Botanicals

Long strange trip: The evolution of botanicals since the inception of DSHEA

21-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

The Dietary Supplements Health and Education Act has given rise to a thriving dietary supplements industry. Botanical ingredients have always been a part of that picture, but the concept of where they fit within that category has shifted over the years...

Capsaicin analog shows weight management potential: Symrise study

18-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consuming the less pungent capsaicin analog, nonivamide, may reduce subsequent energy intake during a meal, says a new study from Symrise with implications for weight management.

Microalgae, protein fractions, and ‘co-products’: POS VP of technology talks next big trends

17-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

With almost 40 years of working with companies large and small across numerous continents, POS Bio-Sciences has a top level view of what’s next on the horizon, and microalgae, protein fractions, and co-products are areas to watch, says the company’s vice...

Ashwagandha interest spilling into mainstream market

16-Apr-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

The so-called flagship herb of Ayurveda, ashwagandha is gaining traction in the mainstream US market as consumers embrace its wide-ranging body of health benefits on the heels of strong clinical support and a few celebrity health practitioner endorsements.

Herb Pharm rollouts aim for 'transitional natural consumers'

14-Apr-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

With the launch of three new herbal supplements headlined by such widely appealing ingredients as turmeric and ginger, Herb Pharm looks to broaden its consumer base beyond the so-called “lifestyles of health & sustainability” (LOHAS) consumer to the...

Green tea extracts plus exercise may boost fat metabolism: Mouse data

08-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining exercise with extracts from green tea may slash body mass by almost 30% and abdominal fat by almost 40%, according to a study with mice fed a high-fat diet.

Researchers find pomegranate juice exacerbates Parkinson's in rat model

07-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

A study using POM Wonderful’s pomegranate juice has found it exacerbated neurodegeneration in a rat/rotenone model of Parkinson’s disease.  The finding ran counter to the researchers’ expectations.

HEPI looking at pet market to fund nutraceutical development

07-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

Health Enhancement Products Inc., a Michgan-based development stage company with potential markets in nutraceutical products derived from algae as well as a personalized health measurement testing platform, has settled on animal nutrition as its closest-to-market...

Oxford conference to broaden scope in recognition of 20th anniversary of DSHEA

04-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

The upcoming Oxford Conferenece on the Science of Botanicals will have broader scope this year as part of a retrospective on the 20th anniversary of the Dietary Supplement Health and Eduction Act, said Ikhlas Khan, PhD, one of the conference’s main organizers.

Algatech: Functional food on astaxanthin horizon

01-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Israeli firm Algatechnologies will work towards gaining approval for its astaxanthin as a novel food and beverage ingredient in Europe, but first it must meet existing demands and cut prices, it said.

USDA article attacking African Mango supplements doesn't represent responsible core of industry, experts say

31-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

A recent article released by the United States Department of Agriculture attacks some weight loss dietary supplements for being over hyped and under researched. While the article contains some valid points, experts in the supplement industry said it should...

ChromaDex trims loss, reports $65 million in orders for Niagen ingredient

28-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex Corp. further trimmed its loss to 4 cents a share as it continues to capitalize on its Niagen ingredient, the company announced as it reported its final fiscal year 2013 results.

EuroPharma founder: Nobody has given curcumin the attention that we have

28-Mar-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Booming consumer demand for curcumin is driving an innovative but highly competitive supplier landscape, but Terry Lemerond, founder & president of EuroPharma,Inc., says his company has never talked down the competition, preferring to talk up their...

Companies must walk fine line when bringing a supplement to market in US that is a drug elsewhere

27-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

A company known as PharmaRoth Labs had to absorb a setback recently when it announced that FDA had objected to a New Dietary Ingredient notification the company filed on its Sucanon ingredient. The incident points out the potential pitfalls of bringing...

Naturex battles botanical adulteration with supply chain security

27-Mar-2014 By Shane STARLING

High-priced botanicals like bilberry and saw palmetto continue to attract counterfeiters and adulterers, meaning supply chain integrity is more important than ever, the world’s biggest herbal extract player has said.

Extract of succulent has dual action in moderating anxiety, study shows

25-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

A study published released recently on Zembrin, a branded extract of Sceletium tortousom, shows the product’s effects within the amygdala, the portion of the brain stem where the body’s “threat circuitry” lies.

Special edition: Innovations in delivery systems

Keep a weather eye on regs when deciding on new delivery modes, experts say

20-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Product developers are in constant search mode for ways to differentiate their products, and that search has always included delivery system innovation.  But without keeping a weather eye on US regulations, they may end up being too smart for their own...

Kratom distributor recalls all products in wake of FDA import alert

18-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

SNI National has voluntarily recalled all of its products that contain kratom, an ingredient whose legality has been questioned by the Food and Drug Administration.

New structure will create a 'more relevant' Twinlab, Tolworthy says

17-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

For Twinlab CEO Tom Tolworthy, a company's culture says a lot about its values.  And the structure of the company should reflect that, which is why he’s taking Twinlab in a new direction.

American Botanical Council awards botanical excellence in Anaheim

13-Mar-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The recipients of the American Botanical Council's (ABC) 9th Annual Celebration and Awards Ceremony stepped into the spotlights in Anaheim, California recently to collect their awards. Here's our gallery of all the worthy recipients.

Herbalife confirms FTC investigation

12-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Network marketing giant Herbalife has confirmed that is the subject of an investigation by the Federal Trade Commission.  Trading in shares of the company were briefly halted on the New York Stock Exchange after the price plunged 12% in the minutes after...

Gaia Herbs CEO: ‘Our biggest driver is to continue to control the supply chain because a quality herbal product requires a quality herb’

11-Mar-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The big three issues for botanicals of identity, adulteration, and solvent residue can be eliminated by controlling the supply chain from seed to shelf, says Ric Scalzo, CEO of Gaia Herbs

Future looks increasingly bright for herbal supplements, market researcher says

11-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

The economic downturn has had a depressing effect on new product launches in the herbal dietary supplement industry, said Steve French, managing director of the Natural Marketing Institute. But the good news is that opportunity abounds, in that herbal...

Omega Protein's human nutrition revenues up 88%

11-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein Corporation is seeing increased benefits from its acquisiton of whey producer Wisconsin Specialty Protein.  Revenues from the new division helped the company achieve record profits as the company continues to execute on its plan of moving...

Time has come to consider DRIs for bioactives, CRN official says

10-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Evidence for the nutrtional benefits of bioactives is steadily accumulating, and the time has come engage regulators in a process of determining dietary reference intakes (DRIs) for the best-researched substances, said Jim Griffiths, vice president of...

Polyphenolics' new blood glucose management ingredient aimed at fringe of sports nutrition sphere

05-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

Polyphenolics is breaking into the sports nutrition game with the launch of a new version of its line of grape seed extracts called MegaNatural GL.  The prouduct is said to moderate blood glucose spikes after meals.

Company to debut 'natural' energy ingredients in Anaheim

04-Mar-2014 By Hank Schultz

A company that got its start fighting cancer has moved into the natural area with the launch of three energy ingredients. Applied Food Sciences Inc. will unveil the ingredients at the Next Innovation Summit this week held in conjunction with the Natural...

Research supports bergamot's benefit in fatty liver disease, manufacturer says

28-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Natural Health Solutions says new research confirms the benefits of its BergaMet supplement, a highly concentrated extract of the Calabrian bergamot fruit, has benefits for consumers who show signs of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).

Updated: USP outlines its improvements for ginkgo testing

‘A significant contribution to the quality assurance of ginkgo products’: Scientists present simple method to test for adulterants

28-Feb-2014 By Stephen Daniells

A new, simple method can address the problem of identifying adulterants in ginkgo biloba extracts, claim the scientists from Southern Cross University and Integria Healthcare in Australia who developed it.

Concept of biomimicry could inform nutraceutical discovery, manufacture, expert says

28-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Biomimicry, or the practice of taking cues from nature for design of products for human use, could transform the way dietary supplments manufacturers interact with their consumers, an expert says.

Data shows 'cobiotic' modulates glucose response in diabetic and pre diabetic subjects

27-Feb-2014

Microbiome Therapeutics, a startup based in Broomfield, CO, has developed a technology that it says can significantly shift the makeup of the gut microflora in prediabetic patients and those with type 2 diabetes.  Prelimary data shows the company’s flaghsip...

Polysaccharide supplement may boost memory, suggests study

21-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Mannatech, a network marketing company based in Coppell, TX, has announced the results of clinical trial showing memory support benefits for its polysaccharide dietary supplment formulation called Ambrotose. The trial showed improved performance on standard...

Cancer researcher wins ABC's Farnsworth award

21-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Influential figures in the herbal sphere aren’t always involved in what most would term “natural” products.  So it is with Gordon M Cragg, PhD, the latest recepient of a prominent award from the American Botanical Council.

Robinson Pharma ups capabilities by acquiring assets of bankrupt liquids and powders manufacturer

20-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Contract manufacturer Robinson Pharma has acquired the manufacturing assests of bankrupt Creations Garden Natural Products in a deal that will allow the combined company to “enter into some new product arenas,” according to Kenn Israel, vice president...

Better broccoli: Researchers identify method to increase shelf life and beneficial compounds

12-Feb-2014 By Nathan Gray

The combined application of two natural compounds to broccoli could help to increase levels of its suggested anti-cancer compounds while also increasing shelf life, say researchers.

Herbal lozenge reduces nasal inflammation from common allergens: Study

11-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Allergease, a dietary supplement lozenge product aimed at the allergy market, has evidence of efficacy based on the finished product formulation, according to the company’s founders.

'American' herbal organizations adopt increasingly global perspective

10-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

The US dietary supplement market, nourished by the streamlined regulatory structure put into place by the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, is the most vibrant in the world.  But that hasn’t stopped the three leading organizations devoted to...

Bioactives American brings first GRAS-affirmed salacia oblonga extract to market

10-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Bioactives American Corporation has brought to market what the company calls the first GRAS version of a salacia oblonga ingredient for blood sugar management.

Canada OKs enhanced health claims for Ixoreal's KSM 66 ashwagandha

07-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

KSM-66, an ashwagandha root-only extract from Ixoreal BioMed, has been approved in Canada for health claims that include stress reduction, sports nutrition benefits and support for healthy testosterone levels.  The approval of the claims, which go beyond...

NPA seeks input on message to countervail negative media reports on supplements

06-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

Recent negative reports about the safety and efficacy of dietary supplements aren’t just a black eye on the industry.  They represent a groundswell of public sentiment that could lead to the significant alteration of the Dietary Supplement Health and...

New study supports Sensoril's psychomotor benefits in healthy subjects

05-Feb-2014 By Hank Schultz

A new study on the ashwagandha ingredient Sensoril shows its ability to significantly improve cognitive and psychomotor performance during simple reaction, choice discrimination, digit symbol substitution, digit vigilance and card sorting tests in healthy...

Driven Sports ‘completing destruction’ of remaining Craze

04-Feb-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Pre-workout product Craze has been removed from the market and remaining inventory is being destroyed, as its manufacturer Driven Sports reacts to media attention and published tests.

New curcumin bioavailability study sparks scientific debate among leading suppliers

03-Feb-2014 By Stephen Daniells

A new study comparing the bioavailability of several curcumin formulations is generating debate among suppliers, with questions raised about active and non-active metabolites.

OmniActive’s curcumin shows 46-fold bioavailability increase compared to standard curcumin: Study

03-Feb-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Consumption of OmniActive Health Technologies’ recently launched CurcuWin curcumin form may significantly increase serum curcuminoid levels over standard curcumin and some other curcumin formulations, says a new study funded by OmniActive.

Herbal Papaya extends non GMO footprint with new supplement ingredients, tea flavors

31-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

organic, non-GMO positioning, is extending its line of ingredients with the introduction of a papaya seed powder.  It is also planning new flavors for its tea line, all to be introduced at the Natural Products Expo West trade show in March.

Literature supports fenugreek’s blood sugar management potential: Meta-analysis

30-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of fenugreek may effectively help manage blood sugar levels in people with diabetes, according to a meta-analysis of 10 clinical trials.

Special edition: Polyphenols

Global tea polyphenols market set to hit $368 million by 2020

28-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

Tea polyphenols are poised to enjoy strong growth over the next decade, with a new market report calling for the global market in the ingredients to hit $368 million by 2020.  That makes sense to observers, who say the popularity of tea, green tea in...

Special edition: Polyphenols

Polyphenol use rises 69% in 5 years (but do people get it?)

28-Jan-2014 By Shane Starling

Polyphenol use in functional food and drink marketing has shot up 69% since 2009 even as consumer understanding remains low and approved global health claims extremely limited. But can it continue?

Plandai to apply hydrodynamic extraction technology to cannabis extracts

22-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

Plandai Biotechnology is the latest nutraceutical company to seek its fortunes in the seemingly greener pastures of the medical marijuana trade. The company announced the formation of a wholly-owned subsidiary called Cannabis Biosciences, Inc. for the...

HerbalGram article lays out New World connections for antique botanical text written in code

21-Jan-2014 By Hank Schultz

Matching plant illustrations in a mysterious text to New World varieties that were codified by the first European botanists active in Spain’s newly-conquered territories may have helped unlock a portion of a riddle that has stumped cryptographers for...