Vitamins & premixes

Life after Lance: FRS acquires contract manufacturer, shuffles management team

01-Feb-2013 By Hank Schultz

The FRS Company, makers of the FRS energy drink and related products, announced a series of corporate moves yesterday that included a management change and the acquisition of a contract manufacturing and formulation company.

Packaging helps drive success in point-of-purchase marketplace

31-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

When entrepreneur Tyler Johansen was launching a supplement designed to help boost students’ concentration, he decided to play in a sphere where snap decisions are made, at the edge of the counter in the point-of-purchase marketplace.

GRAS status will boost benfotiamine, XSTO says

29-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Benfotiamine, a form of thiamine or vitamin B1, has been on the market for decades.  So what makes BenfoPure, a branded form of the ingredient now represented by XSTO Solutions, special? The differentiator, said XSTO’s Dan Murray, is in the details.

No cancer risk from folic acid supplementation, says meta-analysis

25-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

High intake of folic acid is not associated with an increased incidence of cancers, new data has confirmed.

Are vitamin D levels linked to mental health?

23-Jan-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Low levels of vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of depression in mid-life, says a new study from University College London in the UK.

Program provides edge-of-shelf health claims info for supplement retailers

22-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Vestcom, a provider of shelf-edge pricing and product information for grocery retailers, has entered the dietary supplements retailing space with the launch of vitaAisles, a new service that provides nutrition and health claims information for a wide...

Pre- and Probiotics could help HIV patients, suggests new research

18-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of probiotics could help HIV patients taking antiretroviral drugs to have a lower risk of infection and inflammation that are still common problems for those with the condition.

Legislators seek info from energy drink manufacturers

18-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Two US senators and a member of the House of Representatives have sent letters to 14 energy drink companies seeking information about their products.  The letters ask the companies to respond to detailed questions about their products’ ingredients and...

Choline supplementation may aid schizophrenia prevention

18-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of choline supplements during pregnancy could be a new approach to the prevention of schizophrenia, suggest researchers.

Rock bottom raw material prices unlikely to last, DNP says

17-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Some raw material prices that were recently at “rock bottom” may start rebounding in the second quarter of 2013 as supply and demand in these sectors returns to a balance, according a report from nutraceutical ingredients importer DNP International.

Multivitamins and antioxidants may promote cancer growth in late-stage patients, warns Nobel laureate

17-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Antioxidant nutritional supplements may actually promote cancer progression in late-stage cancers patients, according to a new research paper published by Nobel laureate James Watson.

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...

Supplements and milk are most important for children’s vitamin D levels, say researchers

15-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of cow’s milk and vitamin D supplements are the two most important factors determining a child’s vitamin D status, according to a new study.

Herbalife fights back hard in presentation to analysts

11-Jan-2013 By Hank Schultz

Herbalife Inc. fought back against negative press about its business model in a presentation for analysts Thursday that ran more than two hours.  The company sought to refute in detail allegations made by hedge fund manager William Ackman in December...

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.  

Calcium plus vitamin D may slash body fat levels

10-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Adding calcium and vitamin D supplements to an energy-restricted diet may boost the loss of body fat, compared to the diet alone, says a new study.

Vitamin D supplements may not offer osteoarthritis benefits: Study

09-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with vitamin D does not reduce key symptoms of osteoarthritis including cartilage loss and joint pain, according to the findings of a two year clinical trial.

B vitamins may boost colorectal health: Study

04-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased intakes of vitamin B6 and riboflavin (B2) are associated with a 20% reduction in the risk of colorectal cancer, says a new study.

Multivitamins don’t increase mortality risk: New meta-analysis

03-Jan-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily multivitamin does not increase the risk of death, says a new meta-analysis from Australia that supports the safety of the supplements and challenges previous controversial analyses.

Low maternal vitamin D again linked to low birth weights: Study

02-Jan-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women deficient in vitamin D early in their pregnancies are twice as likely to deliver babies with lower birth weights, say researchers.

Startup launches immune support supplement based on novel pterin pathway

21-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

SanRx, a San Diego-based nutraceutical startup, has a new immune support supplement that attacks the problem in a novel way, via the action of a set of molecules called pterins.

Herbalife expands US manufacturing capacity with purchase of North Carolina plant

19-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

Network marketing giant Herbalife Ltd. is expanding its US manufacturing capacity with the purchase of a facility in Winston Salem NC. The acquisition furthers Herbalife’s goal to increase the number of products it manufactures in-house, the company said.

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.

‘Significant’ link between daytime sleepiness and low vitamin D

19-Dec-2012 By Nathan Gray

There is a significant correlation between excessive daytime sleepiness, race, and low vitamin D levels, according to new research.

Super Supplements acquisition makes cultural sense, says Vitamin Shoppe CEO

19-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

Vitamin Shoppe Inc. has acquired Seattle-based chain Super Supplements in a transaction that makes both strategic and cultural sense, says Vitamin Shoppe CEO Tony Truesdale.

Vitamin D in the US: ‘Those with greatest need of dietary sources of vitamin D have the lowest intakes’

18-Dec-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

Alternative foods may offer fortification potential for vitamin D to help boost intakes of the sunshine vitamin among sections of the population that need it most, says a new review from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the University of Saskatchewan.

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.

FDA, Chinese agency renew cooperation agreement

12-Dec-2012 By Hank Schultz

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has extended an agreement with a Chinese counterpart agency to work together on food and feed safety.

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.

Lichen-based vegan vitamin D3 gains momentum as Nordic Naturals introduces new product

07-Dec-2012 By Elaine WATSON

Nordic Naturals has launched a new plant-based Vitamin D3 liquid supplement derived from an edible lichen-developed by UK-based supplier ESB Developments Ltd.

Vitamin D may slow pre-cancer growths, find researchers

28-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Vitamin D may help to battle cancers by blocking cell growth and slowing the progression of pre-malignant to malignant states, say researchers.

Vitamins: A Centenary of essential nutrients

Birthday gifts: Vitamins celebrate centenary with EU health claim wins

28-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

2012 is turning out to be a very good year for the vitamins sector. Aside from the feel good factor of the essential nutrients turning 100, vitamins have also won a bag of health claims in the European Union to go with those already existing in other...

Vitamins: A centenary of essential nutrients

Looking forward: The emerging evidence for vitamins and health

28-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

In the last 100 years vitamins have been found to play vital roles in our health and wellbeing, but the full benefits of many vitamins is yet to be elucidated.In this special edition article NutraIngredients looks at some of the areas of vitamin research...

Vitamins: A Centenary of essential nutrients

Low vitamin D status linked to higher risk of diabetes

27-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Deficiency in vitamin D may be associated with an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes, according to new research.

Study backs acidity regulator for bone health benefits

23-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Potassium citrate, commonly used to regulate the acidity of food and drink products, could also help to boost bone health according to new research findings.

Study calls for maternal vitamin D supplementation

21-Nov-2012

New data that ‘strongly implicates’ maternal levels of vitamin D with the risk of multiple sclerosis (MS) in children means there is now a strong case for supplementation of pregnant women in countries where sunlight levels are low between October and...

Maternal vitamin C backed for baby’s brain development

20-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Maternal deficiency in vitamin during pregnancy could have serious consequences for the development of the foetal brain that cannot be reversed, according to new research data.

Vitamin D supplements backed to slash diabetic heart disease risk

19-Nov-2012 By Nathan Gray

Low levels of vitamin D may be responsible for the increased risk of heart disease among diabetic people developing clogged up arteries, according to new research.

VITAMINS: A CENTENARY OF ESSENTIAL NUTRIENTS

Global population demands, ‘confusing’ media coverage and the 100 year old vitamin

19-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

It’s 100 years since Casimir Funk came up with the term ‘vitamin’, but with an ever-increasing global population and negative reports in the media of their ‘ineffectiveness’ for select health conditions, what does the future hold for the humble vitamin?

Vitamin K2: Study unlocks which forms have higher bioavailability

15-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming vitamin K2 in its MK-7 form is better for raising levels of the vitamin in serum than K2 in the MK-4 form, says a new study from Japan and the Netherlands.

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,...

Focus on multivitamins

Multivitamins: 'The cheapest health insurance a person will ever buy'

09-Nov-2012

The benefits of a daily multivitamin – from filling nutrient gaps to a potential reduction in cancer risk – have dominated the headlines in recent weeks. In this NutraIngredients-USA special focus, we revisit the studies and the responses to these important...

DSM buys Fortitech for €495m; “We are done for awhile”

08-Nov-2012 By Shane Starling

Rampant nutrition business acquirer, Royal DSM, has splashed the cash for the ninth time in two years – this time to the tune of €495m ($634m) on US-based multinational nutrient blending giant, Fortitech (€212m/$270m annual turnover).

‘Eye-opening’ data reveals reformulation opportunities for dietary supplements for children

06-Nov-2012 By Stephen Daniells

Over one-third of American children are not meeting calcium and vitamin D recommendations, even with the use of supplements, says new data from the Office of Dietary Supplements.

Multivitamins may not benefit heart disease risk, but 'don't forget the aim and other potential benefits of supplements'

05-Nov-2012 By Stephen DANIELLS

A daily multivitamin may not reduce the risk of developing heart disease for a healthy population of men, according to data from the Physicians’ Health Study (PHS) II study.

Bayer “absolutely open” to further acquisitions after $1.2bn Schiff shop

30-Oct-2012 By Shane STARLING

The consumer arm of German pharma giant Bayer Healthcare is to pay $1.2bn (€920m) for US food supplements company Schiff Nutrition International, a move that will make it one of the biggest operators there, feed product development globally, and may not...

Guest editorial: Steve Mister, President & CEO, CRN

Multivitamin Study: Making Lemons Out of Lemonade

29-Oct-2012

Why is the dietary supplement industry sabotaging the recent study that showed multivitamins may potentially lower the risk of cancer? In this special guest article, Steve Mister, President & CEO for the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN), calls...

Vitamin price drops but BASF nutrition sees 4% sales growth

29-Oct-2012 By Shane Starling

BASF’s nutrition and health unit (N&H) earned €492m in Q3 – 4% more for the quarter than in 2011 when it had sales of €471m – despite falling prices for most vitamins.

Special edition: Immune support

Immune sector in rude health despite regulator attacks

18-Oct-2012 By Shane STARLING

Foods, drinks, botanicals and other food supplements that boost the immune system have been one of the best performing functional sectors since, well, the birth of functional foods and supplements.

Special edition: Immune support

Vitamin D’s immune benefits: Cold, flu and beyond

18-Oct-2012 By Stephen Daniells

A recent study that dismissed the potential of the sunshine vitamin to reduce the incidence of the common cold should not dissuade consumers from seeking out the immune health benefits of the vitamin.