Botanicals

Introducing phytochemomics: A new way to help win herbal health claims, say researchers

29-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

The use of novel phytochemomics technologies will define cause and effect relationships for phytochemicals that will assist in the substantiation of health claims for herbals and botanicals, say researchers.

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.

US children’s supplement use is ‘moderate and appropriate’, says new survey

26-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The use of dietary supplements by an estimate 2.9 million US children is ‘moderate and appropriate’, according to a new survey.

Ginkgo biloba may boost brain functions by increasing stem cell growth: Rat study

26-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with an extract from Ginkgo biloba may help to battle memory loss and cognitive impairments associated with dementia by encouraging the growth and development of neural stem cells, according new research in rats.

Sabinsa appoints new CEO to ‘execute a disciplined and ambitious growth pattern’

24-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Jayasankar (Jay) Nair has joined Sabinsa as Chief Executive Officer, with the company set to 'execute a disciplined and ambitious growth pattern'.

Herbals are ‘safe and effective’ for vascular dementia, say researchers

23-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Chinese herbal medicines appear to be safer and more effective than control measures in battling vascular dementia, according to a new meta-analysis from China.

NTP urged to be ‘highly precise’ when identifying herbal extracts ‘to avoid any possible confusion about the relevance of the studies’

18-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The Senate Appropriations Committee has urged the National Toxicology Program (NTP) to be "highly precise" when describing particular extracts of an herbal species to avoid confusion about different extracts from the same species.

Reformulation of nutraceutical aims at sales boost to help fund DIM drug development

16-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Berkley BioSciences Inc. has launched a new formulation of its ActivaMune immune health product, both to improve product performance and to boost sales to help fund ongoing drug development research on the formula’s prime active ingredient—diindolymethane...

Unknowns related to bioavailability enhancers troubles pharmacy researcher

12-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Is bioavailability enhancement a cause for toxicological concern? It’s a question that came up for debate at the recent Toxicology Forum summer meeting in Aspen, CO. The answer was a highly qualified yes, when looking at a case-by-case basis.

AHP 's botanical ID webinar series aims to help boost GMP compliance

11-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Identity testing of botanical ingredients continues to be a hot button issue for the Food and Drug Administration. To help companies comply with this aspect of GMP regulations, the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia has instituted a series of eight webinars...

Worldwide macro trends favor Herbalife, president says

09-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Three mega trends will drive Herbalife’s continued expansion, said president Des Walsh. The world is getting fatter, it’s getting older, and in the hangover from the 2008 financial crisis economic expansion still lags in much of the world leaving many...

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.

Kivia powder (kiwi fruit extract) shows gut health benefits

08-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

An extract of kiwifruit containing Zyactinase called Kivia may enhance bowel movement frequency and improve other symptoms of occasional constipation, say new data from a randomized clinical trial.

Curcumin may protect premature infants' lungs: Study

08-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Intake of curcumin – the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow colour – may provide long-term protection against potentially deadly lung damage in premature infants, according to new research.

Standard Process educates the educators with nutrition symposium

07-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Organic whole foods supplements manufacturer Standard Process has strengthened its connections to a key market with a nutrition symposium targeting chiropractic educators.

Big interview: Brian Meadows, president, GLG Life Tech

GLG Life Tech shares back on the TSX: ‘The stevia market is growing, and we're positioned to take full advantage’

05-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Stevia supplier GLG Life Tech has resumed trading on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and reassured investors that “the stevia market is growing worldwide, and we are positioned to take full advantage.”

More consumers talking to their physicians about supplement use, but discussions still scarce

03-Jul-2013

The number of consumers who talk to their primary care phsycians about supplement use is slowly increasing, but discussions remain ‘sparse’, says a new study from UCLA.

SoHo Flordis acquires US practitioner channel supplement marketer along with Swiss firm

02-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

SoHo Flordis International, an Australian/Indonesian natural medicines company, has acquired two companies in the space, ProThera, based in Reno, NV and Swiss company Ginsana.

‘A valid substantiation for manufacturers’: Meratrim gets clinical trial support for weight management

02-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of InterHealth’s proprietary blend of Sphaeranthus indicus flower heads and Garcinia mangostana fruit rind may reduce body weight by 11.5 pounds (5.2 kg), compared to placebo, says new data.

Appetite-suppressing C. fimbriata extract (Slimaluma) gets ‘comprehensive’ safety support

28-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The safety of appetite suppressing Caralluma fimbriata extracts are further supported with the publication of data from ‘comprehensive safety assessments’, say scientists.

Green tea shows benefits for blood sugar management: Meta-analysis

28-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming green tea may improve blood sugar management, according to a meta-analysis of 17 randomized clinical trials.

Herbalife boosts monitoring of products throughout life cycle

27-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Vasilios (Bill) Frankos, PhD and Andrew Shao, PhD are, in a way, the alpha and omega of network marketing giant Herbalife’s increasingly sophisticated commitment to the scientific backing, quality and safety of the company’s nutritional products. Their...

Next Pharmaceuticals buys heart health ingredient from KGK Synergize

20-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Next Pharmaceuticals has bolstered its heart health portfolio with the purchase of the ingredient Sytrinol from KGK Synergize.

House committee admonishes FDA to pick up pace on NDI issue

20-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

The US House of Representatives Appropriations Committee has sent a stern message to the Food and Drug Administration on the subject of the draft New Dietary Ingredients guidance. The message in a nutshell: Get a move on.

NIH releases database with info on 17,000 dietary supplement labels

18-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

A new government dietary supplement database now provides information on the ingredients thousands of finished products for the benefit of researchers, health care providers and consumers, according to the National Institutes of Health, which hosts the...

Ayurvedic salacia herb shows pre-diabetes benefit: Study

18-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

An ayurvedic herb can manage pre-diabetes states and mild to moderate hyperlipidemia, according to Indian researchers.

Frozen broccoli lacks ability to form healthy compound: Study

14-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Commercially available frozen broccoli almost entirely lacks the ability to form the beneficial compound sulforaphane from the phytonutrient glucoraphanin, according to new research.

Supplement users make healthier lifestyle choices: CRN Survey

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Users of dietary supplements seem to make healthier lifestyle choices compared to non-users, including exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and trying to eat a balanced diet, says a new survey from the Council for Responsible Nutrition...

Naturex’s American Ginseng extract get Canadian approval for cognitive function claims

11-Jun-2013 By Stephen Daniells

The Canadian Ministry of Health has granted a Natural Health Product Number (NPN) to Naturex’s American Ginseng extract Cereboost for its benefits on cognitive function.

Curcumin: New studies support brain and cardiovascular benefits

11-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of curcumin – the natural pigment that gives the spice turmeric its yellow color – may support healthy aging, with two new studies indicating benefits for arterial aging and cognition.

Naturex CEO talks HQ expansion, green credentials and the memory of Jacques Dikansky

06-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Naturex hosted 500 of its employees and guests the weekend just passed as it inaugurated a €12m expansion of its Avignon HQ in southern France. We caught up with CEO Thierry Lambert who said further expansion at its other global sites was very much on...

Going non-GMO in dietary supplements: ‘The supply community is not there with us yet’, say manufacturers

05-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increasing consumer pressure and potential state legislation mandating labeling are leading dietary supplement manufacturers to face up to the challenges of going non-GMO, but the situation is complex and suppliers have more work to do than many would...

Updated: CSPI's call for ginkgo ban based on flawed report, sources say

05-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Center for Science in the Public Interest has called on FDA for a ban on ginkgo products, basing its demand on a government report that industry sources have said is critically flawed. FDA, in response, said the request was 'not scientifically...

Meter is running on damages from Oregon GMO tainting event, attorney says

03-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

With Japan and South Korea having placed export bans on some US wheat sources, the meter is running on potential damages from the GMO tainting incident in Oregon, said an attorney who has represented farmers in similar cases.

Amway continues massive manufacturing expansion with $81 million facility

30-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

MLM giant Amway has broken ground on an $81 million manufacturing and warehouse facility at its headquarters in Ada, MI. The 317,000 sq-ft. facility will manufacture some of the Nutrilite lines of vitamins and dietary supplements.

IASC takes issue with description of aloe used in research study

30-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

The International Aloe Science council has weighed in on an aloe science study that does not adequately characterize the ingredient in its description. The term “nondecolorized” should have been included so as not to mislead consumers, the group says.

EuroPharma aims at eye dryness with sea buckthorn product

29-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Wisconsin-based EuroPharma has expanded with its eye health offerings with a novel approach, using an omega-7 rich product to address eye dryness and proper hydration.

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...

Seaweed could make ‘excellent’ nutritional supplements, says researchers

28-May-2013 By Oliver Nieburg

Red and brown seaweed are rich in minerals and nutrients and carry great potential for use in nutritional supplements, according to new research.

Warning letter gives look at how FDA views supplement-beverage divide

22-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Among recent warning letters sent by the US Food and Drug Administration to supplement manufacturers one stood out from the rest as it bears upon how the agency view the differentiation of beverages and supplements, according to Justin Prochnow, an attorney...

Is theobromine responsible for cocoa’s cholesterol benefits?

21-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential of cocoa to beneficially impact ‘good’ cholesterol levels may be linked to the theobromine content and not the flavonoids, says a new study from Unilever Research & Development Vlaardingen.

Red blood cells harbor Pycnogenol metabolite, research shows

21-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Horphag Research knew the what about their flagship ingredient, Pycnogenol, as it pertained to its many health benefits. But until a recent study, the company was a little hazy on the how and the where.

Vitamin D and ginger show potential in reducing asthma symptoms, new studies suggest

20-May-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with vitamin D or ginger extracts may help ease the symptoms of asthma, according to two new early stage research studies.

Multi-component supplement may boost weight loss, says new human study

17-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A multi-component supplement containing raspberry ketone, caffeine, capsaicin, garlic, ginger and bitter orange extracts may enhance body composition, and reduce hip and waist girth in overweight men and women, says a new study.

UPDATE: Swedish agency detects (legal) amphetamine-like compounds in sports supplements; not in ‘authentic’ Craze, says manufacturer

17-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

A Swedish lab has found amphetamine-like compounds in sports supplements containing a herbal extract that has been touted as a replacement for widely banned stimulant, DMAA. But the lab said the compounds were not illegal, while the product maker has...

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