Vitamins & premixes

Multivitamin and mineral supplements may help block HIV progression: Human data

27-Nov-2013 By Nathan Gray

Long-term supplementation with multivitamins plus selenium may help delay the progression of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in people with early stages of the disease who are not yet eligible to receive antiretroviral therapy, a new randomised trial...

Dispatches from SupplySide West 2013

Chromadex CEO: 'If we need to spend millions of dollars to develop an ingredient pipeline, we will do that'

26-Nov-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Buoyed by recent investment from DSM, the CEO of Chromadex says the company is not scared to spend big to develop ingredients that stand up to increased scientific scrutiny and resonate with the market.

Complementary health body dismisses ‘incomplete’ multivitamin study

14-Nov-2013 By RJ Whitehead

The chief executive of the Complementary Healthcare Council of Australia (CHC) has slammed a recently published study that found there is insufficient evidence that vitamin and mineral supplements prevent cardiovascular diseases or cancer in healthy people.

ChromaDex pens research agreement for study of ‘next-generation niacin’

13-Nov-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

Natural products firm ChromaDex Corp. has entered into a material transfer agreement with Universite Libre de Bruxelles (ULB), under which ChromaDex will provide ULB with its recently launched Niagen nicotinamide riboside (NR).

United States Preventive Services Task Force review

Evidence insufficient for multivitamins to reduce risk of heart disease and cancer: Systematic review

11-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The current evidence is ‘insufficient’ for vitamin and mineral supplements to prevent cardiovascular disease (CVD) or cancer in healthy people without nutritional deficiencies, says a new review from the researchers for the United States Preventive Services...

The Botanical Explorer: We’re on the cusp of a new era with phytonutrients

07-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A new science developing around phytonutrients is opening the doors of an entirely new domain, but understanding how to use the information and combining this with ethical cultivation will have to go hand in hand for successful commercialization, says...

Kappa debuts double-coated vitamin K2

04-Nov-2013

Norway’s Kappa Bioscience has introduced a vitamin K2 form that comes as the firm has inked a major deal on it with a global vitamin supplement player.

The rise of tocotrienols: 50% of all research on vitamin E form only published in last 5 years

01-Nov-2013

The science, applications, market opportunities, and consumer awareness of vitamin E tocotrienols will go under the spotlight in Las Vegas during the workshop, The Next Big E: Tocotrienols and the Science-based Business Opportunity.

Calcium and heart health: ‘Nutrition savvy dietitians do not recommend calcium in isolation’

31-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Studies linking calcium intakes to heart concerns continue to be published, but studies showing no effects and even benefits can also be found in the literature, so what are the lessons to learn and what questions remain unanswered?

Vitamin D has longer than expected half-life: Tests may not show true 'plateau'

30-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Tests to assess levels of vitamin D status months or years after supplementation finishes may not be showing a true rise - or plataeu - in vitamin D status, according to new research that suggests it may take up to three years for stocks of the vitamin...

Detecting deficiencies: New strategy could speed up mass testing of vitamin and mineral levels

25-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Analysing levels of proteins in blood could be used to estimate levels of essential vitamins and minerals without directly testing for each nutritional factor, according to new research that suggests the use of mass spectrometry to rapidly detect nutritional...

Low vitamin D status may raise anaemia risk in children, warns study

24-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Low levels of vitamin D in blood serum appear to be linked to an increase in children's risk of anaemia, according to new research.

Brain imaging shows that Bayer’s Berocca supplements may boost memory & processing

24-Oct-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Multivitamin supplements may boost working memory and attentional processing, and adding guarana may enhance these effects further, says a new study with Bayer Healthcare’s Berocca Performance and Boost products.

Large scale vitamin D study aims to explore diabetes link

23-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

A multiyear clinical trial backed by the US National Institute of Health (NIH) will examine whether vitamin D supplementation can help to prevent or delay the onset of diabetes.

Special Edition: Brain-boosting ingredients

Global brain health market pushing $2bn mark as Asia and supplements shine

22-Oct-2013 By Shane Starling

Sales of brain health boosting food supplements like omega-3s, the B vitamin group, vitamin C and phosphatidylserine are driving the category toward sales of €2bn globally, even as brain-boosting foods and beverages have endured a flat period.

Special edition: Brain boosting ingredients

Battling cognitive decline: Where do we stand?

22-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Cognitive impairments have been long linked to the development of dementia and memory problems in the elderly. However, recent research has begun to suggest that nutrition can play a vital role in protecting against such declines. In this special edition...

Special edition: Brain boosting ingredients

Vitamin E: The ‘overlooked’ nutrient and its brain health benefits

22-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

With over 90% of Americans not consuming the RDA for vitamin E, and most people eating less than half of the RDA, there exists a significant opportunity to educate consumers on the benefits of this ‘overlooked’ nutrient, including for brain health.

DSM Venturing strategically invests in ChromaDex

21-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Chromadex has received equity financing from DSM Venturing, the corporate venture arm of Royal DSM, a move that will allow the Californian company to explore new topics and to accelerate its existing pipeline.

Vitamin D does not contribute to kidney stones, says study

18-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Previous research linking vitamin D supplementation to an increased risk of developing kidney stones has been cast in to doubt with new findings that find no statistically relevant association.

Vitamin C, zinc and pine bark extract show common cold benefits: Study

17-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination supplement containing zinc, vitamin C and Pycnogenol, an extract from French Maritime Pine bark, may be effective in shortening duration of the common cold and lessening the seven ‘pillar’ symptoms, including runny nose, nasal obstruction,...

Australian complementary healthcare body slams NZ vitamin D findings

16-Oct-2013 By RJ Whitehead

A meta-analysis that found that vitamin D supplements have no beneficial effect on bone density has drawn intense criticism from Australian experts, who say the study’s conclusions could have “dire consequences” for public health.

Hospital's decision to discourage supplement use called 'misguided' & 'short sighted'

11-Oct-2013 By Hank Schultz

In another high profile blow to the credibility of dietary supplements, the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia has removed all but a few dietary supplements from its formulary, meaning parents of children in the hospital will have to sign a waiver in...

CRN warns of ‘dire consequences’ if consumers heed meta-analysis conclusions that vitamin D pills for bone health are ‘inappropriate’

11-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The use of vitamin D supplements to reduce the risk of osteoporosis in healthy adults is ‘inappropriate’, says a new meta-analysis from New Zealand, but such claims should not discourage healthy people from taking vitamin D for all the possible benefits,...

Metafolin: Merck settles ITC probe against Macoven and Viva, but no agreement with Gnosis yet

10-Oct-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The probe filed at the US International Trade Commission (ITC) by Merck & Cie, a Swiss subsidiary of Merck KGaA, against Macoven Pharmaceuticals, LLC, and Viva Pharmaceutical, Inc. has been settled.

Multivitamin and mineral supplement may offer invasive breast cancer hope: Study

10-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Taking a supplement containing multivitamins and minerals could increase the chances of long term survival in people with invasive breast cancer, according to new research.

MenaQ7 use in medical food validates K2’s role in optimal calcium absorption, say NattoPharma

09-Oct-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

With the recent press coverage on issues surrounding calcium consumption and absorption, the incorporation of NattoPharma’s MenaQ7 crystals into a prescription medical food from Primus Pharmaceuticals reinforces the role of Vitamin K2 in aiding optimal...

The fountain of youth? Study suggests vitamin B3 may increase lifespan ... in worms

04-Oct-2013

Supplementation with the B vitamin niacin could help to increase lifespan by 10% by, according to new research performed in roundworms.

Folic acid deficiency may impact later generations

03-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Deficiencies in folic acid dating back up to five generations could have an impact on developmental risk factors and later risk of disease, according to new research in mice.

Vitamin D3 therapy’ may offer MS hope: Mouse data

02-Oct-2013

A single dose of calcitriol, the active hormone form of vitamin D, followed by ongoing vitamin D supplementation could help to halt the progression of multiple sclerosis, according to new research in mice.

Vitamin D alone may have little bone benefit: Study

30-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation of vitamin D3 alone 'does little' to protect bone health in postmenopausal women, however  vitamin D3 with calcium and calcium alone have noticeable benefits, say researchers.

Vitamin D may boost bone health for adolescent girls, but not boys: RCT

30-Sep-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of vitamin D may increase bone mass and structural bone parameters in adolescent girls, but boys didn’t seem to get any benefits in the parameters measured, says a new study.

‘Important’ study: Vitamin K shows benefits for memory

25-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased blood levels of vitamin K1 are associated with improved episodic memory in healthy older adults, says a new study that provides support for vitamin K and brain health.

Vitamin B shows stroke protection promise

24-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of vitamin B supplements could help to reduce the risk of stroke, according to new review of existing data.

Infographic: Dietary supplements for smart prevention

23-Sep-2013

Dietary supplement regimens may save hundreds of millions of dollars – and in some cases billions – of healthcare savings by reducing the number of disease-associated medical events, says a new report, but what do those numbers look like?

CRN Survey: 85% of US adults confident in the safety, quality and effectiveness of dietary supplements

23-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Two-thirds of US adults continue to take dietary supplements, with consumer confidence in the products remaining high, says the 2013 Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) Consume Survey on Dietary Supplements.

‘Game changing’ economic report: Supplements could save billions of dollars in health care costs

23-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Dietary supplement regimens may reduce the number of disease-associated medical events, representing the potential for hundreds of millions of dollars – and in some cases billions – of savings, according to a new report by Frost & Sullivan and commissioned...

Vitamin D3 disappoints in diarrheal study

23-Sep-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Heavy supplementation of vitamin D does not reduce diarrheal illnesses among children aged three and younger, according to research. 

Global vitamin K2 product launches double; just ‘beginning the ride’

10-Sep-2013 By Maggie Hennessy

Over the past five years, new food and beverage product launches containing vitamin K2 have nearly doubled worldwide (up 183%), according to new research from Mintel. 

Vitamin E tocotrienols shows bone health benefits: Rat data

09-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Vitamin E tocotrienols may boost bone health, with or without statins, suggests new data from a study with osteoporotic rats.

More than a third of global population have low vitamin D, study finds

06-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

New data from a systematic review of almost 200 population-based studies shows that more than a third of populations worldwide may suffer from low levels of vitamin D.

Vestiage acquires line of men's anti-aging supplements

04-Sep-2013 By Hank Schultz

Vestiage, a Newport Beach, CA-based supplement marketer, is making good on its promise to grow rapidly through strategic purchases by acquiring the RegiMEN brand of anti-aging supplements.

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.

Health economics: Nutritional supplement intervention may have significant benefits in hospital

02-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Oral nutritional supplements provided to patients during hospitalisation is associated with significant reductions in length of stay and hospitalisation costs, according to economic research backed by Abbott Nutrition.

Fortification successful for ‘near-elimination’ of folic acid anemia

27-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Mandatory fortification of select cereal grains with folic acid has led to the ‘near eradication’ of folate-deficiency anemia, says a new study.

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...

Could genetic biomarkers reveal who will benefit from vitamin D supplementation?

22-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Looking at the expression of certain genes that are dependent on vitamin D could help to identify people who will benefit from supplementation with the vitamin, say researchers.

Front of label QR codes reach retailers more than consumers, Doctor's Best finds

21-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Supplement manufacturer Doctor’s Best learned some surprising things through the first six months of its front-of-label QR code education initiative.  While it was aimed at consumers, it’s the retailers who seem to use it the most. 

Fair trade, flavor keys to Garden of Life's new protein products

20-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

When Garden of Life looked at extending its protein and meal replacement lines with coffee and yerba mate flavors, the company was looking for partners that were the right fit both in terms of ingredient quality and service but also in terms of outlook,...

Calcium plus vitamin D supplementation may not have joint benefits: RCT data

19-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with vitamin D and calcium may not reduce the severity of joint symptoms in postmenopausal women, says new trial data.

New FDA guidance sheds more light on formulation, marketing of medical foods

15-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

The Food and Drug Administration has given additional clarification to a ill-defined subcategory of foods by issuing a revised draft guidance on medical foods.  The new version clarifies some issues surrounding branding and marketing, and in so doing,...