Sports nutrition

Sodium pills neither help nor hinder athletes: Research

14-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

High-dose sodium supplements do not impact temperature regulation, heart rate, or performance in endurance athletes, say researchers.

Muscle-building supplements linked to testicular cancer risk

14-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

An association between muscle-building supplements and testicular cancer is stronger for young men and long periods of use - with a 177% increased risk for those who mix supplements, warn scientists.

US web retailer pumps EU distribution as gym community swells

09-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

US site Bodybuilding.com has opened its first UK distribution centre to better cater to its customer base in Europe - part of a community that includes 25 million unique visitors to its websites each month.

Rice Bran Technologies' protein will compete with clean source, 'made in USA' message, CEO says

08-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Rice Bran Technologies (RIBT) is close to market with a new rice protein offering that will benefit from a ‘made in USA’ clean sourcing message.  The protein’s debut awaited modifications to the company’s Montana production facility, work that was completed...

Is fast food as effective as sports supplements for recovery?

08-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Burgers and French fries may be just as effective in glycogen recovery and performance as isoenergetic sport supplements, say researchers from the University of Montana.

Cohen releases study that finds form of amphetamine in weight loss, sports products

07-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Prominent dietary supplement industry critic Dr Pieter Cohen has released a new study that shows that a synthetic stimulant was found in more than half of weight loss and sports performance products tested that listed Acacia rigidula as an ingredient...

Deadline for submission: April 10!

We want you! Scientific committee calls for cutting-edge science at Probiota Americas 2015

07-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A newly established scientific committee is set to assess cutting edge research for the Probiota Americas 2015 Scientific Frontiers poster session. Don’t miss your chance to present!

Despite economic uncertainty, Brazilian ingredient market remains promising, exec says

03-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

The widely publicized issues affecting the Brazilian economy is a concern for companies selling ingredients there, but the underlying demand for health and wellness products means market growth is still a realistic possibility, says one executive.

Special Edition: VitaFoods South America

Thinking of Latin America as monolithic market bloc impairs business development, exec says

30-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Geography, and how it informs thinking, plays a big role in how North Americans view markets south of the border, says an ingredient company executive with broad experience in the region. It’s a mistake to treat the region as a monolith, as many North...

$5.9 bn US sports nutrition market unlocking mass appeal: Euromonitor

27-Mar-2015 By Maggie Hennessy

Buoyed by the continued rise of protein as a super-nutrient and a growing urgency around better fitness to stave off lifestyle diseases, sports nutrition is attracting a wider audience of consumers, according to “Trends and Developments in Sports Nutrition”...

CRN discourages members from selling bulk powdered caffeine direct to consumers

26-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has announced a policy that discourages its members from selling bulk powdered caffeine to consumers. The use of the ingredient has been implicated in the deaths of two young men.

ChromaDex succeeds in boosting ingredient sales by 182% in face of continuing losses

26-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex Corp. continued to make progress on its transformation from a company based solely on testing services to a branded ingredient supplier, registering a 182% increase in ingredient sales in its 2014 fiscal year.

Anti-depressant drug fluoxetine continuing to show up as adulterant in weight loss products

20-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

There's another pharmaceutical ingredient to add to the list of APIs showing up in products marketed as dietary supplements.  It’s fluoxetine, an antidepressant, and why fly-by-night formulators seem to be using it is something of a mystery.

Sabinsa looks to beverage applications with new fully soluble uC3 Clear curcumin ingredient

19-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Curcumin is a compound long on health benefits that comes with formidable formulation challenges because of its inflexible solubility profile.  Sabinsa Corp. has found a way around that with a new form of its C3 Curcumin Complex called uC3 Clear that...

Which protein can help weight loss but keep muscle?

19-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater energy from whey protein means greater loss of fat but retention of muscle while dieting, according to research that looked at different protein sources. 

Spread protein throughout the day for muscle gain and weight loss: Nestlé study

18-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Balancing protein intake throughout the day - rather than having the bulk as part of an evening meal - helped participants in a study to boost muscle gain by nearly 20% and lose weight, Nestlé researchers have found.

GOED launches national omega-3s campaign based on successful test market trial

17-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Building on a successful test run in North Carolina, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) has launched a nationwide ad campaign to boost the profile of omega-3s.

Newly available oilseed species features 'game changing' SDA content

16-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new, more efficient form of plant-based omega-3s is coming to market in the form of Ahiflower, the branded name of a special strain of an oilseed species that has been developed by British firm Technology Crops International to contain high levels of...

Glico builds endurance sports science for Cluster Dextrin ingredient

10-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Formulating sports nutrition products with a highly branched cyclic dextrin may combat the onset of stress factors induced during exhaustive physical activity, says a study from Japan.

Food Vision sneak peeks - Cannes, March 18-20

Ex-World Cup sports scientist: Best carb-protein blend is 3:1

09-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

Protein was once thought necessary to fuel sporting activity but evolving research has shown it is better for muscle recovery and short chain carbohydrates (sugars) are the accepted fuel tools. And then there are blends of the two…plus the carb and protein...

TMR enters sports nutrition sector with pre- and post-workout range

06-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Trace Minerals Research (TMR) is entering the sports nutrition market a range of pre- and post-workout formulations under the name TMRFit series.

FitLife Brands takes hit on unit prices but boosts profits by switching to captive GNC distribution

04-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Switching to a captive distribution mode within the GNC network has helped dietary supplements marketer FitLife Brands realize higher profits on flat revenue, the company announced recently.

Vegetable EPO? Scientists investigate nitrate benefits for blood boosting

03-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Dietary sources of nitrate may activate pathways in the liver and kidneys thus meeting oxygen requirements without increasing red blood cells or thickening blood, researchers have concluded.

Mussels for muscles: Green lipped mussel extract may ease muscle damage during exercise

03-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Extracts from New Zealand green lipped mussels may reduce muscle soreness and fatigue after exercise and reduce markers of muscle damage, says a new study.

Despite legal fuzziness, supplement companies crowd into CBD space

02-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Despite the cloudy legal status of dietary supplements and functional food products featuring cannabidiol (CBD), which is extracted from industrial hemp, as the approval of medical marijuana and legalization of recreational use of the plant spreads across...

Border block: Germany stops product with debated aegeline ingredient

02-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The German authorities have blocked a shipment of products containing the unauthorised novel food ingredient aegeline and American firm USP Labs is making inquiries into whether this relates to its recalled OxyElite product. 

Researchers delve into nutrition solutions for illness–prone athletes

27-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is a need for greater research into nutrition solutions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) that are common in athletes, according to the researcher behind a study on the impact of omega-3, vitamin D and protein supplementation.

Myos Corp. to present mode of action data on Fortetropin myostatin inhibitor

25-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

MYOS Corporation, developers of muscle-health ingredient Fortetropin, have announced new data elucidating the ingredient’s mode of action that will be presented at a scientific conference in Boston. The new data shows the ingredient works in three different...

BioCell Collagen may improve recovery following weight training exercise: Study

25-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing BioCell Collagen may protect the connective tissue of the musculoskeletal system and enhancing recovery from intense exercise, says preliminary data from a proof-of-concept study.

Glutathione supplements may delay fatigue during exercise: Mouse and human data

16-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of glutathione may boost mitochondrial levels in muscle and delay exercise-induced fatigue, suggest data from mice and men from Japan.

GNC revenue declines as company revamps pricing, product mix and corporate culture

13-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

GNC Holdings reported declining sales in the fourth quarter and for its full 2014 fiscal year. CEO Michael Archbold attributed the declines to changes in pricing, revamping of stores’ product mix and lower manufacturing volume in an effort to match inventory...

NBTY launches education campaign to revivify joint health category

13-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin manufacturing giant NBTY has launched a effort to put a spring into the step of its venerable Osteo Bi-Flex brand with a marketing campaign to raise public awareness of joint health, a category that a recent study has shown to be declining.

Sports nutrition companies differentiating based on quality, transparency

05-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The issue of “protein spiking” has led companies in the sports nutrition sphere to start to differentiate their products based on the quality and transparency of their ingredients and to rely less on marketing-driven messages of the products’ muscle-boosting...

Measuring the immeasurable? The challenges of researching mood and nutrition

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mood is often assessed in nutrition research but it is ‘hard to define’ and ‘inherently subjective’, according to the researchers behind a review of mood-measuring methodology.

Astaxanthin may extend endurance by boosting mitochondrial action: Study

28-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The pinkish-orange carotenoid astaxanthin – one of the hottest ingredients in dietary supplements – may enhance endurance and slow fatigue by boosting mitochondria antioxidant defenses, says a new study from Brazil.

Green tea extract may boost ‘metabolic efficiency’ and help endurance training: Human data

27-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of green tea extract may enhance performance in active men by improving metabolic efficiency and economy, says a new study.

Fucoidan boost performance and slows tiring during exercise: Mouse data

26-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with fucoidan from seaweed may delay fatigue during fatigue and boost overall endurance, says a new study from Taiwan.

Pea protein supplements match whey for muscle thickness gains: Roquette study

26-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with pea protein may produce the same bicep muscle thickness improvements as whey protein, suggests a new study from Roquette and the University of Burgundy in France.

On the spike: The curious case of a contaminated sports supplement

21-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

‘Don’t take sports supplements, they can’t be trusted’ was the takeaway message from Welsh track stars Rhys Williams and Gareth Warburton after the recent UK Anti-Doping (UKAD) tribunal agreed steroids got into their blood streams via contaminated sports...

Red wine grape powder harvests full range of polyphenols for blood pressure benefits, manufacturer says

20-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

BioHarvest, an Israeli company harvesting dietary supplement ingredients from plants grown via a unique hydroponic method, has launched a “biofood” ingredient called VINIA Red Grape Powder, said to offer the benefits of drinking red wine without the sugar,...

Kyowa Hakko’s Sustamine may boost reaction time post-exercise: Study

19-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Taking L-Alanyl-L-Glutamine after endurance exercise may increase an athletes’ reaction times and cognitive function when compared to no hydration, says a new study using Kyowa Hakko’s Sustamine ingredient.

Davisco boosts capacity & launches whey protein forms as demand continues to ‘expand rapidly’

16-Jan-2015

Minnesota-based Davisco has increased the production capacity and extended its BioZate product line, a family of hydrolyzed whey proteins that complements our portfolio of whey protein products for food and nutrition applications.

Amway solidifies position in energy drink market with acquisition of XS Energy brand

16-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Direct selling giant Amway is solidifying its position in the energy drink market with the acquisition of XS Energy brand. Details of the deal were not disclosed, but a co-founder of XS will join Amway’s management team.

Kyowa Hakko’s L-citrulline may support GI health during strenuous exercise

15-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Taking a supplement containing L-citrulline may support blood flow in the stomach and help reduce gastrointestinal (GI) problems associated with physical strain during strenuous exercise, making the ingredient a potentially important pre-work out ingredient...

Leucine ‘significant’ tool against age-related muscle-mass decline: Review

12-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Leucine supplementation could “significantly” increase muscle protein synthesis in elderly individuals, and therefore be useful in addressing age-related muscle wasting, according to meta-analysis.

GRAS status opens up market for Ahiflower, a plant-based omega 3-6-9 oil with high SDA levels

07-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new competitor has arrived on the plant-based omega-3s scene with the announcement of FDA no-objection GRAS status for Ahiflower oil, an ingredient from Technology Crops International.  The oil offers a balance of omega-3, -6 and -9, according to the...

CRN: 2015 may be the year when FTC finally gets the message

07-Jan-2015 By Steve Mister, president and CEO, Council for Responsible Nutrition

When I was a child, it seemed I could never get through an entire game of Candyland with my older brother. He kept changing the rules in the middle if his player started to fall behind. Don’t you hate it when someone changes the rules midstream? 

NutraIngredients-USA: What’s on our special edition calendar for 2015?

07-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

From blood sugar management to an in-depth look at the retail sector, inflammation, outsourcing, and the latest trends in sports nutrition and immune support, Nutraingredients-USA’s 2015 editorial calendar of special editions spans the hottest trends...

Expansion in Latin America helps fuel sports brand SDC Nutrition's rapid growth

05-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

SDC Nutrition, a producer of sports nutrition products, has seen growth in Latin American markets help to push the company to the rank of the fastest growing manufacturer based in Pittsburgh.

Outsourcing, bone & joint health, LATAM, functional foods: lessons from 2014's special editions part 2

23-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

From polyphenols and prebiotics to a focus on Latin America, healthy aging and functional foods, NutraIngredients-USA’s special editions have set traffic records because of their in-depth coverage and exclusive content.  Today we feature part two of our...