Energy

Attorney in Muscle Milk lawsuit: ‘You can’t just whip-up a blend of saturated fat and fractionated oil, and slap a ‘healthy’ label on it’

17-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

Both sides are claiming victory in a legal dispute over Muscle Milk nutritional bars and beverages after a federal judge ruled a false advertising lawsuit could proceed but dismissed most of the claims made by the plaintiff.

Antioxidant-rich watercress shows sports nutrition potential

16-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Eight weeks of supplementation with watercress may reduce markers of oxidative stress and damage after exhaustive exercise, suggests a new study.

Bodybuilding.com boss 'just wants to put steroid spiking case behind him', says attorney

12-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

The boss of a leading online retailer accused of selling dietary supplements spiked with steroids just wants to “put this matter behind himself and continue to move the company forward”, says his attorney.

Energy drink or supplement? Enforce your own guidance, says Sen Durbin to FDA

06-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

The row over the legal line between liquid dietary supplements, conventional beverages and energy drinks hit the headlines again this week with Senator Dick Durbin calling on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to enforce its own guidance.

Tech breakthrough could transform fortunes of ginseng in functional food and beverage market

06-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

A technological breakthrough that dramatically increases the absorption of ginseng could transform it from a costly and unpleasant-tasting formulation headache into a cost-effective and highly efficacious functional food and beverage ingredient, according...

Sea buckthorn leaf extracts show exercise benefits: Study

05-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Extracts from the leaves of the sea buckthorn plant may boost exercise capacity and protect against oxidative damage caused by excessive exercise, suggests new data from a lab rat study.

Mr Pink launches mission to turn ginseng into next big thing in functional beverages

05-Apr-2012 By Elaine Watson

An LA-based firm on a mission to turn ginseng into next big thing in functional beverages says there is room in the market for a new product that can compete with Red Bull and Monster but pack a greater nutritional punch.

Study support pre-workout benefits of Assault supplement

03-Apr-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A dose of the branded workout supplement Assault may boost perceived energy and cut fatigue during strenuous exercise, suggests a new study.

50% of military personnel use bodybuilding, energy, or weight-loss supplements

28-Mar-2012 By Stephen Daniells

US military personnel are keen users of bodybuilding, energy, or weight-loss supplements, with 46% of personnel using at least one type of supplement, says a new survey.

Natural Alternatives International secures another patent for beta-alanine

22-Mar-2012 By Elaine Watson

California-based Natural Alternatives International (NAI) has been granted a new patent covering sports nutrition ingredient beta alanine.

NAI settles beta-alanine patent dispute with BPI Sports and Image Sports

16-Mar-2012 By Elaine Watson

Natural Alternatives International (NAI) has settled its patent infringement case vs BPI Sports and Image Sports (trading as Image Nutrition) over their use of sports nutrition ingredient beta-alanine.

Twinlab prepares for June launch of new Clean Series range

12-Mar-2012 By Elaine Watson

Twinlab is preparing to unveil a new range of sports nutrition products under the Clean Series brand to tap into growing demand for products with ‘cleaner’ labels.

Dispatches from Nutracon, Anaheim

Formulating the perfect cognitive health beverage: Feed your mind, don’t confuse it further

09-Mar-2012 By Elaine Watson

The thinking behind ingredient selection and dosage in some cognitive health beverages is often “pretty confused”, according to the neuropsychologist behind brain-friendly functional beverage Nawgan.

Madonna backed coconut water Vita Coco faces new 'super hydrating' legal challenge

08-Mar-2012 By Ben Bouckley

Superstar-backed coconut water brand Vita Coco faces a new class action over claimed product benefits in Canada, including a ‘super hydrating’ claim, just weeks are settling a similar US suit. 

Big interview, Adolf Joubert, CEO Afrinatural

When will African ingredients get the attention they deserve?

08-Mar-2012

Africa has a wealth of indigenous plant species, but has not been as successful as India and China at commercializing them as nutraceuticals, one South African firm trying to spread the word about the continent’s natural ingredients tells Elaine Watson

‘Inhalable’ caffeine shot maker agrees to amend marketing after FDA warning

07-Mar-2012 By Elaine Watson

The firm behind ‘breathable’ caffeine shot AeroShot Energy has promised to amend its marketing to make it clear that it should be ingested – and not inhaled – following a warning letter from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Jack3D is safe: Study

27-Feb-2012 By Shane Starling

A study of 25 healthy men has found DMAA-containing, pre-workout sports supplement, Jack3D, does not change resting heart rate, blood pressure or affect liver and kidney function when used at recommended dosage levels.

UK begins DMAA crackdown

24-Feb-2012 By Shane Starling

DMAA-containing Jack3D and products like it are unauthorised drugs and being stripped from UK retail shelves and online catalogues as part of a crackdown against sports supplements by the medicines regulator, the MHRA.

Herbalife taps into new breed of ‘Generation H’ distributors in US

23-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

Strong growth for Herbalife in the US is being driven by a new breed of young distributors dubbed ‘Generation H’, according to the direct sales supplement giant.

DNP hits back at NAI in beta-alanine patent infringement row

23-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

DNP International – the latest in a string of firms to be sued by Natural Alternatives International (NAI) for patent infringement over beta-alanine - insists the patent at issue is invalid and predicts it will “ultimately be vindicated” by the courts.

GNC, Cellucor and Woodbolt targeted in new DMAA lawsuit

22-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

GNC, Cellucor Sports Nutrition and others have been accused of misleading consumers over the source, regulatory status and safety of the controversial stimulant DMAA (1,3 Dimethylamylamine) in a new class action lawsuit filed in California.

‘Mild’ dehydration may modify mood, say scientists

21-Feb-2012 By Nathan Gray

Even mild dehydration can alter a person's mood, energy level, and ability to think clearly, leaving them ‘cranky’ and tired, say researchers.

Clarisoy ‘invisible’ protein set for summer launch, says ADM

21-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

Clarisoy, the invisible protein developed by Burcon and commercialized by ADM, will be available in commercial quantities by the summer, ADM has revealed.

POM under fire again in class action suit over deceptive claims

20-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

POM Wonderful has come under fire again for allegedly misleading and deceiving consumers about the health benefits of its antioxidant-packed wares in a new class action lawsuit.

GNC: DMAA saga has had ‘no impact whatsoever’ on sales

17-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

The furor surrounding the safety and legal status of DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine) - a stimulant used in several pre-workout supplements - has not dented sales at supplements giant GNC, bosses have revealed.

60-second interview, Alex Karsos, co-founder, GI Nutrition

How easy is it to break into the sports nutrition market?

14-Feb-2012

There is room in the sports nutrition market for innovative new players, but being a minnow in a pond full of sharks is not easy, Alex Karsos, co-founder of New Jersey-based start-up GI (Grecian Ideal) Nutrition, tells Elaine Watson

Green tea may reduce age related disability: Study

09-Feb-2012 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of antioxidant rich green tea is significantly associated with a lower risk of age related functional disability, say researchers.

Coconut water matches carb-electrolyte sports beverage for rehydration: Study

06-Feb-2012 By Stephen Daniells

The rehydrating powers of coconut water match those of a carbohydrate-electrolyte sports beverage, says a new study using the VitaCoco product.

Brazil’s top sports nutrition firm snapped up by Valeant Pharmaceuticals

06-Feb-2012 By Elaine Watson

Canadian firm Valeant Pharmaceuticals International has acquired Brazil’s leading sports nutrition and food supplements maker Probiótica Laboratorios in a $150m deal.

Just a matter of time before canola protein enters the major league, says BioExx

30-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

"At least 12 major players in the food industry" are testing canola protein from BioExx, while a tie up with Century Foods to develop canola-protein-based sports products is also progressing well, claims the veggie protein specialist.

Idaho judge fines firms selling ‘synthetic steroids masquerading as dietary supplements’

23-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

Two firms found guilty of selling muscle building supplements laced with unapproved drugs have been fined by a federal court in Idaho.

Study: “Geranium oils do not contain DMAA-MHA”

18-Jan-2012 By Shane Starling

Geranium oils do not contain the stimulant DMAA-MHA, according to new research that once again questions the study often cited by pre-workout and weight loss supplements claiming it does.

AHP releases monograph for 'one of the most widely adulterated herbs on the market'

12-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

A monograph for American Ginseng – claimed to be one of the most widely adulterated herbs on the market - has been released by the American Herbal Pharmacopoeia (AHP).

UNPA: We agree with AHPA on DMAA labeling

10-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

The United Natural Products Alliance (UNPA) says it agrees with the AHPA that supplement makers should not label the stimulant DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine) as geranium oil or as any part of the geranium plant.

GNC: There is no scientific evidence to prove causal link between DMAA and AERs

06-Jan-2012 By Elaine Watson

GNC has weighed into the debate over the stimulant DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine) following the recall of DMAA-containing products from stores on military bases while the Department of Defense conducts a probe into its safety.

Micronutrient combination may boost male fertility: Study

04-Jan-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of eight micronutrients may boost sperm quality and enhance the chance of conception, suggests new data from Austria.

FDA will 'consider whether regulatory action is warranted on DMAA'

22-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has weighed into the debate over the stimulant DMAA (1,3-Dimethylamylamine, also known as methylhexaneamine or MHA), which has garnered more bad press in recent weeks.

NBTY: Ester-C sales are going from strength to strength

19-Dec-2011 By Elaine Watson

Sales of NBTY’s Ester-C vitamin C supplements surged 18% in the 13 weeks to October 29 within a category that was otherwise pretty flat, bosses have revealed.

New research boosts case for caffeine in sports performance

15-Dec-2011 By Nathan Gray

The addition of caffeine to carbohydrate could help to boost athletes’ performance of skilled tasks in addition to boosting endurance, according to UK researchers.

Green tea extract may protect against muscle damage from exercise

08-Dec-2011 By Stephen Daniells

An extract from green tea may protect the muscles from exercise-induced damage, according to a new study from Poland.

L-arginine changes nothing for fit young men at rest: Study

25-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of the amino acid L-arginine may not produce metabolic or hormonal enhancement for fit young men at rest, says a new study from Canada.

Jelly Belly sports beans ‘still growing in the double digits’

23-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Sales of sports beans – jelly beans laced with vitamins B, C and electrolytes – are “still growing in the double-digits each year” six years after launch, bosses at brand owner Jelly Belly have revealed.

Vitamin gum pioneer targets sports nutrition market with novel bubblegum

22-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

The firm behind a patented technology enabling the incorporation of multiple vitamins and other bioactives in coated chewing gum, has developed a novel bubblegum targeting the sports nutrition market.

GNC: Sports nutrition is not about body-building anymore

18-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Sports nutrition products now account for 45% of sales at GNC compared with 27% 10 years ago. But the category is no longer dominated by body-building, says chief executive Joe Fortunato.

Special edition: Vitamins

Vitamin health halo set for brighter global glow as claim power grows

16-Nov-2011 By Shane Starling

The first part of this vitamins special edition looks at how increasing government support and ‘industry standard’ fortification programmes, coupled with favourable regulatory shifts, is benefitting the sector.

McCormick-backed study probes effects of black pepper and rosemary on mental energy and fatigue

09-Nov-2011 By Elaine Watson

Researchers at the University of Georgia are exploring whether rosemary or black pepper could tackle mental fatigue as part of a series of studies financed by the McCormick Science Institute.

Amino acid-rich supplements boost muscle mass with exercise

08-Nov-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements containing a combination of amino acids and protein before and after resistance training may boost upper body strength by 13%, says a new study from Baylor University.

CoQ10 may reduce muscle damage during intensive exercise

27-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of co-enzyme Q10 may counter the rise in oxidative stress associated with strenuous exercise and reduce subsequent muscle damage, says a new study with ultra-runners participating in a 50 km run across Europe’s highest road in the Sierra Nevada.

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2011

Are Millennials the next big opportunity for the natural product industry?

20-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

Manufacturers need to think about the market potential of Millennials (Generation Y), but understanding how they differ from Boomer is key, says a well-known marketing expert.

Dispatches from SSW11

Horphag Research: We're going after sports nutrition and women's health

14-Oct-2011 By Stephen Daniells

The newly formed Horphag Research is targeting women's health and sports nutrition, its new VP of sales and business development tells NutraIngredients-USA.