Omega-3s & nutritional oils

“Omega-3s, from fish or supplements, should be consumed throughout life," says GOED

Omega-3 supplements fail to halt cognitive decline in the elderly, says AREDS 2 data

26-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

One gram per day of EPA plus DHA omega-3s does not appear to slow normal age-related cognitive decline in people over 70, suggests data from the AREDS 2 eye study.

Multi-component formula shows potential eye health benefits for diabetics: RCT

25-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Six months of supplementation with xanthophyll pigments, antioxidants and selected botanical extracts may improve visual function in diabetes, says a new study.

Omega-3 could help support ‘friendly bacteria’ in the gut

25-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

The omage-3 fatty acid EPA may help to support the growth and tolerance of probiotic bacterial strains in the human gut, according to new preliminary research.

Performance nutrition boosts Glanbia plc’s financials

21-Aug-2015 By Tracy West

Glanbia’s Global Performance Nutrition (GPN) unit was the star performer as the nutritional ingredients and dairy firm reported increased H1 profits.

Brain boosting bioactives, Part 1: From omega-3 to vitamin E

19-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Memory, attention and focus, development, mood; there are numerous ways that a nutrient or ingredient can affect cognitive health. But which have the most science, how do they work, and how are they performing in the market?

Remember to back up memory claims with precise substantiation, expert says

18-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

Losing one’s memory continues to be one of consumers’ number one health concerns. While that represents a healthy market opportunity, companies seeking to address that concern with a dietary supplement need to be very careful about what they say about...

‘Omega-3s: Always a Good Idea’ posts positive results but did not fully return the market to growth

18-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

An integrated marketing campaign to change the conversation on omega-3s and reverse declining sales has contributed to a 3% improvement in year-over-year monthly unit sales in the food/drug/mass channel, says GOED.

Investor blasts Omega Protein's human nutrition diversification plans, calls for breakup, sale of company

13-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein Corporation has received a harsh critique of its diversification strategy from a major investor.  Wynnefield Partners filed a Form 13D with the Securities and Exchange Commission calling for the company to seek alternatives—up to and including...

FMC sells pectin division to Cargill, signals concern about omega-3s business

12-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

FMC Corporation has announced a restructuring of its pectin business in a deal with Cargill. This comes in the wake of disappointing overall earnings in the second quarter of 2015 and nutrition segment revenues that were impacted by continued slow demand...

Herbalife seems to be emerging from shadow of investigation

10-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

Network marketing giant Herbalife reported better-than-expected profitability on its second quarter 2015 earnings despite currency fluctuations that depressed overall net sales.  The company also said that the negative publicity surrounding a reported...

In the year 2020: Global nutraceuticals market to be worth €35bn; 7% annual growth forecast

10-Aug-2015

Botanicals are the fastest growing nutraceutical ingredient class in a category being driven by ageing populations around the world, a report has found.

Omega Protein vessel comes to aid of stranded tug

07-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

An Omega Protein menhaden fishing crew aided a tugboat that had become stranded last week on the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel structure at the mouth of the bay.

Is one large weekly dose of omega-3 more effective than smaller daily doses?

29-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A big weekly dose of omega-3s may lead to greater omega-3 deposits in body tissues than smaller daily doses, says a new study from Australia.

Nordic Naturals: 'We see sports nutrition as a growth opportunity'

28-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Omega-3 brand Nordic Naturals is expanding its sports nutrition offering with two new products with NSF International’s Certified for Sport Program verification.

Stepan's lipid nutrition business stumbles

27-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Stepan Co. had high hopes when it acquired a brace of branded lipid nutritional ingredients - Clarinol and Marinol - in 2011. But the company growth projections have been frustrated as several factors have conspired to drive down demand and revenues in...

‘Expanding the innovative ingredient options’: Glanbia launches omega-3 powder

16-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Glanbia Nutritionals has launched a new omega-3 powder for inclusion in multi-ingredient applications, including tablet, capsule, melt and powdered beverage applications.

Chia seeds fail to boost athletic performance but athletes ‘should still include them in their diet’

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Runners adding chia seeds to their diet in the belief that it will boost athletic performance may be disappointed to hear that the ‘superfood’ may not enhance their performance, says a new study from the Appalachian State University.

‘An exciting finding’: Are the brain health benefits of B vitamins dependent on omega-3 levels?

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

B vitamins may protect against age-related brain wasting, but only in people with high omega-3 levels, says a new study from the University of Oxford that extends our understanding of how nutrients work together.

Testing firm Labdoor uses transaction-based model to help consumers answer this question: What's best?

02-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Labdoor founder Neil Thanedar said he wanted to institute a different dynamic in his product testing and evaluation service. He wanted the benefits to accrue primarily to consumers, and he wanted them to pay for it, too.

Omega-3s show ‘positive effects’ for athletic endurance and muscle function

01-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of omega-3s may improve neuromuscular function and aspects of fatigue for athletes, says a new study from the University of Toronto.

O-3 coalition names science board to boost credibility, help maintain momentum

26-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Omega 3 Coalition, a group formed to support the positive messaging to the public around the cardiovascular disease benefits of the ingredients, has formed a scientific advisory council, it was announced yesterday.

Too much time in front of a screen? Omega-3s may ease computer-related dry eye

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily omega-3 supplements may improve symptoms of dry eye associated with prolonged exposure to computer screens, says a new study from India.

Cod liver oil in youth doesn’t harm bone health in old age: 5000-strong study

19-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater cod liver oil intake in earlier life does not harm bone mineral density later, Icelandic researchers have found.

Supplement sales slow, but hope emerges in probiotics, protein, omega-3s and aloe

18-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Market saturation, negative press and increased competition from fortified foods are taking a toll on dietary supplement sales, growth of which is slowing dramatically, according to research from IBISWorld and Euromonitor International. 

Texas storms disrupt Qualitas algal production: ‘It’s a setback but we’re still in a unique position,’ says CEO

11-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Recent heavy storms and flooding in Texas have impacted the algae production facility of Qualitas Health, but the company has already implemented an ‘emergency action plan’ and expects to be operating at expanded capacity by the end of the year.

Bench-pressing women can boost immunity with fish oil: Study

11-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Fish oil coupled with strength training could help improve the immune system of elderly women, Brazilian researchers have found. 

Norwegian krill player appoints new chief

09-Jun-2015 By Shane Starling

Matts Johansen has been appointed CEO of krill major Aker BioMarine with a mandate to “to continue to develop one of Norway's most exciting biotechnology companies into a solid and predictable company”.

Patent watch

Abbott Labs files patent for ‘better tasting’ nutritional powders

09-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Abbott Laboratories has filed an international patent for a process it says allows it to produce better-tasting powders with improved nutrient content.

Flaxseed supplements linked to improved blood pressure: Meta-analysis

09-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of flaxseed may effectively management blood pressure, says a new meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe

Ismail says omega-3s industry needs to take high road when it comes to bad press

08-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

An article in late March in The New York Times called the efficacy of omega-3s into question, citing a number of older equivocal studies.  Rather than get down into the trenches on this one, a leading spokesperson in the field said it’s time for the industry...

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe

Blackmores: We wanted to see krill sustainability with our own eyes

02-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

Blackmores, the leading supplement brand in Australia, has taken the unusual step of sending a company representative on a two week-long trip to verify the sustainability practices of Aker BioMarine, the world’s largest harvester of krill used to supply...

NoorVitamins CEO: In 5 years we’ll be a strong and reputable competitor with a wider value proposition

01-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Leading Halal supplement brand NoorVitamins is aiming to be a serious part of the wider dietary supplements industry, with a focus on quality and transparency driving their value proposition, the company’s President and CEO tells NutraIngredients-USA.

Human data supports salmon oil’s ability to reduce oxidative stress

27-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of salmon oil may reduce markers of oxidative stress, with no effects from additional multivitamins, says a new study from Australia.

Aker BioMarine gets two ‘important’ US patents

26-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The US Patent and Trademark Office has granted krill oil supplier Aker BioMarine two process patents, a development described by the company as ‘important’.

Euromonitor runs rule over recent nutraceutical award winners

25-May-2015 By Simone Baroke

Market analyst Euromonitor International dissects recent NutraIngredients Awards winners to provide category perspective from sustainable omega-3 to healthy ageing in this guest article.

Omega-3 consumption could enhance ‘cognitive flexibility’ in older adults

22-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

A higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids could lead to better cognitive flexibility in adults at risk of late-onset Alzheimer's, say researchers.

Omega-3s may slow age-associated muscle loss: RCT data

22-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil-derived omega-3s may slow the normal decline in muscle mass and function in healthy older people, says a new study from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.

Is the $35 billion figure for the dietary supplements industry over-inflated?

21-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The US dietary supplements industry is only worth about $12 billion, according to Dr Kurt Jetta, CEO and founder of the TABS Group.

DHA supplements may help restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle: Mechanism mooted

19-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps to restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle by blocking inflammation and the accumulation of other lipid intermediates, say researchers.

Extending GMPs to ingredient suppliers would fix gap in original rule, stakeholders say

18-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recently filed citizen's petition asking FDA to extend GMP requirements to ingredient manufacturers met with a cautious but generally positive reception among industry stakeholders. Having ingredient suppliers stand outside this aspect of the law...

Science short

Omega-3s may boost performance for cyclists: Study

06-May-2015

Supplements containing omega-3s may increase concentrations of NO and boost blood flow, thereby enhancing exercise performance in cyclists, says a new study from Poland.

Fish-liver oil when younger may reduce heart disease risk when older

27-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Consuming fish-liver oil three times weekly in adolescence or midlife may reduce a woman’s chances of coronary heart disease later in life, say Icelandic researchers.

Omega-3-supplemented formula leads to bigger children: Study

24-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Feeding infants an omega-3-supplemented formula led to longer and heavier children, compared to a control formula, says a study funded by Mead Johnson Nutrition and the National Institutes of Health.

AARP study on brain health attitudes points to opportunity for cognitive support ingredients, experts say

23-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recent study released by the AARP showed that brain health is becoming an increasing concern, and that more Americans are aware of the potential benefit that playing brain games and doing puzzles may have in combating cognitive decline. The results...

Green algae combo may counter obesity-linked metabolic changes: Study

20-Apr-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A mixture of green algae extracts may lower body fat and improve lean mass in rats fed a high carbohydrate, high fat diet, says new study.

Research points to stable encapsulation of fish oil with multiple vitamins and bioactives

17-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

An encapsulation complex made up of gelatin and sodium hexametaphosphate could enable stable microencapsulation of fish oil with multiple lipophilic bioactive compounds, say researchers.

Low maternal DHA seriously impacts baby brain development: Frog findings

16-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Maternal deprivation of essential omega-3 fatty acids has a significant impact on the development of the brain, in particular dendrite maturation and synaptic connectivity, say researchers.

Superior bioavailability? Study backs krill oil over fish oil … but not because of phospholipids

13-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Krill oil may have better bioavailability of the essential omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA compared to fish oil, but variations are not because of differences between phospholipids and triglycerides, say researchers.

Omega-3 supplementation could offer MCI benefits: Pilot study

09-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with a drink containing 2000 mg of omega-3 and mixed botanicals could have ‘significant’ immune and biochemical effects in people that have minor cognitive impairment (MCI), new research suggests.

US web retailer pumps EU distribution as gym community swells

09-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

US site Bodybuilding.com has opened its first UK distribution centre to better cater to its customer base in Europe - part of a community that includes 25 million unique visitors to its websites each month.