Omega-3s & nutritional oils

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.

Valensa joins Algae Biomass Organization, eyes next gen microalgae nutraceuticals

14-Jun-2017

Florida-based Valensa International has joined the Algae Biomass Organization (ABO), as the company recognizes algae as a source of sustainable and innovative nutraceuticals.

Omega-3 supplement restrictions in Indonesia reversed after pressure from trade associations

13-Jun-2017 By Cheryl Tay

Badan Pom (BPOM), The National Agency of Drug and Food Control of Indonesia, has revoked tough restrictions issued at the end of last year for omega-3 supplements.

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.

Bio electronics firm pushes magnetic technique to boost algae production

07-Jun-2017 By Hank Schultz

A Seattle-based bio electronics company is showcasing the ability of its magnetic frequency technology to affect metabolic pathways in algae, this offering the potential of boosts in overall production and yields of target molecules.

KD Pharma Group invests in Nutriceutical Holdings

07-Jun-2017

Omega-3 producer KD Pharma will become the largest shareholder in Nutriceutical Holdings (NH), parent company of Physician Recommended Nutriceuticals (PRN) and Veterinarian Recommended Solutions (VRS).

Omega-3 outfit SeaDragon posts substantial loss, but insists sales outlook is strong

05-Jun-2017 By Gary Scattergood

New Zealand fish oil firm SeaDragon has posted a net loss after tax of NZ$6,659,000 for the year to 31 March, its preliminary financial results reveal.

Fish oils & bleeding risk: Extensive review supports safety of supplements

01-Jun-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Concerns that fish oil supplements may increase the risk of bleeding – a potential concern for people undergoing surgery – are unfounded, according to a systematic review the scientific literature.

Dynamic duo of vitamin E and omega-3 reduces cardiovascular injury caused by pollution

31-May-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Supplementation with vitamin E and omega-3 proved to provide a potent combination against air pollution-induced cardiovascular injuries in rats.

Qualitas triples algae production capacity in deal with partner

25-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

Algae food and nutrition firm Qualitas Health has taken an overnight quantum leap in capacity via a deal with a specialist production firm in New Mexico.

Fishpeople wants to fix the ‘fundamentally broken’ seafood industry with increased transparency

25-May-2017 By Elizabeth Crawford

The seafood industry is “fundamentally broken” and crowded with businesses beholden to “old school thinking” that fails both the oceans and the consumers, according to Ken Plasse, the CEO of a Fishpeople, which claims to be a different kind of seafood...

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.

NAXA head launches five new single-ingredient trade associations

18-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

The principal of a consulting firm that is the motivating force behind two single-ingredient trade organizations has launched an ‘incubator’ program that debuts with the formation of five new trade groups targeting categories such as ashwagandha, chondroitin,...

Recent omega-3 studies are ‘leap forward’ from population information to RCTs

16-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids both drive anti-inflammatory gene expression, while DHA is better at lowering triglycerides and decreasing inflammatory markers, according to recent studies that are said to be a “leap forward” in our understanding.

Holistic approach that downplays RCTs best path to optimal nutrition, paper says

16-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

A holistic approach to optimal nutrition that would include other research modes beyond RCTs will be the best way to get a handle on the modern plague of obesity, authors of a recent paper concluded.

Algatech aiming for multiple new algae-derived ingredient launches over next few years

16-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Israel’s Algatechnologies is targeting a Q3 launch for a new algae-derived ingredient, with more launches to follow in 2018, the company’s director of marketing and sales told NutraIngredients-USA.

Cut in visas for workers hamstrings Omega Protein

12-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

Fish oil producer Omega Protein is struggling with a change in immigration policy that has severely cut the number of workers available for its fishing boats.

Functional foods have role in reversing 'thin outside, fat inside' phenomenon, paper's authors conclude

12-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

Functional foods could have a key role to play in combating the global rise of the phenomenon of sarcopenic obesity, according to a published report of the proceedings of a recent scientific convention.

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...

Usana records strong results in China despite internal probe

04-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

In the midst of an internal review of its Chinese operations, Usana Health Sciences reported a 6.2% increase in sales derived almost entirely from the Asia Pacific region.

New opportunities: Rimfrost plans new vessel as krill demand increases

03-May-2017 By Nathan Gray

Norwegian krill player Rimfrost says new opportunities and an increased demand are driving plans for a new higher capacity harvest vessel.

Most NZ fish oil supplements meet label claims, oxidation levels: GOED analysis

03-May-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Testing of 47 fish oil supplements purchased at retail in New Zealand shows that 91% met EPA/DHA label claims, according to strict GOED standards, while most also met regulatory limits for oxidation.

After long voyage, Blue Ocean's shrimp oil omega-3s finally on retail shelves

02-May-2017 By Hank Schultz

Blue Ocean Nutrasciences, after years of fits and starts, has finally landed on retail shelves with a line of omega-3 ingredients based on its proprietary shrimp oil.

The Supplement OWL product registry goes live

27-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

The Supplement OWL (Online Wellness Library) has officially gone live, with 51 Brand Names and 2,576 labels already in the product label database.

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.

Fish oil molecule ups brain and eye cell survival odds from stroke

24-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

A molecule made from omega-3 fish oil could help damaged brain and retina cells survive in the event of a stroke or other neurodegenerative and eye-blinding disorders, a study has shown.

Aker ends ITC case against Olympic, but district court patent infringement suit to continue

20-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

Aker BioMarine has pulled the plug on its patent infringement suit that was being pursued before the International Trade Commission.  But the company is still suing a Norwegian competitor and an American distribution partner in district court.

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...

TODAY: NutraIngredients-USA's Omega-3 Forum

18-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

The omega-3s market has returned to mid single digit growth, which is one of the topics that will be discussed during a free online forum hosted by NutraIngredients-USA.

DHA vs EPA: Which omega-3 is better for raising the Omega-3 Index?

14-Apr-2017 By Stephen Daniells

High-doses of the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may boost the Omega-3 Index (O3I) more than EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid), says a new study.

Special Edition: Omega-3s

While omega-3 industry tries to hold line on sustainability, consumers seem unconcerned

13-Apr-2017 By Hank Schultz

Industry experts maintain that the marine sources of omega-3s continue to be well managed and supplies remain adequate, despite questions that are raised periodically by some observers. But whatever direction the sustainability tug of war might take,...

Special Edition: Omega-3s

Stronger Together: Can Omega-3 combination supplements attract new buyers?

12-Apr-2017 By Adi Menayang

While sales of omega-3 supplements have remained stagnant, brands and manufacturers are testing out the market with more omega-3 combination product launches.

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?

Omega-3 supplements may provide long-term diabetic benefits

10-Apr-2017 By Will Chu

Omega-3 fatty acid supplements may benefit those with autoimmune conditions, as research describes the fish oil’s ability to reduce inflammation typical of type 1 diabetes.

VIDEO: From earthquakes to sourcing strife - the challenges to open the world’s newest omega-3 fish oil refinery

10-Apr-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Omega-3 fish oil supplier SeaDragon overcame a raft of challenges to open the world's newest refinery, with the firm now hopeful it can start recouping some of its NZ$11m investment.

Combined with omega-3 oil, microencapsulated probiotic has higher survival rate, says study

06-Apr-2017 By Adi Menayang

When a probiotic is co-encapsulated with omega-3-rich tuna oil, not only do the bacteria adhere better on the intestinal wall, but more chemically intact omega-3 fatty acids are released from the oil, researchers in Australia discovered from an in vitro...

Olly’s takeover of the gummy category starts with cuteness

05-Apr-2017 By Adi Menayang

Olly is relatively new in the dietary supplement space, launching only in 2015. But today its gummies can be found in 25,000 stores across the nation, from niche ones like GNC to mainstream ones like Target, where the brand started distribution.

Omega-3 canola oil supplier filing for regulatory approval in Australia, US and Canada

24-Mar-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Omega-3 canola firm Nuseed has filed for regulatory approval in Australia, with submissions for Canada and the US set to be lodged later this month.

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.

Special edition: Supplements for pets

Formulating for pets? Suppliers share what you should keep in mind

23-Mar-2017 By Adi Menayang

We spoke with two suppliers—Sabinsa and Maypro—to learn about ingredients that are in demand in the pet nutrition category, and what unique challenges this space has.

New Taiyo-Benexia partnership to ensure swift supply of premium chia oil

23-Mar-2017

Taiyo International has been named the exclusive North American distributor of Benexia’s new chia oil for use in foods, beverages and dietary supplements.

Special edition: Supplements for pets

Some vets not sold on routine supplementation for pets

23-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

People love their pets. And they can love them to death, animal nutrition experts say.

Special edition: Supplements for Pets

Navigating the regulations around supplements for pets

22-Mar-2017 By Stephen Daniells

While many ingredients and trends for animal supplements are the similar to those found in human dietary supplements, the sector lives in a pre-DSHEA environment for regulations, explains Bill Bookout, president of the National Animal Supplement Council.

‘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.

AHA advisory on omega-3s effectiveness for CVD sufferers seen as win for industry

15-Mar-2017 By Hank Schultz

A recent advisory by the American Heart Association on the role of omega-3 fatty acids in the prevention of heart disease is seen as a significant win by industry stakeholders.

What will be the new norm in supplement branding? Nutri-Rich offers a hint

14-Mar-2017 By Adi Menayang

Nutri-Rich’s major rebranding effort—from packaging to formulation to transparency measures—gives hints to the future new norms of the nutraceutical industry.

Study shows Ahiflower oil’s anti-inflammatory and immune potential

14-Mar-2017 By Stephen Daniells

A daily dose of Ahiflower oil from Buglossoides arvensis may increase production of the cytokine IL-10,  which plays a role in immunoregulation and inflammation, says a new study.