Natto, the traditional Japanese fermented soybean and a rich source
of vitamin K2, could reduce bone loss in post-menopausal women by
as much as 80 per cent, says research from Japan.
A new stabilized NADH, a form of B vitamin niacin also known as
coenzyme 1, is set to enter the US market under an exclusive patent
licensing agreement between Natrol and Austria's Oekopharm.
The relationship between journalist 'hack' and scientist 'lab-rat'
must be developed if science is to get a fair deal in the press,
and for consumers to be presented balanced and accurate science
coverage.
With its new supply agreement with Mead Johnson Nutritionals,
Martek Biosciences solidifies its position in the world market for
DHA and ARA, as alternative omega-3 sources are approved for infant
formula use.
The road to fortification of bakery products with folate in the UK
looks less clear as the FSA's Scientific Advisory requested more
time to review evidence on dosage, despite a positive preliminary
report last month.
Heart health is a preoccupation of almost half of adult Americans,
according to data from the Natural Marketing Institute that flags
up the considerable opportunities for healthy and functional
food-makers.
Research into freshness issues associated with broccoli will also
yield varieties that retain their beneficial nutrients for longer,
say scientists from the University of Warwick.
Obesity has again been linked to an increased risk of cancer,
findings that constitute yet another building block in the wall of
pressure being built around the food industry.
French supplier NB Consulting has developed two new fruit and
vegetable-derived ingredients that tap into fierce trends in the
nutraceuticals market: Oxxynea antioxidant powder and Sinetrol, a
fat burner.
LycoRed is introducing a new version of its Lyc-O-Mato product line
especially designed for liquid and paste applications that could
help manufacturers of tomato-based products boost lycopene content.
Sulphoraphane (SFN) found in cruciferous vegetables such as
broccoli and cauliflower may reduce the risk of hereditary colon
cancer, an animal study has found, giving more evidence to the link
between diet and cancer prevention.
Functional foods could soon play a role in the prevention of
Alzheimer's disease, the most common form of dementia in Europe,
thanks to a €21m research investment from the Spanish government.
The nutraceuticals industry has a dynamic technology landscape
where a product life cycle may be abbreviated. Amid the constant
pressure to drive new products to market and the struggle to
establish and maintain market share, engaging...
The role of caffeine in the health of premature and low birth
weight babies has come under scrutiny with two studies, one
investigating the impact of mothers' intake during pregnancy and
the other adding to existing evidence...
Cholesterol-lowering plant sterols look set to appear in more
product categories in Europe, since the EC Commission has given the
green-light for their use in dietary supplements and rye breads.
An 'impartial, independent panel' has called for more science
before strong recommendations about multivitamin/mineral
supplements can be made, conclusions welcomed by industry
associations.
Canadian ingredients supplier CK Foods is introducing a grape skin
powder that could be used to enhance bakery and cheese products to
capture the attention of health conscious gourmets.
Legislation to harmonise vitamin and mineral fortification levels
across EU member states looks set to be adopted within weeks,
following this week's favourable vote by the European Parliament.
Europeans are eating worse now than 45 years ago, but agriculture
and the right farming policies can promote healthy diets, according
to FAO economist Josef Schmidhuber.
The ability of the waxy sugar-cane extract, policosanol, to reduce
LDL-cholesterol levels have been called into doubt by a new
clinical trial, but a poor delivery system undermines the studies'
conclusions, says industry.
Canada's AFMNet is supporting the scientific foundations of its
functional foods and nutraceuticals industry by committing itself
to a three-year, C$15m, research and development investment.
Rising health concerns and demand for low-fat foods is set to drive
demand for food emulsifiers, according to a recent report by market
researcher Frost & Sullivan.
Swiss biotech company Lonza has announced the latest move to expand
its nutritional ingredients portfolio, with the acquisition of the
larch arabinogalactan assets of US firm Larex Inc.
Negative reports surrounding a study that was interpreted by many
media outlets as questioning the link between calcium and bone
health has led to an exercise in damage limitation; women's health
experts convened this week to...
People with an antioxidant-rich diet could reduce their risk of
developing asthma in adulthood, say Cambridge researchers - adding
to a growing body of science on the subject.
The US food regulatory agency last week rejected a proposed health
claim submitted by Nestlé, which would have implied that its whey
protein infant formulas reduced the risk of food allergy symptoms.
A combination of two common dietary supplements, L-carnitine and
alpha-lipoic acid, could reduce oxidative stress associated with
ageing and boost energy production, says new research - adding to
previous reports.
A Dutch consortium setting out develop biomedical materials to
improve medical care and patients' quality of life may also benefit
the supplements sector through research into capsules for
controlled release of active substances...
Takara Bio is planning to research the use of lesser yam in
functional foods, following research that indicates a variety
cultivated in Japan has more than 200 times the content of the
plant steroid diosgenin than other domestic varieties.
The Dutch chemicals group DSM is on course to significantly bolster
its presence as a supplier to China's food industry, with major
investments in ingredient production expected to bear fruit in two
years time.
Food and beverage companies working in Australia and New Zealand
will see a faster response to applications for new food ingredients
and products from next year, the authorities say.
Nutrition 21 has high hopes for the distribution of its Chromax
chromium picolinate in retail outlets, with a major marketing
planned for the summer, but the first fruit of commercialization is
yet to be seen in its financial results.
Cocoa beverages and food rich in flavanols could thicken skin and
reduce reddening by 25 per cent, say German scientists - research
sure to be welcomed by Europe's burgeoning oral beauty products
sector.
Garlic and onions could help protect against stomach cancer, says a
massive European-based study, but total fruit and vegetable intake
has no benefit for this disease.
Following a decision in its first quarter to withdraw from supply
of non-branded phytosterol, Forbes Medi-Tech has revealed a
projected revenue cut of up to two-thirds for 2006, but has
nonetheless posted modest year-to-date profits.
Newly-formed Delaware corporation Oral Delivery Technology (ODT)
partners is seeking equity partners in the delivery systems sector
to help further commercialization of its Actijube system for
bioactive ingredients.
Malaysian authorities have given their stamp of approval for food
manufacturers to use soy protein heart claims in labeling following
petitioning by The Solae Company - news that will further the
company's goal to penetrate Asian...
Cognis has announced its first move in the competitive omega-3
market with the acquisition of Norwegian fish oil concentrate
supplier Napro Pharma, and is developing new solutions to aid its
use in foods.
Israeli ingredients firm Frutarom is to supply Salvia seed oil, a
potent source of the omega-3 fatty acid alpha linoleic acid,
following a marketing and distribution agreement with compatriot
Magnetica Interactive.
People with more magnesium and less copper in their blood could
reduce their risk of death from cancer by as much as 50 per cent,
says a new study from France.
Just a month after the reformulation of its flagship 7Up drink,
Cadbury Schweppes is set to face a lawsuit that accuses the firm of
deceptively advertising the product as 'natural'.
Drinking more orange or grapefruit juice may reduce bone loss and
decrease the risk of osteoporosis in later life, suggests an animal
study from Texas.
Parents should avoid infant formulas made from intact proteins, a
Stanford researcher told doctors assembled at the annual meeting of
the Pediatric Academic Societies.
In seeking inspiration for a new ingredient for mental health,
Frutarom looked to the middle ages, when green oat was
traditionally used in this area - and used modern science to
support its efficacy.
Glanbia Nutritionals chose Vitafoods as the launchpad for
OlivActiv, a high potency-low bitterness antioxidant ingredient
derived from Spanish olives that is marketed for immune system
activation.
A collection of US-based scientists met last week to discuss the
benefits of vitamin E, amid growing consumer confusion following
television reports about the threats.
Children may soon benefit from less moody parents if a newly
launched trial with omega-3 fatty acids is successful, adding to
the list of studies linking fish oils to behaviour and cognitive
function.