Maternal & infant health

Guest article

Natural products industry must support supplement expansion

09-Sep-2020 By Jim Emme, CEO of NOW and Board Member of the Natural Products Association

The pandemic has made all Americans more health conscious. Along with social distancing and better hand hygiene, Americans are turning to nutritional supplements as a way to boost their immune systems and support their overall health.

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.

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.

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...

Study reveals how vitamin D supplementation influences baby's gut microbiome

20-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A cohort study of 1,157 infants has found that vitamin D supplementation is associated with bacterial changes in a baby's microbiome which may influence susceptibility to asthma or respiratory viral infections.

‘For those saying there are no clinical trials to support probiotics, have a seat’ – IPA Chief

27-Jul-2020 By Stephen Daniells

There are over 1,600 human clinical trials on probiotics listed in ClinicalTrials.gov and the WHO’s trial database, according to a new analysis that seeks to address the misconception that there is no human data around probiotics.

Dietary guidelines report carves out role for dietary supplementation, especially in maternal nutrition

21-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

The USDA report that will underpin the development of the next set of Dietary Guidelines for Americans reflects a growing and welcome appreciation of the role of dietary supplements, industry observers say.

Reports urges a cultural shift to boost gut health and first 1,000 days of life

17-Jul-2020 By Will Chu

A report believes the reduction of chronic digestive disease risk and improvements to gut microbiome health can be achieved by changing behaviours and attitudes towards food consumption and production.

US omega-3 intakes from fish and supplements are ‘far below recommended amounts’

13-Jul-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Average intake of EPA and DHA omega-3s in the US population is less than half the levels recommended by the WHO and NIH, says a new analysis. Omega-3 trade group GOED says the data “strengthens our arguments for increased outreach.”

Probiotics stakeholders respond to 'frustrating' and 'confusing' 60 Minutes TV segment

01-Jul-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Experts from academia and industry have reacted strongly to a TV segment aired on CBS’ 60 Minutes that sought to answer the question, “Do Probiotics Actually Do Anything?”

New study highlights quality variations in commercial colostrum products

30-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The bioactivity of commercial bovine colostrum samples may vary significantly, says a new study partially funded by colostrum-based nutrition company, PanTheryx, which the company says aims to shine a spotlight on sourcing and handling.

Exposure to prenatal stress modifies offspring’s microbiota: Study

29-Jun-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Women are encouraged to look after their physical health during pregnancy, but mental health may be just as important. When babies are exposed to prenatal stress, they may be predisposed to various adverse health outcomes.

IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2020 canceled: We’ll be back in 2021

19-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

In light of the ongoing uncertainty around the COVID-19 public health crisis, the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2020 has been canceled, but will return June 16-18, 2021 in Washington, D.C.

BIOMILQ raises $3.5m to fund mammary cell-cultured human breastmilk platform, disrupt infant nutrition market

16-Jun-2020 By Elaine Watson

BIOMILQ – a startup producing breastmilk by culturing human mammary cells - has raised $3.5m to meet the needs of the four fifths of women who transition to dairy-based formula before the recommended six-month exclusivity period for breastfeeding, but...

AGA issues guidelines for probiotics for sick, at-risk populations

12-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The American Gastroenterological Association has released guidelines for a range of conditions, with strong support for necrotizing enterocolitis in infants and for the prevention of C. difficile infection in adults and children who take antibiotics.