Resveratrol, the phenolic derivative found in red wine and certain
plants, may play a role in protecting against diabetes and obesity,
suggest the results of an animal study.
A new project was launched this week by Australian food researchers
to tap bioactive compounds from agricultural and food industry
waste for use in health-enhancing foods and nutraceuticals.
Oral administration of Lactobacillous acidophilus NCFM has been
seen to have an analgesic effect in the gut similar to that of
morphine - a finding that opens up a new realm of applications for
Danisco's probiotic strain.
Reducol could have a big impact on heart disease rates in France,
say Forbes Medi-Tech and Carrefour, the supermarket giant that
recently launched a range of yoghurt products containing the
cholesterol-lowering ingredient.
Swiss food giant Nestle has confirmed its plan to purchase Novartis
Medical Nutrition for US$2.5bn - a move that propels it from a
minor player in healthcare nutrition to the world number two.
Folic acid supplements have no effect on cardiovascular disease
events amongst people with existing vascular disease, says a
meta-analysis of 12 randomised control trials.
Consuming foods containing beta-glucan could reduce the insulin and
glucose response after a meal, thereby easing a risk factor for
diabetes and cardiovascular disease, says a new study.
The UK's Food Standards Agency has launched a final consultation
into mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid - an action
that coincides with publication of the SACN recommendation to press
ahead with the measure.
The new European health and nutrition claims regulation and food
fortification regulation will enter into force in January
2007, as the EC decides not the wait for adoption of the comitology
amendments.
DSM Nutritional Products is expanding distribution of its
olive-derived Hidrox ingredient to Europe, Asia, Latin America and
Africa, aimed at foods related to the Mediterranean lifestyle and
joint health supplements.
Orafti has announced the introduction of Beneo LGI, a virtually
sugar-free inulin with multiple applications for healthier food
formulation - including products with a low glycaemic index.
An increased consumption of whole grains and fish could reduce the
risk of developing asthma by about 50 per cent, suggests a new
study from The Netherlands.
Publication of the new European health and nutrition claims and
food fortification regulations has been delayed until next spring -
a scenario that should affect nothing but the timescale for
entering into force, although experts...
There's no way but out for heart-damaging trans fatty acids, and
procrastinators in the food industry will achieve nothing by
delaying reformulation other than lagging behind in the game as the
rest of the world waves goodbye.
Scientists from the University of Illinois in Chicago have reported
for the first time just how black cohosh may alleviate hot flushes
in menopausal women - information previously lacking about the
herb.
Israeli ingredients manufacturer Enzymotec has unveiled a US$3.5m
R&D budget for 2007 - a significantly higher investment than in
previous years which is mostly earmarked for funding clinical
trials.
As the regulatory landscape for supplements in Asia is shifting
towards greater harmonisation, officials from around the globe can
pool knowledge and learn from each others' systems, according to
IADSA.
A high-dose vitamin K supplement reduced calcium precipitates
associated with hardening of the arteries by 37 per cent in rats,
scientists from The Netherlands have reported.
New Zealand Wool Equities is has reached an unconditional agreement
to sell its research, development and IP operation Canesis to
state-owned Agresearch, leaving the holding company with
nutraceutical company Keratec as its only major...
As the European functional foods market is growing, companies that
have built their business out of the supplement sector are
regarding it as a platform for increasing sales.
Using prebiotics as carriers could protect probiotics during
processing and storage, as well imparting their own beneficial
effects in the finished product, suggests new research from
Finland.
A diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids, dietary fibre, beta-carotene
and vitamin E appear to offer significant protection against
non-Hodgkin lymphoma, says a Swedish-Danish-American study.
Adhering to the recommended daily amount of protein may help
protect against certain cancers that are not directly associated
with obesity, says new research from the US.
Recently declared a separate entity from parent Loders Croklaan and
with a new CEO at the helm, the Lipid Nutrition is aiming to grow
sales volumes by making its products attractive for food uses and
to extend geographically.
The UK's food standards agency has launched a consultation into the
addition of calcium-L-methylfolate and ferrous bisglycinate to the
positive list of vitamins and minerals.
Berkem is promoting its coffee-derived Svetol ingredient for
functional food uses, communicating positive clinical findings on
weight loss that build on epidemiological data connecting the
well-loved beverage to health benefits.
Chinese researchers have reported that alginate oligosaccharides
(AOS) have significant prebiotic activity in rats and, if the
results can be reproduced in humans, could offer an novel source of
the health promoting ingredients.
Swiss pharma company Galenica is making its first foray into the
omega-3 market with its acquisition of Equazen, a move that also
marks further investment in the UK OTC market.
High intake of garlic and onions was associated with significantly
reduced risks of a wide-range of cancers, according to a large
epidemiological study from Italy.
UK omega-3 company Equazen has been purchased by Swiss pharma
company Galenica, a move that looks set to take the brand to new
heights in the competitive global market - and free up its founder
to focus on new research in the field.
BASF has signed a joint development and supply agreement with
Cardex Pharmaceuticals to develop a process for a key intermediary
similar to astaxanthin. If successful, it could open up a new area
of human nutrition for the company.
Women expecting twins or their second child inside two years are at
an increased risk of vitamin A deficiency and could benefit from
beta-carotene supplementation, says a study based in Germany.
People in France at a high risk of cardiovascular disease are not
consuming phytosterol-enriched margarine, suggesting that marketers
and health practitioners need to retarget their efforts, says a new
study.
The relationship between child and crisp has long been a sacred one
but instead of exploiting this dynamic to shovel unhealthy food
into young mouths isn't it about time healthier companies exploited
it to push junk food without...
Scientists from Reading Scientific Services have developed a method
for quantifying vitamin B12 in beverages at lower levels than
previously possible, which will enable manufacturers to give more
accurate information on labels.
Almonds may improve the control of blood sugar levels and eliminate
'sugar spikes' after eating, says new research from Canada that may
have implications for diabetes and heart health.
High levels of the carotenoid beta-carotene may protect cognitive
decline in people with a certain genotype that is said to increase
the risk of Alzheimer's, say researchers.
Suppliers of New Zealand green-lipped mussel extract are proposing
to end confusion in the nutraceutical market with a registration
procedure for intended use.
Glanbia is stepping up its presence in Asia Pacific with the
establishment of its first nutritionals facility in the region,
which is likely to expand it company's activities from infant
formula into vitamin and mineral premixes.
Researchers from Aglient Technologies and UC-Davis have developed a
technique to enable the rapid analysis of oligosaccharides in
individual samples human milk, which could prove a useful tool for
the food and infant formula markets.
Supplementation with a drink rich in soy isoflavones does
significantly improve spine bone density in post-menopausal women,
but the effects are not significant in men, says a new trial from
the US.
A daily supplement of milk protein hydrolysate from Ingredia
effectively reduced stress-related symptoms in women, says a new
randomised controlled trial from France and Korea.
Korean company Cell Biotech is establishing operations in Denmark
to expand use of its dual-coated probiotics in Europe market -
particularly in new, non-dairy food categories.
Boosting vitamin D levels amongst people with dark skin, a
population at greater risk of lower levels, could be an easy way to
reduce a number of cancers, say researchers from Harvard.
Alltracel has developed a soluble version of its bioactive for
cardiovascular health, opening up its use in beverages and making
it more attractive to the food companies with which it is currently
discussion the route to market.
Milk, fortified with four minerals and three vitamins, cut the
occurrence of respiratory infections and days with severe illness,
and could be a well accepted means of improving health, especially
amongst pre-schoolers in the developing...