Omega-3s & nutritional oils

April 8, 14:00 CET: Experts debate hot issues in NutraIngredients omega-3 forum

Omega-3 hits €25bn but can it keep growing?

03-Apr-2015 By Shane STARLING

Are omega-3 fisheries really under threat? How many functional foods have cracked omega-3 blockbuster status? How is the sector recovering from the ‘Brasky effect’? How are developing markets developing? How is the latest research influencing regulation?...

Olive oil polyphenol backed for selective anti-cancer potential

03-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

A phenolic compound known as oleocanthal can selectively kill cancerous cells while leaving healthy cells intact, say researchers, who suggest their novel findings may explain why olive oil is linked to decreased cancer risk.

Major algae producer to test BlueOcean's CO2 infusion technology

02-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

BlueOcean NutraSciences Inc. is expanding its reach in the algal omega-3s sphere with the announcement of a deal in which a major commercial algae producer will test the company’s proprietary CO2 infusion technology that purports to boost growth rates...

Aker verifies krill oil ingredient as non-GMO

02-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Aker BioMarine Antarctic US, the world’s foremost harvester of krill and a leading supplier of krill oil, has announced that its Superba krill oil ingredient has achieved Non-GMO Project Verified status.

DHA supplements for lactating women may offer breast milk and baby benefits

02-Apr-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with DHA omega-3 in lactating women increases breast milk levels of the essential fatty acid, and could help infants achieve a better omega 3:6 ratio, finds new research from Abbot Nutrition.

Do single-ingredient groups help convey industry's message, or contribute to the cacophony?

01-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Single ingredient trade groups are becoming an increasingly common feature of the dietary supplement industry.  Whether they burnish the overall image of the sector or serve to further Balkanize the industry’s message is a matter of debate.

Not just for hippies: Hemp's rising superfood status

01-Apr-2015 By RJ Whitehead

Bursting with nutrients and boasting an impressive growth rate, the future of hemp seed is bright– but what’s the best way for manufacturers to cash in on a product that is connected – mistakenly but understandably – with an illegal drug?

Nearly three-quarters of pregnant women do not get enough omega-3, finds study

27-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

Despite being critical for infant development, just 27% of pregnant women get enough omega-3 to meet current European Union (EU) recommendations, say researchers.

Neptune gets partly favorable krill oil patent ruling, but royalty payouts await appeal

24-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

In what one side is billing as the final act in the krill wars in North America, the US Patent and Trademark Office has ruled to uphold certain claims of a longstanding patent held by Neptune Technologies and Bioressources. But the handle of the buried...

Omega-3 may help fight prostate cancer

19-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Omega-3 fatty acids inhibit the growth and spread of prostate cancer cells, say scientists – challenging a 2013 study which claimed omega-3s increase the risk of prostate cancer by 71%.

Nutritional supplement shown to be effective in reducing female hair loss

19-Mar-2015 By Andrew MCDOUGALL

Hair loss is a distressing thing for anyone, and is particularly so for women, but scientists have found that taking a nutritional supplement can improve the overall scalp coverage and hair condition.

Nascent fund calls for research proposals pertaining to krill sustainability

18-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new nongovernmental organization devoted to research on the Antarctic ecosystem, source of the world’s krill oil omega-3 supplements, has called for its initial round of research proposals.

GOED launches national omega-3s campaign based on successful test market trial

17-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Building on a successful test run in North Carolina, the Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) has launched a nationwide ad campaign to boost the profile of omega-3s.

Special edition: Beauty from within

Beauty From Within turns ugly for L’Oréal and Nestlé

17-Mar-2015 By Shane STARLING

It promised so much – the globe’s biggest cosmetic and food players L’Oréal and Nestlé applying serious marketing, research and NPD clout to drive a nascent category into the mainstream public consciousness. It was going to make beauty from within (BFW)...

Qualitas says drawbacks of open pond algae cultivation easily dealt with

17-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Qualitas Health, a supplier of a unique polar-lipid structured algal omega-3 ingredient, is now at full scale production and is participating in what an executive calls “the future of omega-3s.”

Bioriginal results boost Omega Protein's bottom line

16-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein corporation reported 55% year-over-year revenue growth in its fourth-quarter 2014 financial report, driven in large part by the contribution of omega-3 specialty supplier Bioriginal, which the company acquired in September of last year.

Newly available oilseed species features 'game changing' SDA content

16-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new, more efficient form of plant-based omega-3s is coming to market in the form of Ahiflower, the branded name of a special strain of an oilseed species that has been developed by British firm Technology Crops International to contain high levels of...

Tersus Pharmaceuticals build science and for heart health benefits of omega-7

16-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Purified palmitoleic acid, an omega-7 fatty acid, may slash levels of C-reaction protein (CRP), a key biomarker of inflammation, by a whopping 44%, say results of a randomized clinical trial from the prestigious Cleveland Clinic.

Lutein and DHA ‘need attention’ as healthy aging bioactives: Tufts researcher

12-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A lack of attention on key bioactives like lutein and DHA, misinformation from the internet, and the medical community's focus on treatment rather than prevention are just a few of the issues that need to be addressed to promote healthy aging, says...

Latin America

Krill fishery offers opportunity to "get it right," sustainability expert says

11-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The krill fishery offers a “last opportunity to get it right,” according to fisheries expert Dr Rudolfo Werner of Argentina. 

Latin America

Collapse of Peru fishery less significant than first feared, omega-3s suppliers say

11-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

The spike sent through the supply market for omega-3s by the closure of the anchovy fishing season in Peru has stimulated new sources of oil to come to the fore and has been mitigated by inventory built into the system, experts said.

Vertical integration positions Marine Ingredients to reap benefits of omega-3s turnaround

09-Mar-2015 By Hank Schultz

Marine Ingredients is poised to reap the benefits of the expected rebound in the market for omega-3s with the opening of a new extraction facility in Alaska and the integration of its newly acquired factory in Norway, which it bought from BASF.

Better together? Co-encapsulation study shows potential for stable omega-3 and probiotic mix

05-Mar-2015 By Nathan Gray

New research describing the stable co-encapsulation of omega-3 rich oil with probiotic bacteria could be a boon for manufacturers looking to incorporate the functional ingredients in to foods and supplements, say researchers.

Mussels for muscles: Green lipped mussel extract may ease muscle damage during exercise

03-Mar-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Extracts from New Zealand green lipped mussels may reduce muscle soreness and fatigue after exercise and reduce markers of muscle damage, says a new study.

Researchers delve into nutrition solutions for illness–prone athletes

27-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is a need for greater research into nutrition solutions for upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) that are common in athletes, according to the researcher behind a study on the impact of omega-3, vitamin D and protein supplementation.

Vitamin D and omega-3 together may help mental illness

27-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Vitamin D and omega-3 could work together to improve cognitive function and social behaviour with particular relevance for battling ADHD, schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, say researchers.

Alpha-lipoic acid + EPA may promote body weight loss in healthy overweight women: Study

27-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of alpha-lipoic acid, with or without EPA omega-3, may help promote weight loss in obese and overweight women on a reduced calorie diet, says a new study from Spain.

Vitamin Shoppe CEO on ripple effects of NY AG probe: ‘We’ve seen a slight impact, but not a dramatic impact’

24-Feb-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Retailers not involved in the NY Attorney General’s investigation into the quality and standard of botanical supplements are also feeling an impact, albeit slight, says Tony Truesdale, CEO of Vitamin Shoppe.

NIH survey of supplement use shows strong support for omega-3s, wavering commitment to joint ingredients and echinacea

24-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recently released survey by the National Institutes of Health showed significant shifts in how Americans were using dietary supplements in the years between 2007 and 2012.  Those shifts were ranged against results from earlier surveys done in 2002 and...

BlueOcean targets tablet form of omega-3 delivery via latest joint venture

23-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

BlueOcean NutraSciences has signed a joint venture agreement with a Canadian technology firm to bring a slow release tablet form of omega-3s to market using its algal and shrimp oils, the company announced last week. The technology could also be used...

Special Edition: Going Non GMO in Supplements

Non GMO supplement ingredients are available, but price might be a shock, expert says

23-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

As the issue of mandatory GMO labeling looms ever larger on the radar of the dietary supplements industry, so too looms the question of supply of non GMO ingredients. The main active ingredients in supplements are for the most part of little concern,...

Proven ingredients, omega-3s for cross sell key to success in cognitive health space, marketing experts say

20-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Marketers of cognitive support products experience some common pitfalls, according to experts at NutraScience Labs, the newly constituted marketing arm of Twinlab. Failure to rely on proven ingredients and lack of an omega-3 in the product lineup to provide...

Warning letter slams coconut oil marketer over disease claims

18-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration has issued a warning letter to a coconut oil manufacturer for violations that included making drug claims on specific chemical constituents of the oil.

Neptune’s new CEO: ‘Science will drive the next wave of change in the omega-3 market’

18-Feb-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Jim Hamilton is expecting an ‘incredibly intriguing future’ for omega-3 and krill, with Neptune Technologies & Bioressources’ new CEO looking to the science to drive future development in the sector.

New flavours for omega-3 aimed at children and pregnant women

13-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Croda has added two new flavours to its omega-3 syrup range that are easier to swallow than capsules for pregnant women and children.

Usana's center of gravity continues to shift toward China

12-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

Usana Health Sciences posted strong fourth quarter results dampened somewhat by a discounting program undertaken to boost sales, the company announced this week. The company continued to show the fastest sales increases in China, while results in North...

Algae newcomer says it is using low-risk, proven fermentation approach to bring EPA-only oil to market

11-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

The increased concern about the sustainability of omega-3s supply has given a powerful push to the development of alternative sources, now giving rise to yet another algae supplier. This one has a twist, though; officials with AlgiSys, a development stage...

Giant confronting omega-3, vitamin E challenges

DSM nutrition profits dip 7% in 2014

11-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Pricing and sector market challenges, currency fluctuations and some stiff economic headwinds have contributed to 2014 full-year EBITDA profits sliding 7% for the world’s biggest nutrient player, DSM.

Scandinavian herring roe starting to deliver on omega-3 promise

10-Feb-2015 By Shane STARLING

Herring by-products like immature roe are proving a bountiful source for omega-3s in Norway, with research showing strong market potential.

Weak omega-3s demand a blemish on FMC's nutritional sector revenues

06-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

FMC Corporation reported revenues in its health and nutrition sector of $828 million for its 2014 fiscal year.  Soft omega-3 demand for the year was a blemish on an otherwise robust sector performance, the company said.

Web portal established to share best supplement practices among health care practitioners

06-Feb-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new integrative learning tool for alternative health care practitioners aims to share what they’ve learned hands-on in their practices including how best to use dietary supplements to help their patients.

Wine industry by-products create stable delivery system for resveratrol

20-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining oil and extracts from grape seeds, two by-products from the wine industry, can form stable nanoemulsions for delivering resveratrol, and protect the ingredient for use in functional food applications.

Aker says MSC recertification eliminates any lingering doubts on sustainability of krill

19-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Aker BioMarine, the world’s largest single harvester of krill, says a renewed Marine Stewardship Council certification of its Antarctic fishery should finally put sustainability concerns about its operations to rest. 

‘A very limited analysis of the scientific literature’: Expert slams EFSA’s CLA decision & concerns

19-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The recent negative opinion from EFSA for CLA and weight management is “frustrating” and questions raised over the safety of the ingredient “contradict the science supporting the biological activities of CLA”, a leading researcher tells NutraIngredients-USA.

Neptune to focus on cutting costs, shoring up supply arrangements now that production has reached pre-fire level

15-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources trimmed its year-over-year net loss by more than $3 million in its third quarter earnings statement.  For the future the company said it plans to focus on cutting costs at its restarted krill oil production plant...

‘Excipient foods' show promise in enhancing nutrient bioavailability

14-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Improving the design of functional and finished products by better understanding the role of excipient foods could help increase the bioavailability of functional nutrients, according to new research.

Company agrees to FTC demand to stop making claims on supplements aimed at kids with speech disorders

12-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

A company that markets supplements aimed at children with speech disorders associated with autism has agreed to stop making what the Federal Trade Commission deemed were deceptive claims on its products and to pay a substantial fine in a settlement, the...

Fish and borage/echium oil may improve metabolic syndrome biomarkers: Human data

09-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplementing the diet of people with early-stage type-2 diabetes or metabolic syndrome with fish oil or a combination of borage and echium oil may improve cholesterol levels and other biomarkers, says a new study.

Chia is here to stay, thanks to long-term planning by The Chia Co.

09-Jan-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

A few years ago, chia seeds were virtually unheard of in the U.S., but now they are available across food categories and retail channels in a plethora of finished consumer goods and as an ingredient, thanks largely to long-range planning by The Chia Co.

Guest article

UNPA: On a host of issues, it's back to the future in 2015

08-Jan-2015 By Loren Israelsen, president of the United Natural Products Alliance

On the cusp of its 30th anniversary, there’s been a lot of talk about the look forward provided by the 1985 movie, Back to the Future. A similar look back at the natural health products industry to see the future is not such a far-fetched idea. A number...