Nutrition

GNC seals deal with Alipay to drive China e-commerce sales

29-Aug-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Supplement retailer GNC has linked up with Alipay to make its products available to millions of Chinese consumers across the digital payment platform.

Medical food category continues to develop with Fiber Choice acquisition

28-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

Caret Pharma, subsidiary of a company that focuses on medical foods for intestinal conditions, announced that it will acquire Fiber Choice, a line of fiber supplements.

Rise in Evolution Fresh’s Defense Up sales show consumers already are thinking about flu season

22-Aug-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

Even though it is still sweltering outside for most of the US, many consumers are starting to think about the upcoming cold and flu season and are reaching for products claimed to have immune-boosting properties, such as Evolution Fresh’s 'Defense...

Are anthocyanins a prebiotic? Brazilian researchers summarize what we know so far

22-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

The study of prebiotics — a term used to describe the ‘food’ beneficial gut bacteria feed on — is still in its infancy. Researchers in Brazil synthesized existing studies of dark blue flavonoids called anthocyanins and found that more and more studies...

Creatine nitrate patent holder ThermoLife claims successful NDI submission

21-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

Creatine nitrate has reportedly been accepted as a new dietary ingredient by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), according to the ingredient’s patent holder.

Nutrition program could save hospitals up to $3,800 per patient

17-Aug-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Tackling malnutrition in American hospitals could help save millions of dollars by shortening hospital stays and lowering readmission rates, says a new study conducted in four Chicago area hospitals.

TSI receives first ever exclusive CFDA licence to produce HMB in China

17-Aug-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Health product manufacturer TSI Group has announced the approval of the first ever China Food and Drug Administration (CFDA) Manufacturing Licence for β-hydroxy β-methylbutyrate (HMB) production in China.

Study on choline intakes suggests eggs or supplements are only way to get enough

16-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

A study published this month using NHANES data reinforces that choline is an underconsumed nutrient, and concludes that it is very difficult to get enough in the diet without eating eggs or using a dietary supplement.

VitaCup recruits new ‘Chief Vitamin Officer’ to help formulate vitamin-fortified coffee pods

15-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

To help formulate its vitamin and mineral-infused coffee pods, compatible with the Keurig brewing system, startup VitaCup recruited a ‘Chief Vitamin Officer.’

13 personalized nutrition companies on the market today

15-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

As more studies on human nutrition suggest 'one-size-fits-all' isn't the way of the future, more companies are springing up peddling personalized nutrition solutions. We collected 13 personalized nutrition services and products that are...

Personalized nutrition firm Vitamin Packs goes down ‘influencer’ route to grow business

14-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

Startup Vitamin Packs launched a new affiliate program, which recruits health and wellness influencers to help promote the brand.

Study backs multivitamins' ability to prevent nutrient shortfalls with hard data

14-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

A study published last week in the journal Nutrients adds another brick in the wall backing the ability of multivitamins to fill in nutrient shortfalls. While this notion is taken for granted among experts in the dietary supplement field, it is still...

Experts dispute claim that innovation is lacking in sports nutrition

11-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

In the view of experts, the sports nutrition category continues to be a source of innovation, despite the view to the contrary relayed by the CEO of Vitamin Shoppe in a recent earnings call.

More competition in sports products hurts Vitamin Shoppe

10-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

Increasing competition in sports nutrition has hurt Vitamin Shoppe’s financial results as it struggles to implement a ‘reinvention’ strategy. The company reported disappointing 2nd quarter results yesterday, and the market reacted by sending the share...

Exporting supplements: Harder than shucking oysters

09-Aug-2017 By Steve Mister and Jim Griffiths, PhD, the Council for Responsible Nutrition

If the world is our oyster, why does the government make it so hard to sell vitamins?

Could Omega Protein be rethinking sales of human nutrition segments?

04-Aug-2017 By Hank Schultz

Better sales and margins within the embattled human nutrition segment has helped fish oil specialist Omega Protein weather a difficult start to its fishing season.

Innophos increases focus on dietary supplements through $125m acquisition of Novel Ingredients

03-Aug-2017 By Adi Menayang

The NASDAQ-traded firm Innophos Holdings has entered into a definitive merger agreement to acquire Novel Ingredients for $125m, bumping up the share of its food, health, and nutrition segment within the company.

Vitamin Angels gets repeat four-star rating from Charity Navigator

03-Aug-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Vitamin Angels has again placed in the top five percent of charities with another four-star rating from Charity Navigator, the nation’s premier charity evaluator.

Fruit d'Or gets 'health maintenance' claim in Canada for cranberry seed oil

28-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

Fruit d’ Or has announced approval by Health Canada for the omega-3 and omega-6 content of its multifunctional cranberry seed oil ingredient. The approved claim wording includes “for the maintenance of good health.”

Science short

Cellular calcium levels may influence cholesterol production, study suggests

27-Jul-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Calcium levels within cells may play an important role in controlling cholesterol production, according to recent research using roundworms.

Glucosamine supplements top seller among pet owners despite withdrawn AVMA recommendation, says Packaged Facts

26-Jul-2017 By Adi Menayang

For pets, digestive health and joint health supplements made up 13% each of all pet supplements bought in 2016, according to the latest data from Packaged Facts. Among joint health supplements, glucosamine was a regularly stocked item in the pet specialty...

Researchers answer whether a low-fat or low-carb diet is more successful for weight loss

17-Jul-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

The long-raging debate over whether cutting carbs or cutting fat is a better way lose weight is a false dichotomy, according to new research published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition that found successfully shedding pounds is less about...

Personalized nutrition startup Vitamin Packs highlights ‘trillions’ of combination possibilities

14-Jul-2017 By Adi Menayang

With around 70 supplement offerings and an algorithm developed with support by medical advisors, Vitamin Packs believes it can get very personal within the personalized nutrition space.

CRN to extend medical foods membership in effort to help define category

12-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

What can properly be called a medical food? The Council for Responsible Nutrition wants to help frame the answer to that question.

Protein intake above recommended level may benefit bone health, says study

11-Jul-2017 By Adi Menayang

Though protein is popular among consumers as a nutrient for muscles, researchers at George Mason University review existing literature on its benefit for the bones and hip fracture prevention. They found that consuming more than recommended dietary allowance...

Sports nutrition brands have lower SAE rates, expert says

05-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

Despite the perception that sports nutrition products tend to include ‘edgy’ ingredients, data suggest that these are among the safest of supplements, already a very safe category, an expert says,

MCTs plus vitamin D show cognitive benefits for the elderly: RCT

05-Jul-2017 By Stephen Daniells

A combination supplement containing medium-chain triglycerides (MCTs), L-leucine-rich amino acids, and vitamin D3 may boost cognitive function in frail elderly people, says a new study.

MusclePharm develops meal replacement for war fighters

03-Jul-2017 By Hank Schultz

MusclePharm has formulated a special ‘tactical’ meal replacement product in a partnership with the United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine (USAFSAM).

Spearmint extract may enhance reaction time, focus and agility: Human data

30-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of Kemin’s Neumentix spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) extract may support cognition and enhance physical performance in young, healthy individuals, says a new study.

ISAPP experts update definition and scope of ‘Prebiotics’

29-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

An expert panel convened by the International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP) has updated the definition of “prebiotics” to take into account advances in sequencing technology and the expansion in the use of the ingredients...

Dosage and delivery shine in a generic sports nutrition market

27-Jun-2017 By Will Chu

Improvements in delivery formats and dosage forms has been a hallmark of the sports nutrition space for a number of years now as demands of an athlete require food to be even more functional.

Prinova expands global manufacturing with acquisition of Lycored's premix business

27-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

Food ingredients giant Prinova is accelerating its global expansion strategy with the acquition of Lycored's premix business. Lycored, in turn, will expedite its move toward concentration in its carotenoid and encapsulation businesses.

American Medical Association supports more choline in prenatal vitamins

26-Jun-2017 By Adi Menayang

The American Medical Association (AMA) supports an increase of choline in all prenatal vitamins to 450 mg/day, according to a resolution passed by delegates at the 2017 AMA Annual Meeting in Chicago earlier this month.

Embarrassed by intestinal gas? Don’t worry, it could be healthy

26-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

A fibre-containing beverage may help intestinal production of hydrogen, a gas with anti- inflammatory effects according to a Japanese study.

Science Short

Omega-3 deficient teenagers may become anxious adults

21-Jun-2017 By Tim Cutcliffe

Low omega-3 in adolescent mice leads to behavioural problems in adulthood, finds new study in The Journal of Neuroscience.

Alibaba’s health platform reveals China’s biggest and fastest-growing supplement categories

21-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Whey protein, enzymes and collagen products take the top three spots in China’s cross-border e-commerce sales, according to the international director of Ali Health, part of the Alibaba group.

New sports brand builds on branded ingredient foundation

20-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

A commitment to using science-backed, branded ingredients is the cornerstone of the new sports nutrition brand Innov8 Nutraceuticals, one of the founders said.

NPA petitions FDA to shelve new nutrition, supplement facts labeling rule

20-Jun-2017 By Adi Menayang

Citing the Trump Administration’s policy to severely cut new and pending regulations, the National Products Association (NPA) petitioned the FDA to shelve the Obama-era proposed Nutrition and Supplement Facts labeling, calling it ‘poorly-written, rushed,...

Prebiotics promote satiety, but it's hard to make the claim, expert says

20-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

Satiety is one of the best-supported effects of prebiotic supplementation, an expert says. But translating that into claims can be tricky.

A 10% fruit and vegetable subsidy can save lives, new study finds

16-Jun-2017 By Adi Menayang

Fruit and vegetable subsidies can literally save lives, according to researchers at the University of Liverpool, who analysed how different food policy models may reduce deaths caused by cardiovascular disease in the US.

The NutraIngredients-USA Botanicals Online Conference

Botanicals: The risks and benefits, opportunities and challenges

15-Jun-2017

Botanical experts will discuss the challenges and opportunities in the botanicals category in 2017 and beyond in a FREE online conference hosted by NutraIngredients-USA.

Valensa joins Algae Biomass Organization, eyes next gen microalgae nutraceuticals

14-Jun-2017

Florida-based Valensa International has joined the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), as the company recognizes algae as a source of sustainable and innovative nutraceuticals.

DuPont expands probiotics production in New York State

13-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Leading probiotics supplier DuPont Nutrition & Health is expanding its operations in Rochester, NY as demand for the beneficial microorganisms grows around the world.