Botanicals

Garlic extract may help cystic fibrosis patients fight lung infection: Study

25-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Allicin extracted from garlic may help fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria that cause lung infections in people with cystic fibrosis, according to researchers from the University of Edinburgh.

Vitamin Shoppe CEO on ripple effects of NY AG probe: ‘We’ve seen a slight impact, but not a dramatic impact’

24-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Retailers not involved in the NY Attorney General’s investigation into the quality and standard of botanical supplements are also feeling an impact, albeit slight, says Tony Truesdale, CEO of Vitamin Shoppe.

Updated: NBTY appreciates AG's efforts & will comply. "We are confident that our products meet our label claims"

NBTY, Pharmavite, Nature's Way and Nutraceutical Corp. pulled into NY AG’s probe

24-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

NY AG Eric Schneiderman has extended his investigation into herbal supplements by sending letters to four leading manufacturers demanding detailed ingredient and quality control information on every herbal supplement they sell in his state.

NIH survey of supplement use shows strong support for omega-3s, wavering commitment to joint ingredients and echinacea

24-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recently released survey by the National Institutes of Health showed significant shifts in how Americans were using dietary supplements in the years between 2007 and 2012.  Those shifts were ranged against results from earlier surveys done in 2002 and...

Special Edition: Going Non GMO in Supplements

Non GMO supplement ingredients are available, but price might be a shock, expert says

23-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

As the issue of mandatory GMO labeling looms ever larger on the radar of the dietary supplements industry, so too looms the question of supply of non GMO ingredients. The main active ingredients in supplements are for the most part of little concern,...

Proven ingredients, omega-3s for cross sell key to success in cognitive health space, marketing experts say

20-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Marketers of cognitive support products experience some common pitfalls, according to experts at NutraScience Labs, the newly constituted marketing arm of Twinlab. Failure to rely on proven ingredients and lack of an omega-3 in the product lineup to provide...

Court reins in FTC on two trials standard but otherwise supports agency in decision on POM’s claims

16-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Federal Trade Commission has received confirmation of its basic positions in its struggle with POM Wonderful over the substantiation on the claims the company has made for its juice and supplement products. But the appeals court ruling offers a shred...

GNC to start selling in UK and Ireland

16-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

US-based nutrition company GNC has announced it will expand business to the UK and Ireland selling own-brand products.

Horphag builds science before launching French oak wood extract to select clients

13-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Horphag, the company behind the Pycnogenol brand of French Maritime Pine bark extracts, has launched a new ingredient, this time based on French oak wood that it is branding Robuvit.

NY AG shifts focus & subpoenas retailers on structure-function label claims

12-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A new twist has developed in the NY AG’s investigation into herbal products as subpoenas have been issued to GNC, Walgreens, Target and Walmart to demand evidence to support the structure-function claims on their labels.

Usana's center of gravity continues to shift toward China

12-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Usana Health Sciences posted strong fourth quarter results dampened somewhat by a discounting program undertaken to boost sales, the company announced this week. The company continued to show the fastest sales increases in China, while results in North...

‘Death by a thousand cuts’? Class actions follow NY AG’s herbal supplements ‘sting’

12-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

It was only a matter of time… Class actions against some of the retailers involved in the recent investigation by the New York Attorney General have been started across the country, from Florida to Illinois, and from Washington to California.

DNA barcoding and its reference materials

Gaia Herbs VP: An assay is only as good as the reference material

12-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

As questions swirl about the applicability of DNA barcoding for testing botanical extracts, other questions involve the reference materials used to test the products.

Cooperman: AG used wrong test, but that doesn't mean there isn't a quality problem in supplement industry

12-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry might eventually come out ahead in the public relations battle over the fallout caused by the actions of New York Attorney General Eric Schneiderman. But that shouldn’t paper over the fact that serious questions about the...

Healthy or toxic? The conflicting images of antioxidants

11-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Benefit-risk ratios must be established for each antioxidant separately, considering risk groups and dosage, according to researchers reviewing polarised perceptions of vitamin E and beta-carotene.

Increased demand for testing means overall quality of dietary supplement industry is improving, Alkemist Labs CEO says

11-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Despite the prominent black eye suffered by the dietary supplement industry in the recent New York Attorney General affair, increased demand for testing services is a sign the industry is taking quality seriously and is getting better, according to Alkemist...

Retailer responds to NY AG’s investigation

GNC: Tests and re-tests show that ‘products contain the ingredients stated on the labels at the levels indicated on the labels’

10-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

GNC Holdings has responded to the NY Attorney General’s actions with full and robust responses to every question raised in the cease and desist letter, including original test results and the results of retesting that was performed on the product lots...

The chilli diet? Fresh research backs capsaicin to battle obesity

09-Feb-2015 By Nathan Gray

Adding capsaicin from chilli peppers in to a diet could help to prevent weight gain from a high-fat diet, according to research in mice.

Curcumin may improve cholesterol levels for people with MetS: Study

09-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of curcumin, the yellow pigment from turmeric, may help slash LDL cholesterol and triglyceride levels in people with metabolic syndrome, says a new study from Taiwan.

Web portal established to share best supplement practices among health care practitioners

06-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new integrative learning tool for alternative health care practitioners aims to share what they’ve learned hands-on in their practices including how best to use dietary supplements to help their patients.

Dr Pieter Cohen: ‘The NY AG’s test results do not ring true’

06-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The New York Attorney General’s results of his herbal supplement investigation are “unbelievable”, says Harvard’s Dr Pieter Cohen. “I think that this does not ring true,” he told NutraIngredients-USA.

ResQWater builds science to set it apart in ‘crowded’ anti-hangover segment

05-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Knocking back the “anti-hangover drink” ResQwater with every few drinks and before bed may improve sleep and boost attention and focus the morning after, says data from a clinical trial.

Failure to refer to established national standards calls AG investigation into question, experts say

04-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The New York state attorney general’s investigation into allegedly substandard herbal dietary supplements was flawed from the start by an inexplicable failure to refer to national standards established for the testing of such products, experts say.

NY Office of the Attorney General: ‘We will not be publishing the data for peer review. This is part of an ongoing investigation'

04-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The Office of the Attorney General of New York has defended its testing and choice of researcher to conduct its tests, but will not be releasing its data for peer-review, NutraIngredients-USA can reveal.

Fruit d'Or launches oral health cranberry powder to take ingredient 'beyond UTIs'

04-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Fruit d’Or, a Quebec-based cranberry processor, has announced the commercial launch of Oral Cran, a specially formulated and packaged whole cranberry powder aimed at the oral health market.

GNC, Walgreens, Target and Walmart sent cease and desist letters

‘Uninformed’, ‘inappropriate’ and ‘premature’: Industry experts round on NY AG’s action against major retailers over failed DNA tests for herbal supplements

03-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The New York Attorney General has sent letters to GNC, Target, Walmart, and Walgreens telling them to stop selling some herbal supplements after DNA tests found 79% didn’t contain the labeled substance or contained other non-listed ingredients. Analytical...

10 questions we need answered regarding the NY AG’s botanical action

03-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

You couldn’t make it up: DNA barcoding is used to test products that appear to be predominantly extracts by a researcher who is more comfortable with reptiles and dinosaurs and the results have not been made public. But the NY Attorney General is using...

Stevia First expanding fermentation technology to ingredients beyond steviol glycosides

03-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Stevia First Corp, producer of a fermentation-based steviol glycoside ingredient, is moving its technology beyond its namesake high intensity sweetener into new ranges of functional ingredients that the company is billing as “geroprotectors.”

Naturex ramps up quillaia production at Chile plant

02-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Naturex is consolidating its Chile Botanics acquisition by ramping production of quillaia, one of the division’s locally-sourced ingredients.

Leading British herbal organizations endorse Botanical Adulterants Educational Program

30-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The National Institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) and the British Herbal Medicine Association (BHMA) have thrown their support behind the ABC-AHP-NCNPR Botanical Adulterants Program.

Sleep: Consumers are looking for natural alternatives, but what's holding the category back?

30-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The overall sleep aid category is growing at an eye-watering 27% and is expected to hit $732 million in 2018, but natural products and dietary supplements only occupy a small portion of the market. NutraIngredients-USA explores the challenges and opportunities...

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.

Canadian company uses nanotech to boost bioavailibilty of banaba leaf extract for blood sugar management

26-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Toronto-based EastGate Biotech Corp. is taking a small approach to a big problem by applying nanotechnology to improve the bioavailability of a blood sugar management dietary supplement formulation. The company is ready for market in Canada with a newly...

NutraIngredients-USA forum to examine going non GMO in supplements

26-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Non GMO positioning is becoming an ever hotter topic within the supplement realm.  NutraIngredients-USA will examine the topic in an online forum on Feb. 26 with an expert panel drawn from trade organizations, manufacturers and retailers.

Special Edition: Blood Sugar Management

Evidence continues to bolster polyphenols' blood sugar management story despite murky mode of action

22-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Although the mechanism of action is somewhat unclear, polyphenols have a solid and growing body of research backing their effect on the regulation of blood sugar levels, experts say.

Special edition: Blood sugar management

The key ingredients for blood sugar management

22-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

With diabetes rates rising, many healthy people are starting to consider the effects of blood glucose levels and keeping them in the healthy range. In this gallery we look at the key ingredients in this growing sector. 

Pine bark extract shows memory, focus and decision making benefits

21-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of extracts from French maritime pine bark may boost a range of cognitive measures and mood in healthy professionals, says a new pilot study from Italy.

Special Edition: Blood Sugar Management

FDA rule offers only narrow field for blood sugar management claims, experts say

20-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

As obesity rates worldwide continue to rise and the related scourge of diabetes increases in lockstep, companies marketing ingredients in the United States intended to help consumers who find themselves sliding somewhere along this curve toward a full...

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,...

Sabinsa raises forecasts for curcumin as new formulas, dosage forms, and breakthrough science expand the opportunities

15-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

2014 was a great year for curcumin, and Sabinsa is expecting an even better 2015 with new data from a randomized clinical trial showing the ingredient’s ability to lower blood lipid levels and ‘opening up a new direction in the already robust body of...

Organoleptic ID of botanicals still valid if supported with documentation, experts say

14-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recent FDA warning letter to a company making products based on whole dandelion parts and other herbs seems to call into question whether organoleptic identification of incoming botanical specimens still passes muster as far as the agency is concerned....

‘Excipient foods' show promise in enhancing nutrient bioavailability

14-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Improving the design of functional and finished products by better understanding the role of excipient foods could help increase the bioavailability of functional nutrients, according to new research.

Blueberry powder shows big blood pressure benefits: Study

12-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of blueberries may help slash blood pressure and improve the arterial health, researchers from Florida State University.

ABC releases lab guidance document on skullcap showing best methods to detect adulteration

09-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

As part of a second phase of its Botanical Adulterants Program, The American Botanical Council has released the first of a series of laboratory guidance documents, this one pertaining to the herb skullcap. First, the program alerted industry as to what...

Fertility food supplement targets older couples

07-Jan-2015

An Israeli firm has debuted ‘his, her’s and theirs’ food supplements aimed at boosting the fertility of ageing couples who want children - the chances of pregnancy drop to as low as 5% after the age of 40.

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...

Garlic supplements effective for blood pressure management: Meta-analysis

07-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplements with garlic (Allium sativum) may beneficially affect blood pressure, especially for hypertensives, says a meta-analysis of 17 randomized controlled trials.

Spanish black radish shows detox benefits, support liver health: Human data

06-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing Spanish black radish may enhance the activity of enzymes in the liver associated with the detoxification of pain relievers, says a new study from KGK Synergize and Standard Process.

NutraIngredients-USA predicts top industry influences in 2015

05-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

As the New Year begins, NutraIngredients-USA predicts the top challenges and opportunities for the US dietary supplements industry in the year ahead.