Cognitive function

Sales of new veggie vitamin D3 are ‘brisk', claims Global Health Trax

30-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Supplement manufacturer Global Health Trax (GHT) claims sales of its new plant based Vitamin D3 supplements — claimed to be the only 100% plant-based D3 products on the North American market - have been ‘brisk’.

Brain food gains momentum as Thorne Research creates JV to develop new cognitive health supplements range

26-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Thorne Research - a leading supplier of dietary supplements to the healthcare practitioner market - has set up a joint venture with psychiatrist Dr. Daniel Amen and Integrative Health Resources (IHR) to develop a new line of supplements targeting brain...

Omega-3, -6 combination shows promise for inattention and cooperation in ADHD kids

25-Jul-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A combined supplement of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may improve measures of inattention, impulsiveness, and cooperation in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), suggests new data.

Coffee antioxidants row latest: KonaRed claims victory; VDF insists it isn’t over yet

24-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

A legal spat between VDF FutureCeuticals (VDF FC) and juice maker KonaRed over coffee fruit antioxidants has moved into a new phase, with KonaRed claiming victory but VDF insisting the dispute is far from over following a ruling from the US patent and...

Special edition: The infinite potential of algae

Welcome to the jungle: New entrants square up for battle in the algal ingredients market

23-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

There is room for multiple players in the burgeoning algal-ingredients market, but having a cost-efficient and sustainable production process will be mission critical to long-term survival, say bosses at new market entrants bidding for a piece of the...

DSM promises “business continuity” as it completes €436m omega-3 buy

19-Jul-2012 By Shane Starling

Royal DSM has emphasised “business continuity” and “smooth integration” following the completion of its $CAD540m (€436m) buy-out of the world’s largest omega-3 fish oil supplier, Ocean Nutrition Canada (ONC), today.

Nestlé invests in US brain food maker: ‘This is a big strategic move for us’

19-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Two months after Abbott Nutrition described brain food research as “one of our top global priorities”, Nestlé Health Science has acquired a stake in Accera, the US firm behind Axona, a medical food targeted at people with mild to moderate Alzheimer’s.

ChromaDex gears up for launch of next generation niacin ingredient

17-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

ChromaDex is gearing up for a commercial launch of Nicotinamide riboside (NR) - a next generation version of vitamin B3 (niacin) claimed to help protect the brain, battle the bulge and improve blood glucose control - at the end of this year or early next.

Omega-3s & omega-6s show promise against ADHD: Cochrane review

17-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids may help with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), says a new review from the prestigious Cochrane Collaboration.

Headache continues for hangover cures market

12-Jul-2012 By Shane Starling

Hangover cures in the form of supplements have limited staying power and are being pressed for market space by energy shots and other tonics, according to analysis from Euromonitor International.

Big Interview: Jeff Lind, VP health business unit USA, Frutarom

Frutarom Health notches up double-digit growth in US as bladder control ingredient gains momentum

12-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Frutarom’s US health ingredients division has clocked up “significant double-digit growth” in the first half of the year, significantly outpacing the market, its boss has revealed.

Novel plant source of omega-3s DHA and EPA should be commercialized by 2020, says Cargill

09-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

A completely new source of the coveted long chain omega-3s EPA and DHA should be commercialized by the end of the decade thanks to a multi-million-dollar tie up between ingredient giants BASF and Cargill to produce the next generation of canola oils.

Olympic Seafood begins krill lipid research partnership

05-Jul-2012 By Nathan Gray

Norwegian krill ingredient supplier Olympic Seafood AS has kicked off a new research partnership to investigate the fundamental science behind krill phospholipids.

Algal omega-3s gain momentum as BioProcess Algae strikes deal with KD-Pharma to supply EPA-rich omega-3 oils

02-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

US microalgal oils firm BioProcess Algae has struck a deal with KD-Pharma - the German fats and oils division of Swiss firm Bioseutica - to supply it with ultra-concentrated EPA-rich omega-3 oils for nutraceutical and pharma applications.

Astaxanthin wars: Cyanotech and Valensa row over competition, IP

02-Jul-2012 By Elaine Watson

Hawaii-based microalgae specialist Cyanotech and Florida-based nutraceutical firm US Nutraceuticals (doing business as Valensa International) have become embroiled in a bitter legal dispute over the potent red antioxidant astaxanthin.

Vitamin B6 and B12 levels linked to mental function and depression

02-Jul-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Low levels of vitamins B6 and B12 are associated with an increased risk of impaired cognition, says a new study that adds support to links between B vitamin intake and cognitive function.

Green tea extract shows extensive health benefits for obese hypertensives: Human study

26-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Extracts from green tea may lead to improvements in blood pressure, blood sugar levels and markers of inflammation, says a new study from Poland with obese hypertensives.

Cyanotech posts 46% hike in sales driven by strong demand for astaxanthin

25-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Hawaii-based microalgae specialist Cyanotech has posted a 46% hike in revenues in fiscal year 2012 to $24.63m driven primarily by an increase in demand for the potent red antioxidant astaxanthin.

Omega-3’s anti-inflammatory potential shows in overweight people

21-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may reduce levels of certain inflammatory markers by 10%, says a new study that claims to be the first to show omega-3 supplementation may alter inflammatory markers in overweight but otherwise healthy people.

Folate during pregnancy may benefit offspring’s emotions: Study

19-Jun-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Low levels of folic acid during pregnancy may increase emotional health problems in children, says a new study.

Moringa oleifera trumps superfruit rivals in ORAC tests

15-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Powder from the leaf of the Moringa Oleifera plant - a nutrient powerhouse claimed to rival baobab - has outperformed antioxidant-packed superfoods including acai, dark chocolate, garlic and blueberries in an ORAC test.

Nordic Naturals taps into demand for ‘fishless fish oil’ with new algal EPA/DHA products

14-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Omega-3 supplement specialist Nordic Naturals has met growing demand for products that deliver the long-chain omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA - minus the fish - with the launch of its new vegetarian Algal Omega brand.

Omega-3 dementia benefits questioned by new Cochrane review

13-Jun-2012 By Nathan Gray

Omega-3 supplements are unlikely to prevent cognitive declines and dementia in the elderly, according to a review of the evidence published by the Cochrane Collaboration.

Food for thought? Soy protein may not benefit brain functions

08-Jun-2012 By Nathan Gray

Soy proteins may not help in the maintenance of cognitive function in older women as previously suggested, warns new research.

Indonesia emerges as alternative turmeric/curcumin supply source to India

08-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

UPDATED: Botanical extracts distributor Phytochem International has struck a deal with Chinese firm Ningbo Traditional Chinese Pharmaceutical Co to introduce 95% curcuminoids from turmeric sourced from Indonesia - a first for the US market.

Neptune: ‘Krill oil is the fastest growing ingredient in the omega-3 market’

06-Jun-2012 By Elaine Watson

Krill oil is “the fastest growing ingredient in the whole omega-3 market”, Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has claimed after unveiling its preliminary results for the first quarter of fiscal 2013.

Beyond ORAC in an overcrowded antioxidant market: The evolution of Oligonol

29-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

While Maypro Industries can reel off impressive ORAC scores for its polyphenol-packed ingredient Oligonol, its true potential has started to emerge in more specific areas such as sports recovery and weight management as bosses have moved beyond positioning...

Neptune posts 31% rise in nutraceutical sales in Q4 as krill oil demand grows

25-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

Canadian krill oil firm Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has posted a 31% surge in sales in its nutraceutical business in the final quarter of fiscal 2012, and a 15% rise in sales in this division over the full year.

Chocolate fails to improve motor function despite increased consumption by Parkinson’s sufferers

25-May-2012 By Oliver Nieburg

Dark chocolate and cocoa ingredients do not improve motor function for those with Parkinson’s disease despite increased consumption among those with the disease, according to a study.

DHA omega-3 linked to improved literacy for ADHD children: Study

23-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Increased levels of the omega-3 DHA may be associated with improved literacy in children with learning difficulties, according to a new study from Australia.

Low dose of vitamin D not associated with depression benefits

21-May-2012

A daily dose of 400 IU of vitamin D3 plus 1,000 mg of calcium was not associated with symptoms of depression, says a new study.

Dispatches from the UNPA 20th anniversary celebration, Salt Lake City

Is it time to move beyond conventional ‘vs’ natural medicine?

21-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

While many doctors remain suspicious of ‘natural’ medicine, a growing number now accept that there are compelling alternatives to leading drugs that are supported by just as much scientific evidence, without the nasty side effects, says one leading player...

Abbott Nutrition: ‘Cognition research is one of our top global priorities’

21-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

The first research projects to emerge from a tie-up between Abbott and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (UIUC) will advance our understanding of the relationship between diet and cognition - and help Abbott create the next generation of brain...

Nutrient dense nutrition bar shows ‘striking’ metabolic benefits

18-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A low-calorie, high-fiber, nutrient-dense supplement bar may boost the feeling of fullness, and improve a number of health markers like HDL cholesterol and antioxidant defenses, says a new study.

DSM eyes generic omega-3 drug space with €420m ONC buy

18-May-2012 By Shane Starling

DSM will use its global reach to drive its latest acquisition - fish-sourced omega-3 leader, Ocean Nutrition Canada, beyond its core North American market – but sees opportunities in generic drugs that may prove more lucrative.

Researchers unpick cellular benefits of omega-3

16-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

The processes behind the widely reported health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids has been revealed for the first time by a team of researchers in the USA.

Vitamin E may protect against oxidative stress: Study

14-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of vitamin E may protect cells from the detrimental effects of oxidative stress in healthy middle-aged to elderly people, says a new study from China.

Alchem eyes brain health segment with plant-derived vinpocetine

14-May-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Indian natural extracts expert Alchem International is eyeing a greater share of the burgeoning mental and cognitive health market with its natural plant-derived vinpocetine ingredient.

Toxicology expert raises alarm over potential neurotoxins in graviola/soursop

10-May-2012 By Elaine Watson

A toxicology expert says he is shocked to see firms in the supplements trade developing products containing extracts from the tropical fruit graviola (also known as soursop or Annona muricata) given its association with atypical Parkinson's disease.

Israeli krill player doubles capacity

07-May-2012 By Shane Starling

Israeli lipid specialist Enzymotec has doubled its krill production capacity to an unspecified level as it responds to growing global demand for the Antarctic micro-shrimp that is registering at about 30% per annum.

Omega-3 may reduce risk of Alzheimer’s: Study

07-May-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of omega-3 rich foods could reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s by lowering levels of plasma beta-amyloid, according to new research.

Flavonoid-rich berries could halt memory declines: Study

30-Apr-2012 By Nathan Gray

A high intake of flavonoid rich berries can delay memory decline in older women by 2.5 years, according to new research findings.

Potent anti-inflammatory from olive juice bids for functional food and beverage fame

27-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

A suite of novel functional food and beverage concepts containing Hidrox - a potent anti-inflammatory ingredient from olive juice - is being developed by California-based CreAgri as it seeks to build on its success in the dietary supplements arena.

Increased vitamin D intakes may reduce Alzheimer’s risk

23-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells

People with higher intakes of vitamin D may be at a lower risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease, but not other forms of dementia, suggests new data from France.

Omega-3 may reduce damage from smoking, suggests research

20-Apr-2012

Omega-3 fatty acids could help to reduce the physical harm caused by smoking, according to a new study presented at the World Congress of Cardiology.

Biotech firm launches bid to turn L-Ergothioneine into household name as ‘EGT’

20-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

Energy drinks and foods, eye health supplements and skin creams are just some of the products likely to emerge from an LA-based firm on a mission to turn L-Ergothioneine – an antioxidant it claims has “unparalleled” benefits – into a household name.