Cognitive function

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.

Brain-impaired elderly subjects appear to most benefit from cocoa flavanols: Review

30-Jun-2017 By Will Chu

Flavanol-rich chocolate is well known for its beneficial effect on the brain, but a review by Italian researchers point towards its neuroprotective effects in vulnerable populations over time.

What’s old is new again: Big brand interest in chromium picolinate increasing, says Nutrition 21 president

26-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

After several years of being “overlooked” as fad ingredients took the spotlight, industry attention is returning to chromium picolinate, an ingredient with dozens of clinical trials to substantiate its benefits across a range of health conditions, says...

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.

GAO’s memory supplement review

‘Agencies need to do more around the most egregious memory claims’: CRN’s Mister

16-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The majority of dietary supplements making memory claims adhere to the federal requirements but some still go too far with their claims, according to a new review from the US Government Accountability Office. 

Algatech Opens US Subsidiary, names Seguine as new US Head

16-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Israeli microalgae experts Algatech has opened Algatech Inc., a New York City-based subsidiary, and appointed industry veteran Ken Seguine to lead the new operation.

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.

Supplements' 'smart role' underlined as report reveals sorry state of Australia's preventive health spending

15-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Trade body Complementary Medicines Australia (CMA) has backed a new report into preventive health, which details how the country is lagging behind fellow OECD nations Canada, New Zealand and the United Kingdom.

Gut health & sleep: Is there potential for pre- and probiotics for sleep improvement?

14-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The potential link between the gut microbiota and sleep is emerging, so could prebiotics and probiotics find a lucrative place in the booming natural sleep aid category?

Improved omega-3 to omega-6 status during pregnancy may boost fetal health: Study

12-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Improving a mother-to-be’s ratio of omega-3s to omega-6s may boost birth weight of the infant and increase the duration of pregnancy, says a new study.

Nutritional Armor: US Army explores boosting omega-3 levels with food and supplements

08-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Replacing omega-6 foods and ingredients on US military garrison menus with products with increased omega-3 contents may boost the omega-3 profile of soldiers, says a new study exploring the practicality of such an approach.

Frutarom: Our focus in the USA is our branded ingredients

08-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Frutarom Health is eyeing growth in the US market, with its branded ingredients leading the way, supported by proprietary science.

Naturex emphasizes traceability for new turmeric and blueberry ingredients

06-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

French botanical ingredient giant Naturex has launched two new ingredients - ThinkBlue and Turmipure – produced in compliance with its Pathfinder program, a 360° approach to traceability, transparency and trust.

Raw material supply for CBDs increasing rapidly

02-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

Despite the continued uncertainty of the regulatory position of CBD products, the raw material supply of the ingredient is ramping up rapidly.

Soup-To-Nuts Podcast: FDA & FTC move forward with enforcement even with some regulations in limbo

02-Jun-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

New regulations and draft guidances may be on hold at many federal agencies until the Trump administration can find its footing, but enforcement by FDA, FTC and USDA is not – and neither is litigation related to how food and beverages are made and marketed...

Nestlé-backed study links probiotic strain and depression

25-May-2017 By Nathan Gray

Probiotics could help relieve symptoms of depression in addition to aiding gastrointestinal upsets, according to new Canadian research backed by Nestlé.

Looking ahead to the IPA World Congress + Probiota Americas 2017

The gut-brain axis: An exploding field with popular appeal

25-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Interest in how the gut microbiota may influence brain function and vice versa is growing, and recent data indicates the beneficial bugs may also help with PTSD and protect against potentially detrimental effects of antibiotic use in early life.

Study links SDA, ALA to cognitive support, health of region in cerebral cortex

22-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

An intriguing study has linked three long chain fatty acids, including ALA and SDA, to the health of a structure in the brain and the effect on ‘fluid intelligence’ in older subjects.

Coconuts for cognitive health: Chicago-based VitaMind launches liquid multivitamin for the brain

22-May-2017 By Adi Menayang

A neurosurgeon at the University of Illinois at Chicago always wanted to create a multivitamin for brain health. This year, his dream became a reality with the soft launch of VitaMind 30-Day Multivitamin on Amazon Prime.

Vitamins may have larger role in halting brain decline: Review

19-May-2017 By Will Chu

The role for folate and related B vitamins in slowing down the decline in brain function is very much underestimated as is their role in age-related depression, a review claims.

Special edition: Sports nutrition

Focus and decision-making: The next big thing in sports nutrition?

10-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The importance of mental strength in addition to physical strength is gaining increasing appreciation in sports nutrition, and key players are building the science around cognitive health in response to demand for ingredients to boost focus and decision...

Dispatches from Experimental Biology 2017

Study supports spearmint extract’s anti-inflammatory potential: Neumentix data

05-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The anti-inflammatory potential of Kemin’s Neumentix spearmint (Mentha spicata L.) extract may equal that observed for indomethacin, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), says data from a study with lab rats.

Taiyo gets Non-GMO certification on Suntheanine ingredient in effort to boost transparency

02-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

The pressure to obtain Non-GMO Project Verified status continues to induce dietary supplement suppliers to seek the certification, with one of the latest being Taiyo on its Suntheanine ingredient.

Dispatches from Experimental Biology 2017

Study explores how gut microbial populations impact cognitive function

28-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

A greater abundance of gut bacteria from the phylum Bacteriodetes is associated with better cognitive function in adults, says a new study from researchers at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Lutein & zeaxanthin isomers may reduce stress: RCT data

28-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with the macular carotenoids lutein and zeaxanthin isomers may reduce psychological stress and improve measures of emotional health, say new results from the LAMA II study. 

Dispatches from Experimental Biology 2017

US pregnant women falling short of omega-3 intake recommendations

26-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Many pregnant women in the US are consuming significantly lower EPA and DHA omega-3s than recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, according to a new analysis.

Brew your vitamins: Startup VitaCup delivers vitamin-fortified coffee for Keurig system

25-Apr-2017 By Adi Menayang

As both the dietary supplement industry and consumers are well aware, taking one’s dietary supplements is a daily routine people are prone to forget. A cup of joe, on the other hand, not so much.

Biz school study gives rise to brand dedicated to effective doses of top shelf ingredients

21-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

A business school plan developed into AlternaScript, a business that the founders say is built on using efficacious dosages of branded ingredients backed by clinical data, including a new weight loss product featuring a PLT ingredient.

Beetroot’s ‘anti-ageing’ effects on brain noted in post-exercise study

20-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

Beetroot juice supplementation could improve cognitive function in older people as study results showed an enhanced ability by the brain to form new neural connections.

Educating consumers on omega-3 benefits, and reminding them of those, remains challenge, event attendees told

19-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

Educating consumers on the benefits of omega-3s and keeping those benefits forefront in their minds as they make buying decisions remains one of the principal challenges of the market, experts told attendees on a NutraIngredients-USA webinar that ran...

GNC’s Q1: ‘Customers are coming back to our stores’

19-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Shares in GNC rose Tuesday after its first quarter results beat Wall Street's expectations. The improvements were linked to the company’s One New GNC model that introduced a new pricing structure and loyalty programs.

For research backing, carotenoids are king, eye health expert says

14-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

Perhaps the best case for the effects of supplementation can be made for carotenoids associated with eye health, says an expert who has studied the compounds.

Special edition: Omega-3s

Powerful PUFAs: The many health benefits of omega-3s

11-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

From heart health to better brain function, and from improved exercise recovery to lower PTSD severity, is there nothing omega-3 can’t do?

Flavonoid-rich blueberries have a brain boosting role, say researchers

04-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

Regular consumption of concentrated blueberry juice may improve brain function in healthy older adults, British researchers have determined. 

Lutein and zeaxanthin levels linked to better cognitive function: Study

03-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Higher blood levels of lutein and zeaxanthin may be associated with better cognition, memory, and executive function, says a new study from Ireland.

Probiotics and memory: When conclusions can go too far

31-Mar-2017 By Stephen Daniells

A recent rodent study indicated that a combination of probiotics may impair memory in healthy animals – conclusions that industry experts say go ‘a bit too far’, and are at odds with the totality of the evidence.

The animal supplement sector is a Harvard Business School case study on driving a responsible system: NASC President

23-Mar-2017 By Stephen Daniells

From GMPs to a robust adverse event reporting system and list of qualified suppliers, the self-regulatory successes of the animal supplement industry could be a Harvard Business School case study, says the president of the National Animal Supplement Council.

Resveratrol’s role in eye protection implied as metabolites cross blood barriers

23-Mar-2017 By Will Chu

Resveratrol and its metabolites have been detected in the eye after oral administration, signifying its ability to cross protective barriers and reinforce its potential benefit to vision conditions.

‘No valid conclusions’: Omega-3 trade body fires back over prenatal DHA supplementation findings

22-Mar-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A randomised trial follow-up found little benefit of prenatal DHA supplementation on the IQ of children at age seven, academics in Australia have reported.

In wake of disease claim warning, Life Extension said it will tweak page layouts but won’t back down from core mission

15-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

Despite receiving a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration about disease claims on its website, supplement manufacturer Life Extension said it is not going to change its basic mode of communication with its customers.

Caffeine may protect brain against dementia, study shows

09-Mar-2017 By Will Chu

Caffeine could ward off dementia and other neurodegenerative conditions by enhancing the abilities of protective enzymes, say researchers.

Low omega-3 intakes a ‘concern’ for pregnant women: US data

08-Mar-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Pregnant women in the US should be encouraged to consume more omega-3s, with a new analysis showing that intakes of EPA and DHA are falling short of recommendations. 

Beating the blues! Berries may boost mood, improve memory

03-Mar-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Flavonoid-rich blueberry drinks may improve mood in both children and young adults, says a new study.

FDA continues to ‘carefully review’ vinpocetine comments

27-Feb-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The US Food and Drug Administration has received over 800 comments about vinpocetine, as the agency continues to assess the regulatory status of the ingredient. 

Injunctions, $6.6 million fine in FTC case citing misleading claims, fraudulent return policy

24-Feb-2017 By Hank Schultz

The Federal Trade Commission and Attorney General of Maine have announced the settlement of a case involving alleged deceptive marketing practices for dietary supplements that were featured in radio spots.

Organic & Natural Health launches omega-3 field study

21-Feb-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The Organic and Natural Health Association has launched a consumer education campaign to encourage consumers to test their omega-3 levels to identify supplementation needs, following on from the success of its “Power of D” campaign.

Precedent setting: The development and legacy of the GOED monograph

20-Feb-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The early 2000s were a time of health claims success and growing consumer awareness around the benefits of omega-3s, but concerns over quality in the sector spurred stakeholders to work together to create quality standards for the industry. The result...

To prep for April public launch, Supplement OWL site gets a few tweaks

15-Feb-2017 By Adi Menayang

The Supplement Online Wellness Library (OWL) website has been updated to include easier data input instructions, streamlining the data population process for the first industry-wide registry of finished products.

What next for Health Canada’s proposed NHP changes?

14-Feb-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Health Canada has received over 3,500 written comments in response to its proposed changes to how natural health products and dietary supplements are regulated.

70 product launches in just over 2 years

New clinical data opening doors for Nitrosigine beyond sports nutrition

10-Feb-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Having quickly established its credentials in the sports nutrition space, positive results in recent clinical trials are creating new opportunities for Nutrition 21’s Nitrosigine in the cognitive health sector.