Obesity

Omega Pharma criticised for pushing poor body image in slimming ads

05-Feb-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) says adverts for Omega Pharma’s weight management aid presents an “irresponsible approach to body image and confidence”.

“Small but significant”: Pea fiber may help cut calorie consumption, says human study

19-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming 15 grams per day of yellow pea fiber may help reduce body fat and energy intake in overweight and obese adults, says a new randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Chitosan may help weight management: Human data

12-Jan-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of chitosan derived from fungus may help reduce body weight and BMI in overweight subjects, says a new study from Belgium and India.

First study of its kind: Synbiotics may control excess weight in obese kids

14-Dec-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing prebiotics and probiotics may improve oxidative stress and enhance weight loss in obese kids, says a new study.

Special edition: Inflammation

Turmeric has re-invigorated the inflammation market: Marketing guru

17-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

While consumers may still struggle to grasp the importance of inflammation management, the growth of turmeric/ curcumin is helping to drive the conversation forward, says BrandHive's Jeff Hilton.

Tocotrienols may improve cardiometabolic health, for rats at least

09-Nov-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Delta- and gamma-tocotrienols may be more effective than alpha-tocotrienol and alpha-tocopherol in attenuating metabolic syndrome, suggests a recent study in diet-induced obese rats.

Elderberry extract may improve obesity inflammation

01-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Black elderberry extract may improve obesity-related metabolic disturbances like triglyceride (TAG) levels, inflammation and insulin resistance, research in mice finds.

Vitamin D has no real benefit for obese teens’ heart health or diabetes risk, pilot study suggests

24-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementing obese teens with high doses of vitamin D may not have benefits on endothelial functions related to the risk of developing heart disease and diabetes, say researchers.

Probiotics won’t help you lose weight, say researchers

12-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics are not effective for weight loss, say researchers behind a review of current data.

Prebiotics improve gut microbiota in obese kids: Study

03-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A prebiotic-rich diet may shift the gut microbiota profiles of obese children to a more beneficial profile, regardless of whether the obesity was related to lifestyle or genetics, says a study from an international team of researchers.

Soluble fibers may curb hunger and counter inflammation in overweight people: Human data

21-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Prebiotic supplements may reduce appetite, food intake, and inflammation in overweight adults, says a new study from France.

Resveratrol may turn white fat into ‘healthier’ brown-like fat

25-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Resveratrol, a polyphenol from grapes and red wine, may convert excess white fat into calorie-burning brown-like fat, suggests a new study from Washington State University.

Citrus extracts show weight management potential for men: Human data

12-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A blend of extracts from blood orange, grapefruit, sweet orange, and guarana may reduce abdominal fat, waist and hip size, French researchers report.

Inulin prebiotic may improve appetite regulation & decrease food intake in obese kids

11-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of Beneo’s Orafti Synergy1 chicory root fiber may support healthy weight management in overweight and obese kids by improving appetite regulation and decreasing food intake, says a study from Calgary University in Canada.

Health experts debate the role of exercise, food and marketing in the obesity epidemic

23-Apr-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

An editorial in an academic journal has reignited the debate over the extent to which a poor diet – and the marketing tactics employed by the food industry – is responsible for America’s obesity epidemic.

Green algae combo may counter obesity-linked metabolic changes: Study

20-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A mixture of green algae extracts may lower body fat and improve lean mass in rats fed a high carbohydrate, high fat diet, says new study.

Which protein can help weight loss but keep muscle?

19-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater energy from whey protein means greater loss of fat but retention of muscle while dieting, according to research that looked at different protein sources. 

Spread protein throughout the day for muscle gain and weight loss: Nestlé study

18-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Balancing protein intake throughout the day - rather than having the bulk as part of an evening meal - helped participants in a study to boost muscle gain by nearly 20% and lose weight, Nestlé researchers have found.

Alpha-lipoic acid + EPA may promote body weight loss in healthy overweight women: Study

27-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of alpha-lipoic acid, with or without EPA omega-3, may help promote weight loss in obese and overweight women on a reduced calorie diet, says a new study from Spain.

Pharmachem launches sprinkle-on application for Phase 2 carb controller in North American market

25-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Pharmachem Laboratories is seeking new markets for its Phase 2 carb controller ingredient with the North American release of DietSpice, a line of functional seasonings that can be sprinkled on food to help weight watchers absorb fewer calories from the...

Linoleic acid role balanced by changes to gut microbiota: Study

24-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Pro and prebiotics may be used to balance the potentially negative effects of a form of conjugated linoleic acid, according to research in mice.

Drinking wine could help you burn fat, say US researchers

09-Feb-2015 By Rachel Arthur

Drinking wine could help people burn fat better, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry. 

The chilli diet? Fresh research backs capsaicin to battle obesity

09-Feb-2015 By Nathan Gray

Adding capsaicin from chilli peppers in to a diet could help to prevent weight gain from a high-fat diet, according to research in mice.

Probiotic drink may help control insulin resistance: Healthy human research

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic supplementation may be useful in preventing insulin resistance caused by excessive consumption of high-fat foods, according to industry-backed research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

L-glutamine may alter gut microbiota to resemble changes seen in weight loss programs

30-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of L-glutamine may alter the composition of the gut microbiota in obese people, and shift it towards a profile seen in leaner individuals, says a new study from Brazil.

Oatmeal for breakfast may increase satiety and mean a lower calorie lunch

27-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of oatmeal, rather than ready-to-eat-cereal, at breakfast may result in greater feelings of fullness and lower calorie intake at lunch, especially in overweight people, says research backed by PepsiCo owned Quaker Oats.

Vitamin D may enhance exercise benefits for type-2 diabetics: Study

16-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining vitamin D supplements and circuit training may trim belly fat levels and improve blood lipid profiles in elderly women with low D levels and type-2 diabetes.

Science and IP builds around health benefits of citrus limonin glucoside

13-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A citrus extract called limonin glucoside may decrease select markers of inflammation by as much as 40%, according to results of a double-blind placebo-controlled study in overweight/obese people.

"We hope to develop a pill for fexaramine within 24 to 36 months to try in humans."

Satiety pill shows metabolic syndrome potential: Mice study

06-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

The mainstream press has latched onto a mouse study that shows a bile-controlling, gut restricted pharma intervention can mimic food intake and therefore potentially be an obesity beater. But could it pass clinical inspection? One weight loss researcher...

Tomato juice may slash waist size & inflammatory markers for young women

05-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily glass of tomato juice for eight weeks has a direct effect on waist circumference, cholesterol, and markers of inflammation in generally healthy young women, says a new study from Taiwan.

Wild blueberries may counter obesity, inflammation and hypertension: Mice study

19-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Wild blueberries may help alleviate low level inflammation and hypertension associated with the development of obesity, according to a study on mice.

Researchers eye satiety market following 'encouraging' results

11-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A new inulin-propionate ester (IPE) ingredient may increase appetite-reducing hormones and make people feel fuller, according to research published in the journal Gut.

Pterostilbene intake may cut body fat and reduce obesity: Animal data

03-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

Intake of the phenolic compound pterostilbene could help to battle obesity by slashing body fat, according to new research in rats.

Bran more effective than whole grain in alleviating obesity symptoms: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation with finger millet bran may help alleviate symptoms of obesity like oxidative stress, inflammation and gut microbial imbalances, according to mice research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

Prebiotics and synbiotics show potential to reduce obesity-related issues: Meta-analysis

22-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementing the diets of overweight and obese people with prebiotics and synbiotics may improve some metabolic measures, including cholesterol and triglyceride levels, says a new systematic review and meta-analysis of 13 randomized clinical trials.

Bifidobacterium may prevent weight gain and glucose intolerance in obese mice

06-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of the potential probiotic Bifidobacterium animalis ssp. lactis 420 may reduce fat levels and glucose intolerance in obese and diabetic mice, says a new study from DuPont Nutrition and Health.

Quote/unquote: Gut health, sports nutrition, and curcumin - The best of Bénéfiq 2014

26-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

We headed to Quebec City this week to attend the 2nd instalment of Bénéfiq, an international rendezvous on health ingredients, and we’ve plucked a few pearls of wisdom from the podium for your reading pleasure…

FTC levies $3.5 million fine against green coffee bean extract supplier

10-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Applied Food Sciences, a Texas-based ingredient supplier, has agreed to pay $3.5 million to settle a complaint brought by the Federal Trade Commission over what the FTC said was a flawed study used to support the weight loss claims of its Green Coffee...

Spinach extracts show potential to reduce ’hedonic hunger’ and aid weight management

02-Sep-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing a patented spinach extract containing green leaf membranes called thylakoids may reduce measures of ‘hedonic hunger’ by up to 95%, says a new study.

GM probiotics reduce insulin resistance and body fat: Mouse data

31-Jul-2014 By Lynda Searby

Mice lost weight and had significantly lower insulin resistance and body fat after taking genetically modified bacteria that produce the lipid compound NAPE in the gut, researchers from Vanderbilt University have found.

Fly-by-night weight loss marketer pays $500,000 to settle FTC claim

28-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

The marketers of a purported weight loss supplement called Double Shot have agreed to pay $500,000 in fines to settle a complaint brought by the Federal Trade Commission.

Rat study shows insulin resistance benefits for Caralluma fimbriata

18-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Gencor says a new study shows its Slimaluma ingredient has benefits in ameliorating insulin resistance.

What I Learned from Oz

07-Jul-2014 By Steve Mister, President & CEO, CRN

Two weeks ago, I had the responsibility of representing the dietary supplement industry at a hearing about weight loss scams before the Consumer Protection Subcommittee of the Commerce Committee in the U.S. Senate. Sitting at the witness table, two seats...

Study finds calcium fructoborate lessens knee pain

23-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

Calcium fructoborate may reduce knee pain as measured on two well-accepted scales, according to a recent study.

Fruity carotenoid beta-cryptoxanthin may prevent abdominal obesity

18-Jun-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Beta-cryptoxanthin, a novel dietary carotenoid derived from Japanese satsuma mandarin, may prevent abdominal obesity and improve symptoms of metabolic syndromes, according to a review of human and mice research. 

Prebiotic fibers may improve metabolic factors in obese individuals: Study

16-Jun-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of inulin-type fructans prebiotics may boost levels of beneficial Bifidobacteria species in the gut of obese people, and reduce metabolic risk factors, says a new study from the Université Catholique de Louvain in Belgium.

Eating prunes can help weight loss

04-Jun-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Research from the University of Liverpool found that including prunes in weight may control diets and even improve weight loss. But can the dried plum get past its image problem?

FTC files suit against marketers of green coffee bean product

19-May-2014 By Hank Schultz

The Federal Trade Commission has a false advertising case against the marketers of a green coffee bean diet product. The case shows the potential dark side of the so-called ‘Dr Oz effect’ and, in the words of one observer, offers a roadmap of what not...

Synbiotics show promise for cutting inflammatory biomarkers in obese kids

06-May-2014

Daily supplements containing seven probiotic bacterial strains and a prebiotic fiber may reduce markers of inflammation in obese children, says a new study.

Whey protein’s benefits for improved body composition supported by new meta-analysis

16-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Intake of whey protein as a supplement or in combination with resistance exercise, or as part of a weight-loss or weight-maintenance diet, may boost body composition for men and women, says a new meta-analysis of data from 14 randomized controlled trials.