Covid-19

Supplement manufacturer seeks to up game in COVID-19 testing

10-Jun-2021 By Hank Schultz

ProPhase Labs, a dietary supplement manufacturer and medical testing company, has announced a plan to better market a COVID-19 test and to move into the genomic testing sphere.

COVID-19 IBS improvement reaffirms gut-brain link

24-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Patients' irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms improved when they were in lockdown, reaffirming the gut-brain connection in functional gastrointestinal disorders, according to research presentated at Digestive Disease Week (May 21-23).

Science must be specific to products, FTC reiterates In new raft of COVID-19 warning letters

03-May-2021 By Hank Schultz

The US Federal Trade Commission has cited another 30 companies or individuals for making what it characterizes as unsubstantiated COVID-19 treatment claims.

News in Brief

Hologram Sciences unveils first integrated supplement/home test product

30-Apr-2021 By Hank Schultz

New DSM division Hologram Sciences has launched its first product, a direct to consumer brand based on vitamin D that includes a testing component.

Multivits, omega-3, probiotics & vit D achieves ‘modest’ effects in warding off COVID-19: Study

21-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

The consumption of multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 in women but not so for men, an observational study concludes.

FTC seeks fines against marketer of vitamin D, zinc over claims products can replace COVID-19 vaccines

19-Apr-2021 By Hank Schultz

A St. Louis-based chiropractor and dietary supplement marketer faces monetary penalties for continuing to market vitamin D and zinc products that purport to prevent COVID-19 infections.

Irish Government committee outlines policies needed to promote Vitamin D

08-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The Irish Joint Committee on Health has launched a report on Vitamin D deficiency concluding that the Government must promote supplementation across the population by increasing public knowledge and reducing costs.

Study: Curcumin a powerful anti-inflammatory for knee osteoarthritis

07-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study has concluded that a proprietary turmeric extract is as effective as paracetamol in reducing pain and other symptoms of knee osteoarthritis (OA

High fibre diet could help control COVID-19 inflammation, study suggests

01-Apr-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

A high fibre diet could help control the inflammatory responses associated with COVID-19, according to an article published in the journal 'Gut Microbes'.

Research review: UK needs five-fold Vitamin D increase

29-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Vitamin D supplementation should be increased to five-times what is currently recommended in the UK in order to support the population's immunity against respiratory tract infections, according to new research.

High vitamin D levels may protect against COVID-19: Study

23-Mar-2021 By Danielle Masterson

A new research study at the University of Chicago Medicine has found that having more than sufficient vitamin D levels may lower the risk of COVID-19 infection — especially for Black people.

Nutrition a possible factor in Covid-19 vaccination efficacy, concludes review

19-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

Researchers have highlighted nutrition as a possible factor influencing the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, as recent news establishes a link between vitamin D levels and an adequate immune response.

Immune support in the age of vaccines: Do shots threaten the category?

18-Mar-2021 By Danielle Masterson

The immune support category continues to dominate dietary supplements as the pandemic proceeds to push consumers toward prioritizing their immune health. But with more than two million Americans getting the COVID-19 vaccine every day, where does the category...

FDA cites Mercola for alleged COVID-19 treatment claims

08-Mar-2021 By Hank Schultz

Among three warning letters sent recently to dietary supplement marketers over alleged COVID-19 treatment claims was one headline name: Dr Joseph Mercola. FDA alleges he claimed several supplement products can treat or prevent viral infections.

Researchers aim to discover impact of vitamin K on COVID-19

05-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

After recent studies demonstrated a correlation between low vitamin K levels and more severe COVID-19, researchers are now planning to undertake the first ever prospective trial to explore whether supplementation could benefit patients.

Probiotics see biggest ever online surge in 2020

05-Mar-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Probiotics witnessed their biggest ever rise in online engagement in 2020 with weight management leading the charge as consumers looked for natural ways to stay healthy and avoid severe COVID-19.

Nutraceutical insiders on employment trends as health awareness fuels growth

04-Mar-2021 By Danielle Masterson

Health and wellness has become front and center over the past year, positioning the nutraceuticals industry for further expansion in 2021. So what does that mean for jobs?

Algae extract may act to slow down COVID progression, say researchers

03-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

Researchers are drawing attention to the possible role of algae in delaying the onset of COVID-19 by ‘calming’ the ‘cytokine storm (CS),’ an immune overreaction thought to be behind the condition’s more serious symptoms.

Ireland academics urge its government to deploy vitamin D in COVID fight as calls gather pace

26-Feb-2021 By Will Chu

Calls to include vitamin D as part of a national strategy to tackle COVID continues to gain momentum as health experts have pushed Ireland’s government to consider and act upon the latest evidence.

Updated: CRN urges public health establishments to issue guidance on vitamin D supplement benefits

House Resolution aims to recognize vitamin D's benefits for COVID-19

15-Feb-2021 By Stephen Daniells

US Representative Glenn Grothman (R-WI) has introduced a House Resolution to recognize the significant role vitamin D may play in the fight against COVID-19.

Paper summarizing antiviral evidence for botanical ingredients becomes global touchstone

22-Jan-2021 By Hank Schultz

A recent review paper that summarizes what’s known about the antiviral effects of various botanical ingredients has generated keen interest among researchers, according to one of the authors.

Watchdog group alerts FTC to COVID-19 claims being made by MLM

13-Jan-2021 By Hank Schultz

An industry watchdog group flagged coronavirus treatment claims being made by a multilevel marketing company and has referred the matter to the Federal Trade Commission.

Microbiome impacts COVID-19 severity and duration, study suggests

13-Jan-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Gut microbiota composition may be associated with the severity of COVID-19 and the risk of on-going symptoms, according to a newly published observational study.

Patients with more omega-3s in blood less likely to die from COVID-19, pilot study finds

12-Jan-2021 By Hank Schultz

Patients with the most omega-3s in their system were 75% less likely to die from COVID-19, a preliminary pilot study suggests.

Microbiome and COVID-19: Lower levels of key gut bacteria linked to severity of disease and immune response – China data

12-Jan-2021 By Gary Scattergood

The composition of patients’ microbiome may influence the severity of COVID-19, as well as how the immune system responds to the infection, according to new research from China, which found lower numbers of F. prausnitzii and Bifidobacterium bifidum to...

Indian COVID-19 patients have lower levels of selenium, researchers call for supplementation of general population - Study

11-Jan-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

COVID-19 patients from southern India had lower selenium serum level compared to healthy individuals, prompting industry players to call for its supplementation considering selenium’s well-known defence mechanism against infectious diseases.

COVID-19 rapid reviews: Task force to make recommendations on vitamins, botanicals to health authorities

22-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A group of Australian naturopathic experts is gathering on-the-ground data from health practitioners on the effectiveness of nutraceuticals in helping to combat COVID-19, and will present the findings to health authorities.

Covid-19 RCT: Honey and black cumin seed help speed up recovery in Covid-19 patients

25-Nov-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

A randomised-controlled trial that is awaiting peer review suggests that Covid-19 patients who received a combination of honey and Nigella sativa recovered more quickly than those given a placebo.

COVID-19 puts spotlight on elderly malnutrition and recovery chances

13-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

Despite efforts to address the nutritional needs of the elderly, malnutrition remains an issue amongst this vulnerable population, particularly during the ongoing pandemic, says a Danone white paper.

FDA warns sports brand Predator Nutrition over COVID-19 claims covering plethora of ingredients

05-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Predator Nutrition, a top selling sports nutrition brand in Europe, has been caught in the FDA/FTC coronavirus net, having received a warning letter for illegal COVID-19 treatment claims.

Judge closes case of colloidal silver marketer that made COVID-19 claims

04-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

An Oklahoma federal judge has granted a permanent restraining order against a company that had been warned about selling colloidal silver supplements to treat COVID-19 but continued to do so anyway, FDA said yesterday in press release.

Study: Elderly patients previously on vitamin D3 supplements more likely to survive COVID-19

04-Nov-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Elderly patients who have previously taken vitamin D3 supplements are more likely to survive COVID-19 but a single standard dose of 80,000 IU vitamin D3 after infection is probably too low and too late in the day to generate protective effects, according...

COVID-19 changes preferences? China consumers less interested in overseas supplement brands, while trust in TCM rises

04-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China consumers are placing more trust in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), with a declining interest in overseas supplement brands and functional foods with health claims, said a consumer survey funded by the High-Value Nutrition National Science...

Optimum survey find Americans are vexed and lack health and fitness direction

02-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Americans are having difficulty maintaining emotional balance and holding to fitness goals during the pandemic crisis, an Optimum Nutrition consumer survey has found.

COVID-19 and food retail: New data reveals winners and losers in foot traffic, visit duration

Whole Foods’ foot traffic remains down more than 20% as rivals recover, reveals Placer.ai data

16-Oct-2020 By Elaine Watson

New data monitoring store visits at America’s leading food retailers between March and September 2020 shows that traffic at Whole Foods remains down more than 20% year-on-year, while most rival grocers have seen a steady recovery.

Review suggests vitamin K as potential 'missing link' in COVID-19

09-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new review presents vitamin K metabolism as the potential missing link between lung damage and thromboembolism, two of the most serious outcomes observed in COVID-19 patients.

COVID-19: Scientists raise the vitamin D alarm

02-Oct-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A group of researchers and doctors have formed an international alliance aiming to encourage governments to increase recommendations for vitamin D intake to 4,000 IU daily as they believe this would reduce COVID-19 hospitalisations.

Pharmacists now being snared in COVID-19 disease claims net

21-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

FDA has now widened its Covid-19 warning letter net to include pharmacists as well as other health care providers and dietary supplement manufacturers and marketers.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to 54% higher SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate: Study

21-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The associations between vitamin D status and COVID-19 risk continue to strengthen, with new data from Quest Diagnostics and Boston University indicating that people with deficiency in the sunshine vitamin may have a significantly higher positivity rate...

Vitamin D deficiency may boost risk of coronavirus infection

04-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Scientists at the University of Chicago are calling for clinical trials to investigate if vitamin D may reduce COVID-19 incidence after their retrospective study found a link between deficiency of the sunshine vitamin and the likelihood of becoming infected...

Dietary supplement usage changes & increases during pandemic, says new Ipsos-CRN survey

20-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Forty-three percent of dietary supplement users have changed their regimens during the COVID-19 pandemic to boost overall usage, says a new survey by IPSOS commissioned by CRN that hints at lasting changes to their approach to supplementation.

Supplement industry quick to warn consumers about Trump's enthusiasm for oleander as COVID-19 cure

19-Aug-2020 By Hank Schultz

Sources in the natural products industry were nearly unanimous in condemning the Trump Administration’s apparent new found enthusiasm for a toxic oleander extract as a potential COVID-19 cure.

Study adds weight to link between COVID-19 and vitamin D

19-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

A new cohort study involving 9940 men and women has added to the mounting research to indicate vitamin D supplementation may reduce the seriousness of COVID-19 infections.

COVID-19: An opportunity to address urgent nutrition education gaps

05-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

There is an urgent need to provide evidence-based nutrition education to health professionals and this pandemic may be the perfect catalyst for this change.

News in brief

Clorox teams with Cleveland Clinic on coronavirus guide

17-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

Clorox, a major manufacturer of dietary supplements and household products, has partnered with the Cleveland Clinic on a guide to help businesses cope with coronavirus provisions in the workplace.

TCM products make up majority of recent COVID-19 warning letters

16-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

An additional seven supplement companies have been added recently to the US Food and Drug Administration’s list of firms making allegedly non compliant COVID-19 treatment claims.

Glutathione-boosting supplement marketer stops social media posts that NAD said implied COVID-19 treatment benefits

01-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

A glutathione-boosting supplement that debuted on the market recently to some fanfare has run afoul of the National Advertising Division’s COVID-19 claims monitoring program. The company, called INID Research Lab LLC, has agreed to discontinue a social...

Beyond immune support: Current trends in sports nutrition

30-Jun-2020 By Danielle Masterson

As consumers reconfigure their life and nutrition choices, brands are also adapting to not only to stay relevant, but to survive.

FDA moves to keep coronavirus fears from interrupting ingredients trade

25-Jun-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration says it will move actively to prevent the worldwide trade in dietary ingredients, food ingredients and whole foods from being restricted because of misplaced coronavirus infection concerns.

Nutrabolt sees strong bounce backs in the mass and digital channels, but uncertainty around specialty continues

17-Jun-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Texas-based Nutrabolt, which owns the Cellucor C4 and Xtend brands, is seeing strong bounce back in multiple channels, and is making investments to evolve with changing consumer channels.