Probiotics, prebiotics & postbiotics

TODAY! Experts to discuss benefits of probiotics beyond digestive health in upcoming webinar

11-Dec-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Experts from Jarrow Formulas, the International Probiotics Association, Increnovo, and Tufts University will discuss the state of the science and what the future holds in a FREE webinar today hosted by NutraIngredients-USA.

Proposals for harmonized probiotic guidelines stay on CODEX agenda

10-Dec-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The Codex Committee on Nutrition and Foods for Special Dietary Uses will continue to explore work on harmonized probiotic guidelines despite opposition from some delegations and industry trade associations.

Trucking along: Vitagen Malaysia bringing probiotic info to the public amid new research results

07-Dec-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Vitagen Malaysia has launched its Digestive Health On Wheels education initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of gut health, starting with 30 locations in Klang Valley.

Subscription supplement seller uses smart cap technology to drive compliance, reorders

05-Dec-2018 By Hank Schultz

A new ecommerce based subscription supplement brand launches today with a unique feature: a smart cap technology that will drive compliance and will help manage reordering.

FROM THE EDITOR'S DESK

Pair of null studies do not preclude power of probiotics evidence

30-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Here we go again… A couple of studies in a high impact medical journal found no benefits from select probiotic strains in kids with gastroenteritis.

New understanding of physiology underpins protocols for supporting soldiers with nutrition, expert says

30-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

The importance of adequate nutrition and targeted supplementation for war fighters is a rapidly evolving field, according to an expert who has counseled sailors on the subject.

Carbery ticks the protein and digestive health boxes with on-trend ingredient

29-Nov-2018 By Nikki Cutler

Carbery Food Ingredients has launched a fermented whey protein isolate (WPI) with prebiotic-promoting properties to tap into interest in the gut microbiome.

Data supports increased role for probiotics, prebiotics in healthy aging, study finds

28-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

Gut dysbiosis is a common feature of the afflictions that come with aging, according a recent Japanese review. The finding opens wider the door for probiotics and prebiotics in a healthy aging positioning.

IPA’s new scientific director: ‘We are not proud enough of the science we have in the probiotic field’

28-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

There is a lot of science supporting both the safety and efficacy of probiotics, and the community should do more to talk about this science, says the new director of scientific affairs at the International Probiotics Association.

IPA: “A null result is not a negative result”

Two RCTs find no benefits for specific probiotic in kids with gastroenteritis

27-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Two new large-scale and well-conducted clinical trials found that a short course of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG or L. rhamnosus R0011 plus L. helveticus R0052 did not improve gastroenteritis symptoms in children.

IngredientsOnline expands portfolio with new branded ingredients range

26-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

‘We have revolutionized the way ingredients are bought and sold,’ says Peggy Jackson, VP of sales and marketing for IngredientsOnline.com, as the company expands its portfolio with branded ingredients.

WATCH — "Communicating strong microbiome evidence key to warding off 'snake oil' and 'pseudoscience'"

26-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

There is a large appetite among the public for microbiome-based medicine but there is also a need to deliver more in terms of evidence and how it’s communicated, a microbiome expert said.

GRMA: Publication of dietary supplement standards ‘imminent’

21-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Consensus-based standards for dietary supplements developed by the Global Retailer and Manufacturer Alliance (GRMA) will be published very soon, says the alliance’s president.

Indian and Korean researchers develop functional probiotic beverage from fermented coconut water

20-Nov-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Researchers in India and South Korea have developed a functional fermented coconut beverage using the bacterial strain Lactobacillus casei L4.

Increased parental interest in gut health of their children creates opportunities for prebiotics

19-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

As parents become more aware of the importance of the developing gut microbiome in their infants and children there will be opportunities for prebiotics, says ingredients supplier Beneo.

Growing awareness of probiotic benefits starting to move the needle in new regions: IPA chief

19-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Increased consumer awareness around probiotics – linked to an ever growing body of benefits – is opening up new markets around the world, with China booming and new opportunities in Latin America, says George Paraskevakos, executive director of the International...

SPECIAL EDITION - HiE EUROPE PREVIEW

Probiotics for sports nutrition in its ‘early days’ but only a matter of time, say ESSNA

12-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Probiotic use amongst athletes is not quite a 'must have' but a small and growing number are using them for immunity, digestion and their potential effects on health and body composition.

Generational preferences affect engagement with dietary supplement brands: Survey

09-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Boomers want healthy aging products, Gen X-ers are interested in weight management, while Millennials are more interested in fitness: These are just three of the insights from a new analysis of 500,000 social media posts over 12 months.

Immigration impacts gut health as team links microbiome changes to obesity

09-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Immigrants and refugees moving from Southeast Asia to the US demonstrate a ‘westernisation’ of their gut microbiota, a study finds, that could provide insight into metabolic health issues affecting newcomers.

Special edition: Pre- and Probiotics

Prebiotics as a concept still not well understood by many consumers, experts say

07-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

Research done by the Global Prebiotic Association shows that prebiotics as a concept is gaining traction with dedicated supplement users but has a long way to go to gain mainstream acceptance.

Special edition: Pre- and Probiotics

Stakeholders urge FDA to stick to CFUs, dump weight requirement on probiotics labels

07-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

FDA’s draft guidance on the labeling of products containing live microorganisms is a step in the right direction but does not go far enough, stakeholders say.

Special Edition: Pre- and Probiotics

Focus on functional sports benefits seen as growing opportunity within microbiome research

07-Nov-2018 By Hank Schultz

Research in the effects of exercise on the microbiome has boosted not just a recent startup, but will fuel a growing category within the wider field of probiotics, an expert says.

Prebiotic combination shows metabolic benefits for adults with acne: Pilot data

07-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS) prebiotics may improve glycemic and lipid metabolic measures in women with acne, suggests a small study from Italy.

Probiota Asia 2018

WATCH — 'A daunting task': IPA chief on the challenges of commercialising a global probiotic product

06-Nov-2018 By Gary Scattergood

Companies seeking to commercialise a probiotic product across the globe face a 'daunting task', which is why trade association the International Probitics Association (IPA) is vowing not to let up in its efforts to achieve a more consistent...

NutraIngredients-USA Global Round-up: Goop under scrutiny, Lycored's 2nd generation solution for skin wellness, and more

05-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

It’s a global industry and there’s a lot happening. We know it’s not always easy keeping up with everything that’s happening around the world that could impact the US dietary supplements industry. The answer? Our weekly round-up of key news from across...

Staying healthy post-marathon: Study supports Wellmune beverage for immune benefits after intense exercise

02-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Marathon runners consuming a beverage formulated with immune ingredient Wellmune saw a 19% reduction in the severity of upper respiratory tract infection (URTIs), compared to the placebo group, says a new study.

Why PepsiCo, Coca-cola are betting on functional food and beverage brands

01-Nov-2018 By Adi Menayang

Legacy CPG companies PepsiCo and Coca-Cola have each snapped up or invested heavily in a functional food and beverage brand this year.

20 things we learned at the 2018 IPA DC Workshop

31-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The Nagoya Protocol, the big changes coming for Lactobacillus classification, and how to boost your chances of success with an NDI notification were just some of the topic covered during the third annual IPA Workshop in DC.

Big data insights driving funding for EU microbiome research - MyNewGut Project

31-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

The number of health-related microbiome projects has almost doubled in the last three years, with EU funding almost twice that of non-health related gut research.

Infant’s first 2.5 years crucial in healthy gut bacteria development, study reaffirms

30-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

UK researchers appear to have confirmed the importance of the first years of a child's life as a prime window of opportunity for gut development and optimal health in later life.

Probiota Asia 2018

Scientific Frontiers: Gold kiwifruit study takes top spot at Probiota Asia 2018

30-Oct-2018 By Gary Scattergood

A randomised, cross-over study that investigated the impact of Actazin green and Livaux gold kiwifruit supplements on faecal microbial composition and metabolites in healthy and functionally constipated (FC) participants was the top-rated poster at our...

AI and the microbiome singled out as opportunities to offer ‘affordable nutrition’

28-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the microbiota have been identified as opportunities for the private sector to offer affordable nutrition to lower-income consumers, who are at a higher risk of malnutrition.

Highlights from the Harvard Probiotics Symposium

26-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

The recent Harvard Probiotics Symposium brought together scientific experts from across the globe to discuss: “Gut Health, Microbiota & Probiotics Throughout the Lifespan: Dietary Influences”. Here’s what we learned.

Infant microbiome predicts obesity risk at age 12 – study

26-Oct-2018 By Nathan Gray

The microbiome may be an ‘early warning sign’ for later obesity, according to new research that links gut bacteria composition of infants at age 2 with BMI scores at age 12.

Probiota Asia 2018

Replace probiotics regulatory complexity with consistency and clarity: IPA

26-Oct-2018 By Tingmin Koe

The International Probiotics Association (IPA) has urged the industry to support its efforts to bring consistency to the global regulatory landscape, so that the rules can keep pace with technology and scientific advancement.

Editor's Spotlight

Independent entrepreneur bets on prebiotic space with line of yacon root bars

24-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Many US consumers are still unfamiliar with the term prebiotic. One independent entrepreneur wants to change that with her line of yacon root bars.

APC Microbiome Ireland pool resources to lead maternity probiotic venture

24-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

The APC Microbiome Ireland is to head up a €3.4m joint research initiative to optimise the use of probiotic supplements for pregnant women in order to give birth to healthier babies.

Top picks from SupplySide West’s Education program for 2018

23-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

With barely two weeks left before the industry makes it annual pilgrimage to Las Vegas for SupplySide West, we look ahead to the events educational workshop program.

NutraIngredients-USA Global Round-up: Sports and the microbiome, folic acid fortification in the UK, and more

22-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

It’s a global industry and there’s a lot happening. We know it’s not always easy keeping up with everything that’s happening around the world that could impact the US dietary supplements industry. The answer? Our weekly round-up of key news from across...

Turmeric’s popularity drives botanical supplement use increases, says CRN data

19-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Almost 20% of US supplement users over 55 are using turmeric and curcumin supplements, according to the 2018 CRN Consumer Survey on Dietary Supplements.

Brazil’s next big grain? Researchers propose pearl millet as an alternative to rice and maize

16-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Brazilian researchers found that pearl millet has higher protein and fiber than rice, and isolated bacterial strains from the fermented bran may have probiotic potential.

Capilano's prebiotic honey makes US debut as company keeps keen eye on China market

15-Oct-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Australian honey maker Capilano Honey recently brought its signature prebiotic-enriched product to the US market, two years after its China debut.

Probiotics: CRN VP says increased scrutiny is 'not unexpected'; CFU issue needs to be resolved to satisfy scientists, consumers

09-Oct-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Probiotics are a hot category and consumer interest is intense. Therefore, it is unsurprising that the beneficial microorganisms are receiving increased scrutiny from the media and industry critics, says Andrea Wong, PhD, vice president, scientific &...

Sabinsa’s LactoSpore probiotic strain linked to cholesterol-lowering activity

03-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Results from a recently published study suggest that supplementation of the probiotic strain LactoSpore may help manage high cholesterol levels and reduce incidence of coronary heart disease.

Study suggests polyphenols can be used as markers of gut health, confirming trend in category, expert says

01-Oct-2018 By Hank Schultz

Some polyphenolic metabolites may be used as markers of gut health, a recent study concludes. This opens the door for pursuing the actions of phenolic compounds in future product development in the category, an expert says.

Metagenics' new CMO aims to transform health care delivery

28-Sep-2018 By Hank Schultz

Metagenics is seeking to participate in a transformation in health care delivery by bringing a Harvard- and MIT-trained physician/researcher on as chief medical officer.

From the Editor's Desk

Probiotics continuously improving, while still showing aspects of variability

28-Sep-2018 By Hank Schultz

Are supplements getting better? It’s a bit of a tricky question when applied to probiotics, as the ingredients are relatively new to the market. There are many examples of quality improvements within this category, but it exhibits some features that are...

Not to be sniffed at: DuPont study links nasal microbiota to common cold

28-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

The nasal microbiota could form the starting point for addressing the symptoms of the common cold, according to a collaborative clinical study involving DuPont Nutrition & Health.

Chlorella supplements may support immune function during intensive training

26-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Intense training and exercise are known to disturb the immune system. A new study from England suggests that supplements containing the algae Chlorella pyrenoidosa may help.

Fibersol-2 may boost bifidobacteria count by almost 40%: ADM study

26-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary supplementation with Fibersol-2, a fermentable functional fiber, may boost levels of beneficial bifidobacteria levels in the intestine and feces and increase stool bulk, says a new clinical trial.