Women's health

Recent warning letters shows FDA still has foot on medical foods pedal

22-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

Two warning letters issued after Christmas and made public recently by FDA underscore the agency’s focus on the medical food category, said an expert in the field who advises companies on staying on the right side of the boundaries.

Focus on bio-availability and not just label claims to make people nutrient replete: Ashoka fellow

09-Jan-2014 By Stephen Daniells

The food and nutrition industries should be focusing on bioavailablity and bioefficacy of nutrients, and not just on big numbers on product labels, says a leading social entrepreneur who has spent over a decade boosting the nutritional status of the severely...

Low dose iron may help reduce incidence of iron deficiency and anemia in pregnant women

19-Dec-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing low doses of ferrous bisglycinate (Aminojern, a product containing Albion’s Ferrochel) may help pregnant women avoid iron deficiency and anemia, says a new study from Denmark.

Lignans show benefits for menopausal symptoms, says Linnea study

11-Dec-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of Linnea's HMRLignan, the plant lignan isolated and purified from the Norway spruce (picea abies), may reduce the number of hot flashes by over 50%, says a new study.

Poster deadline extended by one week to December 13

Probiota 2014: Poster proposal deadline extended

04-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Probiota 2014 – the leading conference bridging the interface of academia and industry for cutting edge science about the prebiotics, probiotics and the microbiome – has extended the call for proposals for its poster sessions by one week to Friday 13th...

Expert review ‘recognizes and acknowledges’ the multiple health benefits of ‘special’ cranberry

14-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential health benefits of North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and its unique nutrition profile extend beyond reducing the risk of urinary tract infections to include multiples heart health activities and temper inflammation, says a...

Vitamin Shoppe: ‘Private label is an important growth opportunity for us’

06-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Growth in private label and one of its recently launched MyTrition products already a top selling product, Vitamin Shoppe is planning more new product introductions by year end, said the company’s CEO.

Detecting deficiencies: New strategy could speed up mass testing of vitamin and mineral levels

25-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Analysing levels of proteins in blood could be used to estimate levels of essential vitamins and minerals without directly testing for each nutritional factor, according to new research that suggests the use of mass spectrometry to rapidly detect nutritional...

Multivitamin and mineral supplement may offer invasive breast cancer hope: Study

10-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Taking a supplement containing multivitamins and minerals could increase the chances of long term survival in people with invasive breast cancer, according to new research.

Study questions soy for heart health in older women

01-Oct-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of soy proteins and isoflavones may not influence risk factors for heart disease in healthy late postmenopausal women, says a new study from the University of Connecticut.

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.

Higher dairy intake in elderly women linked to greater strength, less falls

20-Aug-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Elderly women that consume “higher” levels of milk, yogurt and cheese are at less risk of a fall, new research findings have suggested.

Cochrane: Antioxidants don’t increase female fertility

05-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

A review of antioxidant research has concluded that antioxidants don’t improve the chances of women becoming pregnant.

Rainbow Light moves to new distribution model

01-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Rainbow Light, a leading supplement manufacturer, has shuffled its executive team in a move to revamp how it goes to market.  The company has appointed a new vice president of marketing and a new vice president of sales as it moves into a single-distributor...

Cranberry UTI mechanism mooted as study suggests role in medical devices

17-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

New research that sheds light on the biological mechanisms behind cranberry's protective properties for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) may also point towards a potential role for cranberry derivatives in medical devices.

Berry-enriched protein matrices (Nutrasorb) pass sensory and stability tests as functional food ingredients

12-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Proteins enriched with cranberry compounds are nutritionally stable and effective against bacteria that may cause urinary tract infections, says a new study that builds the scientific support for the Nutrasorb ingredients.

New probiotics hang hat on 'synergistic' formulas, DRcaps delivery technology

01-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

IQBiotix, an American offshoot of a company with roots in the UK and Dubai, has launched a line of probiotic products in the US that feature both DRCaps technology and synergistic formulations.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

Calcium supplements linked to lower death risk for women: Study

03-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of calcium up to 1000 mg may be associated with reduced mortality for women, says a new study from Canada.

ABC article details many facets of black cohosh adulteration

28-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Black cohosh is something of a poster child for the economic adulteration that plagues certain herbal ingredients in the dietary supplement industry.  A new article published by the American Botanical Council lays out the history of the situation, and...

Douglas Labs launches PMS support supplement

17-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Douglas Labs has released an ‘advanced female-focused product’ to promote healthy hormone levels and reproductive function in women while supporting normal premenstrual symptoms (‘PMS’) symptoms.

Vitamin D may reduce risk of uterine fibroid: Study

30-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women who have an adequate intake of vitamin D are 32% less likely to develop uterine fibroids then women with low levels, researchers have suggested.

Omega-3 may offer cancer benefit – especially in certain breast cancers

25-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Omega-3 fatty acids and their metabolite products may be effective at blocking the growth of cancers – and could be especially effective at inhibiting growth of triple-negative breast cancer tumours, say researchers.

Omega-3s for clot prevention: EPA for men, DHA for women?

16-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Men and women may benefit from different types of omega-3 fatty acid supplements to reduce their risk of stroke or heart attacks linked to blood clots, says a new study from Australia.

FIRMS SEE UNTAPPED POTENTIAL IN CLEAR, FUNCTIONAL BEVERAGES

Stepan Lipid Nutrition and Virun paint bold brushstrokes on clear beverage ‘canvas’

11-Apr-2013 By Ben BOUCKLEY

Virun and Stepan Lipid Nutrition have signed a letter of intent to exploit what both companies agree is untapped potential in the clear, functional beverage space.

Vitamin E tocotrienol shows breast health benefits: Mouse data

01-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Vitamin E tocotrienols from annatto may slow the development and reduce the number and size of breast tumors, suggests new data from lab mice.

Research first: Soy-rich diet may help women's lung cancer survival

27-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women who have a diet that is packed with soy prior to diagnosis with certain cancers may have longer survival rates, according to new research.

Naturex-DBS launches organic cranberry powder to US market

01-Mar-2013

Botanical extract giant Naturex-DBS has launched a USDA NOP certified organic cranberry powder to the US market, stating it is a logical extension of its cranberry powders range targeting urinary tract health.

High iron intake may help to protect against PMS: Study

01-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women who consume a diet rich in iron are up to 40% less likely to develop PMS than those who consume low amounts, say researchers.

NPA, CRN: USPSTF’s vitamin D, calcium advice could be harmful to women at risk of fractures

26-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Controversial new recommendations from the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) for vitamin D and calcium could create confusion among consumers and ‘compromise their bone health’, say the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) and the Natural...

News in brief

Horphag named American Botanical Council's Tyler Award recipient

25-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The American Botanical Council has announced Pycnogenol producer Horphag Research as the recipient of its annual Varro E. Tyler Commercial Investment in Phytomedicinal Research Award.

Study ‘leaves little doubt’ about Pycnogenol’s benefits for menopause symptoms

14-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of extracts from the bark of French Maritime Pine may help reduce the symptoms of the menopause like hot flashes and night sweats, says a new study.

Elevated calcium intakes double risk of heart disease death in women: BMJ Study

13-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

A high intake of calcium from both food and supplements is associated with an increased risk of all-cause mortality and death from heart disease in women, reports a new study.

Be flattered, not threatened, by increased medical scrutiny of products

12-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The dietary supplements industry should be encouraged and not threatened by increased scrutiny of its products by the mainstream medical community, because it means they are taking the products – and the questions from their patients – seriously.

Yeast beta-glucan shows benefits for stressed women

08-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of the beta-glucan based ingredient Wellmune WGP may help stressed women stay healthy by reducing coughs and colds, says a new study.

Isoflavone supplements may reduce breast cancer risk

07-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Women taking supplements containing isoflavones may have a lower risk of breast cancer, with high content supplements consistently linked with reduced risk, says a new analysis from Canada.

Calcium plus vitamin D may slash hip fracture rates: WHI data

06-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of calcium and vitamin D may reduce the rate of hip fracture by almost 40%, says a new analysis of data from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI).

General health & wellness (and not disease concerns) top list of supplement use reasons

05-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

‘Improving’ and ‘maintaining’ overall health are the top reasons for consumers to use supplements, according to new data from the National Institutes of Health.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Ironing out the issues: Can new research solutions help beat global iron deficiency?

24-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

The health issues associated with low levels of iron are many and varied. In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at the current state of the market and looks at some of the potential solutions to this truly global problem.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Chews, sachets and ‘petite pills’… Calcium supplements, the next generation (part two)

24-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

As the more innovative supplement manufacturers are well aware, novel delivery formats - from gummies and straws to gourmet chocs - can breathe new life into a mature category and bring new consumers into the market.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

From eggshells and coral to red algae… Calcium supplements, the next generation (part one)

24-Jan-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Given the maturity of the market for calcium supplements and calcium-fortified foods and beverages, there is a surprising amount of innovation both in raw ingredients and finished products, say market experts.

Berries show heart boosting power for women: Harvard study

14-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Three or more servings of blueberries and strawberries per week may slash a woman’s risk of a heart attack by as much as 33%, says a new study from Harvard.

Vitamins: A centenary of essential nutrients

Looking forward: The emerging evidence for vitamins and health

28-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

In the last 100 years vitamins have been found to play vital roles in our health and wellbeing, but the full benefits of many vitamins is yet to be elucidated.In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at some of the areas of vitamin research...

AHPA suggests changes for Canadian TCM monograph

05-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

The American Herbal Products Association has suggested changes to a Canadian government draft monograph on Tradition Chinese Medicine and recommends a more thorough process to review the document, the group said recently.

“Cowboy sector” blamed for black cohosh problems

02-Nov-2012 By Shane STARLING

Last week’s warning from the UK medicines regulator that menopausal herb black cohosh must carry warnings about potential liver problems is not a problem of the mainstream food supplements sector, says the Alliance for Natural Health (ANH).

Negative Cochrane cranberry review: Juice makers have themselves to blame

22-Oct-2012 By Shane Starling

Inappropriate products and trial design caused the Cochrane Collaboration to alter its position about the urinary tract infection (UTI)-reducing benefits of cranberry juice, the owner of a French cranberry supplements company has said.

Cranberry researchers dispute Cochrane review's findings on UTIs

21-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

The link between cranberries and urinary tract health is well established, said researchers in the field who disputed the results of a recent Cochrane review that questioned the berry’s benefits in fighting urinary tract infections (UTIs).

Does black cohosh belong on liver damage database?

17-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Black cohosh is among a number of herbal ingredients that appear on a new liver toxicity database from the National Institutes of Health. But the question has been raised whether it is the ingredient itself, or adulterants passed off as black cohosh,...

Probiotic study shows UTI promise: Chr Hansen

04-Oct-2012

Research has suggested that Chr Hansen’s Urex probiotics could help prevent urinary tract infections in postmenopausal women.

New patent covers pairing of Ayurvedic workhorses

01-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Nutragenesis, a Brattleboro, Vt.-based ingredient supplier with a history of experience with Ayurvedic ingredients, has obtained a U.S. patent in the area of women’s health for an ashwagandha/Indian gooseberry combination called Sendara.