Maternal & infant health

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.

NutraCast Podcast: George Stagnitti on colostrum research

29-May-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Colostrum is often thought of as a newborn's first meal — but it isn’t just for babies.

‘Cynicism and disappointment’: Infant nutrition brands face credibility challenge after latest China scandal

27-May-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Both local Chinese and foreign infant nutrition brands in China are urged to “push hard on safety cues and messages” in light of the recent infant nutrition scandal happening in the country, according to an industry expert.

GOED Chief: ‘March was incredible for sales, April may have been slower’

18-May-2020 By Stephen Daniells

As has been reported for other dietary supplement categories, “March was an incredible month” for the omega-3 category, but reports are that those levels have not been maintained through April, said Ellen Schutt, executive director of GOED.

DSM reveals vegetarian omega powders for infant nutrition

30-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Global nutrition giant Royal DSM, has launched microbial DHASCO-B and ARASCO powders, offering sustainable and vegetarian sources of DHA omega-3 and ARA omega-6 for infant nutrition.

HMOs for NEC: Abbott-Johns Hopkins researchers unlock breastmilk prebiotics intestinal mechanism

09-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) may prevent the development of necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC) in premature infants by inhibiting a specific receptor in the intestine linked to inflammation, researchers from Johns Hopkins and Abbott report for the...

Guest article

The irrationality of probiotic dissension

09-Apr-2020

“The Probiotic Conundrum”, an article published last month in JAMA, has received a lot of criticism from experts in the field. Professor Gregor Reid, PhD, MBA, penned a counterpoint to the article and submitted it to JAMA. The journal rejected his submission....

Prenatal folic acid supplementation may also offer cognitive benefits for children

26-Mar-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The importance of folic acid before conception and during the first trimester are well established, but new data from Ireland indicates that maintaining supplementation beyond the first trimester may lead to cognitive performance benefits for the child.

IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2020 postponed until November

24-Mar-2020 By NutraIngredients-USA

In light of the ongoing novel Coronavirus (COVID19) public health emergency, IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas has been postponed until November 16-18, 2020 at the Crystal Gateway Marriott Hotel, Washington DC.

Vaginal microbiome decoded: Team creates gene database to advance women's health

06-Mar-2020 By Will Chu

The first reference database that pools metagenomic and metatranscriptomic data from the vaginal microbiome will, according to researchers, aid in understanding the microorganisms’ role in reproduction and health.

96% of the globe may have insufficient access by 2100

Could climate change cause DHA omega-3 from oceans to plummet?

04-Mar-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Warming oceans may deliver a crushing blow to the production of DHA omega-3 by algae, which would ripple up the food chain and slash the global availability of this critical nutrient by 2100, says a scientific paper. But could rapid advances in plant...

NIU’s Global Round-up: Ireland updates CBD recall list, Evolve BioSystems to conduct research in Asia, and more

02-Mar-2020 By Stephen Daniells

What’s happened across the Nutra-verse over the past seven days? Stay on top of things with our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

3-FL demonstrates safe use for food and dietary supplements: Study

25-Feb-2020 By Danielle Masterson

DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences continues its foray into digestive health by ramping up research on human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs).

DSM acquires HMO firm Glycom in €765m deal

25-Feb-2020 By Will Chu

Royal DSM has reached agreement to acquire Danish Human Milk Oligosaccharide (HMO) supplier Glycom in a deal worth €765m.

Babies and probiotics: Bill Gates-backed probiotic firm to embark on research in Singapore, Hong Kong

25-Feb-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Evolve BioSystems, the US-based microbiome firm supported by big name investors Bill Gates and Li Ka Shing, will soon embark on local research in the APAC region, namely Singapore and Hong Kong.

First speakers announced for IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas

14-Feb-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Delegate registration is open for the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas in Washington DC, with speakers already confirmed covering topics including postbiotics, the changing retail landscape, microbes and the mitochondria, and fermented foods.

Deadline for entry is April 3, 2020!

IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2020 call for abstracts: Got groundbreaking research to shout about?

11-Feb-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Are you researching the latest state-of-the-art developments related to prebiotic, probiotic and microbiome science relevant to human health, well-being, consumers and industry? If so, we would like to hear from you!

GOED analysis supports quality levels for majority of US omega-3 supplements

05-Feb-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The majority of the 48 most widely sold retail EPA/DHA omega-3 dietary supplements on the US market are of good quality, according to a new analysis by GOED that the trade groups calls “a timely snapshot of product quality in the US”.

UAS Labs licenses impactful infant-safe L. plantarum probiotic strain

03-Feb-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Wisconsin-based UAS Laboratories has finalized a partnership with Lottus, LLC and Dr Pinaki Panigrahi, MD, PhD, a world-renowned pediatric infectious disease expert for the Lactobacillus plantarum PPLP-217 strain.

Food allergy supplement gets Shark Tank investment

20-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new dietary supplement aimed at food allergy suppression has received an investment as a result of a Shark Tank TV show appearance, which points to the increasing interest in this category of products.

Calcium intake declines among Canadians, study finds

13-Jan-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new study has found that calcium intakes have decreased in Canada in recent years as consumers eat less dairy products and use fewer calcium supplements.

BB-12 probiotic strain may help lessen the impact of colic in infants, says study

09-Jan-2020 By Natasha Spencer

A new scientific trial suggests that Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 may offer relief for infants experiencing colic.

Ministers have ‘moral duty’ to act in folic acid fortification, say experts

03-Jan-2020 By Will Chu

Leading nutrition experts are calling on the UK government to fortify flour and grains with folic acid to help prevent birth defects as a final decision draws near after a 12-week public consultation.

Vitamin Angels expands reach to 2 million pregnant women in 2019

18-Dec-2019 By Danielle Masterson

The charity helped reached more than 70 million children in about 70 countries, including the US, with the vital nutrients they need as a foundation for good health.

The double burden of nutrition: When malnutrition and obesity overlap

18-Dec-2019 By Danielle Masterson

The Lancet recently published a warning report calling attention to the “new nutrition reality” facing low and middle-income countries that is driven by the modern food system.

News in brief

Kaneka gets GRAS status on baby probiotic

18-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

Kaneka has announced self affirmed GRAS status on its Baby Colic probiotic dietary supplement meant to ease babies through gut discomfort episodes.

Piglets, probiotics and prebiotics: Study finds gender disparity in immunological function

11-Dec-2019 By Danielle Masterson

A new study looking at the effectiveness of dietary supplements on the immune system found that prebiotics and probiotics may need to be targeted according to sex to achieve optimum health benefits.

GOED: Omega-3s market grew 2.3% in 2018

10-Dec-2019 By Hank Schultz

The global omega-3s market grew 2.3% in 2018 from the previous year on a tonnage basis, according to a report released by GOED.

Probiotics may provide relief for infants with colic, new study reveals

10-Dec-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementing an infant with Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB‐12 may help with the management of colic, says a new clinical trial.

RB partners with Evolve BioSystems on infant probiotic products

09-Dec-2019 By Stephen Daniells

The new partnership leverages RB’s national footprint to expand the reach and adoption of Evivo, Evolve BioSystems' infant probiotic, across the United States.

Consumer Reports calls attention to the importance of vitamin K

06-Dec-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Many people – and older men in particular – are not getting enough vitamin K, says a new article by Consumer Reports that draws attention to the benefits of the vitamin.

Pre-term supplementation does not raise developmental risks, review finds

06-Dec-2019 By Will Chu

Nutrient supplementation in small babies does not raise the risk of developmental and metabolic conditions in later life, a review concludes.

Kaneka launches novel innovation award program: Free product and then a clinical trial grant

02-Dec-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotics player Kaneka has launched an innovation awards program, giving current and prospective clients the opportunity to receive free units of its Floradapt products.

NIU’s Global Round-up: Antioxidants & telomere length in Brazilian kids, key immunity-boosting probiotic metabolite identified, and more

25-Nov-2019 By Stephen Daniells

What's happened this week around the Nutra-Verse? Stay on top of things with our weekly round-up of key news from across the globe.

Review: Postbiotics show promise, even if method of action is unclear

20-Nov-2019 By Hank Schultz

The use of postbiotics could be an attractive alternative to prebiotics in immunocompromised children and adults, according to a recent review. But the lack of a definition of the term is still a complicating factor in determining effectiveness, the...

Higher maternal lutein intake linked to better child behavior: Study

18-Nov-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Higher intakes of lutein during pregnancy are associated with better behavior regulation in the children at mid-childhood, suggests a new study from Tufts University and Harvard Medical School.

Probiotics industry welcomes Bill Gates’ support of probiotics, microbiome research

06-Nov-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Recent comments by Bill Gates supporting probiotics and ways to modulate the microbiome to help tackle malnutrition are hugely significant, says the executive director of the International Probiotics Association (IPA).

Study: Childhood obesity risk factors occur before birth

04-Nov-2019 By Danielle Masterson

New research suggests the mother's gut bacteria and its interactions with immune cells and metabolic organs, including fat tissue, play a key role in childhood obesity.

BASF joins the HMO club with 2’-FL launch

23-Oct-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the “hot new thing” said an expert recently, as BASF announced the US launch of its 2’-FL (2’-fucosyllactose) ingredient, which is branded Prebilac.