Sports nutrition

GNC buys UK's top online sports nutrition supplements retailer

03-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

GNC Holdings, Inc. is continuing its push into the high growth sports nutrition space with the purchase of A1 Sports Limited, the leading multi-brand sports nutrition e-commerce retailer in the UK doing business under the name Discount Supplements.

Dr Oz effect's dark side: Booming demand opens door for adulterated, synthetic astaxanthin

02-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Dr Oz Show has been a boon for the natural products and dietary supplements industries. It has brought awareness to many less well-known ingredients, boosting usage and sales and, if the efficacy of the ingredients matches the claims, presumably positively...

ATP supplement may boost muscular adaptations after resistance exercise: Study

02-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining resistance training with supplements formulated with the branded ingredient Peak ATP may prevent declines in performance and boost muscle mass and strength, say results of a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study.

Berry-enriched protein matrices (Nutrasorb) help athletes burn fat while asleep

01-Oct-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Soy protein enriched with blueberry and green tea compounds in combination with exercise prolong the metabolic spike after exercise, says a new metabolomics study from the North Carolina Research Campus.

New supplement targets magnesium deficiency as side effect of diuretics

30-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

Althos Pharma is targeting a new market—patients taking diuretics —with the release of its Magnitria supplement, which features powder form magnesium citrate to address the deficiency of this mineral that can accompany this treatment.

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.

Special Edition: Amino Acids and Proteins

BCAAs take center stage in targeted sports nutrition products

19-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

Protein as a driver of sports nutrition products is an old story.  The newer twist, however, is the use of individual amino acids, and specifically the branched chain amino acids leucine, isoleucine and valine, to deliver targeted benefits for their role...

Sarcopenia: ‘Adhering to the RDA for protein would be like white water rafting without a paddle’

19-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Aging populations and the growing threat of degenerative muscle loss (sarcopenia) will provide a lucrative category for brands to target, say industry experts, but the current recommended daily intakes for protein are simply nowhere near enough.

Special Edition: Amino acids and protein

Specialty peptides, enzymes and probiotics: Options abound for formulators to make the ‘protein we have even better than it is already’

18-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

While much has been said and written about different protein sources, complimentary ingredients like enzymes and probiotics allow consumers to make the ‘protein we have even better than it is already’.

Increased protein protects against muscles during diet and weight loss, say researchers

13-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Doubling the recommended daily allowance of protein intake could help to protect against muscle loss during dieting and exercise related weight loss, say researchers.

OptiMSM broadens footprint, gains traction in sports nutrition market

13-Sep-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

On the heels of last week’s distribution agreement with American International Chemical to distribute its branded methlsulfonylmethane (MSM) into the Canadian market, Bergstrom Nutrition is looking to grow existing relationships and uncover new sources...

Pre- vs post-workout for creatine? Post exercise leads to greater strength gains, says new study

12-Sep-2013 By Stephen Daniells

The timing of creatine supplements can influence gains in strength and lean body mass, with post-workout supplementation yielding better results, says a new study from Nova Southeastern University in Florida.

Planning needed to ensure health of US wild ginseng stocks in face of huge Chinese demand, experts say

11-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

A recent TV news segment on the subject of ginseng poaching raised the specter of the plant’s possible extinction in the United States.  While that fear may be overblown, there’s little doubt that a number of factors (including overharvesting) are working...

Wellmune may maintain immune health for athletes: RCT data

10-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of the baker’s yeast beta glucan ingredient Wellmune may reduce the number of cold/flu symptom days that runners experience post-marathon by 37%, says a new study.

Special edition: Amino acids and protein

Will canola protein ever take off? BioExx still hopes to scale up in Europe, but hangs ‘for sale’ sign over front door

05-Sep-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Plant proteins are all the rage - at least that’s what the market researchers are all saying - from pea and soy to algae and rice. But what about protein from canola, the second largest oilseed crop in the world?

Energy… minus the caffeine? PepsiCo explores Chinese herbal extracts for fatigue relief, patent application reveals

03-Sep-2013 By Elaine WATSON

PepsiCo is exploring the potential of natural energy drinks containing Chinese herbal extracts that can alleviate fatigue and enhance sports performance without a big dose of caffeine, a patent application indicates.

Relora supplement shows stress management potential for athletes

29-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements containing extracts of Magnolia (Magnolia officinalis) and Phellodendron (Phellodendron amurense) barks – branded as Relora – may reduce stress in moderately stressed healthy subjects, says a new study.

Healthy subjects study kickstarts sales of UC-II ingredient, InterHealth says

29-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

A question is sometimes raised whether consumers are swayed by positive studies. Whether science sells, in point of fact.  Speaking from recent experience, the answer for InterHealth Nutraceuticals is a resounding yes.

Hybrid algae producer Heliae quietly approaches full scale production

22-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Early stage algae company Heliae has taken a quiet approach to business development.  While the Arizona-based company is close to coming to market with a range of nutraceutical ingredients, not much has been said about them in the marketplace or the press,...

UK joins Dutch in banning Dexaprine fat burner; FSA issues DNP warning

21-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

The UK’s medicines agency has followed its Dutch counterpart in banning the fat burner Dexaprine made by Californian firm iForce Nutrition.

Fair trade, flavor keys to Garden of Life's new protein products

20-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

When Garden of Life looked at extending its protein and meal replacement lines with coffee and yerba mate flavors, the company was looking for partners that were the right fit both in terms of ingredient quality and service but also in terms of outlook,...

Dutch ban Dexaprine fat burner after hospitalisations

20-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

Dutch authorities have issued a warning against a US fat burning food supplement called Dexaprine after 11 adverse reactions including hospitalisations and severe heart problems.

MusclePharm hits $28.5 million in sales in second quarter

15-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

MusclePharm Corporation, a Denver, CO-based manufacturer of sports nutrition products, continued its meteoric rise by posting a 51% rise in net sales in the second quarter of 2013.

Caffeine cards are on table following IOM meeting, observers say

13-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

A recent workshop sponsored by the Institute of Medicine on caffeine and its effect in consumer products such as energy drinks was helpful in making clear the points of view of the various stakeholders, according to observers.  What was less clear was...

Whey concentrate prices double in two years

Chinese demand drives whey above €7/kg – but is it over priced?

13-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

Soaring whey prices are changing the face of the protein concentrate market, but hefty Asian-driven premiums won’t signal a flood to plant proteins, says an analyst.

Solazyme algal protein debuts in Twinlab's CleanSeries powder product

12-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Algae producer Solazyme has reached a critical commercial waypoint with the launch of its algal protein ingredient in Twinlab’s new CleanSeries Veggie Protein Powder.  And Twinlab gets a vital differentiator in the increasingly competitive vegetable protein...

DOD's DMAA review: Risky? Perhaps. Deadly? No.

07-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

A Department of Defense safety review of DMAA has concluded that the ingredient poses potential health risks but could not be causally linked to the deaths of four soldiers who died with the ingredient in their bloodstreams.  GNC Holdings, the last brick...

PQQ set to make splash in sports nutrition beverages

06-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Two firms have joined forces to bring the multifunctional molecule pyrroloquinoline quinone, or PQQ, into the sports nutrition market via beverage applications.  The partnership pairs Virun’s delivery technology with Nascent Health Sciences' supply...

Post Foods moves into active nutrition, supplements, with $180m deal to buy Joint Juice and Premier Protein maker PNC

05-Aug-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Ready-to-eat cereals giant Post Holdings has moved into the active nutrition and supplements market with a $180m deal to acquire Premier Nutrition Corporation (PNC) - maker of Titan and Premier Protein bars and shakes, and Joint Juice (liquid supplements...

Herbalife clarifies position of distributors who sign up only for discounts

02-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Herbalife moved again to respond to criticisms of its business model by renaming a category of participants in its multi level marketing organization from “distributor” to “member.”

Going big: MusclePharm announces product deal with Arnold Schwarzenegger

31-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

MusclePharm, a Denver, CO-based manufacturer of sports nutrition products, has announced a development deal with the biggest name in the muscle business—Arnold Schwarzenegger.

Watermelon juice soothes sore cycling muscles

30-Jul-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Watermelon juice has ‘excellent’ potential as a functional drink to relieve sore muscles in athletes due to high levels of amino acid L-Citrulluine, a new Spanish study testing cyclists reports.

FDA has adequate enforcement authority, sources say in reaction to Driven Sports exposé

26-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration has enough tools to police the dietary supplement sector.  That was the reaction from industry in the wake of yet another negative story about the product category in a high profile publication, in this case, USA Today.

You'll sell more sports nutrition products targeting fitness walkers and yoga enthusiasts than team sports players, says Packaged Facts

25-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Sports nutrition marketers have traditionally focused on young men, sports teams and hardcore athletes. In future, however, they will need to spend more time targeting women, weekend warriors and consumers pursuing individual sports and fitness activities...

Proprietary Nutritionals applies full court press to marketing of Celadrin ingredient

15-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Proprietary Nutritionals president Dean Mosca said the company employs a “push and pull” strategy to help whip up demand  in the consumer marketplace for the supplements that contain the company’s ingredients.  And lately, part of that strategy has included...

Chokeberry potential could see it rival the cranberry market: Artemis Int’l President

15-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Once used for enhancing the diets of Russian astronauts, the chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa) could have a stellar future, with the US’ leading supplier predicting extracts and concentrates could one day rival the cranberry market.

Roquette to showcase algae ingredients at IFT after parting ways with Solazyme

12-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Two weeks after announcing a parting of ways with Californian joint venture (JV) partner and algae expert Solazyme, French ingredients giant Roquette says it will be showcasing two microalgae-based food ingredients at the IFT show in Chicago.

Cyvex Nutrition launches new Protomine line of clean-label hydrolyzed fish proteins from Bluewave

11-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Bluewave Marine Ingredients - which is blazing a trail in the burgeoning protein ingredients market with its ultra-digestible fish proteins - has struck a deal with Cyvex Nutrition to take a hydrolyzed fish protein called Protomine to market.

Betaine boosted sports drinks backed to enhance athletic performance: Study

10-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

One week of supplementation with the nutrient betaine as part of a sports drink can help to boost athletic power and performance by around six percent, according to new research in sprint cyclists.

Thorne Research teams up with Chromadex to take Niagen to healthcare-practitioner channel

10-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Thorne Research has agreed a three-year marketing deal to take Chromadex’s Niagen-branded nicotinamide riboside  into a series of first-to-market products for the healthcare-practitioner channel.

Complexity of supplements hampers adverse events reporting, experts say

09-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

The reporting of adverse events in connection with dietary supplements is woefully inadequate, according to experts who spoke Monday at a gathering of toxicologists in Aspen, CO. There are many complicating factors, the experts agreed, not the least among...

KSM-66 enters sports nutrition sector to boost focus and endurance

09-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Ixoreal Biomed’s KSM-66 Ashwagandha has entered the global sports nutrition sector with several sports supplement products to boost focus and endurance.

Europharma supplement addresses calcium's role in soft tissues

05-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

EuroPharma has introduced a calcium supplement that addresses the mineral’s role in the functioning of soft tissues such as muscles and nerves instead of its usual role in bone health.

Kemin targets sports nutrition products with tea polyphenols

26-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sports nutrition formulations have a new option for products targeting exercise recovery as Kemin introduces a proprietary formula of polyphenols to help overcome soreness and fatigue.

Timing is everything: Calcium and vitamin D supplements before exercise may aid bone responses

25-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

When it comes to helping keep bones healthy during exercise, the timing of calcium and vitamin D supplementations may just as important as the amount taken, according to new research.

Hard physical work? Amino acid may offer relief, suggests data from Antarctica

24-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of the amino acid ornithine may improve sleep disturbances associated with hard physical work, says new data from the Japanese Antarctica Research Expedition.

FDA seizes DMAA-containing supplements from GNC warehouse

21-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration moved today to seize more than 1,500 cases of supplements that contain DMAA from a Pennsylvania warehouse belonging to GNC Holdings, Inc.

More DMAA products come off market

21-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Beta Labs, a dietary supplements distributor and retailer, has recalled four sports supplement products that contain DMAA. The company said it initiated the recall after “a review of recent FDA communications related to 1,3 dimethylamylamine (DMAA).”

Maker of muscle supp from eggs seeks to grow market with study on women

21-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

MYOS Corporation is seeking to expand applications for its signature muscle-growth supplement from fertilized hens eggs with a new clinical trial that aims to investigate the product’s performance among women.

NAI sues GNC, others over infringement of beta-alanine patents

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Natural Alternatives International has sued GNC and two other companies over alleged patent infringement for the manufacture, distribution and sale of a preworkout supplement featuring high levels of beta-alanine.