Cognitive function

Ashwagandha ayurvedic herb shows stress-busting potential: Study

04-Feb-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing extract of the Indian herb Ashwagandha may help manage stress, according to new findings of a randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

Packaging helps drive success in point-of-purchase marketplace

31-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

When entrepreneur Tyler Johansen was launching a supplement designed to help boost students’ concentration, he decided to play in a sphere where snap decisions are made, at the edge of the counter in the point-of-purchase marketplace.

Omega-3 rich diet can boost children’s IQ, says meta-analysis

28-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementing children's diets with fish oil is one of several effective ways to raise a young child’s IQ levels, according to a new report.

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Zinc benefitting from EU health claims game

24-Jan-2013 By Shane Starling

Used in cigarette filters, as a corrosive, pigment and in the manufacture of rubber and concrete, zinc forms like zinc oxide and zinc suphate are also important nutrients for physiological wellbeing. And 18 new European Union health claims – the most...

Special edition: Innovations in minerals

Ironing out the issues: Can new research solutions help beat global iron deficiency?

24-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

The health issues associated with low levels of iron are many and varied. In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at the current state of the market and looks at some of the potential solutions to this truly global problem.

Special Edition: Innovations in Minerals

Magnesium – ‘Sky is the limit’ for the ‘hottest ingredient in the mineral category’

24-Jan-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Growing consumer awareness of their own deficiencies, its health benefits, and the emergence of innovative forms are making magnesium the ‘the hottest ingredient in the mineral category’.

Are vitamin D levels linked to mental health?

23-Jan-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Low levels of vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of depression in mid-life, says a new study from University College London in the UK.

Resveratrol researcher files $35 Million defamation claim, but U Conn Health Center stands firm

23-Jan-2013 By Stephen Daniells

The researcher at the center of a highly publicized resveratrol research scandal has hit back against his former employers with a $35 million defamation claim against the University of Connecticut (U Conn) Health Center.

Resveratrol may help to protect against alcohol induced nerve damage, suggest researchers

21-Jan-2013

Resveratrol could help to battle diseases characterised by damaged to nerve cells from alcohol, according to new lab findings.

Choline supplementation may aid schizophrenia prevention

18-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of choline supplements during pregnancy could be a new approach to the prevention of schizophrenia, suggest researchers.

Ayurvedic workhorses poised for market breakthrough, expert predicts

17-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

If you are looking for what’s hot on the botanical front in 2013, here’s the skinny from a longtime observer of the herbal arena: Open your lesson book to the first two pages, and follow after me: A is for Ayurveda and ashwagandha and B is for bacopa.

Milk drinkers win Nobel Prizes, researchers claim

15-Jan-2013

Nations that consume a lot of milk also tend to produce a lot of Nobel Prize winners, a letter published in Practical Neurology has suggested.

Probiotic plus aloe shows cholesterol-lowering potential: Animal data

14-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG supplements with aloe vera may slash cholesterol levels by over 40%, suggests a new study with lab rats.

Coffee fruit extract shows potential brain benefits: FutureCeuticals study

14-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A proprietary extract from the coffee fruit may boost levels of a protein known to influence and support neurons and the central nervous system, suggest new findings from a small pilot study.

Brain ingredient Magtein covered by new patent for foods and food composition

10-Jan-2013

The US Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) has granted a patent to Magceutics for its Magnesium L-Threonate ingredient for food and all food compositions.

BDNF-boosting coffee fruit concentrate could have applications in sports recovery as well as cognitive health

20-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Illinois-based nutraceuticals expert VDF Futureceuticals has embarked on a larger human trial of its whole coffee fruit concentrate NeuroFactor after a pilot study showed it increased plasma levels of Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor (BDNF) by an average...

Vitamin D in the US: ‘Those with greatest need of dietary sources of vitamin D have the lowest intakes’

18-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Alternative foods may offer fortification potential for vitamin D to help boost intakes of the sunshine vitamin among sections of the population that need it most, says a new review from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of Saskatchewan.

Iron supplements may reduce ADHD in low birth weight infants, say researchers

12-Dec-2012 By Nathan Gray

Giving iron supplements to low birth weight infants may reduce the risk of developing behavioural problems such as ADHD later in life, say researchers.

Fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin lead the way for anti-inflammatory potential: Study

11-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Regular use of dietary supplements containing fish oil, or glucosamine and chondroitin may reduce markers of inflammation by up to 22%, says a new study.

Omega-3 may delay metabolic malady and block mental declines: Study

03-Dec-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could postpone the onset of metabolic disorders and associated declines in cognitive functioning, according to new research.

Krill wars

Neptune and Aker facing off in court yet again

30-Nov-2012 By RJ Whitehead

Australia is the site of the latest battle between Neptune and Aker Biomarine. In addition to patent strife between the two krill majors in American courts, Canadian Neptune has now announced that it filed opposition to an Aker patent application earlier...

Nestlé eyes herbal sector with Hong Kong JV; 2013 clinical trials planned

28-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Nestlé has amplified its nutrition presence by forming a joint venture to develop Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM). Orally consumed gastro products will be first off the rank based on an extract from the andrographis paniculata plant grown in Indian...

Vitamins: A centenary of essential nutrients

Looking forward: The emerging evidence for vitamins and health

28-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

In the last 100 years vitamins have been found to play vital roles in our health and wellbeing, but the full benefits of many vitamins is yet to be elucidated.In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at some of the areas of vitamin research...

Neptune to outsource production as part of recovery plan

27-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has announced a plan to recover from an explosion and fire at its processing plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec that put a halt to production of  the company’s krill oil products.

Omega-3 backed for postpartum depression

26-Nov-2012

Increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids could help to battle postpartum depression, according to a new review.

Reckitt Benckiser-Schiff: Another giant jumps into nutra space

22-Nov-2012 By Shane STARLING

UK-based consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser told NutraIngredients today, “nutrition had been on its radar for awhile”, as it plunged $1.4bn (€1.09bn) to outbid German pharma firm Bayer for the US’s second biggest dietary supplements firm, Schiff Nutrition...

Fluxome finds a last-minute buyer: But is it resveratrol or omega-3 to be sold?

22-Nov-2012 By Shane STARLING

Swiss biotech firm Evolva has agreed to buy undisclosed assets from Fluxome, as it leaves its pure pharma research past in the dust and throws the embattled Danish supplier a lifeline.

‘Huge’ opportunities in the emerging cognitive health market: Enzymotec USA CEO

21-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

The cognitive health sector offers huge opportunities for dietary supplements, but it’s still evolving, says the CEO of Enzymotec USA.

Maternal vitamin C backed for baby’s brain development

20-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Maternal deficiency in vitamin during pregnancy could have serious consequences for the development of the foetal brain that cannot be reversed, according to new research data.

'You can feel the difference in half an hour...' PLT on why Zembrin could be a blockbuster

20-Nov-2012 By Elaine WATSON

One of the most interesting new product launches at Supply Side West last week was stress-buster Zembrin, the first patented, standardized and clinically studied extract of Sceletium tortuosum, a succulent plant known by the San people of South Africa...

How to show a clinical trial benefit in healthy populations

16-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

By applying physiological stressors like partial sleep deprivation, it is possible to test the effects of dietary supplements in healthy populations and stay compliant with DSHEA, says Dr Jay Udani, CEO of Medicus Research.

Alcrea: Our new online tool offers ‘a shift in the way nutraceuticals are developed’

16-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A new online tool from Alcrea Health is offering entrepreneurs, healthcare professionals and medically-minded marketers ‘total customization’ of products.

GRAS status, milder taste to broaden market for organic spirulina, Valensa says

14-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Valensa has cleared significant regulatory and formulation hurdles with the release of its updated Parry Organic Spirulina ingredient, the company says.

Demand from fish farms drives crude fish oil prices higher

12-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Bulk fish oil prices are rising, driven both by competition from large aquaculture purchasers and lower catch quotas in the all-important Peruvian anchovy fishery.

Focus on multivitamins

Multivitamins: 'The cheapest health insurance a person will ever buy'

09-Nov-2012

The benefits of a daily multivitamin – from filling nutrient gaps to a potential reduction in cancer risk – have dominated the headlines in recent weeks. In this NutraIngredients-USA special focus, we revisit the studies and the responses to these important...

Bioriginal to distribute Norwegian krill

08-Nov-2012

Canadian lipid specialist Bioriginal has inked a deal with Olympic Seafood to distribute the Norwegian firm’s krill offerings.

Q3 wrap: Nutrition stars for DSM and Naturex

06-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Royal DSM saw Q3 sales slip 7% to €2.3bn across all divisions with polymer intermediates performing worst, but as has been the case in recent quarters, the Dutch firm’s nutrition cluster held firm with 1% organic growth in difficult economic times.

‘Memory enhancing’ ingredient boasts new beverage potential

06-Nov-2012 By Ben Bouckley

Alchem USA has launched a new concentrated liquid form of natural plant extract vinpocetine for beverage applications and claims the ingredient can enhance memory and alertness.

Don’t forget mental health when targeting seniors, says Leatherhead

06-Nov-2012 By Kacey Culliney

Fortified breads, snacks and cereals targeting mental health in older consumers is an avenue of opportunity for manufacturers, a Leatherhead analyst says.

Omega-3 may boost working memory in healthy young adults: Study

30-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

Increasing intakes of omega-3 may improve the working memory of young adults who are at the peak of their cognitive abilities, according to new data.

DHA omega-3 may lower anxiety risk

30-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Increased intakes of the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are associated with a reduced risk of anxiety, a study from Australia has reported for the first time.

Lycopene-rich tomato juice may slash inflammation levels

24-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A glass of tomato juice may decrease levels of inflammatory compounds in overweight and obese women, says a new study with 106 participants.

‘Unique’ mood-boosting South African plant extract set for SSW debut

24-Oct-2012 By Elaine WATSON

PL Thomas (PLT) and South African partner HG&H Pharmaceuticals are set to launch the first patented, standardized and clinically studied extract of Sceletium tortuosum, a succulent plant known by the San people of South Africa as ‘Kanna’ that has...

Açai reverses age-related cognitive decline in rat study

23-Oct-2012

Açai fruit fed to aged rats reversed age-related cognitive and motor declines, a study conducted through Tufts University has found.

Asian krill boom drives krill joint venture

23-Oct-2012 By Shane Starling

Australian, Japanese, South Korean, Taiwanese and other Asian consumers are driving rising demand in omega-3 source krill to levels that have prompted Norwegian krill supplier, Rimfrost, to ink a production-boosting joint venture.

Resveratrol supplements backed for vascular benefits: DSM study

22-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the red wine compound resveratrol could have ‘sustained’ benefits on cardiovascular functions and hold promise for cognitive functions, according to new research backed by DSM.

Krill sales up 43% in natural channel, Aker says

17-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

Krill oil products continue their meteoric rise in the market, recent SPINS data shows. The data, revealed by major krill supplier Aker BioMarine, points to 43% growth in krill oil products in the natural channel in the 52 weeks ending July 7.

Florida company packs pharmaceutical dose of omega-3s into cookies

16-Oct-2012 By Hank Schultz

A Florida company is offering omega-3s in a unique form–in a cookie–at a pharmaceutical dosage level.

Can omega-3 supplements reduce soldier suicide rates?

15-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A new study will examine if omega-3-rich smoothies can reduce the risks of mental illness and suicide among veterans at increased risk for suicidal behaviors.

Omega-3 supplementation backed for depression in elderly

12-Oct-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could help to reduce the symptoms of depression in elderly people, according to new research.