Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Maternal omega-3 supplements reduce preterm birth risk: Study

26-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

Prenatal supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA may help to cut the risk of preterm and low birth weight babies, says new study data.

Dispatches from the 6th International Congress on Vegetarian Nutrition

Mediterranean diet cuts heart disease risk by 30%: 'Landmark’ study provides compelling evidence that it’s the type, not the level of fat, that counts for cardio health

26-Feb-2013 By Elaine Watson, Loma Linda, California

People following an energy unrestricted plant-based diet supplemented with extra-virgin olive oil or nuts can reduce their risk of a major cardiovascular event by 30% compared with people following a purely low-fat diet, according to a “landmark” new...

GOED: Pharma is important for omega-3 but growing slowly

25-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

Pharmaceutical omega-3 products are important but will grow more slowly than some expect because of the long timeframe for drug approval, says the chief of the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED).

Fish oil supply crisis forces omega-3 price hike at DSM

22-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

DSM’s bulging lipid business has bumped fish-sourced omega-3 oil prices 15% as crude fish oil stock prices skyrocket in the face of increasing demands on global fisheries.

Special edition: Omega-3 (Editor's blog)

How high can high-end omega-3 go?

21-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

Just got off the phone to Ola Snove, the new(ish) CEO of Aker part-owned Norwegian omega-3 specialist Epax. Wanted to know his view on high-end omega-3 prospects that have attracted BASF and DSM to the sector. His word: “Stellar”.

Special edition: Omega-3

Finished product fortification: Tackling the challenges of omega-3 in processed foods

21-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

Omega-3 is the undisputed champion of the supplement and health food world. Yet its translation into everyday food products is slow and challenging because of the complex interactions that need to be tracked in a finished food, say experts.

Special edition: Omega-3s

Marine omega-3 sources are clearing sustainability bar - so far

21-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

Fish oil, an ingredient with a 150-year plus history as a nutraceutical, continues to be the mainstay of the world’s supply of omega-3s.  But, with all of the questions hovering over the health of the oceans, how much longer can suppliers and manufacturers...

Battle of the omega-3 forms: Triglycerides, ethyl esters, or phospholipids?

21-Feb-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

As the number of omega-3 sources in the market increases, including fish, krill, squid, algae, and plant, suppliers are increasingly using the omega-3 form to differentiate their products. But where does the science currently stand, which questions remain,...

Special edition: Omega-3

Finding the sweet spot in the algal omega-3 market

21-Feb-2013 By Elaine WATSON

Most experts say we have barely scratched the surface when it comes to exploring the commercial potential of microalgae. But who is best-placed to translate this promise into hard cash in the food and dietary supplement market?

Omega-3 and vitamin D may help clear Alzheimer's plaques

12-Feb-2013 By Nathan Gray

Researchers have pinpointed the mechanism behind vitamin D3 and omega-3’s ability to enhance the immune system's ability to clear the brain of amyloid plaques that are associated with Alzheimer's Disease.

EU fisheries 'discard ban' can help meet booming omega-3 oil demand: IFFO

11-Feb-2013 By Sha

Banning European fisherman from throwing away unintended catches and fillet waste can provide a significant boost to fish oil and fish meal supplies, says a global marine ingredients group.

NSF continues expansion with Canadian training center merger

06-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

NSF International continues its global expansion with a merger with the Ontario-based Guelph Food Technology Centre.  The merger comes on the heels of a Peruvian food testing organization.

Neptune ups ante by filing unfair trade complaint against krill competitors

30-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

In another busy day in the ongoing struggle  among krill oil suppliers over IP protection, a trade complaint was filed, this time with the International Trade Commission, and the re-examination of a patent passed a procedural benchmark that one company...

NSF expands in Latin America with Peruvian acquisition

30-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

NSF International announced a significant expansion of its footprint in Latin America with the acquisition of INASSA Group of Lima, Peru.  INASSA provides technical analysis, laboratory and sanitation services. In particular, the move means NSF will be...

Neptune gets new US krill oil patent while announcing management shuffle

28-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources said it will be granted a new US patent for its krill oil and has announced a management reorganization pertaining to the company’s continued efforts to recover from a fire that destroyed its manufacturing plant.

Omega-3 rich diet can boost children’s IQ, says meta-analysis

28-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementing children's diets with fish oil is one of several effective ways to raise a young child’s IQ levels, according to a new report.

Of mice and men: Experts challenge omega-6, omega-3 mouse gut health study

28-Jan-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Leading omega-3 experts have challenged results of a study with mice that found that a diet rich in omega-6 fatty acids may disrupt gut microbiota, and that supplemental fish oil may make things worse.

Insurance payments, cash on hand will sustain Neptune, exec says

18-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources stands to recover as much as $20 million in insurance payments stemming from the explosion and fire that destroyed the company’s production facility, the company said in a conference call with investors yesterday.

‘The secret’s out!’ Muscle Milk maker targets active women with Evolve with CLA

16-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

CytoSport, Inc., maker of Muscle Milk, has launched a new protein shake containing BASF’s CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) for women with active, healthy lifestyles.

CRN says fish oil standard might be better sans stab at fingerprinting fish

16-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has submitted comments to the Codex Alimentarius Commission recommending substantive changes to the proposed draft standards for fish oils, the organization announced yesterday.

Don't throw supplements baby out with observational study bathwater, expert urges

16-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Another Harvard publication has warned readers that supplements are all style and no substance.  In the January edition of Harvard Women’s Health Watch, the authors downplayed the purported effects of supplements because most of this information has come...

Drought, ethanol hangovers only blemishes on Cargill's second quarter earnings

14-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Cargill has reported a more than 300% increase in year-over-year second quarter net earnings, from $100 in 2012 to $409 million in 2013.  The only blemishs on the earnings report were lingering effects from the 2012 drought in the US and overcapacity...

Fish oil plus sterols and B vitamin may improve heart disease risk factors: Pilot study

11-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

A mixture of B vitamins, fish oils and plant sterols shows promise in boosting heart health by improving the lipid profile of young people with high levels of cholesterol, according to new research.  

USP's draft krill oil monograph could help bring consistency to sector

10-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

The recent announcement by USP of a proposed new standard for krill oil could help boost customer and consumer certainty about the ingredient, experts said.

2000-year-old food supplements found in Tuscan shipwreck

08-Jan-2013 By Shane STARLING

Italian researchers have uncovered zinc food supplements thought to treat eye problems from a shipwreck off the coast of Tuscany.

‘Intriguing’ study shows heart health benefits of omega-3-rich yogurt

07-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of omega-3-fortified yogurt may help boost heart health, says a new study that may ‘intrigue CPG companies to begin or continue their formulation efforts’.

Neptune slapped with two more shareholders' rights lawsuits

02-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Krill oil producer Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has been slapped with two additional class action shareholders’ rights lawsuits and another two law firms have announced investigations into whether the company has violated securities laws.

Omega Protein's Atlantic menhaden catch to be cut by 20%

19-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

Omega Protein, the largest manufacturer of fish oil omega-3s based in the US, will have to live with a 20% reduction in the amount of menhaden it can harvest in the Atlantic, the company announced recently.

M&A: BASF extends ProNova offer after only 67% sell; DSM confirms Fortitech buy

19-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

BASF has extended the bid period for its €650m offer to buy high-dose omega-3 specialist Pronova BioPharma, after only 67.2% of the Norwegian firm’s shareholders  agreed to sell their stakes.

Booming private label demand drives contract manufacturer's growth

17-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

In another example of the growth of the dietary supplement sector, Atlanta-based contract manufacturer Private Label Nutraceuticals announced a significant expansion.

BASF nutrition president on high-end omega-3, Equateq and the phood “white space”

13-Dec-2012 By Shane Starling

BASF is moving en masse into omega-3 - especially if its bid for Norwegian player Pronova is approved - but it is technology gained from its May acquisition of a high-dose omega-3 start-up on a remote Scottish island, that is exciting the German giant.

CoQ10 and omega-3 show prostate benefits: RCT data

12-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of coenzyme Q10 and omega-3 may offer potential prostate benefits by reducing levels of a PSA, linked to prostate cancer risk, says a new study.

Fish oil, glucosamine and chondroitin lead the way for anti-inflammatory potential: Study

11-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Regular use of dietary supplements containing fish oil, or glucosamine and chondroitin may reduce markers of inflammation by up to 22%, says a new study.

Omega-3 supplementation may slash bed sores in critically ill

10-Dec-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 rich fish oils could help to cut pressure ulcers and bed sores by up to 25%, say researchers.

Multi-nutrient supplement shows big benefits for lung function in asthmatics

07-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

A supplement containing a combination of fish oil, probiotics, and extracts from fruit and vegetables may improve lung function in young asthmatics, says a new study from Taiwan.

Does CLA boost bone health for men?

07-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Long-term intakes of conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) may be associated with bone strength in men, says a new study from Canada and Australia, but the conclusions have been questioned by a leading CLA supplier.

Shareholder rights law firm investigates Neptune

06-Dec-2012

Zeldes & Haeggquist, a San Diego based shareholders rights law firm, has announced an investigation into possible securities violations by Neptune Technologies & Bioressources following the destruction by fire of the company’s production facilities...

Korean pine nut oil shows metabolic benefits: Mouse data

05-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Weight gain from eating a high fat food may be less when the diet is supplemented with pine nut oil, says a new study from Korea and Japan.

Omega-3 may delay metabolic malady and block mental declines: Study

03-Dec-2012 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) could postpone the onset of metabolic disorders and associated declines in cognitive functioning, according to new research.

Krill wars

Neptune and Aker facing off in court yet again

30-Nov-2012 By RJ Whitehead

Australia is the site of the latest battle between Neptune and Aker Biomarine. In addition to patent strife between the two krill majors in American courts, Canadian Neptune has now announced that it filed opposition to an Aker patent application earlier...

Flaxseed shows blood pressure-lowering potential: Study

30-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of flaxseed-fortified bakery products may reduce blood pressure levels in patients with peripheral arterial disease (PAD), suggests new data presented at the November American Heart Association 2012 Scientific Sessions.

‘Evidence is strong’ for omega-3’s heart health benefits: Linus Pauling review

29-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

The evidence supporting the heart health benefits of omega-3 fatty acids is strong, despite ‘less conclusive’ recent studies, says a new review from the Linus Pauling Institute at Oregon State University.

Neptune to outsource production as part of recovery plan

27-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources has announced a plan to recover from an explosion and fire at its processing plant in Sherbrooke, Quebec that put a halt to production of  the company’s krill oil products.

Equateq, Cognis and Pronova: “Each are complementary”, says BASF

26-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

BASF’s ever-expanding nutrition unit says its €644m bid last week bid for Norwegian omega-3 firm, Pronova Biopharma, is as important for its food supplements business as its pharmaceutical operations.

Omega-3 backed for postpartum depression

26-Nov-2012

Increasing the levels of omega-3 fatty acids could help to battle postpartum depression, according to a new review.

Reckitt Benckiser-Schiff: Another giant jumps into nutra space

22-Nov-2012 By Shane STARLING

UK-based consumer goods firm Reckitt Benckiser told NutraIngredients today, “nutrition had been on its radar for awhile”, as it plunged $1.4bn (€1.09bn) to outbid German pharma firm Bayer for the US’s second biggest dietary supplements firm, Schiff Nutrition...

Fluxome finds a last-minute buyer: But is it resveratrol or omega-3 to be sold?

22-Nov-2012 By Shane STARLING

Swiss biotech firm Evolva has agreed to buy undisclosed assets from Fluxome, as it leaves its pure pharma research past in the dust and throws the embattled Danish supplier a lifeline.

‘Huge’ opportunities in the emerging cognitive health market: Enzymotec USA CEO

21-Nov-2012 By Hank Schultz

The cognitive health sector offers huge opportunities for dietary supplements, but it’s still evolving, says the CEO of Enzymotec USA.

Functional foodstuffs: The challenge of omega-3 in finished products

15-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray in Frankfurt

The challenge of getting beneficial omega-3 fatty acids into finished products is a big one for the food ingredients and manufacturing industry. But how can suppliers and manufacturers work to get these ingredients into a wider range of products?

Guest editorial: Steve Mister, President & CEO, CRN

Multivitamins – They Won’t Wash the Windows or Change the Oil Either!

13-Nov-2012

Positive results of the Physicians’ Health Study II show that supplement users - usually more likely to have healthier lifestyles than non-users - may gain potential additional benefits from a daily multivitamin. In this special guest article, Steve Mister,...