Dosage forms & delivery formats

Amino acid release matrix extracts maximum value from protein

17-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Glanbia Nutrtionals has debuted an enzyme blend targeting release of branch chain amino acids (BCAA) and glutamine from whey protein sources.

Insights from SupplySide West

New ingredient set to give caffeine a run for its money, supplier says

17-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Compound Solutions has introduced a nature identical version of theacrine branded as TeaCrine. The ingredient offers benefits over caffeine, the mainstay of energy formulations, the company says.

Bamboo fiber, protein beverages, and gummies: Hydrocolloid expert talks innovative delivery systems

15-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Beverages continue to be one of the hot beds for innovation when it comes to nutrient fortification, with insoluble fiber, nutritional oils, and (of course) protein all catching the eye.

Fine print of GMP compliance still a mystery to many small manufacturers, expert says

14-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

The smallest tier of dietary supplement manufacturers still, as a class, lack comprehensive understanding of GMP requirements, according a digital solutions provider.

What women want: Lallemand launches probiotics for female health

14-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

The absence of any EU-approved health claims for probiotics hasn’t deterred Lallemand Health Solutions from launching a suite of probiotics addressing women’s health issues.

Insights from SupplySide West

The big opportunity over the next decade? Offering a multi-pronged approach to take consumers to a greater level of optimal health

14-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Consumers are looking for individual and integrated strategies to optimize their health and wellness, but no company has yet put all the pieces together, says BrandHive’s Jeff Hilton.

Probiotics giant debuts soft gel with 2-year shelf life

13-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Danish probiotics player Chr Hansen has launched a patent-pending soft gel that can deliver live probiotics with a two-year shelf life and matched it with a probiotic-omega-3 supplement targeting pregnant women.

Montmorency tart cherry shows gout potential: Study

09-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Evidence that Montmorency tart cherry could be useful in managing gouty arthritis and other inflammatory conditions is mounting, as a new study shows that tart cherry concentrate lowers uric acid and C-reactive protein – a marker for inflammation.

Food-drug interactions may endanger mountaineers' health

07-Oct-2014 By Anna Bonar

Food and nutrients may pose a risk to mountaineers' health if combined with drugs not under strict control, according to a study conducted at the University of the Basque Country.

$5 million in additional funding will help ChromaDex bridge through to profitability, CEO says

03-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex Corp. has announced an additional $5 million in funding from Hercules Technology Growth Capital. The cash infusion will fund operations for a number of months as the company moves toward profitability, said CEO Frank Jaksch.

Valensa debuts algal 1,3 beta-glucan for immune health

03-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Valensa International, a Florida-based producer of finished supplement formulas, has announced a deal to bring an immune health ingredient to market based on 1,3 beta-glucan derived from algae.

Science short

Actions urged to combat widespread European vitamin D deficiencies

02-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

Greater vitamin D fortification of foods and supplementation can help tackle vitamin D deficiencies that remain prevalent across Europe – with Finland a good example of the success of such measures, a review has found.

DSM backs natural zeaxanthin with exclusive deal

01-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

DSM, previously focused on synthetic zeaxanthin, has launched a natural version sourced from longtime carotenoid partner Kemin.

Vitamin E and selenium's cataract prevention abilities questioned by cohort

22-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin E and selenium supplementation is unlikely to impact the progression of age-related cataracts in men, as suggested by previous research, according to a study published in JAMA Ophthalmol.

L. paracasei may alter intestinal microbiota in healthy people: Study

17-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic strain Lactobacillus paracasei could alter the intestinal microbial in healthy populations, but this depends strictly on the ‘ecosystem’ of the individual, according to research. 

Canadian firm Solarvest signs up German partners to produce organic algal DHA oil

12-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Canadian algae technology firm Solarvest has entered into agreements to produce its omega-3 algae products in the EU. The products will comply with both USDA and EU organic certification requirements, a company official said.

Mangos may lower blood sugar in obese adults: Study

12-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consumption of freeze-dried mango may reduce blood glucose levels for obese individuals, according to researchers. 

Glanbia buys sports nutrition firm Isopure for £94M

12-Sep-2014 By Rod Addy

Glanbia has agreed to acquire US sports nutrition business The Isopure Company for $153M (£94.1M).

Omega-3 may reduce epilepsy seizures

11-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Low doses of omega-3 rich fish oil may reduce epilepsy seizure frequency by around a third, according to research published in the British Medical Journal.

Curcumin takes center stage, suppliers say

11-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Sales of curcumin supplements are soaring. This perpetually almost-ready-for-prime-time ingredient has finally arrived, suppliers say.

ENSA: Soy-breast cancer study not reflective of ‘state of scientific knowledge’

11-Sep-2014 By Shane STARLING

The soy industry has hit back at a recent study that suggested soy supplementation could worsen rather than ameliorate breast cancer by influencing gene behaviour.

Omega-3s and vitamin D first focus for Global Nutrition & Health Alliance

10-Sep-2014 By Shane STARLING

The just-formed Global Nutrition & Health Alliance (GNHA) is tackling intake levels for vitamin D and omega-3 as the group formed by medical and health experts kicks into life.

Caffeine may have positive effects on Alzheimer’s-related tau deposits, says study

09-Sep-2014 By Anna Bonar

Caffeine could help ease the cognitive decline of Alzheimer’s disease German-French research has shown.

International association endorses Botanical Adulterants Program

08-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

A major self policing and informational effort in the dietary supplement industry has received a signifcant boost on the international stage.  The Botanical Adulterants program, a coopertive venture of three North American-based organizaitons, has been...

Eggshell membrane shows joint health benefits: Study

04-Sep-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Daily supplementation with 500mg of eggshell membrane can reduce symptoms of osteoarthritis (OA), according to a German trial.

Nestlé files patent for kids’ ‘protein balance’

03-Sep-2014 By Anne Bruce

Nestlé has filed for a worldwide patent for a protein balancing product aimed at children aged 5-15.

Is FDA doing enough to stem tide of tainted products? Probably not

28-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

A review of recent FDA enforcement actions concerning tainted products marketed as dietary supplements highlights the scope of the problem facing regulators and the limitations they operate under in dealing with it.

Sports Nutrition 2014 delivers business ammunition

27-Aug-2014 By Shane STARLING

It’s free, jammed full of sports nutrition sector insights – and it’s just days away: Sports Nutrition 2014 .

AHPA's data shows FDA ramping up enforcement on tainted weight loss, sex products

21-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

The presence of undeclared pharmaceutical ingredients in products purporting to be dietary supplements is garnering an increasing amount of attention and enforcement from the Food and Drug Administration, databases compiled by the American Herbal Products...

CannaVest reports thin gain in second quarter

19-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

CannaVest, a Las Vegas-based company that is investing in the development of foods and supplements from hemp, announced a thin gain from operations in its second quarter of 2014 buoyed by a large paper transaction involving a subsidiary that boosted the...

Seaweed an effective alternative for iodine supplementation, study finds

18-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

A study in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that seaweed supplementation can be an effective alternative for boosting the levels of iodine in women deficient in this vital nutrient.

Deal cements supply relationship for more bioavailable curcumin, quercitin out of Japan

15-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

Thera Innovations, a Canadian importer of dietary supplement ingreidients, has anounced a new supply deal for more bioavailable forms of curcumin and quercitin. The ingredients, branded as Theracumin and EMIQ, and are souced from Theravalues Corporation,...

Stressed men may benefit from soy-based phosphatidylserine, say researchers

08-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Soy-based phosphatidylserine may normalise the stress reactions of the nervous system and hormone glands in highly stressed males, according to research.

Europe's largest thin film manufacturer looks to make splash in US market

07-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

BioFilm Ltd., a Scottish manufacturer of thin dissolving films, is expanding its offerings into the US, believing that it has the production and formulation capability to transform what has been a fairly quiescent market, the company’s North American...

The whey to go? Morning protein drink may help T2 diabetes

06-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Whey protein drinks may help people with type 2 diabetes control erratic glucose levels, according to research.

MusclePharm signs NFL phenom Johnny Manziel to endorsement contract

05-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

In a sector heavily driven by marketing and celebrity athlete tie-ins, MusclePharm has once again scored big by signing an endorsement deal with Johnny Manziel, the rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

DSM Q2 nutrition profits slip 11% as key markets struggle

05-Aug-2014 By Shane STARLING

Sales slipped 6% and net profits 11% in Q2 for DSM’s human and animal nutrition arm as adverse currency movements, a slow US vitamins and omega-3 food supplements market and the Asian botulism infant formula scare affected earnings.

Nutraceutical International bounces back from poor Q2 to notch 9.5% net sales increase

04-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

Nutraceutical International Corporation returned to its record of strong financial performance fueled by acquisitions with the release of its third quarter 2014 results.  The company notched a 9.5% year-over-year net sales increase.  This comes after...

science short

Olive & coconut oils may improve intestinal absorption of lutein in mice

04-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Olive and coconut oils may improve the intestinal absorption of lutein, according to research in mice.

You’ll regret it in the morning: Review suggests alcohol-caffeine combo does not ‘mask’ intoxication

01-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mixing alcohol with energy drinks or other caffeinated beverages across different doses may not alter the awareness of intoxication as previously suggested, according to a meta-analysis.

Coffee may hydrate athletes just like water: Researcher

31-Jul-2014 By Anna Bonar

Caffeine does not have a diuretic effect on regular coffee drinkers and is safe to use, says sports nutrition researcher and consultant in elite sport.

Is Danone feeling the need for Mead?

28-Jul-2014 By Shane STARLING

 Danone shares rose today as rumours strengthened the French dairy giant would sell its medical and paediatric nutrition business (Nutricia), but is the firm streamlining its activities around its core foods businesses or just shifting infant-medical...

Synbiotic gut health benefits limited, say researchers

18-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Potential gut health benefits of synbiotics may be limited since only specific combinations enhance probiotic survival and growth, say researchers.

Cactus drink marketer to pay $3.5 million to settle FTC false advertising claims

16-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

The marketers of a cactus drink have agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle false advertising charges brought by the Federal Trade Commission. Such charges could be levied against many companies, said Denver-based attorney Justin Prochnow.

Cargill rides publicity wave with Trehalose functional ingredient

14-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Cargill has weathered a potential media storm concerning its functional ingredient Trehalose.  The ingredient, a glucose dissaccharide, was one of the potentially ‘scary’ food ingredients seized upon for its use by a well known fast food chain.

Study explores how doses recommended on labels may (or may not) affect heart health

‘Not all omega-3 supplements are created equal, at least in terms of CVD risk reduction’, says new study

11-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

The manufacturers' recommended doses of omega-3 fatty acids from different sources may have different efficacies when it comes to heart health benefits, says a new study.

NIU's functional foods forum: Sports nutriton, snacks, beverages seen as hottest categories

09-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Functional foods and beverages are the thin edge of the innovation wedge and are growing by leaps and bounds. Panelists in a recent online forum hosted by NutraIngredients-USA laid out the trends in this booming sector.

FDA exemption speeds release of Plandai’s catechin supplement

08-Jul-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Plandai Biotechnology Inc. will not be required to apply to the US Food and Drug Administration for New Dietary Ingredient status in order to market and sell its Phytofare Catechin Complex as a dietary supplement, enabling the firm to start marketing...

Lack of good advice about supplement use puts young athletes at risk, dietitian says

30-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

The unfettered marketplace for dietary supplements in the United States has created a risky situation for teenagers, especially younger athletes, dietitians at a recent conference were told. Tavis Piattoly, RD, told attendees that younger athletes were...

Calcium and vitamin D may improve metabolic profile of women with 'pregnancy diabetes'

26-Jun-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation of vitamin D and calcium may reduce fasting plasma glucose and insulin, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce low-density lipoprotein 'bad' cholesterol while boosting 'good' cholesterol for women with Gestational Diabetes...