Botanicals

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...

DSM launches dry powder tomato extract for food supplements

14-May-2013

Dutch ingredients giant DSM is launching a dry powder form of its Fruitflow tomato extract which has an EFSA-approved health claim for improved blood circulation – attained in 2009.

Javaplant site visit - extraction in Indonesia

06-May-2013 By RJ Whitehead

FoodNavigator-Asia recently visited Indonesia's largest extraction facility, Javaplant, to look at how one of Asia's top 10 botanical, coffee and tea extractors produces products for export around the world.

Sustainability NGOs back Cameroon cultivation of African cherry tree

06-May-2013

Two NGOs responsible for safeguarding plants and forests have positively reviewed the harvesting practices of a prostate-benefitting botanical harvested in Cameroon.

New research bolsters stress-fighting credentials of Relora ingredient

03-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Next Pharmaceuticals has bolstered the stress-reducing credentials of its Relora branded ingredient with new research presented at the recent Experimental Biology conference in Boston.

Ashwagandha extracts show lifespan benefits: For worms at least

03-May-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Ashwagandha extracts may significantly increase the lifespan of C. Elegans, organisms with metabolic processes are similar to those of humans.

Pine bark extract shows benefits against metabolic syndrome: Human data

03-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Pycnogenol, an extract from the bark of the French maritime pine, may help reduce health risk factors associated with metabolic syndrome, suggests new data from a human study.

HerbDay celebrates role of medicinal plants in human health

02-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

The annual HerbDay national celebration, whose 8th edition is set for this Saturday, May 4, was begun as a way to rember the important role herbs play in health and have played in human history, says one of the event’s founders.

Vestiage plans to formulate and acquire its way to top of anti-aging game

02-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

In putting together his vision for anti aging product company Vestiage, CEO Scott Kimball drew up on his experience as a professional baseball player. He has assembled a strong front office, has some promising rookies on the roster and now intends to...

Sabinsa rolls out novel Moringa and Boswellia extracts, hails ‘overwhelming response’ to Curcumin C3 Reduct

01-May-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Sabinsa Corporation is launching two novel water-soluble ingredients, one from of Boswellia serrata, called Polybos, and the other called MoringIn from Moringa oleifera.

UNPA's Israelsen proposes new carrot to go with FDA's GMP stick

29-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry is falling behind on GMP compliance, says Loren Israelsen, executive director of the United Natural Products Alliance.  Fixing that is a matter of coming up with a new carrot to go with the stick wielded by the Food and...

GNC gradually dumping DMAA but not because it's unsafe

29-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

In the wake of an FDA announcement on DMAA, GNC is moving to gradually remove all DMAA-containing products from its shelves, but not because the company believes that the ingredient is unsafe.

Sabinsa's new patent covers trio of compounds in weight management

23-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Sabinsa Corporation has extended its IP portfolio in the fast growing weight management category with a new patent covering the use of a trio of families of bioactive compounds.

Berries show anti-diabetes potential: Human data

19-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Strawberries, bilberries, lingonberries, and chokeberries may blunt the insulin response to the starch-rich bread, and offer a means of reducing the risk of diabetes, says a new study from Finland.

Research elucidates different approaches to modern ashwagandha ingredients

15-Apr-2013 By Hank Schultz

Ashwagandha, sometimes called the “king” of ayurvedic herbs, has been gaining traction in the North American marketplace.  A big part of the reason is the investments in clinical science and the marketing support made by major suppliers of the ingredient,...

Updated: CRN calls on industry to stop manufacturing DMAA-containing products

FDA: 'Information is insufficient to defend the use of DMAA'

12-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

After reviewing the response from USPlabs about the use of DMAA as an ingredient in dietary supplements, the FDA has concluded that the evidence is ‘insufficient’, NutraIngredients-USA can report.

Tropical leaf extracts may boost pre-diabetic health measures: Clinical trial

11-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements containing extracts from Elaeis guineensis or Ficus deltoidea may benefit the health of people with pre-diabetes by improving blood sugar and lipid levels, say findings from a clinical trial.

Letter to the editor

Nutratech: BfR report is ‘clearly at odds with the scientific literature on safety of bitter orange-caffeine combinations’

10-Apr-2013

Leading bitter orange/ p-synephrine supplier Nutratech has countered a report from the German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment (BfR) over concerns about the ingredient’s safety, noting it is at odds with the scientific literature.

Bitter orange and caffeine combo may be unsafe, says BfR

09-Apr-2013 By Nathan Gray

Sports supplements and weight loss products that contain a combination of caffeine and synephrine from bitter orange may not comply with current regulations and could be classified as unsafe, warns the BfR.

Naturex introduces cold-processed 100% fruit and vegetable powders

08-Apr-2013 By Caroline Scott-Thomas

Naturex has introduced a range of 100% fruit and vegetable powders produced through a low-temperature spray drying process that better preserves flavour, colour and nutrition.

Olive polyphenols play ‘key role’ in learning and memory processes: Animal data

05-Apr-2013

A natural extract made from olive polyphenols could help to increase learning and memory processes by increasing levels of important proteins in the brain, according to new research in rodents.

Black tea compounds show blood pressure benefits: Human data

05-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Three cups of flavonoid-rich black tea per day may reduce the variability in blood pressure at night, says a new clinical trial.

Flaxseed may offer improvements for obese pre-diabetics

04-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Adding flaxseed to the diet may decrease insulin resistance in pre-diabetics and help reduce the risk of developing type-2 diabetes, suggests new data from the US and Canada.

Phytochemicals show anti-inflammatory and brain health benefits: Pure Encapsulations/ Atrium Innovations

04-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Polyphenol-rich extracts from fruit and vegetables may have molecular targets with potential relevance to cardiometabolic and neurological health, according to new data.

Green tea extracts show promise for people with metabolic syndrome

02-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Drinking green tea or taking a supplement containing green tea extracts may improve the body’s antioxidant protection in people with the metabolic syndrome, says a new study.

American Botanical Council awards botanical excellence: ABC awards 2013 in pictures

26-Mar-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The recipients of the American Botanical Council's (ABC) 8th 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. 

Bitter melon may offer 'exciting' cancer promise

13-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Bitter melon juice may prevent the development of pancreatic cancer by cutting off the fuel supply to cancerous cells, according to new data.

Green tea EGCG may help prevent plaque formation in Alzheimer's disease

06-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Extracts from green tea may block the formation of beta-amyloid plaques that have been linked to the onset ofAlzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative conditions, according to new laboratory data.

Is curcumin the next omega-3? Sabinsa expects so with ‘game changing’ Curcumin C3 Reduct

19-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The final stumbling blocks for the wide use of curcumin have been removed, claims Sabinsa as it launches its ‘next generation’ of curcuminoids offering ‘greater potency, stability and much better bioavailability’.

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.

ABC article puts another nail in DMAA's coffin

08-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

The studies that claim to have found DMAA present in geranium are suspect both because of where they were published–in an open-access, pay-for-publication journal–and because of problems with the studies themselves, a new article by the American Botanical...

AHPA, ABC oppose call for change of regulatory status for St. John's wort

04-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

A pharmacists’ group has petitioned the Food and Drug Administration to limit consumers’ access to St. John’s wort, a move opposed by the American Herbal Products Association and the American Botanical Council.