Omega-3s & nutritional oils

An avocado a day could help keep cholesterol at bay

08-Jan-2015 By Nathan Gray

Eating one avocado a day may help lower bad cholesterol, in turn reducing risk for heart disease, according to researchers.

GRAS status opens up market for Ahiflower, a plant-based omega 3-6-9 oil with high SDA levels

07-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new competitor has arrived on the plant-based omega-3s scene with the announcement of FDA no-objection GRAS status for Ahiflower oil, an ingredient from Technology Crops International.  The oil offers a balance of omega-3, -6 and -9, according to the...

Fertility food supplement targets older couples

07-Jan-2015

An Israeli firm has debuted ‘his, her’s and theirs’ food supplements aimed at boosting the fertility of ageing couples who want children - the chances of pregnancy drop to as low as 5% after the age of 40.

NutraIngredients-USA: What’s on our special edition calendar for 2015?

07-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

From blood sugar management to an in-depth look at the retail sector, inflammation, outsourcing, and the latest trends in sports nutrition and immune support, Nutraingredients-USA’s 2015 editorial calendar of special editions spans the hottest trends...

Glycolipid-rich algal oil efficiently delivers omega-3s to tissues, study shows

06-Jan-2015 By Hank Schultz

Qualitas Health continues to build the scientific backing for its algal omega 3 oil ingredient with the recent release of a study on omega-3s uptake that shows the company’s Almega PL performs similarly to krill oil in a rat model. 

GOED: Planting positive messages in consumers' minds only way to quell overheated media climate that fosters sensational headlines

06-Jan-2015 By Adam Ismail, Executive director, Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3

Inflammation defines the era we live in today. I do not mean inflammation as it relates to health, instead I am referring to the inflammation of information and how consumers devour it. 

Fancy fats, digestive health & pumpkin: CHFA lists its top 5 trends for Canadian health food consumers

05-Jan-2015

Avocado oil, fermentation, non-GMOs… the Canadian Health Food Association (CHFA) has some interesting trend for Canadians when shopping at their local health food store in 2015.

NutraIngredients-USA predicts top industry influences in 2015

05-Jan-2015 By Stephen Daniells

As the New Year begins, NutraIngredients-USA predicts the top challenges and opportunities for the US dietary supplements industry in the year ahead.

Outsourcing, bone & joint health, LATAM, functional foods: lessons from 2014's special editions part 2

23-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

From polyphenols and prebiotics to a focus on Latin America, healthy aging and functional foods, NutraIngredients-USA’s special editions have set traffic records because of their in-depth coverage and exclusive content.  Today we feature part two of our...

‘Protein is the hottest functional food ingredient trend in the United States’: Packaged Facts

23-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Weight management, heart health, and digestive health are the top opportunities for functional food and beverage formulators, with growth in the sector driven by increasingly health-conscious consumers, says a new report from Packaged Facts.

Freshness, gentle processing compensate for different EPA, DHA levels, salmon oil supplier asserts

17-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

While the omega-3s market has been moving toward ever higher concentrations of EPA and DHA, there is still room for fresh, minimally processed oils with lower EPA and DHA concentrations, says Norwegian company Hofseth Biocare.  And there is even evidence...

Nutritional Armor: Dietary Supplements in the Military

17-Dec-2014 By Wayne B. Jonas, MD, President & CEO, Samueli Institute

A recent special issue to in the medical journal Military Medicine marks a shift in attitude and approach to dietary supplements by the U.S. military. 

Neptune launches NKO Focus backed by clinical data

16-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources has launched a blend of krill and lutein for brain and vision health, with clinical data  showing the absorption of lutein being improved by as much as eight times.

Annatto Tocotrienols are more potent vitamin E antioxidant for fish oil, says study

04-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Vitamin E tocotrienols from annatto may be better antioxidants than tocopherol-tocotrienol mixtures or alpha-tocopherol alone, suggests a recent study testing infant formula containing omega-3 fatty acids.

Nutegrity joins omega-3s blending game with new fish oil/phospholipid ingredient

03-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

Nutegrity, the human nutrition division of Omega Protein Corporation, has joined the omega-3s blending game with a new ingredient called OmegaActiv + PL. The new product is a mix of triglyceride fish oil and phospholipids.

Plenty of stretch left in omega-3s supply, says BASF as it moves increasingly toward concentrates

02-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

The omega-3s market is moving toward ever higher concentrations, and BASF is convinced there is ample supply to bear the increased demand on raw material.

Ingredients supplier Maypro enters sales deal that includes Nebraska Cultures probiotics

02-Dec-2014 By Hank Schultz

Ingredient supplier Maypro has extended its branded ingredient offerings via a strategic sales partnership with Wilke Industries. It’s part of the company’s push to remain relevant in the rapidly evolving ingredient supplier landscape, said Maypro executive...

Capsugel sees increase in Licaps demand as product manufacturers seek ‘best solutions for challenging ingredients’

02-Dec-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Challenging ingredients like krill oil and fish oil are driving demand for Capsugel’s Licaps liquid-filled hard capsule technology, says the company, as Healthy Directions becomes the latest manufacturer to use the capsules for its Krill Omega Defense...

Agro-industry seed ‘waste’ is promising source of oils and ingredients

01-Dec-2014 By Nathan Gray

Agricultural and agro-industry waste could serve as an important alternative source of vegetable oils and bioactive ingredients for functional foods, according to new research.

Study backs satiety effect of patented oat lipid preparation

01-Dec-2014 By Lynda Searby

Oats have been shown in several studies to keep hunger at bay and now research from Lund University in Sweden has shown that liposomes from fractionated oat oil induce satiety.

Qualitas passes milestone with launch of first consumer products featuring its algal EPA oil

21-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Qualitas Health has achieved a significant milestone with the launch of two consumer products that feature the company’s algal-based EPA ingredient branded as Almega PL.

BASF sells Norwegian omega-3 business to US firm

21-Nov-2014 By Shane STARLING

BASF has sold its Norwegian, “natural fish oils, medium-concentrated omega-3s, and customised bottled fish oil” plant to Pennsylvania firm Marine Ingredients for an undisclosed sum as the German ingredients and chemicals giant switches its focus to high-end...

Always Omega-3s consumer campaign doubles sales in test market

20-Nov-2014 By Stephen Daniells

An integrated marketing campaign to change the conversation on omega-3s and reverse declining sales has increased sales by almost 6% in four weeks in the test market in Charlotte, NC, says GOED.

Special edition: functional foods

Pill fatigue is driving innovation in space between functional foods and supplements, experts say

20-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Is pill fatigue just a marketing ploy? No, say many experts in the field.  It’s a real phenomenon and it’s driving both dosage form innovation and the movement of bioactives into functional foods.

Omega Protein's Q3 revenues plunge on low oil yield from menhaden harvest

19-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein suffered steep declines in revenues and earnings in its third quarter of 2014. Human nutrition segment revenues increased, but only partly offset declines in animal nutrition revenues.

Why fish oil fails: Omega-3 review retracted after suspicions raised about author

14-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A peer-reviewed journal has pulled a panning review of omega-3 benefits as concerns about its author's conflicts of interest and credentials were flagged.

Fish oil group warns of lower omega-3 levels in salmon

13-Nov-2014 By Shane Starling

Omega-3 levels in farmed salmon - one of the major contributors of dietary fatty acids – are dropping due to changes in fish feed, a global industry group has warned.

PUFAs may boost muscle strength in older people, but relationship is complex, says new study

13-Nov-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased levels of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) may be associated with bigger muscles and greater knee extension strength in older people, says a new study.

There's room for growth in supply of omega-3 oils from US sources, GOED official says

10-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

The recent closure of the fishing season in Peru will sent a pulse through the omega-3s market. Aldo Bernasconi, PhD of GOED, analyzed some recent data for NutraIngredients-USA to give a picture about how that temporary scarcity might affect niche US...

Negative media and a lack of innovation: Vitamin Shoppe CEO on ’positive’ but ‘lower than expected’ Q3 results

05-Nov-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplement retailing giant Vitamin Shoppe has reported a 3.1% increase in comparable retail store sales and a 10.5% increase in e-commerce sales, but despite this positive performance 'comparable sales were at the low end of our expectations',...

First sustainability report provides benchmark for Omega Protein's message that it is a "responsible company"

04-Nov-2014 By Hank Schultz

Joining a host of other companies seeking to highlight their green bona fides, Omega Protein Corporation has released its first corporate sustainability report.  It’s not just about fishing; the report looks at the company’s energy and water usage and...

Nutrition sector challenges hurt DSM Q3 results; profits down 7%

04-Nov-2014 By Shane STARLING

Q3 net profits dropped about 20% at DSM with the Dutch-Swiss ingredients giant citing vitamin E market issues and, “challenges in some human nutrition end-markets” as key contributing factors.

Questions about Peruvian fishery highlight advantages of algal omega-3 supply, expert says

27-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

It’s unclear what the impending closure of the Peruvian anchovy fishing season will have on the long term supply picture in the omega-3s sphere. But one thing is clear, it will highlight the security advantages that algal ingredients provide, an expert...

Supply problems with Peruvian anchovy could create opportunity for alternative marine omega-3 sources

23-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

The closure of the upcoming fishing season in Peru will have a generally positive effect on the suppliers of other niche omega-3 marine ingredients, sources say.  But it is more complex than a mere commodity relationship in which scarcity in one source...

‘There is a market opportunity around delivery forms’ – BASF taps nutrition and pharma expertise to boost consumer health

20-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Ingredients giant BASF is leveraging its ‘unique expertise’ in nutrition and pharma in technologies, capabilities, and ingredients for the ‘next generation of dietary supplements’, the company tells NutraIngredients-USA.

BlueOcean to debut high phospholipid omega-3 shrimp oil via licensing deal with Neptune

20-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

BlueOcean NutraSciences, which had earlier signed agreements with cold water shrimp harvesters to use its extraction technology to extract omega 3 oils for the leftovers of shrimp processing, has signed a licencing agreement with Neptune Technologies...

New class of ‘good’ fat could aid diabetes prevention

20-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

The ‘surprising’ discovery of a previously unidentified class of lipid molecules that enhance insulin sensitivity and blood sugar control could offer a route to the prevention of type 2 diabetes, say researchers.

Bamboo fiber, protein beverages, and gummies: Hydrocolloid expert talks innovative delivery systems

15-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Beverages continue to be one of the hot beds for innovation when it comes to nutrient fortification, with insoluble fiber, nutritional oils, and (of course) protein all catching the eye.

Insights from SupplySide West

‘We think the campaign will definitely have an effect’: GOED on ‘positive messaging’ to change omega-3 conversation

15-Oct-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

The Global Organization for EPA and DHA Omega-3s’ campaign to promote positive messages about omega-3s has finally launched, but more funds needs to be raised to allow a national roll-out, said GOED’s Adam Ismail.

EFSA gives DSM green light on algal omega-3 extension

10-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

The European Food Safety Agency (EFSA) has granted an extension of use for docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) and eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA)-rich algal oil from Schizochytrium sp. as a novel food ingredient. 

With a strong El Nino decimating stocks, Peru shuts down omega-3 anchovy fishery

10-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

Authorities have closed the upcoming three-month anchovy fishing season in Peru because insufficient numbers of fish were found in a recent acoustic survey. Fishing quotas have been sharply reduced during other low fish seasons, but this is the first...

Boulder startup aims to turn waste CO2 from breweries into omega-3 oils

06-Oct-2014 By Hank Schultz

A Boulder start-up aims to turn a waste stream from one value-added product—beer—into another: algal omega-3 oils.

Lutein + zeaxanthin may boost visual processing speed: RCT data

02-Oct-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Lutein and zeaxanthin may boost visual processing speed even in young people at their peak, says a new study that ties together the eye and brain health benefits of the carotenoids.

Quote/unquote: Gut health, sports nutrition, and curcumin - The best of Bénéfiq 2014

26-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

We headed to Quebec City this week to attend the 2nd instalment of Bénéfiq, an international rendezvous on health ingredients, and we’ve plucked a few pearls of wisdom from the podium for your reading pleasure…

Special edition: LATAM

Inflation likely to moderate strong growth of supplements market in Argentina

25-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement market in Argentina is thriving despite import barriers and economic uncertainty caused by inflation, according to a recent report by Euromonitor.  The forecast for the immediate future is continued growth, albeit it at a slower...

Summit session to focus on 'freshness' of omega-3s

24-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Marketers of omega-3s talk a lot about freshness, but it’s not what the consumer understands with the term.  It’s really about controlling oxidation and it can have a big impact on the sensory experience, experts say.

Special Edition: LATAM

Mexico and Brazil: A tale of two very different supplement markets

24-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

They have dietary supplement markets of approximately equal value and growth, but with vastly different population sizes, market dynamics, and regulatory environments. As part of our special on LATAM, we take a look at the region's two big fish.

Special Edition: LATAM

Hispanics are key opportunity for supplement marketers, Packaged Facts report says

22-Sep-2014 By Hank Schultz

Hispanic consumers are an area of untapped growth potential for dietary supplement marketers, according to a report from market research firms Packaged Facts.

Dispatches from Euro Fed Lipid Congress, Montpellier

UK researcher backs supplements for boosting omega-3 intakes

22-Sep-2014 By Anna Bonar

Omega-3 supplements are key to boosting intakes, a UK researcher says, and marine omega-3 fatty acids are more beneficial than their plant-based counterparts.

DPA, vitamins D and K ‘should be investigated’ for cognitive health, says new review

19-Sep-2014 By Stephen Daniells

A focus on new nutrients, a more holistic approach, and innovative clinical trials using omics technology may help better support the role of nutrition in cognitive health, says a new review.