Cognitive function

DHA and citicoline double-up to boost cognitive improvements after stroke: Japanese study

14-Jun-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Japanese researchers have found that Cognizin Citicoline in combination with DHA, can improve learning and memory ability in mice which have been subjected to stroke symptoms.

IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas: The US Army, A.I., communicating with consumers, and more

12-Jun-2019 By Stephen Daniells

The IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2019 in Vancouver is less than two weeks away, but there’s still time to register to hear from must-see speakers from the Alan Alda Center for Communicating Science, the US Army, Danone, Pharmavite, and many...

Notes from Nutrition 2019

Does our body’s blood sugar response affect our cognitive performance?

12-Jun-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found a correlation between the glycemic response of study participants after ingesting certain beverages and how they performed in some cognitive tests.

Notes from Nutrition 2019

In older adults, more strawberry consumption linked to reduced cognitive decline risk

12-Jun-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers at Rush University studied 924 residents of retirement communities in the Chicago area for around 6 years. Among the many patterns they analyzed was that residents who consumed more strawberries were less likely to develop Alzheimer’s dementia.

IN PICTURES: The NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2019

11-Jun-2019 By NutraIngredients-USA

We announced the winners of the NutraIngredients-USA Awards 2019 last week - here are the best photos from our evening in New Orleans.

Collaborating for cognitive gains: DSM-Senescence link-up aims for huge public health impact

11-Jun-2019 By Cheryl Tay

DSM has entered a regional agreement with SLS Nutraceuticals, a subsidiary of biotechnology company Senescence Life Sciences, in a bid to improve brain health across all life stages in the Asia-Pacific region.

From the editor's desk

Rapidly diversifying CBD realm will cleave along quality lines

07-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

Lessons learned from the history of the dietary supplement industry can be applied to the hemp world, and the blitzkrieg-like pace of the industry means we’ll know in short order who’s getting the message and who isn’t. It will also put pressure on regulators...

Hemp startup bets on transparency with new farm in Oregon

06-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

Hemp startup Exactus says it is leveraging the agricultural expertise in its management team to secure high quality raw material with a new planting in Oregon.

Omega-3s player finds success using phytocannabinoids as differentiator

06-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

Betting on the endocannabinoid system is proving a fruitful differentiation strategy as longtime omega-3 brand Omax Health seeks to stand out in a crowded and maturing market.

Consolidation of omega-3s market puts pressure on suppliers' capabilities

05-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

Having a plethora of processing capabilities will help omega-3s companies hold their own in an increasingly competitive market that is showing signs of maturity, a prominent executive says.

Labeling of US probiotic supplements ‘should be improved’: Study

05-Jun-2019 By Stephen Daniells

More than 60% of probiotic supplements in the US may lack sufficient information on their labels to allow consumers to make informed decisions, according to a new study led by Dr Dan Merenstein from Georgetown University Medical Center.

FDA issues pregnancy warning on troubled ingredient vinpocetine

04-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration issued a warning on Monday advising pregnant women to avoid the use of dietary supplements containing the ingredient vinpocetine. Industry stakeholders wondered if the missive has more to do with ingredient’s regulatory...

Experts detail quality, safety concerns at CBD meeting

04-Jun-2019 By Hank Schultz

Presentations at the recent FDA meeting on CBD outlined the concerns some academics in the field have about the quality and safety of the products that are on the market.

Caffeine cleared? Energy drinks’ heart effects may not be stimulant’s fault, says study

04-Jun-2019 By Will Chu

The interaction of common ingredients contained in energy drinks may have a bigger say in the beverage’s effects on cardiovascular factors that affect the heart rhythm, a US study concludes.

Study finds vitamin E levels, physical activity, correlated with better cognitive performance in adolescents

03-Jun-2019 By Adi Menayang

Out of 120 school students analyzed by Saudi researchers, academic performance was higher for students classified as moderately or highly active physically. Serum levels of vitamin E were also higher in the more active students.

CBD meeting commentary lays bare complexity of regulatory questions

31-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Early returns from the FDA meeting on CBD regulation give a glimpse of the complexity of the regulatory questions, which might stretch the timeline for a new legal framework to extent beyond which many in the industry would find acceptable.

Pharmaceutical firm partners psychobiotic startup for first foray into microbiome modulation

31-May-2019 By Nikki Cutler

Neuraxpharm Group, a pharmaceutical firm focused on the central nervous system (CNS), has announced its first foray in the probiotics category after signing a European distribution deal with startup firm Bened Biomedical Co.

More Labs, maker of Morning Recovery, launches Liquid Focus

30-May-2019 By Adi Menayang

Los Angeles liquid supplement start-up More Labs launched a nootropic product called Liquid Focus. Founder Sisun Lee described it as “a different approach to energy and caffeinated drinks.”

Mental health and the microbiome: Mixed findings over probiotics' anxiety impact — Review

29-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Probiotics may not be as effective as non-probiotic methods of intestinal microbiota regulation when it comes to relieving anxiety symptoms, according to a Chinese systematic review.

From the Editor's Desk

Growth of online sales threatens to create new division of industry unconcerned with today's norms

24-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

A new force is shaping the dietary supplement market, one that operates largely outside of normal industry channels. The growth of the online sales channel, and brands that operate exclusively in that space, is an increasingly powerful force.

Neptune acquires US hemp extraction facility in deal that could hit $150 million

23-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Wellness Solutions has moved into the CBD field in the United States in a big way with the acquisition of North Carolina hemp products producer SugarLeaf Labs.

Gut bacteria regulation a target for easing anxiety, suggests review

23-May-2019 By Will Chu

Probiotic and non-probiotic food and supplements that regulate gut microorganisms may ease a number of anxiety symptoms, suggests a review of studies.

UBiome suspends founders, sales of microbiome tests in wake of FBI raid

22-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Testing company uBiome has suspended its co founders in the wake of an FBI raid on its San Francisco offices.

BSCG puts out advisory list of ingredients to augment FDA effort

21-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Banned Substances Control Group has published its own list of ingredients that show up in dietary supplements but are of dubious regulatory provenance.

Study linking vitamin D to autism retracted over reliability issues

21-May-2019 By Will Chu

Journal editors have withdrawn a paper said to be the first randomised controlled trial looking into vitamin D supplement links to autism after concerns over the findings’ reliability.

New regulatory approval helps Bioenergy maintain momentum for its branded form of ribose

20-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Bioenergy Ribose says its recent Novel Foods approval in the EU will help stoke the considerable momentum the brand has built up over the years, a momentum that helps it win the fight against copy cat material.

Personalization could provide boost to healthy aging market, expert says

20-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

The trend toward personalization and the concept of health aging are likely to converge in teh future, according to a dietary supplement industry expert.

Study suggests corrections in ‘middle age’ could be key to healthy ageing

Could the gut-brain axis be key to fighting age-related cognitive decline?

16-May-2019 By Nathan Gray

Modifying our microbiome with prebiotic fibres could help lower levels of brain inflammation and boost brain function during ageing, according to new research in mice.

Lutein levels linked to better memory in adults: Study

16-May-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Serum levels of the carotenoid lutein are linked to improved memory function in overweight and obese adults, but other carotenoids are not, says a new study from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Expert says distinction needs to be made between short- and long-term cognitive benefits

15-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Cognitive decline is a key concern for older consumers and drives product innovation in the healthy aging space. But marketers should take care to delineate between short-term and systemic approaches, an expert says.

New products in infant nutrition sift through limited number of ingredients

15-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

The infant nutrition market is characterized by few new ingredients, but lots of new players, according to information shared at a recent event hosted by ingredient supplier DSM.

Food, politics, and the 2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans

13-May-2019 By Elaine Watson

The 2015 Dietary Guidelines prompted a heated debate over the influence of industry lobby groups and the extent to which environmental factors should impact dietary advice, with some stakeholders insisting that sustainability has nothing to do with nutrition,...

Berries and brain health: What do we know so far?

13-May-2019 By Adi Menayang

Early studies on animals have linked consumption of polyphenol-rich berries to improvements in some cognitive markers. This has warranted studies on humans, and results are shedding more light on how berries may benefit our brain health.

From the Editor's Desk

The US military and dietary supplements: The opportunities and challenges

10-May-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Increasing attention is being paid to dietary supplements use among US military personnel, with survey data showing that consumption levels are high, but brand loyalty may be low. So where’s the white space for industry?

Younger consumers increasingly worried about cognitive decline with aging, market expert says

08-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Moving organic foods out of the health food store niche into mainstream aisles helped jumpstart a data business, one that will provide market insights for an upcoming NutraIngredients-USA Healthy Aging Online Event.

News in Brief

Natural Remedies gets non GMO verification on five branded ingredients

08-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Branded ingredient manufacturer Natural Remedies has announced that five of its branded products have been verified as non GMO.

Reckitt Benckiser throws hat in nootropic ring with Neuriva launch

06-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Reckitt Benckiser is staking a claim in the thriving nootropics market with a new product called Neuriva, which builds on the science backing its two main branded ingredients.

From the editor's desk

Nailing down identity, safety and mode of action questions will be keys to finding CBD’s legal path to market

03-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Fundamental questions of identity and intended use will have to be answered before CBD can take center stage as a legal dietary ingredient. The upcoming meeting with FDA will likely provide a start, but hopes that all issues will be quickly solved seem...

‘Really exciting’: RCT shows probiotic may help reduce stress and anxiety

03-May-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with Lactobacillus plantarum DR7 may reduce symptoms of stress and anxiety is stressed adults, and boost cognitive and memory functions, according to a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study.

Sleeping supplement in a can Som Sleep rolls out nationwide with Walmart

02-May-2019 By Adi Menayang

Walmart will soon stock the liquid supplement Som Sleep in its stores across the US, marking the brands debut in the mass retail channel.

Combo products, better appreciation of science helping to drive omega-3s market, expert says

30-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The omega-3s market is flourishing, with new combination products driving the growth and a newfound appreciation of the science among consumers and healthcare professionals, an expert says.

Pilot study shows Taiyo's Sunfiber prebiotic eases constipation, irritability among autism spectrum children

30-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

A pilot study adding to the raft of research backing Taiyo’s Sunfiber prebiotic ingredient has shown gut health, inflammation and even behavioral benefits for young children diagnosed with autism.

Probiotic strain makes use of gut-brain axis to aid stress management, study finds

25-Apr-2019 By Will Chu

A probiotic strain of Bifidobacterium longum appears to improve the ability to respond and cope with stress as research provides more proof of the bidirectional communication between the gut and brain.

With recent warning letters, ingredients’ regulatory status takes center stage, expert says

24-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The recent slew of warning letters on DMHA and phenibut signals a new scrutiny on the part of FDA of ingredient status without reference to other issues, says an attorney with a long history in the field.

TeaCrine plus caffeine may help maintain energy & offer cognitive benefits: Soccer study

24-Apr-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Pairing theacrine with caffeine may improve reaction times and increase or maintain energy in soccer players, says a new study from Rutgers University.

Package label language most important way consumers learn about brands, survey shows

22-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

New consumer research shows that brand loyalty is a key element in success in the dietary supplement industry. And much of what consumers associate with brands has to do with packaging.

Diem labs is donating $20,000 to Vitamin Angels in honor of the charity’s 25th birthday

19-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

Diem Labs, a three-year-old dietary supplement and medical food company, has pledged $20,000 to the charity Vitamin Angels.

FTC settles $26 million case over fraudulent cognitive support claims

18-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The nootropic category is again under that microscope as the Federal Trade Commission has announced the settlement of a case over unsupported cognitive support claims that generated a combined $26 million in fines.

Vitamin Angels hopes to break 'intergeneration cycle of malnutrition' in Central America

17-Apr-2019 By Kacey Culliney

Non-profit Vitamin Angels wants to strengthen its partnership network in Central America to produce transformative change among women and children facing malnutrition, its program leader says.

Editor's Spotlight

Entering US hemp/CBD market latest step in Neptune's transformation

17-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Wellness Solutions has completed a radical refocus of the company with the announcement of its entry into the hemp/CBD market in the United States.