Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Omega-3s linked to better cognitive function in mildly impaired older people

25-Jan-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements of omega-3 fatty acids may improve measures of cognitive function, including memory and perceptual speed, says a new study from China.

‘T-free’: Krill player backs odourless form in 'fishy smell' assault

24-Jan-2017 By Shane Starling

Enzymotec is backing a krill form using a patent-pending process it says makes it free of a component that contributes to the ‘fishy smell’ that can plague marine oils.

Olive oil could slash your chance of bone fractures in half, study says

24-Jan-2017 By Emma Jane Cash

Eating more extra virgin olive oil could cut your risk of osteoporosis related fractures, says a new study.

Omega-3 supply shifts: The case for marine agriculture

23-Jan-2017 By Professor Michael Crawford

Varying forces are rapidly shifting the omega-3 supply chain. In this guest article, veteran researcher professor Michael Crawford says a rapid upscale in sea farming can make a major contribution to sustainable fish oils, with a potentially raised nutrient...

Boosting bioavailability: Can nutra follow pharma’s lead on delivery format innovation

20-Jan-2017 By Nathan Gray

From shots, to sweets, pills and bars; nutrients and functional ingredients can be delivered in a variety of ways. But can the nutrition industry learn a thing or three from how pharmaceutical companies are improving ingredient delivery and bioavailability?

Omega 3 industry fights back: Study shows Australian and New Zealand supplements “clearly meet” label claims

19-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Australian and New Zealand fish oil products meet omega-3 PUFA specifications, and are not oxidized, according to an industry-funded study.

Essential fatty acid deficiency higher in children with ADHD, Taiwan research reveals

18-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been found to have a higher deficiency of essential fatty acids despite consuming similar amounts of omega-3 as those without the condition, research from Taiwan suggests.

Algae omega-3 & plant sterols seek EU approval

16-Jan-2017 By Shane Starling

Canadian and Chinese suppliers have applied for algae omega-3 and plant sterol approval under ‘substantial equivalence’ EU novel food rules.

Aquatic plant potential: Why duckweed could become a source of protein and omega-3 beyond South East Asia

12-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Duckweed has long been consumed as an inexpensive protein and source of omega-3 in three South East Asia countries, but now researchers are questioning if it has the potential to be adopted by south Asian and even Western consumers too.

13 categories open for entries to nutrition innovators. #NIAwards17

NutraIngredients Awards 2017: Deadline is 3 February

11-Jan-2017 By Shane STARLING

The NutraIngredients Awards are back in 2017 in Geneva at Vitafoods Europe with new categories to reward real progress and innovation in the global world of nutrition.

GOED challenged by French omega-3 supplier

05-Jan-2017 By Shane STARLING

French marine and algae-sourced omega-3 specialist Polaris has called on marquee trade group the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED) to up its presence in Europe.

Mediterranean diet linked to increased brain volume, say scientists

05-Jan-2017 By Louis Gore-Langton

The traditional Mediterranean diet of fruit and vegetables, nuts, fish and wine could prevent neurological degeneration in later life, say researchers at the University of Edinburgh.

'Impressive': Omega-3s during pregnancy may protect kids from asthma

05-Jan-2017 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil supplements during the third trimester of pregnancy may reduce the risk of the children developing asthma or wheezing, says a new study published in the prestigious New England Journal of Medicine.

Supplements and functional foods driving APAC fish oil market growth to 2020

05-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

The Asia-Pacific fish oil market is forecast to grow by 5% to 2020 helping the global total to hit US$1.5bn, with supplements and functional foods tipped to be the region’s fasting-growing industry segment.

RCT finds omega-3s can reduce childhood asthma rates

04-Jan-2017 By Nathan Gray

Taking a high-dose supplement of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids while pregnant could help prevent asthma in children, new trial data has suggested.

‘A compelling story’: Meta-analysis supports omega-3s for heart disease risk reduction

03-Jan-2017 By Stephen Daniells

EPA and DHA omega-3s from food and supplements may reduce the risk of coronary heart disease (CHD), according to results of a new meta-analysis.

The nutra space: Eyes turn to 2017

23-Dec-2016 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn & Shane Starling

Only the seemingly foolish would have predicted 2016 would see the UK vote to leave the EU and Donald Trump win the US presidential election. But in the post-truth era, these are the facts.

Global omega-3 supply set for GM plant shock?

20-Dec-2016 By Shane STARLING

The omega-3 sector has faced down some mega challenges in recent times: Sustainability concerns; research questioning health benefits that has affected global markets. But maintaining volumes may be its greatest challenge yet.

How the fall of the Soviet Union changed the face of Antarctica's krill fishing

19-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Antarctica is the southernmost continent on Earth. But while it may be isolated, it is far from insulated and use of its resources like krill has mirrored global political flares from the fall of the Soviet Union to the rise of Chinese state-backed industry.

Quality and science still strong for omega-3: GOED’s 2016 review

15-Dec-2016 By Adam Ismail, Executive Director, GOED

Overall 2016 has not been a bad year for the omega-3 industry, but it also has not been a strong year and therefore it still feels like we are having to fight for our right to exist. If anything, it appears like the omega-3 industry, which has grown on...

The €3.3 trillion cost of malnutrition inaction

15-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Economic impact assessments for malnutrition are helping present a “convincing argument” for nutrition investment, says a top economist from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Distribution deals make Baltex ‘solid player’ in Norway

14-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Baltex Health & Beauty Group has won the Nordic distribution rights for Bringwell’s Bio-Life range, which it says makes it a “solid player” Norway.

Irish researchers say green pastures mean better dairy products

14-Dec-2016 By Jim Cornall

Irish scientists say there is evidence that pasture-fed cows do produce better products.

Algae and alternative protein players in €1.2bn EU food project

13-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A pan-EU sustainable food project sees Israeli astaxanthin supplier Algatechnologies, champion of pea protein Roquette and Dutch nutrition giant DSM among its 50 partners that will invest close to €1.2bn over the next seven years. 

Omega-3s may turn off chronic low-grade inflammation in obese women: Study

13-Dec-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Adding omega-3 supplements to a calorie-controlled diet may combat the chronic inflammation associated with obesity by boosting specialized pro-resolving mediators derived from DHA, says a new study European scientists.

Dispatches from HiE 2016 in Frankfurt

Is the term omega-3 specific enough?

12-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The term omega-3 doesn’t really mean anything, says chief scientist for supplier Aker Biomarine. 

What's so super? UK ad body busts Organic Burst superfood claims

08-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has ruled against superfood claims made by Organic Burst World, saying the company failed to back the wording with specific authorised health claims.

New supplier set to make waves on the bio-marine scene

07-Dec-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Start-up Bio-marine Ingredients Ireland (BII) hopes to become a major new supplier of lipids, protein and calcium powders following an initial €15m investment in its plant.

Science short

DHA supplements may boost semen and sperm quality: RCT

06-Dec-2016

Supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) may reduce the amount of DNA damage in sperm, says a new randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study.

'No need for alarm over declining omega-3 levels in salmon'

01-Dec-2016 By Jane Byrne

The head of the research center of the global aqua feed leader, Skretting, has weighed in on the debate generated by BBC coverage of a Scottish study showing omega 3 oils in farmed salmon have halved in the past five years due to more plant based oils...

Nitrogen key for gut health: Study

29-Nov-2016 By Will Chu

Populations of beneficial microbes, metabolic health and even healthy ageing of the host are dependent on the gut microbes’ access to nitrogen, a study has discovered.

Despite generally good reputation, Peruvian anchovy fishery still not MSC certified

28-Nov-2016 By Hank Schultz

The vast majority of the world’s supply of omega-3 fatty acids comes from the Peruvian anchovy fishery.  As the fishery recovers from depressed stocks caused by an El Niño event, the sustainability picture remains clouded, as one major certification body...

Upsurge in demand for RUTF products amid global insecurity

28-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The market for Ready-to-Use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) is expected to grow yearly by over 10% up to 2024 as global political insecurities rumble on. 

The photo-fermented combination: Allmicroalgae scales-up microalgae production

24-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Portuguese supplier Allmicroalgae has taken calls to scale up production of microalgae to heart, with a project to combine big-volume fermentation with high-value photosynthesis methods now in swing.

Omega-3s boost muscle function in older women but not men: Study

23-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil supplements may boost muscle function and quality in older women after 18 weeks of resistance training, but no such benefits were observed in men, says a new study.

US player finds European chia gear

22-Nov-2016

US firm Valensa International has launched its 4-year-old ALA (alpha-linoleic acid)-rich omega-3 chia seed oil in Europe.

Industry call: Maastricht Uni researchers hungry for satiety trial funding

17-Nov-2016 By Shane Starling

Maastricht University researchers are seeking sponsors – preferably from a drink or shot maker – for a weight management trial exploring ‘intestinal brakes’ that has showed promising phase 1 results.

Omega-3-rich diets linked to lower blood pressure in young, healthy adults

15-Nov-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Diets rich in omega-3 fatty acids may help healthy young people avoid the onset of high blood pressure, according to preliminary data presented at the American Heart Association's Scientific Sessions 2016.

250+ comments received

EFSA publishes novel food guide as centralised system kicks in

14-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has published guidance documents on what it will look for in novel food applications under new EU rules.

Omega-3-enriched canola oil potency strengthens commercialisation route

09-Nov-2016 By Will Chu

Consuming canola oil enriched with omega-3 helps reduce the risk of cardiovascular complications such as hardening of the arteries, according to a study.

Is new DHA oil the ultimate in omega-3 stability?

09-Nov-2016 By Lynda Searby

French marine lipid specialist Polaris claims its new generation algal source DHA oil takes fish-free omega-3 “to a new level” by offering “unmatched” stability.

Goal! English football giant backs high-dose omega-3 for recovery

08-Nov-2016 By Shane STARLING

London-based English Premier League (EPL) football club Tottenham Hotspur has inked a deal with Norwegian firm Smartfish to supply high-dose omega-3 products for player recovery.

Romania goes beyond EU minimum with infant formula restrictions

08-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Romania wants to ban the promotion of infant formula products for children up to the age of two years, but it remains to be seen whether this draft law will make it past EU scrutiny.

Legal protection of dietitian job title is not enough to fend off nutrition quackery

07-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The job title of dietitian may now be legally protected in Ireland, but quackery of unqualified nutritionists is likely to remain at large, warns the Irish Nutrition and Dietetic Institute (INDI). 

Supplement firm Mannatech prepares for China entry with new e-commerce strategy

07-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

US supplement firm Mannatech is entering the China market via e-commerce - a clear change in tack for the Texas company, which usually focuses on multi-level marketing or direct selling.

‘Socially irresponsible’: UK agency bans Diet Chef advert

03-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Agency (ASA) has banned an advert from diet plan company Diet Chef after 26 viewers complained the advert exploited women’s insecurities about their bodies.

Krill fishery unaffected (for now)

Fishing banned in world’s largest Marine Protected Area in Antarctica

02-Nov-2016 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Fishing will be banned in a newly protected area of the Southern Ocean in Antarctica the size of the UK and France combined following an agreement at a Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) meeting.

Fruitflow tomato extract hits the food supplement aisle (with omega-3)

31-Oct-2016 By Shane Starling

Fruitflow, the Provexis-owned blood flow boosting tomato extract has launched in an omega-3 blended food supplement in the UK.

Omega-3 PUFAs could aid Alzheimer’s fight by boosting glymphatic system: Macau mouse study

28-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

New research from Macau suggests that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could improve the function of the glymphatic system, which facilitates the clearance of waste from the brain.

Could EPA omega-3 supplements help with PTSD?

25-Oct-2016 By Stephen Daniells

Increased levels of the omega-3 fatty acid EPA (eicosapentaenoic acid) are associated with a lower severity of symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), says a new paper from Japanese researchers.