Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Omega-3 fish oil may protect against alcohol-related dementia: Lab data

10-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of the omega-3 long chain fatty acid DHA could help to protect against alcohol-related dementia, according to new data from lab studies.

Scoular teams up with Arctic Nutrition of Norway to offer herring caviar extract

06-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The Scoular Company has announced that it is working with Arctic Nutrition of Norway to offer manufacturers of nutritional supplements a unique functional ingredient in the form of a DHA-rich, phospholipid-based omega-3 oil made from herring caviar.

New findings suggest DHA supplements can improve sleep quality

Omega-3 status linked to sleep quality in school children: New data

05-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of omega-3 from food or supplements could help to improve sleep quality in children, according to new data presented yesterday.

Aker doubles R&D team to take krill science beyond fish

04-Sep-2013 By Shane STARLING

Norwegian krill player Aker BioMarine has taken on eight scientists to drive nascent krill science forward and speed product development in the omega-3 category’s fastest growing sub-sector.

7-year gap: New nutrition concepts for a new elderly generation

02-Sep-2013 By Diana Cowland

The ageing population remains under-served in terms of functional food and drink products, says Euromonitor's Diana Cowland, despite 'elderlies' living longer and healthier than ever before.

Algae producer Solarvest nears market with organic omega-3 oil

30-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Algae production involves fostering the growth of individual, single cells.  But these remarkably flexible organisms afford multiple paths of entry into the nutraceutical business.  For Canadian company Solarvest Bioenergy, Inc., the path to its organic...

Fast growing gummy vitamin company hits 'home run' with crowd funding site

23-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

SmartyPants Vitamins, which specializes in delivering vitamin formulas via a gummy delivery system, has raised $2.59 million via a crowd funding platform to drive new growth.  Getting the money was nice, but saving time was even better, said company co...

Hybrid algae producer Heliae quietly approaches full scale production

22-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Early stage algae company Heliae has taken a quiet approach to business development.  While the Arizona-based company is close to coming to market with a range of nutraceutical ingredients, not much has been said about them in the marketplace or the press,...

Childhood allergy linked to omega-3 and omega-6: Study

22-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Babies born with high levels ofpoly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in cord blood may be more likely to develop respiratory and skin allergies in their early teens, according to new research.

Sea buckthorn and bilberries may improve metabolic and heart health for women: RCT data

20-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of sea buckthorn berries, its extracts, or bilberries may boost the overall metabolic profiles of overweight women, says a new study from Finland.

News in brief

GC Rieber names Novel Ingredient Services as US fish oil distributor

19-Aug-2013

Norway’s GC Rieber has selected Novel Ingredient Services as its exclusive US distributor for its omega-3 concentrates.

Herbal supplement sales rose 5.5% in US in 2012, ABC says

19-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Herbal dietary supplement sales increased 5.5% in the United States in 2012 according a new report in HerbalGram, the publication of the American Botanical Council.

Omega-3 rich infant formula may boost later intelligence: Study

16-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of a DHA-enriched formula in infancy may be linked to positive cognitive outcomes in childhood, according to new research data.

Omega Protein accelerates move into human nutrition sectors

09-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Continuing its move toward human nutrition markets has helped Omega Protein deal with a fluctuating supply situation which has seen a lower than average fish catch this year.

FTC mails checks from $2.1m fund created by NBTY to settle deceptive marketing charges over kids' multivitamins

09-Aug-2013 By Elaine WATSON

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has mailed 10,144 checks to reimburse consumers who bought Disney- or Marvel Hero-themed supplements for kids from NBTY and two subsidiaries under allegedly false pretenses.

Guest Commentary

A Whale of a Fish Story for Omega-3s

07-Aug-2013 By Steve Mister

There’s something fishy going on with omega-3s these days, and it appears that some of the consumer media who reported on the study fell for it – hook, line and sinker. Of course I’m talking about the study that recently published in the Journal of the...

Omega-3 fatty acids offer cancer potential: Lab study

05-Aug-2013

Omega-3s - in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - may offer benefits to people with certain cancers, according to new lab work suggesting that the fatty acids may help kill off cancerous cells.

Generation game: Effects of omega-3 deficiency may worsen over consecutive generations

30-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

The negative effects of poor omega-3 intake could become incrementally worse through consecutive generations, according to a new study.

US children’s supplement use is ‘moderate and appropriate’, says new survey

26-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The use of dietary supplements by an estimate 2.9 million US children is ‘moderate and appropriate’, according to a new survey.

GNC: We’re going to get aggressive with a marketing campaign to support fish oil

26-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The recent journal paper that claimed fish oil may increase the risk of prostate cancer is ‘one of the craziest articles I’ve read’, says GNC CEO Joe Fortunato, who says fish oil is ‘the most clinically tested, scientifically-based product we sell’.

Omega-3 and GLA supplement backed to battle dry eye: Trial data

26-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 and omega-6 could help to boost eye health for people who suffer with dry eye, according to new RCT data.

News in brief

Missed Bone & Joint Health 2013? Listen again free, on-demand

25-Jul-2013

Can you make inflammation claims regarding joint health? How do you differentiate products in the bone health sector where so many products are based on calcium and vitamin D?

FMC: 'We looked at the omega-3 area broadly and it was clear Epax was the premier property in this space'

25-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

While the $345m acquisition of omega-3 firm Epax will keep it busy for a while, FMC Corporation is still on the lookout for other deals in other high-growth areas of the nutraceuticals market, says the man in charge of its fast-growing health and nutrition...

FMC Corporation makes bold move into omega-3 market with $345m deal to buy Epax

24-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

US-based gums, hydrocolloids and natural colors expert FMC Corporation has moved into the omega-3 market with the acquisition of European fish oil giant Epax in a $345m deal.

Omega-3 levels for healthy school children 'well below the minimum recommended for good cardiovascular health in adults'

Omega-3 levels linked to cognition and behavior in schoolchildren: Oxford University study

19-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Blood levels of DHA and other omega-3s are directly related to measures of cognition and behavior in schoolchildren with below average reading ability, says a new study from the UK.

Industrial scale algae harvest promises EPA algal oil by year end

Commercial scale algal EPA due by year end, says Qualitas Health

16-Jul-2013

Israel-based algae firm Qualitas Health says it is on track to produce commercial quantities of EPA-rich algal omega-3 following its first industrial-scale harvest in the USA.

Not just industry slamming omega-3-prostate cancer links

15-Jul-2013 By Alan Ruth, PhD

Reaction to last week’s study linking omega-3 with prostate cancer have been vociferous and near-unanimous in condemning its methods and conclusions. Here Alan Ruth, PhD, and CEO of the Irish Health Trade Association (IHTA), explains why that condemnation...

Proprietary Nutritionals applies full court press to marketing of Celadrin ingredient

15-Jul-2013 By Hank Schultz

Proprietary Nutritionals president Dean Mosca said the company employs a “push and pull” strategy to help whip up demand  in the consumer marketplace for the supplements that contain the company’s ingredients.  And lately, part of that strategy has included...

Roquette to showcase algae ingredients at IFT after parting ways with Solazyme

12-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Two weeks after announcing a parting of ways with Californian joint venture (JV) partner and algae expert Solazyme, French ingredients giant Roquette says it will be showcasing two microalgae-based food ingredients at the IFT show in Chicago.

Experts slam omega-3 link to prostate cancer as overblown 'scaremongering'

12-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

A raft of industry and academic experts have slammed the publication of a recent study claiming to 'confirm' a link between long-chain omega-3s and an increased risk of prostate cancer - arguing that the authors conclusions are overblown and...

High levels of long chain omega-3 may increase prostate cancer risk: Study

11-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

A high intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from foods and supplements could increase the risk the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer by 71%, a new study has found.

Omega-3 intake may lower breast cancer risk, finds BMJ review

03-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Increasing intakes of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) could cut the risk of developing breast cancer by up to 14%, according to a meta-analysis of 26 clinical studies.

IADSA: Codex importance grows amid global food supplement law changes

03-Jul-2013

In a time of regional regulatory change affecting more than 100 countries, the International Association of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA) has emphasised the importance of global guideline setting organisation, Codex Alimentarius, which turns...

Omega-3 from fish and flax backed to prevent broken hips: Study

02-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consuming high levels of omega-3 fatty acidsmay reduce the risk for hip fractures in postmenopausal women, research suggests.

Omega-3 DHA’s brain health benefits may emerge in later childhood

27-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential brain health benefits of increased intake of DHA at birth may take several years to emerge, according to data from a small cohort of children.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

NIH releases database with info on 17,000 dietary supplement labels

18-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

A new government dietary supplement database now provides information on the ingredients thousands of finished products for the benefit of researchers, health care providers and consumers, according to the National Institutes of Health, which hosts the...

CLA community hits back at safflower oil claims: "Science wise, safflower oil is not a serious alternative to CLA for improved body composition"

14-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Leading CLA researchers and suppliers have slammed product claims that safflower oil is superior to CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) for reducing 'belly' fat, as the CLA community unites to set the record straight on the science.

Supplement users make healthier lifestyle choices: CRN Survey

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Users of dietary supplements seem to make healthier lifestyle choices compared to non-users, including exercising regularly, maintaining a healthy weight, and trying to eat a balanced diet, says a new survey from the  Council for Responsible Nutrition...

First krill powder study shows potential for metabolic syndrome

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of krill powder may reduce the overactive endocannabinoid system in obese subjects, and offer potential for ameliorating metabolic syndrome, says a small study using Aker BioMarine’s new Superba Krill powder.

Lakeview Farms and Oceans Omega claim industry first with gelatin cups fortified with omega-3 EPA and DHA

13-Jun-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Dips and desserts specialist Lakeview Farms and omega-3 emulsions expert Oceans Omega have unveiled what they claim are the first gelatin cups fortified with the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA.

Peruvian fishery ‘well placed’ for eco-certification, says MSC on world’s primary omega-3 source

11-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

The world’s biggest omega-3 source – Peru’s anchovy fishery – is moving toward Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) backing although the certifier says work remains before the fishery attains the increasingly popular eco seal of approval.

Denomega gains Friend of the Sea certification

10-Jun-2013

Denomega’s omega-3 cod liver oil processing plant in Leknes, Norway, has been certified by sustainable fishing watchdog, Friend of the Sea.

Epax chief: ‘We are the last of the big omega-3 independents’

10-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Epax CEO Ola Snove thinks the €2bn BASF and DSM buying frenzy that saw many major suppliers consolidated in their hands is ultimately a good thing for the €20bn+ sector – but its independence remains valued at Epax.

Monumental for maintenance of health? New study shows fish oil may boost heart health by influencing mental stress

10-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The heart health benefits of fish oil may be partly linked to its ability to blunt the detrimental cardiovascular effects of mental stress, says a new study from Michigan Technological University.

Omega-3s may boost artery function in smokers

07-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Cigarette smokers – a group at increased risk of heart problems – may benefit from daily omega-3 supplements, suggest new data from Greece.

Algae producer Cellana nears full scale production phase

05-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Another company developing algal ingredients is set to make a splash in the market.  San Diego-based Cellana has finished its development phase and is close to entering full scale production, according to company officials.

Abbott awards $8 million to 7 studies probing cognition-nutrition link

05-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Abbott Nutrition and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign have announced nearly $8 million in funding for nutrition and cognition studies in the second year of their research partnership.

Going non-GMO in dietary supplements: ‘The supply community is not there with us yet’, say manufacturers

05-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increasing consumer pressure and potential state legislation mandating labeling are leading dietary supplement manufacturers to face up to the challenges of going non-GMO, but the situation is complex and suppliers have more work to do than many would...

Neptune begins reconstruction of plant destroyed by fire

30-May-2013 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies & Bioressources Inc. has begun the reconstruction of its production facility in Sherbrooke, Québec that was destroyed by fire on Nov. 8, 2012.