Vitamins & premixes

Vitamin E tocotrienol-tocopherol complex shows endothelial benefits: Rat data

06-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of tocotrienols and alpha-tocopherol may help support endothelial function, but the effects were not observed when the tocotrienols were used alone, says a new study.

Q2: Sales up, profits down at DSM Nutritional Products

04-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

The food and nutrition ingredients division of Dutch giant DSM has seen sales rise 16% to €1.247bn (US$1.37bn) in Q2 but profits slipped 6% amid ongoing pricing challenges on some vitamins.

Operating in practitioner channel places extra premium on quality control, says Ortho Molecular exec

31-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Doing business in the practitioner channel puts an extra burden on a supplement company, said Thomas Guilliams, PhD, of Ortho Molecular Products Inc. The reputations of the healthcare practitioners are at stake, as well as the health and safety of the...

FoodState hopes new, formalized transparency initiative can help burnish industry's image

28-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

FoodState, the maker of the MegaFood brand of whole-food vitamins, has long been an advocate of what CEO Robert Craven calls “Transparency with a capital T.”  The company has now boldfaced that “T” with a new plan to provide greater visibility into its...

'Limited evidence' for vitamin B12 & neurological function in elderly: Oxford University review

28-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Proof of an association between B12 status and neurological function in older people is limited, a review of 12 studies has concluded.

‘Little evidence’ of vitamin D helping inflammatory biomarkers in elderly

27-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Researchers have questioned the association between vitamin D and inflammatory biomarkers after a year-long trial revealed no impact on the levels of the immune system’s cytokine or adipokine.

Special Edition: Innovations in Delivery Systems

Fortified gel printed onto ready meals set for rapid global commercialization, says company

24-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A new generation of restaurant quality ready meals targeting seniors is set for commercial launch this year, with a patented technology allowing fortified gels to be printed onto the food.

MegaFood supplements to carry Lundberg rice branding in supply deal

23-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

FoodState, the makers of the MegaFood line of dietary supplements, has entered into a new supply deal that will allow it to cobrand some of its supplements with the name of Lundberg Family Farms, the California rice grower. 

Vitamin C intake linked to lower risk of heart disease and early death

20-Jul-2015 By Nathan Gray

People with high levels of vitamin C from the intake of fruit and vegetables may have a reduced risk of cardiovascular disease and early death, suggest researchers.

Science short

Green tea extracts fail to protect skin against UV

20-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of green tea extracts and vitamin C may not protect skin from sun burn, says a new double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial from England.

'Vitamin E tocotrienols are potential candidates for maintenance of heart health,' says study

16-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements containing vitamin E tocotrienols from annatto may reduce inflammation and oxidative stress biomarkers associated with cardiovascular and aging disease, according to results of a clinical trial.

ZMC forms new US subsidiary

08-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Chinese ingredient supplier ZMC has forms a new US subsidiary known as Viatal Corp. The company says the purpose is twofold, to provide ZMC with a direct conduit to the North American Nutritional and pharmaceutical markets that will add on to ZMC’s existing...

Energy drink launches based on branded ingredient message

06-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new energy drink product has launched based on the science behind two branded ingredients, Cognizin citicoline from Kyowa Hakko, and PurEnergy, a caffeine/pterostilbine crystalline combination manufactured by ChromaDex.

Supercharged liposomal delivery technology underpins absorption claims for company's liquid multivitamin

06-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

A refinement of liposomal delivery technology forms the basis of the message of Victory Nutrition, a network marketing company based on a liquid multivitamin/phyotonutrient complex branded as Prodovite.

Chia seeds fail to boost athletic performance but athletes ‘should still include them in their diet’

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Runners adding chia seeds to their diet in the belief that it will boost athletic performance may be disappointed to hear that the ‘superfood’ may not enhance their performance, says a new study from the Appalachian State University.

‘An exciting finding’: Are the brain health benefits of B vitamins dependent on omega-3 levels?

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

B vitamins may protect against age-related brain wasting, but only in people with high omega-3 levels, says a new study from the University of Oxford that extends our understanding of how nutrients work together.

Testing firm Labdoor uses transaction-based model to help consumers answer this question: What's best?

02-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Labdoor founder Neil Thanedar said he wanted to institute a different dynamic in his product testing and evaluation service. He wanted the benefits to accrue primarily to consumers, and he wanted them to pay for it, too.

RCT data questions benefits of vitamin B12 supplements for older people

02-Jul-2015 By Nathan Gray

Vitamin B12 supplements offer ‘no benefit’ for nervous system and brain function in older people with moderate vitamin B12 deficiency, according to new RCT data.

IND guidance complicates research into immune health, forum participants told

01-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Studying immune responses in the target population where an immune supporting supplement is meant to marketed is a key pillar in building a structure that will stand up to FDA and FTC regulatory scrutiny, attendees at the recent NutraIngredients-USA Trends...

New liposome manufacturer says process is more 'natural,' needing no added heat, pressure or solvents

25-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new supplier of liposomal delivery systems has entered the market based on a ‘more natural’ approach the assembly of these structures, the founder said.

DGAC defends the scientific basis of its recommendation, fights back against limiting legislation

25-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Members of the 2015 Dietary Guidelines Advisory Committee uncharacteristically fight back against criticism of its recommendations and ask Congress to drop proposed legislation that would effectively block regulators from acting on many of the committee’s...

How effective is fortifying flour at reducing anaemia?

24-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Fortifying flour with micronutrients is effective in decreasing national prevalence of anaemia, say researchers who looked at 32 different countries.

B vitamins may slow cataract occurrence & development: AREDS data

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased dietary intakes of B vitamins are associated with reduced incidence and decreased risks of developing different forms of cataracts in older people, says new data from the Age-Related Eye Disease Study Research Group.

One week to go!

Experts to talk science, regs, challenges and opportunities in immune health

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Experts from Abbott Nutrition, the University of Southampton, Vynna LLC, and Manatt, Phelps & Phillips, LLP will join NutraIngredients-USA’s Hank Schultz for an hour-long, free to attend discussion of the booming immune health sector. Don’t miss your...

Special edition: Immune support

Presenteeism: A new window of opportunity for immune supplements?

18-Jun-2015 By Niamh Michail

Presenteeism - or showing up for work despite being ill - is on the rise. Could this be an opportunity for immunity-boosting supplements, or is it a trend to fight against?

Supplement sales slow, but hope emerges in probiotics, protein, omega-3s and aloe

18-Jun-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

Market saturation, negative press and increased competition from fortified foods are taking a toll on dietary supplement sales, growth of which is slowing dramatically, according to research from IBISWorld and Euromonitor International. 

New plant enzyme discovery could help battle global vitamin A deficiency

16-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

A newly discovered enzyme that is critical for the biosynthesis of carotenoids in plants could help to reduce vitamin A deficiency, say researchers.

Pfizer throws hat in gummy ring with Centrum line extension

09-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

Pfizer Consumer Healthcare has become the latest entrant to the gummy vitamin area with the launch of a Centrum gummy line. It’s an attempt to line up with consumer’s changing lifestyles and tastes, the company says. And it’s not the end of innovation...

Patent watch

Abbott Labs files patent for ‘better tasting’ nutritional powders

09-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Abbott Laboratories has filed an international patent for a process it says allows it to produce better-tasting powders with improved nutrient content.

Netherlands investigates safe vitamin A intake from supplements

04-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Netherlands is looking at whether legislation on vitamin A should be changed after a report calculated how much could be ingested from supplements.

Calcium and vitamin D may not help menopause symptoms: Trial data

02-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

Women should not rely on vitamin D and calcium supplements to relieve menopausal symptoms, say researchers behind a new large-scale follow up study.

NoorVitamins CEO: In 5 years we’ll be a strong and reputable competitor with a wider value proposition

01-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Leading Halal supplement brand NoorVitamins is aiming to be a serious part of the wider dietary supplements industry, with a focus on quality and transparency driving their value proposition, the company’s President and CEO tells NutraIngredients-USA.

Naturex makes play for natural sports nutrition consumer

29-May-2015 By Niamh Michail

Boosted by botanicals, Naturex's WinDrink range targets a new breed of consumer who is interested in sports nutrition but wary of complex, synthetic ingredients. 

Human data supports salmon oil’s ability to reduce oxidative stress

27-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of salmon oil may reduce markers of oxidative stress, with no effects from additional multivitamins, says a new study from Australia.

Is the $35 billion figure for the dietary supplements industry over-inflated?

21-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

The US dietary supplements industry is only worth about $12 billion, according to Dr Kurt Jetta, CEO and founder of the TABS Group.

Special Edition: Outsourcing

Transparency could be the 1st step towards greater consistency in testing methods & labs: Experts

21-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Third-party labs that keep their testing information proprietary to gain a competitive advantage may actually be harming their business, say leading experts calling for more transparency in the analytical sector.

ChromaDex extends earnings streak, cuts losses in half

20-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex Corp. notched its fourth consecutive quarter of record earnings with its Q1 2015 earnings report which it made public this week. The company reported net sales of $5.3 million, an increase of 71% year-over-year. The company also halved its net...

Vitamin E is vital to building muscles and repairing cells, say researchers

20-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

While body builders have long said that vitamin E helps build strong muscles, the mechanism by which it may bring such benefits has been unknown – until now.

Should vitamin K2 also be recommended for statin users?

20-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Statins may be “mitochondrial toxins”, says a new review that finds that the pharmaceuticals may not only deplete CoQ10 levels but also inhibit the synthesis of vitamin K2. The result could be negative effects on the heart and blood vessels.

Extending GMPs to ingredient suppliers would fix gap in original rule, stakeholders say

18-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recently filed citizen's petition asking FDA to extend GMP requirements to ingredient manufacturers met with a cautious but generally positive reception among industry stakeholders. Having ingredient suppliers stand outside this aspect of the law...

InterHealth expands branded ingredient range with acquisition of Next Pharmaceuticals

14-May-2015 By Hank Schultz

InterHealth Nutraceuticals has acquired the assets of Next Pharmaceuticals, including the well-known branded ingredients Relora and Sytrionol, the company announced this week.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2015

Frutarom backs Peruvian berry in beverages

12-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Inca berry, cape gooseberry, golden berry. It has many monikers but one primary Andean source in Peru and Swiss supplier Frutarom was promoting it at Vitafoods Europe last week.

Single multivitamin-mineral dose may boost mood in older people

12-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A single dose of a multivitamin and mineral and herbal supplement may reduce stress in healthy older women, says a new study from Australia.

Vitamin D twice IoM’s recommendation does not increase toxicity risk

04-May-2015 By Elizabeth Crawford

New research from the Mayo Clinic supports the safety of the tolerable upper limit of vitamin D intake espoused by the Endocrine Society, which is significantly higher than the recently updated recommendations from the Institute of Medicine. 

Micronutrient-dense bar shows broad health improvements for overweight/obese adults: CHORI study

29-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A micronutrient and fiber-dense supplement bar may improve metabolism in overweight/obese but otherwise healthy adults, says a new study from the Children’s Hospital Oakland Research Institute (CHORI).

Specialty positioning helps insulate suppliers from soft spot in sales of calcium supplements

28-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

Dr Oz giveth and he taketh away. That seems to be the recent message in the calcium space, where sales of the mineral have staggered under negative mentions by the good doctor and questions in the broader medical community about how much calcium is a...

What do 36 countries say about folate and folic acid pre-conception?

24-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Five countries recommend folate and folic acid consumption around conception above and beyond World Health Organisation (WHO) guidelines, while five others dismiss supplementation as unnecessary, report finds. 

AARP study on brain health attitudes points to opportunity for cognitive support ingredients, experts say

23-Apr-2015 By Hank Schultz

A recent study released by the AARP showed that brain health is becoming an increasing concern, and that more Americans are aware of the potential benefit that playing brain games and doing puzzles may have in combating cognitive decline. The results...

Is there a media bias or is Flat Earth News the new normal for the dietary supplements industry?

22-Apr-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements are back in the headlines, with sensationalist and worrying headlines based on old research and a university press release. Is this the new normal for the dietary supplements industry?

Harmonised Southeast Asia regulation complete by end of year

20-Apr-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Alliance for Southeast Asian Nations’ (ASEAN) harmonised health supplement framework will be up and running by the end of the year after over ten years in the making.