Botanicals

Cinnamon offers ‘hopeful effects‘ on blood pressure, but it’s premature to make recommendations, says meta-analysis

22-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementation with cinnamon may lower blood pressure in pre-diabetic and diabetic people, but it’s too early to make recommendations, says a new meta-analysis.

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.

Cinnamon gets a sponsor in ABC's Adopt an Herb program

20-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Amercan Botanical Council has announced that Vitatech Nutritional Sciences, a California-based vitamin and supplement formulation company, has adopted cinnamon (Cinnamomum verum) through ABC's Adopt-an-Herb Program.

Herbal supplement sales rose 5.5% in US in 2012, ABC says

19-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Herbal dietary supplement sales increased 5.5% in the United States in 2012 according a new report in HerbalGram, the publication of the American Botanical Council.

Mannatech granted 90th patent

16-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Mannatech Inc., a Texas-based supplement manufacturer, announced the granting of its 90th patent, with the granting of five new patents in 2013 relating to the company’s product portfolio.

GLG Lifetech works with China’s largest food company to tackle obesity, diabetes epidemic with stevia

15-Aug-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Stevia supplier GLG Lifetech is working with China’s largest food company - state-owned COFCO (China National Cereals, Oils, and Foodstuffs Corporation) - on three major healthy food and beverage formulation projects.

Tackling the diabetes epidemic: Blood glucose management a ‘significant untapped market’, says Frost & Sullivan

14-Aug-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Given that one in three American adults is expected to develop type 2 diabetes by 2050, foods and supplements targeting pre-diabetics and type 2 diabetics would appear to have enormous potential. So why isn’t the ‘healthy blood glucose’ market exploding? 

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...

ABC's HerbalGram celebrates 30th anniversary

13-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

The American Botanical Council hit a milestone with the 30th anniversary of its quarterly publication, HerbalGram. The publication, which began life as a simple newsletter, has now transformed into an 80-page, full color magazine/journal hybrid featuring...

Cyanotech continues transformation into consumer products manufacturer

13-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Cyanotech, which started as a supplier of algae-based ingredients, continues its transformation into more of a consumer products company.  Total net sales grew 6% in the first quarter of fiscal 2014, but Nutrex, the  consumer products division, grew by...

Garlic reduces lung cancer risk by 44%, suggests study

12-Aug-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Consuming raw garlic could serve as a protective factor against lung cancer, even for smokers, suggests a new study by Chinese scientists.

Does an NDI notification open door for me-too ingredients? Answer: It depends

08-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Let’s assume you’ve done your homework on your new ingredient and have successfully filed a New Dietary Ingredient notification with the Food and Drug Administration.  Can a competitor launching a me-too product come along and trade on that status?  It’s...

Putting the benefit back: Researchers demonstrate way to restore frozen broccoli's benefits

07-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

The food industry can easily restore the levels of health beneficial compounds in frozen broccoli by modifying its blanching and freezing processes, according to new research.

Ginkgo adulteration ‘very widespread’, say industry experts, so why is awareness low?

05-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Adulteration of Ginkgo biloba is ‘very widespread’, according to industry sources, but as the adulteration becomes more sophisticated new methods are emerging to help industry ensure the quality of this key herbal.

Arches President: We think we can easily double the size of our tinnitus-relief business

02-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Utah-based Arches Natural Products has expanded its suite of products for tinnitus relief, and is confident that it can double its business by increasing awareness among the millions of sufferers who live with no support.

Pharmachem/ Improve USA expands aloe product offering by 100% with new acquisition

01-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Improve USA, a division of Pharmachem Laboratories, Inc., has acquired the aloe vera business from Florida Food Products, a move that expands Improve’s product offering by 100%.

Infographic: Supplements vs food (eg. how much spinach is equivalent to a magnesium tablet?)

01-Aug-2013

Ever wondered how much food you need to consume to obtain a solid daily dose of a nutrient?

Broccoli compound benefits may be result of metabolic 're-tuning': Human data

31-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Metabolic modifications brought about by consumption of high-glucoraphanin broccoli may be behind the suggested health benefits and cancer-fighting ability of the cruciferous vegetable, according to a new clinical trial.

Glucoraphanin from broccoli is similar to DHA: We're educating the market that not all broccoli extracts are equal, says BPP

30-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Building consumer and market understanding of the benefits of glucoraphanin from broccoli is a lot like the DHA story, says leading broccoli extract supplier Brassica Protection Products (BPP), as it takes the ‘important step’ of self-affirming the GRAS...

Indian gooseberry extract (Capros) may counter endothelial dysfunction in diabetics: RCT

30-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of an extract from Indian gooseberry (Phyllanthus emblica) may improve the health of cells lining the blood vessels, and reduce levels of markers of oxidative stress in type-2 diabetics, according to results of a randomized, double-blind,...

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...