient’s acceptance into a government testing program solidifies a healthy aging application for the ingredient.

Pomegranates and endurance: Study shows juice benefits for athletes

09-Dec-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consumption of pomegranate juice may reduce biochemical markers of damage caused by exercise, according to findings from a small study from Spain.

Prop 65 listing shouldn’t apply to properly made aloe products, IASC says

09-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

Old habits die hard. The director of the International Aloe Science Council said the decision by California state authorities to list aloe vera ingredients as “known carcinogens” lacks precision in how the ingredients are identified and perpetuates a...

Seaweeds could boost heart health potential of supplements, foods, researchers say

08-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

Edible seaweed could have significant promise in boosting the heart health attributes of foods and supplements when used as a functional food ingredient, according to a recent review article in the journal Phycologia.

CBD supplement line launches with test program to donate products to those who can't afford them

03-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

Another company offering a CBD dietary supplement has debuted, this time with a way to address the high cost of the products.

Product developers seek sweet spot in natural systems such as inflammation, blood pressure

02-Dec-2015 By Hank Schultz

The body is made of numerous overlapping systems. Keeping these in systems in balance, running neither too hot nor too cold, so to speak, is one of the key facets of good health and disease prevention. Finding dietary ingredients to aid in this is one...