Vitamins & premixes

Functional food giving supplements a run for their money: Packaged Facts

12-Aug-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

After taking a hit due to recent negative press and a consumer shift toward more use of functional food and beverages, the US nutritional supplements market will see growth return to just over 6% per year through 2018, when sales will reach $16.4 billion,...

Fortification adds ‘noticeably’ to certain nutrient intakes in children; not a panacea: study

08-Aug-2014 By Maggie Hennessy

Fortification has made a large contribution to nutrient intakes and adequacy for many, but not all, micronutrients in US children and adolescents’ diets, without leading to excessive intakes for most vitamins and minerals, according to research published...

Europe's largest thin film manufacturer looks to make splash in US market

07-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

BioFilm Ltd., a Scottish manufacturer of thin dissolving films, is expanding its offerings into the US, believing that it has the production and formulation capability to transform what has been a fairly quiescent market, the company’s North American...

Largest-ever study of its kind

Vitamin D deficiency could double dementia risk, says six-year study

07-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin D deficiency in older people may double the risk of developing dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, according to the largest study of its kind.

Vitamin D supplementation should start at birth, says new study

07-Aug-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Breastfed newborns should start receiving vitamin D supplements at the time of birth in order to help raise blood levels of the sunshine vitamin, says a new study.

Integrated strategy helps Vitamin Shoppe power through soft patch

06-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin Shoppe, Inc. posted increased sales in the second quarter of its 2014 fiscal year, in line with analysts’ expectations.  The company fell slightly short of earnings expectations as the company dealt with softness that has affected the supplement...

China's proposed food safety overhaul lacks clarity and detail, NPA says

06-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

China’s proposed changes in its food safety regulations, which also govern dietary supplements, are long on aspiration and short on specifics. That’s the opinion expressed by the Natural Products Association in comments the organization submitted to Chinese...

DSM and Merck form high-end folate alliance

06-Aug-2014 By Shane STARLING

DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) is not abandoning its folic acid (vitamin B9) offering but has added a high-end, folate form aimed at global supplement and food makers in a deal with Merck in Switzerland.

MusclePharm signs NFL phenom Johnny Manziel to endorsement contract

05-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

In a sector heavily driven by marketing and celebrity athlete tie-ins, MusclePharm has once again scored big by signing an endorsement deal with Johnny Manziel, the rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns.

CRN, NPA submit comments on FDA's proposed changes to food, supplement labels

05-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

Both the Council for Responsible Nutrition and the Natural Products Association have submitted a comments on FDA’s proposed revisions for food and dietary supplement labels. 

DSM Q2 nutrition profits slip 11% as key markets struggle

05-Aug-2014 By Shane STARLING

Sales slipped 6% and net profits 11% in Q2 for DSM’s human and animal nutrition arm as adverse currency movements, a slow US vitamins and omega-3 food supplements market and the Asian botulism infant formula scare affected earnings.

‘Not enough people are talking about nutrition and brain function’, says DSM's VP of Science, Communication & Advocacy

05-Aug-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Vitamins and the omega-3 DHA are a ‘viable alternative approach to delaying brain aging’, says a new review of the scientific literature, but are people talking about nutrition and brain function?

Science in brief

Folic acid supplements fail to boost mood in young people

04-Aug-2014

Dietary supplements containing folic acid did not improve influence the incidence of mood disorder in young people with an increased familial risk of the condition, says a new study.

Australian institute to study ChromaDex's Niagen ingredient in mitochondrial respiratory conditions

04-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

ChromaDex Corp. announced an agreement to supply its Niagen nicotinamide riboside ingredient to the Murdoch Children’s Research Institute in Australia to enable researchers there to study the ingredient’s effects in cellular and animal models of mitochondrial...

Nutraceutical International bounces back from poor Q2 to notch 9.5% net sales increase

04-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

Nutraceutical International Corporation returned to its record of strong financial performance fueled by acquisitions with the release of its third quarter 2014 results.  The company notched a 9.5% year-over-year net sales increase.  This comes after...

‘A measureable benefit’: Vitamin C supplements may boost activity levels & reduce colds in young men

04-Aug-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of vitamin C may offer ‘modest benefits’ for boosting the weekly activity levels, and reduce the incidence of the common cold for young men, says a new study.

Review: Multivitamin and mineral supplements have possible modest benefits and ‘minimal, if any, risk’

01-Aug-2014 By Stephen Daniells

With many Americans failing to meet recommended intakes of select nutrients, multivitamin and mineral supplements could be part of the solution, and the potential benefits outweigh any risk, says a new review.

Herbalife misses profit estimates, share price plunges

30-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Herbalife's share price dropped sharply yesterday as the company reported second quarter earnings that missed analysts’ estimates.  Shares dropped 11% almost immediately on the news and declined further in early trading today, with a share price...

Supplement market headwinds beset GNC as earnings decline in Q2

30-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

The past year has been a tough one for the sales of dietary supplements, and retailing giant GNC is not immune to those trends.  In the company’s second quarter 2014 earnings GNC reported declines in both overall revenue and net income year-over-year.

Energy shot maker bases product on timed-release caffeine technology

30-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

LXR Biotech has launched a timed-release energy shot using a recently-developed beadlet technology in a bid to capture more of the energy shot market. 

Vitamin D supplements may ‘protect against cardiac failure in older people’, says study

29-Jul-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of the sunshine vitamin may reduce the risk of heart failure in older individuals by 20%-25%, says a new study.

Is Danone feeling the need for Mead?

28-Jul-2014 By Shane STARLING

 Danone shares rose today as rumours strengthened the French dairy giant would sell its medical and paediatric nutrition business (Nutricia), but is the firm streamlining its activities around its core foods businesses or just shifting infant-medical...

Folates not folic acid for flour fortification, urge researchers

25-Jul-2014 By Lynda Searby

New findings that the body is less efficient at metabolising folic acid than natural folates could inform policy-making decisions as the UK government considers mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.

Age-related macular degeneration may start as early as 35: Cohort study

22-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

An early form of the eye condition age-related macular degeneration (AMD) can occur in people as young as 35, according to German researchers.

Supplement line launches based on phospholipid nano sphere delivery system

22-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

NanoSphere Health Sciences has formally launched its line of liquid dietary supplements called Evolve Nutrients that employs its lipid-based delivery technology promising more rapid absorption and better bioavailability.

‘Reassuring’: Harvard’s large-scale randomized trial in men supports safety of vitamin C and E supplements

21-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Long-term use of vitamin C and E supplements do not increase the risk of cancer, while vitamin C may offer some colorectal benefits, according to a new analysis from Harvard researchers.

Avocado assists vitamin A absorption: Study

21-Jul-2014 By Lynda Searby

Lipid-rich fresh avocado and beta-carotene rich foods improve bioavailability of the carotenoids from these foods and convert them into an active form of vitamin A, according to a study published in the Journal of Nutrition.

Special edition: Cognitive health

Cognitive health claims range from sublime to ridiculous, experts say

18-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

When it comes to what’s an allowable claim in the realm of cognitive health, ignorance and confusion abound, experts say.

Neptune's losses steepen as company nears end of recovery phase

17-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Neptune Technologies and Bioressources absorbed a steep loss in the first quarter of its fiscal year as the company nears the end of its recovery from an explosion and fire that destroyed its lone production plant. Net loss for the quarter was $5.3 million,...

Mitochondria & aging: ‘Remarkable’ effects for nicotinamide riboside in mice, says new study

15-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

The science to support the potential benefits of nicotinamide riboside for age-related conditions continues to grow, with a new study from Europe indicating the compound may boost the number and size of mitochondria.

Vitamin Shoppe's move to put all labels into public database increases transparency, CRN chief says

11-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

The Vitamin Shoppe announced this week that it plans to have all  of the labels on products sold in its stores to be submitted to the National Institutes of Health Dietary Supplement Label Database. The move was welcomed by Steve Mister, president and...

BASF VP on high concentrate omega-3s: ‘We’re very happy to be in the growing part of the market’

03-Jul-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Much has been said about potential declines in the omega-3 sector, but one area that is growing is concentrates, and BASF is ‘very happy to be in the growing part of the market’, says Samy Jandali.

CRN joins with IADSA to broaden reach of supplement safety info

02-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

The Council for Responsible Nutrition has teamed with an international dietary supplement trade group to disseminate science-based information about the safety of supplements in an effort to help inform discussions about the harmonization of regulations...

EFSA panel endorses draft dietary refs for folate, niacin and selenium

02-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

EFSA has approved Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for folate, niacin and selenium, which set population reference intakes, adequate intakes or average requirements for the European population.

Swisse Wellness withdraws from US to focus on global brand building, but vows, ‘we’ll be back bigger and better!’

02-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Swisse Wellness’ global growth is continuing with new office set to open in Europe and Asia soon, but global expansion will require a re-allocation of US resources and a withdrawal from the US market, albeit for a couple of years.

Supplier says vitamin K2 is helping to turn the corner on calcium

01-Jul-2014 By Hank Schultz

Calcium is yet another nutrient that has taken a recent hit in the press and the marketplace with associations of high calcium intake with increased heart disease risk. But a manufacturer of vitamin K2 believes that education on the beneficial interaction...

Genetic study suggests ‘causal link’ between vitamin D status and blood pressure

27-Jun-2014 By Nathan Gray

New genetic research provides ‘compelling evidence’ that low levels of vitamin D have a causal role in the development of high blood pressure, say researchers.

Dispatches from IFT 2014

DSM: Nutrition Facts Panel overhaul could discourage fortification

27-Jun-2014 By Kacey Culliney

Proposals to shift focus to vitamin D, calcium, iron and potassium on the US FDA’s Nutrition Facts Panel make sense, but could remove incentives to fortify with other essential micronutrients, warns DSM.

Calcium and vitamin D may improve metabolic profile of women with 'pregnancy diabetes'

26-Jun-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation of vitamin D and calcium may reduce fasting plasma glucose and insulin, improve insulin sensitivity and reduce low-density lipoprotein 'bad' cholesterol while boosting 'good' cholesterol for women with Gestational Diabetes...

“We want to understand the molecular relationships between nutrients and their effects on healthy individuals and patients at different stages of their lives.”

Bespoken for: Nestlé eyes ‘I-tamins’

24-Jun-2014 By Shane STARLING

Swiss-based Nestlé Institute of Health Sciences (NIHS) is teaming with a US analytics specialist to develop personalised vitamin solutions via ultra-sensitive lab techniques.

Meta-analysis: Vitamin C supplements may boost endothelial function

24-Jun-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Oral doses of vitamin C greater than 500 milligrams per day may boost the health of the endothelium - the thin layer of cells lining the blood vessels – and boost overall heart health for people who need it the most, according to a meta-analysis of 44...

Regulations overhaul proceeding rapidly in Japan, ASEAN

20-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

Efforts to reform the way dietary supplements are regulated in Japan and the ASEAN are proceeding with startling speed, attendees of an event in Salt Lake City were told yesterday.

Better together: Polyphenol may have greater bioavailability in combo with others

18-Jun-2014 By Sarah Hills

The amount of polyphenols absorbed and used by the body may be greater when taken with other polyphenols, according to a research review of the antioxidants.

Herbal industry increasingly backed by data, Rainbow Light's new science director says

11-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

The transformation of Rainbow Light mirrors that of the herbal industry as a whole, the company's new director of integrative science says.  Christopher Hobbs, a fairly newly-minted PhD, has worked with the firm as a formulator from the beginning...

DSM flexing its acquisition muscles at IFT

10-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

DSM will highlight all the recent additions to its royal crest at IFT. The multinational food, beverage and supplement ingredient supplier will in particular be featuring its life’s DHA ingredient at the Institute of Food Technologists show in New Orleans...

Underlying forces will continue to drive functional food growth, analyst says

09-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

The hot market for functional foods shows no signs of cooling off, according to longtime industry consultant Jeff Hilton.  In his view a number of factors will combine to drive continued growth.

PLT to debut whole food vitamin D mushroom powder at IFT

05-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

PLT Health Solutions will debut a new vegetarian source of vitamin D with a whole food mushroom powder at the Institute of Food Technologists trade show later in June in New Orleans.  The new ingredient brings together several developing skeins in the...

Foods and supplements aimed at autism must walk fine regulatory line, attorney says

04-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

Parents of autistic children can have a certain desperation to find ways to help their kids overcome the isolating deficits of the condition. Recent research has focused on potential nutritional and digestive anomalies exhibited by these children, and...

Canadians set for run at calcium constipation market

04-Jun-2014 By Sarah Hills

A health science company is positioning for launch into the calcium bone health market after coming out top in a clinical trial that put it head-to-head with Pfizer’s Caltrate brand. Reduction of constipation side-effects were the main benefits.

Nutrition researchers shoot holes in assertion that multivitamins are unnecessary

03-Jun-2014 By Hank Schultz

A response published today in the Annals of Internal Medicine by four well-known nutrition researchers takes strident issue with an editorial published in the same journal that multivitamins are not useful.  The authors of the first paper “ignored decades...