Respiratory health

Lockdown, COVID fuel renewed interest on vitamin D

25-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A whopping two out of three consumers are concerned they are not getting enough vitamin D, according to a new survey.

NAC case raises questions about proper application of NDI provision

17-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

A renewed emphasis by FDA on the precise regulatory status of legacy ingredients as seen in the case of NAC is a cause for concern, an industry observer says.

Pharmacy driven: McPherson’s paving new retail focus for soon-to-be acquired Blackmores’ TCM business

11-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

McPherson’s will be focusing on the pharmacy distribution network for the TCM and oriental botanical brands that it will be acquiring from Blackmores.

Today! IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas Digital Summit

10-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Kicking off at 12pm Eastern, the three-day event will combine dynamic live broadcasts with exclusive on-demand content about probiotics, prebiotics, and the microbiome. There is still time to register for FREE.

Probiota Americas Poem: Our editor's rhyming welcome to this week's Digital Summit

09-Nov-2020 By Stephen Daniells

A Probiota America tradition, my welcome poem gives attendees a glimpse of what to expect during the event. And this year, I've added a special message ... and a fire place.

COVID-inspired study links high vitamin A, E, and D intake to fewer respiratory complaints

04-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

An analysis of nationally representative long term survey data has found that high vitamin A, E, and D intake may be linked to fewer respiratory complaints in adults.

CRISPR is going to reshape the future of probiotic genomes: Expert

29-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

We are just on the cusp of realizing the opportunities offered by CRISPR technology to open up a new generation of probiotic ingredients, says one of the leading scientists in this field.

Nutralliance partners with Globionic for US distribution of Eastern Europe nutraceuticals

16-Oct-2020 By Stephen Daniells

California-based Nutralliance has announced an exclusive sales and distribution agreement with Eastern Europe nutraceuticals specialist Globionic, with the larch-derived Lavitol dihydroquercetin the first ingredient to be available via the agreement.

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.

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.

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...

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

Higher omega-3 DHA levels linked to less lung inflammation, lower ILD risk

27-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Increased levels of the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are associated with a lower risk of hospitalizations due to interstitial lung disease (ILD), according to a new population-based cohort study.

Active nutrition and immunity: Experts discuss key ingredients, personalization, the microbiome, and more

22-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

From probiotics to omega-3s, and from personalization to the ‘paradoxical’ effects of exercise on the immune system, a diverse panel of experts explored the intersection of exercise, immunity and nutrition during a recent webinar.

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.

Immunity and athletes: What does the science say for immune balancing ingredients?

15-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

There are multiple options available to sports nutrition product formulators looking to create immune products, but what is the state of the science for these ingredients specifically for athletes?

Despite sales bump, brands that are not preparing for stormy seas ahead could struggle, consultant says

05-May-2020 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry as a whole is enjoying booming sales as consumer stock up on products to support optimum health. But an industry strategist warns that that sales bump is likely to be ephemeral, and brands that are not strategizing vigorously...

Preliminary research links low vitamin K status to worse outcomes for COVID-19 patients

28-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

COVID-19 patients with low vitamin K status tend to have worse outcomes, according to preliminary results of a study conducted by researchers in the Netherlands.

Clear link between vitamin D deficiency and severity of coronavirus, say researchers

28-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Vitamin D deficiency may play an important role in the severity of COVID-19 infections so supplementation should be strongly advised at this time, according to researchers who studied mortality rates across the globe.

Xsto's new cell culture form of echinacea could hit sweet spot in market threatened by adulteration

13-Apr-2020 By Hank Schultz

Branded ingredient supplier Xsto Solutions is launching a new echinacea product line based on a cell culture technology that hits the market at a what might prove to be a propitious time when supply of this botanical has been skewed by a huge spike in...

CRN UK highlights why essential nutrients have never been more essential

02-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

The ongoing threat of coronavirus could increase the potential for deficiencies in key micronutrients supporting the immune system, according to The Council for Responsible Nutrition UK (CRN UK).

Probiotics stakeholders fire back at JAMA article calling for drug regulations for bugs

01-Apr-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Industry experts have slammed statements made in a recent JAMA Viewpoint that called for probiotics to be regulated to the same standard as drugs, and decried the “paucity of high-quality data supporting the value of probiotics”.

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.

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.

Study unlocks how gut bacteria may protect against pathogenic colonization

12-Feb-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Shedding light on how commensal bacteria may protect against colonization and contagion of potentially antibiotic resistant bacteria, a new study from Imperial College London offers a glimpse into possible population-level protection.

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!

Elderberry sales grow as demand increases for superfruits and functional ingredients

02-Oct-2019 By Danielle Masterson

With the flu making its rounds, consumers are stocking up on different supplements to keep seasonal illnesses at bay.

Dietary supplement use more popular than ever: CRN study

30-Sep-2019 By Danielle Masterson

The widespread use of dietary supplements among adults of all ages is on the rise.

Physicians receive inadequate nutrition education, study calls for policy changes

27-Sep-2019 By Danielle Masterson

Poor diet is the leading risk factor for early death worldwide. Yet nutrition is insufficiently incorporated into medical education, according to a new report from the Harvard Law School Food Law and Policy Clinic (FLPC).

Probiotics could help save billions in health care costs associated with flu-like infections

13-Sep-2019 By Stephen Daniells

The potential of probiotic supplements to reduce the incidence and duration of flu-like respiratory tract infections in the US could translate into over $1 billion of costs savings, according to a new economic modeling study.

Supplement maker targeting endocannabinoid system adds omega-3 based product

28-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Emerald Health Bioceuticals is building out its endocannabinoid-targeting supplement line with a new emulsified product combining omega-3 fish oils, hemp seed oil and MCT oil from coconut.

UBiome suspends founders, sales of microbiome tests in wake of FBI raid

22-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Testing company uBiome has suspended its co founders in the wake of an FBI raid on its San Francisco offices.

CVS finalizes program that mandates third party testing for all supplements

16-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

CVS Pharmacy has finalized a requirement that all supplements sold in its stores must now be tested by one of four third party certifiers.

Omega-3 and air pollution: Supplementation may help protect cardiovascular health – China RCT

10-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

The intake of omega-3 fatty acids may have cardio-protective effects against air pollution, according to an RCT conducted by researchers in China and the US.

From the Editor's Desk

If botanicals don’t fit easily under supplement heading, why not try to fix that?

12-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

Should the creation of a new herbal medicine category be one of the goals of the upcoming discussions about a new regulatory framework? If it were possible, such a change could clear up many of the ambiguities surrounding the marketing of these products...

US Military, A.I., and mechanisms of action: First speakers announced for IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas

14-Mar-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Delegate registration is now open for the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas in Vancouver, with speakers already confirmed covering topics including the US Military, Artificial Intelligence, and probiotic mechanisms of action.

Few essential oils met label spec in recent test

21-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Essential oil adulteration continues to be an issue in the marketplace, according to testing results revealed by a major dietary supplement manufacturer.

Sabinsa prevails in black cumin seed extract comparison

11-Dec-2018 By Hank Schultz

A black cumin seed extract marketed by Sabinsa performed best in a head to head comparison of extracts in an in vivo study looking at the effects of this botanical on inflammatory processes related to asthma.

New AHP monograph on oshá sheds light on botanical said to be ‘gift of the bear’

07-Dec-2018 By Hank Schultz

The American Herbal Pharmacopoeia has released a new monograph on oshá, or bear root, a wildcrafted herb of the American west. The publication is the latest in a series that AHP has been producing for a number of years.

NutraIngredients-USA Global Round-up: Medtronic acquires Nutrino, plus fish oil and vitamin D3 benefits for athletes

26-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

It’s a global industry and there’s a lot happening. We know it’s not always easy keeping up with everything that’s happening around the world that could impact the US dietary supplements industry. The answer? Our weekly round-up of key news from across...

ABC bolsters traceability efforts with Sustainable Herbs Program partnership

05-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

The American Botanical Council has partnered with a noted documentary filmmaker to support the Sustainable Herb Program, which aims to foster transparency and traceability in the sourcing of the raw materials for increasingly popular herbal products.

Highlights from the Harvard Probiotics Symposium

26-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The recent Harvard Probiotics Symposium brought together scientific experts from across the globe to discuss: “Gut Health, Microbiota & Probiotics Throughout the Lifespan: Dietary Influences”. Here’s what we learned.

Despite market growth, supply of Ayurvedic raw materials seems secure, experts say

14-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

The supply of botanical materials for Ayurvedic preparations seems secure despite the growing popularity of the products and a recent report that some rules governing wild harvest are being flaunted.

Heat killed lactic acid strain boosts athletes' immune defenses

07-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

Researchers have found that a heat killed bacterial strain suppressed markers of respiratory infections and fatigue in university athletes.

Probiotics show promising impact on hayfever symptoms: Winclove-backed pilot study

29-May-2018 By Gary Scattergood

New research from a pilot study in Australia – funded by Winclove and Nutrimune – has shown that probiotics may improve the quality of life of hayfever patients.

Personalization and the microbiome in precision medicine: Probiota Americas 2018 program revealed

07-May-2018 By Stephen Daniells

From the microbiome in precision medicine to personalized probiotics for sports nutrition, and from next-gen analytical advances to how online customer engagement is driving the market, Probiota Americas will again bridge the science and business of the...

Probiotics proved better than placebo at reducing cold symptoms, clinical trial suggests

07-May-2018 By Adi Menayang

Chinese researchers linked probiotic supplementation to fewer incidence of flu-like symptoms in new study, building the science backing probiotics’ benefits to the upper respiratory tract.

Call for new category of herbal products likely to fall on deaf ears

29-Mar-2018 By Hank Schultz

Suppliers of herbal ingredients that are well characterized with reams of research continue to chafe about the strictures involved in communicating the benefits of these ingredients in the US market. Word on the street is, that situation is unlikely...

Probiotics and fish oil during pregnancy could cut children’s allergy risk

02-Mar-2018 By Tim Cutcliffe

Allergy and eczema risk in infants and toddlers may be reduced if mothers take probiotics and fish oil supplements during pregnancy, suggest researchers.