Cognitive function

Pharma at home, supplements abroad: Bod Australia's twin strategy for CBD success underlined by new Tourette's trial

17-Apr-2019 By Cheryl Tay

CBD firm Bod Australia has embarked on a first-of-its-kind clinical trial on medical cannabis for Tourette syndrome patients, while continuing to expand its supplements business in countries with a more conducive regulatory environment than its home market.

Flood of synthetic cannabinoids threatens to undermine CBD market, experts say

15-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The hemp/CBD industry is being threatened by so-called synthetic cannabinoids that are flooding the market, attendees at a recent botanicals conference were told.

From the Editor's Desk

If botanicals don’t fit easily under supplement heading, why not try to fix that?

12-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

Should the creation of a new herbal medicine category be one of the goals of the upcoming discussions about a new regulatory framework? If it were possible, such a change could clear up many of the ambiguities surrounding the marketing of these products...

Study supports use of French oak wood extract to complement PTSD therapy

11-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

Italian researchers explored the effects of French oak wood extract supplementation among earthquake survivors. They found a correlation between supplementation and improved symptoms of PTSD.

Plethora of supplement forms confuses communication with patients, physician says

11-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

Dietary supplement product development in the years since DSHEA was passed has made it increasingly difficult to communicate with patients about these products’ effects, a prominent physician says.

From the editor's desk

Hemp world takes steps toward legitimacy, but still has need for growth

05-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The hemp and CBD industry seems to be taking a step toward ‘adulthood,’ based on a visit to a recent expo.

April new product launches: Synbiotic supplement for skin, chewable multis, and more

05-Apr-2019 By Adi Menayang

This time of year tends to get a plethora of product launches as brands time their announcements around the Natural Products Expo West show. This year we saw plenty of CBD, beauty-positioning, and as always, protein. Here’s a short list of product launches...

Hemp market’s rapid evolution complicates business planning, expo attendees told

02-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The hemp industry is advancing so rapidly that the timeline of decades of other sectors is being compressed into just years, attendees at a recent trade show were told.

Human study suggests holistic psychological benefits of multi-strain probiotic

02-Apr-2019 By Nikki Cutler

A daily dose of a multi-strain probiotic can provide a significant improvement in mood, with a reduction in depressive, anger, and fatigue, and an improvement in sleep quality, according to a new study in Italy.

Hemp world sits at pivotal moment in its history, Israelsen tells attendees at expo

01-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

The world of hemp and CBD products sits at a critical moment in its history, much as the dietary supplement industry did a quarter century ago, according to one of the experts who was there at the birth of the industry.

From the Editor's Desk

Can the CBD industry avoid the ‘bust’ part of the boom cycle?

28-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

The market for CBD products is booming. It’s up to the industry to ensure that this isn’t followed by a major bust.

Rat study links flavonoids to less depression among offspring of overfed mothers

28-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

A study has linked the intake of two flavonoid compounds to lessened incidence of depression among the offspring of lab rats fed hyper caloric diets.

Personal history leads physician to coconut oil for dementia relief

27-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

With all of the highly refined and engineered nootropic ingredients on the market, one of the most effective, at least for helping patients struggling with dementia conditions, might just be unrefined coconut oil.

Editor's Spotlight

Nature's Way strategy and innovation chief shares how a legacy company is keeping up with the times

27-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

At the Natural Products Expo West show this year, we caught up with the chief strategy and innovation officer at legacy supplement brand Nature’s Way to talk about consumer trends, CBD, and the body of laws that regulate supplements.

Naturex launches organic, water-dispersible, and bioavailable turmeric

27-Mar-2019 By Stephen Daniells

While growth in turmeric and curcumin supplements may slow after years of meteoric increases, increased interest from functional food and beverage formulators will maintain high demand for the ingredient, says Naturex as it launches Turmipure Gold.

Germany identified as future pacesetter in buoyant European CBD market

27-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

The European cannabidol (CBD) market is set to blossom over the next four years, according to a market intelligence firm, who also predict that Germany’s growth will outpace that of other EU countries.

Traditional Indian wisdom: Amway raises awareness of herbal supplements as consumer acceptance blooms

26-Mar-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Amway India is striving to promote the health benefits of traditional Indian herbs to consumers in the market, having recently conducted a series of seminars showcasing its Nutrilite Traditional Herbs range of supplements.

Firm that followed in legendary herbalist's footsteps gets warning letter

25-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

A dietary supplement firm that is based on the work of a legendary herbalist has received a warning letter over a raft of unapproved disease claims.

From the Editor's Desk

Do synthetic ingredients have a place in the ‘natural’ products industry?

22-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

Synthesized analogs of botanical ingredients, and ingredients of wholly artificial origin, could have a place in the dietary supplement industry. But if they do, full transparency would argue that they be labeled as such.

Drops and shots: CBD trend paves way for liquid formats at Expo West

21-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Beauty-positioning, liquid formats, and honey were among the trends that shared the spotlight with CBD at the Natural Products Expo West show earlier this month.

Editor's Spotlight

Betting on black elderberry for a farm-to-table super fruit story

20-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

Missouri berry producer Innovative Natural Solutions is betting that black elderberry can become the next big botanical on the dietary supplement front, capitalizing on a growing trend of high antioxidant fruits in the market.

Special Edition: Botanicals

Standardization is tide that can raise all botanical boats, supplier says

19-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

Standardization in herbal products will boost consumer acceptance and market uptake, says Sabinsa president Shaheen Majeed, using the company’s Shagandha ashwaganda ingredient as an example.

Rise of gamer segment pushes nootropic ingredient supplier to market directly to consumers

19-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Kyowa Hakko saw value in marketing its branded citicoline Cognizin directly to consumers at the SXSW Gaming event this past weekend, which is a gamer-focused offshoot of the popular SXSW event in Austin, TX.

Study: Spearmint extract may boost attention in healthy, active men and women

18-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

A study on 142 recreationally active young men and women found an association between spearmint extract supplementation and increased attention.

Mushrooms for memory: Singapore study finds beneficial impact against cognitive decline

18-Mar-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Researchers at the National University of Singapore (NUS) have drawn a connection between mushroom consumption and cognitive impairment risk in a population study.

Lycored secures US patent for omega-3 and lycopene composition marketed for brain health

15-Mar-2019 By Adi Menayang

Global ingredient supplier Lycored has secured its US patent for compositions containing omega-3 fatty acids and tomato-derived lycopene, which it plans to develop into products and formulations marketed for brain health.

US Military, A.I., and mechanisms of action: First speakers announced for IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas

14-Mar-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Delegate registration is now open for the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas in Vancouver, with speakers already confirmed covering topics including the US Military, Artificial Intelligence, and probiotic mechanisms of action.

Seven key supplement trends from Expo West 2019

12-Mar-2019 By Stephen Daniells

We walked and we talked and we took photos, and here’s our list of 7 key trends for supplements from Expo West 2019 in Anaheim.

‘Limited’ methods: Expert urges caution over study claiming 'supplements can't prevent depression'

08-Mar-2019 By Nathan Gray and Will Chu

While new clinical trial data seems to suggest certain supplements will not help the prevention of depression, one expert in the relationship between nutrition and mood has warned that the study was 'limited' and some coverage may be over-stating...

Advocates hopeful that Gottlieb’s departure won’t derail drive toward new CBD rules

06-Mar-2019 By Hank Schultz

The advocates for the reformation of the regulation of hemp derivatives in nutritional products were clinging to the hope that the abrupt resignation of FDA Commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb will not mean the initiative will be stillborn.

CBD regulation: Global clampdown or treading a careful path to acceptance?

05-Mar-2019 By Will Chu, Niamh Michail, Hank Schultz, and Cheryl Tay

The interest in cannabidiol (CBD) use in food supplements, foods, and even as an ingredient in cosmetics has gained much momentum in the past five years, but what is the regulatory situation around the world?

Gottlieb: FDA plans meeting in April on new CBD regulations

28-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

FDA Commissioner Dr. Scott Gottlieb said the agency is planning a public meeting in April to initiate a rule making procedure on CBD. The goal is to create “an appropriately efficient and predictable regulatory framework for regulating CBD products,”...

Leading UK brand Myprotein relies on new nootropic line to lead the charge in US market

26-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

UK-based supplement brand Myprotein is launching two nootropic products specific to the US as part of the brand’s strategy for the world’s largest sports nutrition market.

Despite food-only bias, many dietitians use and recommend supplements, survey finds

26-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

A survey by Trust Transparency Center has found that despite the cool reception the concept of supplementation historically has received from organizations of dietitians, a majority of the practitioners themselves use dietary supplements regularly.

Country Life chooses yeast prebiotic to underpin new line of 'balance' products

22-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Legacy dietary supplement manufacturer Country Life Vitamins will launch a new line of supplements built on a backbone of a yeast fermentate prebiotic at an upcoming trade show.

Few essential oils met label spec in recent test

21-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Essential oil adulteration continues to be an issue in the marketplace, according to testing results revealed by a major dietary supplement manufacturer.

Prebiotics from acorn & sago show metabolic benefits, boost gut integrity for obese subjects

15-Feb-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Non-digestible polysaccharides from acorns and sago (palm starch) may help improve glucose intolerance and insulin resistance in lab mice eating a high-fat diet, says a new study.

SPINS analysts: Mitochondrial function, better sleep, keto, and CBD are top trends for supplements in 2019

14-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

From marketing support for the ‘mighty mitochondria’ to butters for better sleep, trend forecasters at SPINS highlighted the trends that will dominate the dietary supplements space in 2019.

Properly crafted memory, cognition claims still viable in wake of FDA Alzheimer's enforcement action

13-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

With carefully crafted claims, there is still opportunity in the cognitive support space even in the wake of FDA’s recent enforcement action, an expert says.

How crisis communications can turn dietary supplement industry challenges into opportunities

13-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

Having a plan in place before a crisis hits is the key to helping a company come through without too much damage, an expert told NutraIngredients-USA.

Gottlieb unveils sweeping plan to revamp DSHEA, review botanical safety, recharge NDI process

11-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

FDA will inaugurate a public dialogue process this spring to discuss possible changes to DSHEA, take a fresh look at botanical product safety and to reinvigorate the NDI process. The plan was laid out in a statement from FDA Commissioner Dr Scott Gottlieb,...

FDA enforcement action on Alzheimer's claims ensnares 17 companies

11-Feb-2019 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration took action against 17 companies making illegal Alzheimer’s disease treatment claims. Twelve companies were slapped with warning letters while five received online advisories.

CBD frustration: Aussie supplement firms thwarted by rules while pharma advances march on

11-Feb-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Pharmaceutical firms are making strides in the Australia's medical cannabis space, but supplement and nutraceutical firms will have to wait a long time before they can do the same, says an industry expert.

Front the Editors Desk:

Is it time to tell pregnant women to ask their doctors about DHA?

08-Feb-2019 By From the Editor's Desk: Is it time to tell pregnant women to ask their doctors about DHA?

In light of developing research on the connection of omega-3s and pregnancy, it’s high time that the medical community consider making omega-3s testing and supplementation a standard part of prenatal care. Perhaps one way to bring this about more quickly...

Scientists use protein to encapsulate omega-3 oil and boost brain development

06-Feb-2019 By Will Chu

An intriguing method of delivering higher omega-3 fatty acid levels to a foetus’ developing brain is the focus of a new paper that outlines the role of nano-encapsulation technology.

Boosting energy, alertness, agility: New studies support efficacy of Neumentix

01-Feb-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Two new papers add further support for the cognitive health boosts associated with daily intake of Kemin’s Neumentix spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) extract.

Updated EC ruling for CBD classes supplement ingredient as Novel Food

01-Feb-2019 By Will Chu

The European Commission (EC) has reclassified cannabidiol (CBD) as a Novel Food in a change that may mean CBD and hemp-derived food supplements cannot be legally sold within Europe.

Gut-brain axis: RCT shows gut-friendly probiotic improves migraine symptoms

30-Jan-2019 By Nikki Cutler

In the largest ever trial of its sort, a probiotic supplement containing 14 strains of “gut-friendly” bacteria has been shown to significantly improve several symptoms of migraine headaches.

Ancient Nutrition's new CEO has sights set on entering new product categories and international markets

25-Jan-2019 By Mary Ellen Shoup

Greg Shearson has taken the helm as CEO of Ancient Nutrition, a move which will take the company to the "next level" including expanding into new product categories and international markets.

Peek Inside: Probiota 2019 - Copenhagen

Business opportunities: Everyone wants a slice of the ‘awesome’ microbiome pie, says market analyst

24-Jan-2019 By Nikki Cutler

Nearly every company in the food and nutrition industry wants to get a piece of the ‘microbiome pie’ but collaboration is usually the key to success, says analyst Harini Venkataraman, PhD, in preview of her presentation at Probiota 2019.