Allergies & intolerances

1000 Holland & Barrett franchise stores to open in India

21-Apr-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Health and nutrition retailer Holland & Barrett has secured a £20m (€25.44m) deal with Indian hospital chain Apollo Hospitals, an agreement which will see 1000 franchise stores open across India over the next five years.

Breastfed, lunch & dinner: Breast milk the ‘ultimate personalised medicine,’ say researchers

20-Apr-2016 By Will Chu

Cracking the complex makeup of breast milk brings to light multiple health benefits that make breast milk the ultimate personalised medicine, a review says.

Made FOR China: Probiotic firm takes up UK export challenge

29-Mar-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Welsh probiotic company Cultech will use a free-trade deal to tap into the Chinese market, export ambitions that fall instep with the UK government’s plans to switch from ‘Made in China’ to ‘Made for China’.

Study says special infant formula promoting allergy protection has no effect

08-Mar-2016 By Jim Cornall

Hydrolyzed baby formula does not reduce allergy risk - despite previous claims - according to research led by Imperial College London.

Probiotic strains may provide food allergy protection

26-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

A probiotic blend may be able to prevent sensitisation and allergy to cow’s milk by changing an individual's gut bacteria, a study has suggested.

Probiotic mix plays decisive role in metabolic disease onset, study suggests

24-Feb-2016 By Will Chu

A probiotic mixture may inhibit gut and tissue inflammation – the hallmarks observed in the onset of obesity and type 2 diabetes, according to a study by French researchers.

FSA budget cuts: what it means for food safety

04-Feb-2016 By Michelle Perrett

Budget cuts at the Food Standards Agency and local authorities mean change is afoot, reports Michelle Perrett.

Americans with allergies have low microbiota diversity: NIH Study

18-Dec-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The gut microbiota of American adults with allergies is markedly different from people without allergies, particularly for nut and seasonal pollen allergies, says a new study from scientists at the NIH.

Could kimchi reduce the risk of eczema?

30-Nov-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Increased intakes of fermented foods like kimchi and beer are associated with significantly reduced risks of atopic dermatitis (eczema), says a new study from Korea.

SPECIAL EDITION: INFLAMMATION

Academic excitement about inflammation falls on consumer deaf ears: Consultant

24-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is only one approved health claim for inflammation in Europe and it is not being used because it means nothing to consumers, according to a health food consultant.

Probiotics can change infant gut bacteria to prevent cow milk allergy: Study

23-Sep-2015 By Eliot Beer

Infants with allergies to cow’s milk can become tolerant after treatment with hydrolysed casein and a probiotic formula which alters their gut microbiome, according to a new study.

Vitamin D cuts asthma exacerbation by 74% in children: Review

28-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin D supplementation may cut the risk of asthma exacerbation in children but it does not impact respiratory infections in healthy children, a review has found.

Probiotic fermented milk may improve airway allergies: Danone study

16-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotic fermented milk may improve airway allergies through immune system shift, says Argentinian research funded by Danone.

This week Down Under

Rosacea trials show significant improvement after Kiwi honey treatment

01-Jul-2015 By RJ Whitehead

Rosacea trials show significant improvement after honey treatment

patent watch

Nestlé files patent for pregnancy probiotic

29-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed a patent for probiotics to be taken during pregnancy and lactation, which it says help reduce the risk of allergies for the infant. 

Probiotic combination may improve immune health for asthmatics: Study

16-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of Lactobacillus salivarius LS01 and Bifidobacterium breve BR03 may help balance the immune system in people with allergic asthma, says a new study from Italy.

Reacting to allergies: Is self-diagnosis leading to malnutrition?

12-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Inaccurate home testing and self-diagnosis is leading to unnecessarily restrictive diets and malnutrition, says a report claiming to make sense of allergies. 

EFSA opinion wrap: Pomegranate, carob, coffee rejected. Vitamin D approved

Claim chill: EFSA rejects probiotics for immunity, defecation

13-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has rejected probiotic dossiers from Canadian firm Lallemand Health Solutions (immunity) and Italian player Synbiotec (defecation) in a batch of opinions published today.

Scientists develop low-allergen soybean

06-May-2015 By Niamh Michail

A new low-allergen variety of soy bean has been developed using conventional methods.

Dispatches from the International Yakult Symposium

No health claims but probiotics remain on medical agenda

27-Apr-2015 By Shane Starling from Berlin

Probiotics are yet to win a health claim in the European Union but they continue to receive backing by various bodies for gastrointestinal issues like diarrhoea.

Holland & Barrett hits Belgium and Holland

10-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

NBTY Europe is re-branding its retail chains Essenza and De Tuinen as Holland & Barrett stores.

Nestlé files patent for cocoa extract allergy treatment

03-Apr-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé has filed an international patent for cocoa polyphenols as a treatment or prevention of eosinophilic esophagitis – an allergic reaction of the esophagus.

Not just for hippies: Hemp's rising superfood status

01-Apr-2015 By RJ Whitehead

Bursting with nutrients and boasting an impressive growth rate, the future of hemp seed is bright– but what’s the best way for manufacturers to cash in on a product that is connected – mistakenly but understandably – with an illegal drug?

Barentz reveals expansion plans after gaining added funds

20-Mar-2015 By Joyeeta Basu

On the back of a deal with a ‘strong’ equity partner, Barentz International will use the additional funds to accelerate growth in its key markets in Europe, India, China and Asia Pacific, it said.

Protein-free diet may alter immune development: Mice study

18-Mar-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Mice fed a protein-free amino acid diet developed immature immune systems and were therefore unable to generate inflammatory and regulatory events like food allergy and oral tolerance, according to research published in the British Journal of Nutrition.

EU safety logo set to tighten net on dodgy food supplement sales

10-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

The Danish and Austrian authorities have warned against toxic food supplements ahead of an EU-wide safety logo set to crack down on illegal retailers posing as online pharmacies.

Gut bacteria could predict food allergies

09-Mar-2015 By Niamh Michail

Levels and variety of infant gut bacteria may be used to predict food allergies or asthma, say researchers from the University of Alberta. 

Amaranth seeds may help cardiovascular health and diabetes

20-Feb-2015 By Niamh Michail

Amaranth seeds may help prevent coronary disease, lower cholesterol and manage diabetes, according to a scientific review.

Australia

Researchers ‘astounded’ by results of probiotic peanut allergy study

28-Jan-2015 By RJ Whitehead

A probiotic could hold the key to treating peanut allergies in children, researchers in Melbourne have found.

'Springtime sneezes are diseases,' ASA tells hay fever botanical

11-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has told a hay fever botanical its mention of sneezing, itchy eyes and runny nose amounted to an unauthorised disease prevention claim.

Not the only culprit? Celiacs react to non-gluten wheat proteins

07-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Past celiac research has focused on gluten wheat proteins as the cause of reactions, but researchers say there may be other non-gluten proteins in wheat also to blame.

Denmark widens warning on weight loss herbal linked to brain haemorrhage

30-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Danish food safety authority has issued a second warning on the illegal herbal weight loss ingredient Acacia rigidula – which contains substances implicated in a brain haemorrhage case in Sweden.

Low vitamin D may increase asthma risk: Population data

30-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

Asthmatics with vitamin D deficiency are 25% more likely to experience acute attacks, suggests study.

Mongolian dairy probiotics may alleviate allergies: Mouse study

09-Jun-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics isolated from Mongolian dairy products could alleviate allergy symptoms through intestinal immunity and helper cell balance, research using mice has suggested.

And in this news just to hand...NI mobile app is live!

19-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

The NutraIngredients mobile app is live and kicking all the global nutrition news you need straight into your Android or Iphone.

Prebiotic prevention: Cochrane backs infant formula prebiotics for eczema - but not allergies

28-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Prebiotis supplements in infant formula may help to prevent eczema, but there is lack of evidence that the same is true for allergies, according to a new Cochrane review.

Gut microbe diversity is key in fight against allergies, study suggests

20-Dec-2011 By Nathan Gray

Children with a diverse variety of bacteria in their gut may have better protection against allergies, according to new research.

Yeast ingredient shows promise for reducing airborne allergies

20-Nov-2009 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a yeast fermentate may improve allergy symptoms like runny nose, according to the results of randomised clinical trial.

Gluten-free vegan diet could protect arthritics' hearts, study

18-Mar-2008 By Lorraine Heller

Arthritis sufferers who adhere to a gluten-free vegan diet could be
better protected against heart attacks and stroke, according to a
randomized study published yesterday.

Fish and 'fruity vegetables' may reduce asthma and allergies

12-Sep-2007 By Alex McNally

A diet rich in vegetables, such as tomatoes and aubergines, and
fish can help cut asthma and allergy incidence in children, a study
suggests.

Kefir ingredients could help food allergies

16-Oct-2006 By Stephen Daniells

Drinking the probiotic, fermented milk, kefir, decreased the
allergic response to ovalbumin (egg white) in mice, and may offer
hope to preventing food allergies, suggests a new study from
Taiwan.

Fatty acids play no role in childhood allergies

30-Sep-2004

Levels of omega-3 and 6 fatty acids in the diets of pregnant women
do not appear to have an important influence on the development of
wheezing and allergies in their children, according to UK
researchers.

Swiss retailer launches gluten-free range

04-May-2004

Migros, the Swiss food retailer, has launched a range of
gluten-free products aimed specifically at coeliacs, the first time
the co-operative group has catered for sufferers of the digestive
disease.

Green tea may fight allergies

20-Sep-2002

New evidence suggests that drinking the increasingly popular green
tea may provide some relief to allergy sufferers.