Zinc appears to significantly reduce the duration of fever and
severity of illness in boys with pneumonia and other serious lower
respiratory infections, according to new research.
A panel of scientists in the US has developed a method to assess
the safety of common supplements based on available lab and animal
data, and suggests that this process could be used by regulators to
get round the lack of human clinical...
Ultra Premium Brands (UPB), the developer of leading energy drinks
brand Red Devil, has been bought out by its management, who are
hoping to develop it as the number two energy drinks business in
the world.
A UK government body, charged with protecting the country's
wildlife and nature, is considering opening up more than 200 nature
reserves to bioprospecting, or the search for wild plants and
animals that could offer valuable resources...
The chief financial officer of health food and supplement group
Wessanen is to stand down following an investigation into the
balance sheet that started in August 2003, the Dutch company said
yesterday.
An essential oil, used to flavour a leading chewing gum brand
manufactured by gum giant Wrigley's, also appears to tackle the
bacteria that causes bad breath, writes Lindsey Partos.
The British are not as pushed for time as they would have everyone
believe but convenience in healthcare and eating is seen as an
opportunity to free up time for other lifestyle gains, suggests a
survey of 2000 adults by Mintel.
US government scientists said this week that a genetically modified
fungus that can manufacture the potent antioxidant lycopene from
corn fibre could be a cheaper alternative to sourcing the
carotenoid from tomatoes.
Coca-Cola Japan is to launch a drink flavoured with fragrances
thought to activate the fat-burning process in a new joint venture
with cosmetics firm Shiseido.
A little-known molecule created in the intestine when soy is
digested is a powerful blocker of a potent male hormone involved in
prostate cancer and male pattern baldness, shows a new animal
study.
The tomato-derived carotenoid lycopene may reduce risk of cancer by
activating special cancer preventive enzymes, according to a new
lab study by an Israeli team.
Australia's medicines regulator has published draft guidelines for
the registration of complementary medicines, which are also
expected to form the basis of rules under the controversial joint
agency with New Zealand.
Taking a folic acid supplement may stop the onset of migraines,
says an Australasian team, which has discovered a gene that is
linked to the most severe and debilitating form of headache,
migraine with aura.
A simple blood test could determine whether older women with
diabetes would benefit from or be at risk from vitamin doses
designed to protect their ailing hearts, according to researchers
at the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology.
Hopping on board the fast-moving low carb train, Arla Food
Ingredients, the supplier of tooth-friendly sweetener tagatose,
says a new study from Australian scientists confirms the product's
low glycaemic response.
There is 'considerable evidence' to suggest that sucrose and other
free sugars contribute to the global epidemic of obesity and
governments should endorse recent WHO guidelines on reducing sugar
intake, argues a researcher...
A novel, healthy oil marketed by an ADM joint venture could soon be
available on the Australian market after food authorities there
concluded it is safe.
UK researchers are to test whether garlic could be used to counter
diabetes, promising renewed interest in one of the most
well-established dietary supplement products.
Leading multivitamin brand Centrum has added lutein to its
formulation for the German market, taking the ingredient firmly
into Europe's mass market and establishing as a daily health
requirement, writes Dominique Patton.
The use of self-reported dietary data may be compromising the
accuracy of research into the impact of certain foods on obesity
and diabetes, suggests a new report.
A UK initiative has produced more than 80 nutrient function
statements for vitamins and minerals that are well-established by
science, providing the food industry with a useful reference in the
preparation of health claims, writes...
Significant investment in research and closer collaboration with
Chinese institutions could help unlock the huge potential of
natural traditional medicines to treat common Western diseases, UK
scientists on a recent trade mission...
Competition in the European non-dairy sector stepped up last month
when the American organic and natural foods giant Hain Celestial
acquired the German soya-based desserts firm Natumi. A move set to
challenge the dominant player -...
New research into immigrant populations provides further evidence
that a western-style diet, high in saturated fat and protein,
raises heart disease risk.
The World Health Organisation is renewing its call on governments
to promote breastfeeding and backing a strategy to dramatically
increase in the number of infants around the world being
exclusively breastfed.
A UK nutraceutical firm is hoping to develop an extract of the
plaintain banana as a medical food, after initial research shows it
could treat inflammatory bowel disease, such as Crohn's disease,
writes Dominique Patton.
Decas Cranberry Products' ingredients division has introduced a new
cranberry extract that it claims offers an increased level of
anti-microbial and antioxidant properties than the leading product
in the category.
One in three people around the world do not receive adequate
amounts of vitamins and minerals, claims a new report by UNICEF and
The Micronutrient Initiative out today. The extent of the problem
means that it threatens both the development...
People appear to be eternally optimistic when it comes to dieting,
always believing that the next diet will lead to weight loss. But
the results of a new study suggest that this cycle of dieting will
continue as most are not prepared...
Light to moderate alcohol consumption may reduce the risk of death
from cardiovascular disease (CVD) in men with high blood pressure,
according to new research.
The growing use of dietary supplements has caused alarm in recent
months among the medical community who fear dangerous interactions
with prescription medicines. But a new study concludes that most
potential drug-supplement interactions...
Increasing vitamin D intake could help women prevent breast cancer,
researchers will demonstrate today, as they present results from
the first study to investigate the vitamin's role in breast tissue.
Food safety agencies around the world have been issuing updated
advice on fish consumption to consumers, with a European Food
Safety Authority (EFSA) panel calling for further research into the
side effects of mercury.
American company US Nutra is seeking approval to sell its
astaxanthin to UK supplement makers, as evidence of its antioxidant
potential opens up a new market.
Served straight from the barrel in the mosaic clad bars of Madrid,
Spain's favourite apertif is not only good for the spirit, say
scientists, but could also have the same oft-reported heart health
benefits seen with red wine.
The typical Western diet, high in sugars and fats, red meat and
dairy products, is directly linked to breast cancer risk, but
despite this knowledge, we are not doing enough to prevent the
disease, an Italian researcher will argue...
Vitamin C may prevent symptoms associated with respiratory diseases
such as cystic fibrosis and asthma by hydrating the airways and
clearing them from potential pathogens, report scientists this
month, helping to explain some of the...
Finland's Raisio Group will sell its chemicals business to Ciba
Specialty Chemicals it said today, paving the way towards a new
health-driven strategy in its food units, writes Dominique
Patton.
Children taking a remedy containing echinacea, propolis and vitamin
C had half the number of infections compared to a placebo group
during a winter study.
A survey of infant formula by the UK's food watchdog finds levels
of harmful chemicals, dioxins and dioxin-like polychlorinated
biphenyls (PCBs) in infant formula have fallen significantly over
the past five years and are generally...
Levels of the hormone melatonin, shown in animals to protect
against the development of breast cancer, appear to have no
relationship with risk for the cancer in humans, reports a UK team,
failing to confirm previous results from...
Levels of chemicals commonly used in flame retardants have
increased significantly in cod liver oil supplements during the
past four years, European researchers will report next month, in
the latest study to reveal a safety risk for...
UK scientists are hoping to confirm that components in the
artichoke can lower cholesterol, a major risk factor for the
world's biggest health problem, heart disease.
German chemicals giant BASF has beaten its own sales and earnings
forecasts for 2003, prompting chairman Jurgen Hambrecht to suggest
that the sector may be due for something of a recovery this year,
writes Phil Taylor.
The health benefits of green tea dovetail into sleep as researchers
in Japan find an amino acid located in green tea could improve
slumber in young men, writes Lindsey Partos.
