Maternal & infant health

Insufficient evidence for Lactobacillus reuteri and colic, say researchers

08-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

There is not enough evidence to support use of the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri to manage colic or prevent crying infants, according to a new analysis.

Folic acid deficiency may impact later generations

03-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Deficiencies in folic acid dating back up to five generations could have an impact on developmental risk factors and later risk of disease, according to new research in mice.

Vitamin D3 disappoints in diarrheal study

23-Sep-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Heavy supplementation of vitamin D does not reduce diarrheal illnesses among children aged three and younger, according to research.

Special edition: Amino Acids and Protein

Plant or animal: A global protein snap shot

19-Sep-2013 By Shane STARLING

From gym powders and shakes to German ‘evening’ breads to ‘brogurt’ – high-protein yoghurt marketed at men – to the rise of Greek yoghurt in the US, protein bars, meat substitutes and good ol’ ‘trad’ dairy – protein is powering right now.

More omega-3 may reduce symptoms of ADHD: Rat study

11-Sep-2013

There is a clear connection between the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and declines in ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) symptoms in rats, according to new research.

New findings suggest DHA supplements can improve sleep quality

Omega-3 status linked to sleep quality in school children: New data

05-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of omega-3 from food or supplements could help to improve sleep quality in children, according to new data presented yesterday.

L. rhamnosus probiotic shows long-lasting anti-eczema benefits for kids: RCT

05-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements containing the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 strain may reduce the incidence of eczema and skin sensitivity in children, according to data from a double-blind randomized placebo-controlled trial.

Fortification successful for ‘near-elimination’ of folic acid anemia

27-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Mandatory fortification of select cereal grains with folic acid has led to the ‘near eradication’ of folate-deficiency anemia, says a new study.

Childhood allergy linked to omega-3 and omega-6: Study

22-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Babies born with high levels ofpoly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in cord blood may be more likely to develop respiratory and skin allergies in their early teens, according to new research.

Cochrane: Antioxidants don’t increase female fertility

05-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

A review of antioxidant research has concluded that antioxidants don’t improve the chances of women becoming pregnant.

Generation game: Effects of omega-3 deficiency may worsen over consecutive generations

30-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

The negative effects of poor omega-3 intake could become incrementally worse through consecutive generations, according to a new study.

FMC: 'We looked at the omega-3 area broadly and it was clear Epax was the premier property in this space'

25-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

While the $345m acquisition of omega-3 firm Epax will keep it busy for a while, FMC Corporation is still on the lookout for other deals in other high-growth areas of the nutraceuticals market, says the man in charge of its fast-growing health and nutrition...

FMC Corporation makes bold move into omega-3 market with $345m deal to buy Epax

24-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

US-based gums, hydrocolloids and natural colors expert FMC Corporation has moved into the omega-3 market with the acquisition of European fish oil giant Epax in a $345m deal.

Curcumin may protect premature infants' lungs: Study

08-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Intake of curcumin – the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour – may provide long-term protection against potentially deadly lung damage in premature infants, according to new research.

Omega-3 DHA’s brain health benefits may emerge in later childhood

27-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential brain health benefits of increased intake of DHA at birth may take several years to emerge, according to data from a small cohort of children.

Daily iron supplement improves baby birth weight, meta-analysis confirms

27-Jun-2013

Taking a daily iron supplement during pregnancy is directly associated with significant increases in birth weight and a reduction in risk of maternal anaemia and low birth weight babies, according to a new meta-analysis.

Prebiotic infant formula yields breast milk-like infant microbiota: Study

30-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

Infant formula infused with prebiotic oligofructose-enriched inulin results in an infant microbiota that is closer to that of breast milk fed infants during the first four months of life, a study has found.

Special edition: Battling malnutrition

Vitamin Angels: We could reach 100 million kids tomorrow if we had the funding

24-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

It started with an earthquake. Then a call from a local relief agency led to a mobilizing of connections. Nineteen years later and Vitamin Angels is reaching 30 million kids with micronutrients. But it could be so much more...

Special edition: Battling malnutrition

Dutch food companies collaborate to combat malnutrition in Africa and Asia

24-May-2013 By Caroline SCOTT-THOMAS

Dutch food companies have announced a partnership with government and NGOs to help improve nutrition in selected countries in Eastern Africa and Southern Asia.

Combating 'hidden hunger' with Vitamin Angels

24-May-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Vitamin Angels is combating hidden hunger by helping children under five, pregnant women and new mothers gain access to lifesaving and life changing micronutrients. Check out this photo gallery to learn more about the causes of hidden hunger and see the...

Special edition: Battling malnutrition

Time for mandatory folic acid fortification to go truly global?

24-May-2013 By Shane Starling

Food fortification with neural tube defect (NTD)-reducing folic acid is mandatory in 75 nations, but concerns over cancer and other health issues mean Europe lags far behind – a situation that needs to change and quickly, says DSM thinktank, sightandlife.

Maternal iodine deficiency could lead to lower IQs, new studies suggest

22-May-2013 By Nathan Gray

Mothers to be who do not take in enough iodine may put their children at risk of lower IQ and literacy scores, according to two new studies from the UK and Australia.

Researchers question the 'optimal' vitamin D dose for infants

13-May-2013 By Nathan Gray

Dosage recommendations for vitamin D supplementation in infancy do not help to raise levels to those considered 'optimal' by many experts - but do still being levels up to the standards set by the IOM, say researchers.

Maternal microbiota passes directly to newborn, Yakult research suggests

24-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

A mother's gut microbiota may transfer and colonise newborn infants intestines in the first few days after birth, according to new research from Yakult.

Babies vitamin D status impacts immune system development: Study

11-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

The month a baby is born might have a significant impact on its vitamin D status and immune development, according to new data.

Prebiotic prevention: Cochrane backs infant formula prebiotics for eczema - but not allergies

28-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Prebiotis supplements in infant formula may help to prevent eczema, but there is lack of evidence that the same is true for allergies, according to a new Cochrane review.

Excess vitamin D in pregnancy may lead to food allergies: Study

28-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of high doses of vitamin D supplements during pregnancy may raise the risk of children developing food allergies after birth, says research.

Nestlé buys Louisiana depression food firm

27-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

Nestlé has bought its second brain health-focused medical foods start-up in eight months after snaffling Red River Pharma-owned Pamlab which makes high-dose vitamin supplements targeting depression, diabetes and Alzheimer’s.

Maternal omega-3 supplements reduce preterm birth risk: Study

26-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

Prenatal supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA may help to cut the risk of preterm and low birth weight babies, says new study data.

Special edition: Omega-3 (Editor's blog)

How high can high-end omega-3 go?

21-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

Just got off the phone to Ola Snove, the new(ish) CEO of Aker part-owned Norwegian omega-3 specialist Epax. Wanted to know his view on high-end omega-3 prospects that have attracted BASF and DSM to the sector. His word: “Stellar”.

Special edition: Omega-3s

Marine omega-3 sources are clearing sustainability bar - so far

21-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Fish oil, an ingredient with a 150-year plus history as a nutraceutical, continues to be the mainstay of the world’s supply of omega-3s. But, with all of the questions hovering over the health of the oceans, how much longer can suppliers and manufacturers...

Special edition: Omega-3

Finding the sweet spot in the algal omega-3 market

21-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Most experts say we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to exploring the commercial potential of microalgae. But who is best-placed to translate this promise into hard cash in the food and dietary supplement market?

'Provocative': Prenatal folic acid supplements linked to lower risk of autism for kids

13-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Maternal use of supplemental folic acid from 4 weeks before to 8 weeks after the start of pregnancy was associated with a lower risk of autistic disorder in children, says a new study.

No cancer risk from folic acid supplementation, says meta-analysis

25-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

High intake of folic acid is not associated with an increased incidence of cancers, new data has confirmed.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Ironing out the issues: Can new research solutions help beat global iron deficiency?

24-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

The health issues associated with low levels of iron are many and varied. In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at the current state of the market and looks at some of the potential solutions to this truly global problem.

Supplements and milk are most important for children’s vitamin D levels, say researchers

15-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of cow’s milk and vitamin D supplements are the two most important factors determining a child’s vitamin D status, according to a new study.

Low maternal vitamin D again linked to low birth weights: Study

02-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women deficient in vitamin D early in their pregnancies are twice as likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights, say researchers.

Iron supplements may reduce ADHD in low birth weight infants, say researchers

12-Dec-2012 By Nathan Gray

Giving iron supplements to low birth weight infants may reduce the risk of developing behavioural problems such as ADHD later in life, say researchers.

Vitamins: A centenary of essential nutrients

Looking forward: The emerging evidence for vitamins and health

28-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

In the last 100 years vitamins have been found to play vital roles in our health and wellbeing, but the full benefits of many vitamins is yet to be elucidated.In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at some of the areas of vitamin research...

Omega-3 backed for postpartum depression

26-Nov-2012

Increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids could help to battle postpartum depression, according to a new review.

Study calls for maternal vitamin D supplementation

21-Nov-2012

New data that ‘strongly implicates’ maternal levels of vitamin D with the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children means there is now a strong case for supplementation of pregnant women in countries where sunlight levels are low between October and...

Maternal vitamin C backed for baby’s brain development

20-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Maternal deficiency in vitamin during pregnancy could have serious consequences for the development of the foetal brain that cannot be reversed, according to new research data.

Randomized trials show benefits of magnesium chelate ingredient

06-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of magnesium bisglycinate chelate may reduce the frequency and intensity of pregnancy-induced leg cramps, say results from a double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Maternal folic acid use may benefit baby’s brain health

10-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Folic acid supplements during pregnancy may reduce the risk of childhood brain tumors, suggests new data from Australia.

"Next generation": Roquette launches vegetable protein research initiative

08-Oct-2012 By Shane Starling from Lille, France

French ingredients giant Roquette has launched a pea protein research programme dedicated to, “the next generation of plant-based proteins”.

Maternal vitamin D backed to help build better baby brain

18-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

Mothers with low levels of vitamin D are more likely to have children with slower brain development and lower mental and motor skills, warn researchers.

Probiotics may benefit premature infants: BioGaia

11-Sep-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with a probiotic could help to reduce the incidence of a cinnib gastrointestinal problem associated with premature babies, according to new research.

Excess maternal iodine linked to thyroid problems in newborns

31-Jul-2012 By Nathan Gray

Over supplementation with iodine during pregnancy could lead to the development of congenital hypothyroidism in newborns, according new clinical case data.

EU science agency backs omega-3s up to 5g a day

30-Jul-2012 By Shane Starling

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) says there are no safety concerns in consuming various omega-3 forms at up to 5g per day – much higher than typical recommended upper limits that tend to linger around 1g or 1.5g per day – in the short term at...