The Chinese herb Scutellaria barbata has been found to slow
progression of prostate tumours in mice, suggesting potential
chemopreventive effects in humans.
A UK court this week heard the case of a woman who developed kidney
failure after taking Chinese herbal medicine containing the plant
extract aristolochia, banned in the UK and several other countries.
A low-carbohydrate diet may be more effective than reducing fat
intake for men seeking to prevent advanced prostate cancer, say US
researchers presenting laboratory results at a meeting this week.
The red wine antioxidant resveratrol may not only inhibit
inflammation causing disease in lung cells but could also be a more
effective treatment for the irreversible condition chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease than standard drugs,...
Manufacturers of fruit and vegetable extracts need to better
standardise their products to help customers compare brands, finds
a new report. Industry-wide standardisation would also promote
development of the functional food industry,...
DSM's new vitamins business will be key to the group's performance
in coming months as it attempts to recover from a 75 per cent drop
in operating profit for the third quarter. One-off charges,
including restructuring costs,...
Sweden's Skane Dairy has been awarded the country's first health
claim to support the health benefits of probiotic bacteria, giving
the company its third health claim for the probiotic fruit juice
ProViva.
Women who drink regularly may need to increase their folate intake
to prevent a raised risk of chronic disease, report researchers in
a new study, examining the impact of alcohol on women with low
folate levels.
Pregnant women and children should take vitamin D supplements to
prevent a resurgence of rickets, say researchers in a seminar
published in tomorrow's issue of The Lancet. Experts have
been warning of rising cases of the bone...
Swedish dairy firm Skanemejerier will next year launch a range of
foods to help weight control, after reaching a deal with LTP Lipid
Technologies Provider for use of its ingredient Reducal. The move
allows Skane to move into the booming...
UK researchers are to test whether a simple course of vitamin C
could reduce the effects of an extreme pain syndrome that develops
in 30 per cent of people who fracture their wrists.
Food ingredients companies are to discuss the challenges and
opportunities posed by the current global obesity epidemic at a
seminar in next month's Food Ingredients Europe show.
A major trial on European children is to examine whether
reformulating the contents of infant foods, particularly the amount
of protein, could help reduce the risk of obesity in later life.
The EU-funded study is expected to confirm...
US fatty acids manufacturer Martek Biosciences is to distribute its
docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) to European dietary supplement makers
through an agreement with Dutch firm Vegetable Seed Oil Products
(VSP).
Soy isoflavones could help women with low bone mineral content
prevent hip fractures in postmenopause years, suggest Chinese
researchers in this month's Journal of Clinical Endocrinology
and Metabolism.
Scientists have launched a project to sequence the genome of the
legume, the third plant genome to be sequenced to date. The project
could shed light on the health-promoting properties buried in the
legume family of soybeans, chickpeas...
Energy-dense fast foods and convenience meals increase the risk of
obesity by encouraging unintentional over-eating, report UK
scientists this week, calling for more healthy fast food options
and promotion of healthy foods in supermarkets.
Food is a major and underused anticancer weapon, according to a
group of British politicians, who are calling for the Government to
focus on diet to reduce cancer incidence in the UK.
The campaign against the new EU food supplements directive is
gathering pace as the Alliance for Natural Health announces it will
also take legal proceedings to see the directive declared invalid
under European law.
Soy protein, widely consumed as a meat alternative or in sports
nutrition products, could help diabetes patients protect their
hearts and kidneys from damage caused by the disease, shows a small
trial.
A homeopathic remedy made from arsenic oxide could ease the
suffering of the hundreds of millions of people at risk from
arsenic poisoning worldwide, suggests research published this week.
Trials on rats appear to disprove a possible...
Women could significantly reduce menopause symptoms within 12 weeks
by changing to a Japanese-style diet (high in soyfoods and calcium)
and exercise plan, suggests a new study. It is one of the first to
find immediate benefit for...
Food Standards Australia New Zealand has announced a review of the
safety of energy-boosting herbs, such as guarana and gingko biloba,
that could pose a threat to the booming energy drinks market.
New Zealand dairy brand Anchor has developed two new healthy milks,
targeting heart disease and osteoporosis, to meet growing consumer
interest in disease prevention.
Norwegian firm Pronova Biocare is investing more than €6 million in
production facilities to meet the rapid growth in the market for
marine omega-3 fatty acids over the last year.
Trade associations in the UK are taking legal action in an attempt
to hold off the EU food supplements directive, which threatens to
damage one of the biggest and most diverse natural products markets
in Europe.
The use of collagen hydrolysate for osteoarthritis patients
warrants further study, said experts meeting at last week's World
Congress on Osteoarthritis in Berlin, especially given the
predicted rise in joint disease over coming...
The Chinese herbal aristolochic acid, banned in several countries
for causing kidney failure and cancer, is readily available from
websites, according to a US researcher, revealing the growing
threat to the supplement industry from...
A meta-analysis of trials on the use of mistletoe extract to treat
cancer failed to show efficacy, report UK researchers in the
International Journal of Cancer.
Pan Pharmaceuticals, previously Australia's biggest manufacturer of
vitamins and natural remedies, could be on the way to recovery,
after the medicines agency confirmed a satisfactory audit has been
completed.
Numico is to sell the last of its supplement activities in two
major deals announced today. Vitamex goes to Swedish firm Wilhelm
Sonesson for €31 million, while an investor group is buying US
retailer GNC for $750 million.
The use of herbal medicines entails risks, but probably fewer than
with synthetic drugs, argues a British Medicial Journal
editorial out tomorrow. And failing to fund further studies on
herbals represents the biggest risk to consumers,...
Breast feeding does not protect against overweight and obesity in
later life, as previously believed, suggest researchers in two
studies in this week's British Medical Journal.
French ingredients firm Rhodia Food has developed technology to
include beneficial probiotics in a nutritional bar, helping
manufacturers to tap into two of the biggest trends in healthy
eating.
Degussa BioActives has improved its phosphatidylserine (PS) formula
for soft gel applications, after research by its R&D team found
possible interactions between the soft gel capsule and its PS
filling.
The flurry of activity in CLA applications is being backed by a
growing body of research to support the ingredient, particularly
for its effects on weight loss, potentially one of its most
profitable uses in the functional foods market.
UK natural healthcare company William Ransom could sell one of its
manufacturing sites to generate cash for a new botanical extraction
facility planned for next year, it said this week.
Sales at the Roche vitamins and fine chemicals division fell even
lower in the third quarter, the Swiss firm reported yesterday,
releasing its final set of figures for the unit now owned by DSM.
Big portions encourage people to eat more but big portions of
calorie dense food - the kind people tend to grab on the run -
boost calorie consumption even higher without providing additional
satisfaction, suggests new US research.
A probiotic cheese and products with high CLA levels are among the
foods being developed at a new €16 million functional food research
centre, recently opened in Ireland. One of its goals is to boost
the competitive advantage of Irish...
Fortification of wheat flour with folic acid has substantially
improved folate status in a population of women of reproductive age
in Chile, report researchers in this month's Journal of
Nutrition.
The Australian government launched its National Nutrition Week
yesterday, urging parents to buy healthier food for their children
and help prevent the numbers of obese, 3.3 million in Australia,
from climbing.
Dutch firm Wessanen is to lay off managers at its Tree of Life
health food and supplement operations as part of a major
costcutting drive announced in the summer.
Leading Swedish food maker Procordia Food is to launch a series of
health-enhancing foods and has reached a deal with compatriot
BioGaia for use of its probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus
reuteri in products for the Nordic market.
German researchers have identified for the first time a potent
antioxidant compound in coffee which could explain its anti-cancer
activity. The study found that methylpyridinium, formed during the
roasting process, increased protection...
