Omega-3s & nutritional oils

Insect oil: Bugs aren’t just about protein

19-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Is it time to look beyond insect protein to… insect oil? This is the next opportunity within edible bugs, says researcher.

Brain boosting bioactives, Part 1: From omega-3 to vitamin E

19-Aug-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Memory, attention and focus, development, mood; there are numerous ways that a nutrient or ingredient can affect cognitive health. But which have the most science, how do they work, and how are they performing in the market?

Healthy fats make leaner kids, says study

18-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Children who report eating more polyunsaturated fatty acids are leaner and have lower body fat percentages than those who consume higher amounts of saturated fats, say researchers.

Excessive workout supplement use: An emerging eating disorder in men?

17-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

More gym going men are turning to over-the-counter bodybuilding supplements to help sculpt better bodies – but with nearly 30% of gym-goers concerned about overuse, some researchers believe it may qualify as an emerging eating disorder.

Kids with poor diets score poorly on cognitive tests: Finnish researchers

14-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The worse the diet quality of children, the worse they score on cognitive tests - especially boys, research finds.

What degree of evidence is required to make an EU health claim?

14-Aug-2015 By Dr Christiane Alexander

Eight years after the EU nutrition and health claims regulation (NHCR) came into force the question of how to win a health claim is still not satisfactorily answered in the eyes of many food operators.

FMC sells pectin division to Cargill, signals concern about omega-3s business

12-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

FMC Corporation has announced a restructuring of its pectin business in a deal with Cargill. This comes in the wake of disappointing overall earnings in the second quarter of 2015 and nutrition segment revenues that were impacted by continued slow demand...

Sky pro cycling hand safe supplements yellow jersey to Guernsey firm

11-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

Sky Pro Cycling – the Rupert Murdoch-backed team that won the Tour de France yellow jersey with British rider Chris Froome last month – has inked a deal with UK food supplements firm, Healthspan Elite.

In the year 2020: Global nutraceuticals market to be worth €35bn; 7% annual growth forecast

10-Aug-2015

Botanicals are the fastest growing nutraceutical ingredient class in a category being driven by ageing populations around the world, a report has found.

Fast food fever: Modern diets impact immune health of you and your kids

05-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Modern ‘Western diets’ can lead to poor immune functioning and increased risk of inflammatory conditions, allergy, and auto-immunity, researchers warn.

Q2: Sales up, profits down at DSM Nutritional Products

04-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

The food and nutrition ingredients division of Dutch giant DSM has seen sales rise 16% to €1.247bn (US$1.37bn) in Q2 but profits slipped 6% amid ongoing pricing challenges on some vitamins.

School meals are a valuable tool against vitamin D deficiency: Danish researchers

03-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Adding fish to school meals could boost children’s vitamin D levels in winter, research finds.

‘EFSA failed in their evaluation…’

BASF launches stinging attack on EFSA

03-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

BASF says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) failed to fulfil its health claim assessment remit after the Parma-based agency last month rejected its CLA-weight management appeal.

Remember the other 9 DHA health claims? DSM shoots for DHA and memory claim

31-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Dutch nutrition firm DSM has applied for an EU health claim on DHA and “improved memory function” – but is it likely to succeed and what would it bring to the nutrition landscape if it did?

Is one large weekly dose of omega-3 more effective than smaller daily doses?

29-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

A big weekly dose of omega-3s may lead to greater omega-3 deposits in body tissues than smaller daily doses, says a new study from Australia.

Stepan's lipid nutrition business stumbles

27-Jul-2015 By Hank Schultz

Stepan Co. had high hopes when it acquired a brace of branded lipid nutritional ingredients - Clarinol and Marinol - in 2011. But the company growth projections have been frustrated as several factors have conspired to drive down demand and revenues in...

“The comments received do not require any change to the conclusions of the NDA Panel.”

EFSA stands by CLA rejection

27-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

EFSA is standing by a CLA-weight loss health claim rejection despite an appeal that accused it of failing to evaluate submitted efficacy data from joint applicants BASF and Stepan Lipid Nutrition.

Fatty liver disease is a major untapped opportunity for nutraceuticals; platform established

23-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Research, focus and regulatory cunning will be needed if the nutraceutical industry is to tap into the relatively unexplored area of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), says the consultancy firm behind a new dedicated clinical trial platform.

Dietary fatty acids backed for osteoarthritis protection: Mouse data

16-Jul-2015 By Nathan Gray

New research has suggested that activation of GPR40, a known receptor for dietary fatty acids, may protect from osteoarthritis.

‘An exciting finding’: Are the brain health benefits of B vitamins dependent on omega-3 levels?

06-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

B vitamins may protect against age-related brain wasting, but only in people with high omega-3 levels, says a new study from the University of Oxford that extends our understanding of how nutrients work together.

Norway warns on polluted fish oil supplements

02-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority has urged consumers to throw away three 'alternative' fish oil supplements after tests revealed they contained carcinogenic contaminants way over EU safe limits. 

Science short

Formula fat distribution affects baby fat distribution: Rat study

01-Jul-2015 By Shane STARLING

Replacing standard vegetable fats with a proprietary form in infant formulas can reduce the chances of infant obesity, an industry-funded study has found.

Omega-3s show ‘positive effects’ for athletic endurance and muscle function

01-Jul-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Supplements of omega-3s may improve neuromuscular function and aspects of fatigue for athletes, says a new study from the University of Toronto.

Too much time in front of a screen? Omega-3s may ease computer-related dry eye

22-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Daily omega-3 supplements may improve symptoms of dry eye associated with prolonged exposure to computer screens, says a new study from India.

Academics seek industry partners for electrospun nanofiber delivery

17-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

UK-based researchers are seeking industry collaboration and inspiration for work creating electrospun nanofibres that could provide improved products and ingredient delivery systems for foods.

Review highlights potential of nano-delivery systems for nutraceuticals in foods

15-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

While there are several challenges involved in the nano-delivery of vitamins and nutrients in functional foods, such systems have ‘considerable potential’ within the food industry, says an expert in oral delivery systems.

Texas storms disrupt Qualitas algal production: ‘It’s a setback but we’re still in a unique position,’ says CEO

11-Jun-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Recent heavy storms and flooding in Texas have impacted the algae production facility of Qualitas Health, but the company has already implemented an ‘emergency action plan’ and expects to be operating at expanded capacity by the end of the year.

Can eating nuts extend life? Research backs ‘handful a day’ to prevent early death

11-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

Snacking on half a handful of nuts every day could significantly lower overall and cause-specific mortality, Dutch researchers have reported. 

Bench-pressing women can boost immunity with fish oil: Study

11-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Fish oil coupled with strength training could help improve the immune system of elderly women, Brazilian researchers have found. 

Norwegian krill player appoints new chief

09-Jun-2015 By Shane Starling

Matts Johansen has been appointed CEO of krill major Aker BioMarine with a mandate to “to continue to develop one of Norway's most exciting biotechnology companies into a solid and predictable company”.

Study warning over dietary supplementation for children with autism spectrum disorder

09-Jun-2015 By Nathan Gray

Well-intentioned efforts to supplement children with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) with additional nutrients or specific dietary plans can result in both insufficient and excessive nutrient intakes, warn experts.

Enzymotec wins krill EU novel foods approval

09-Jun-2015

Israeli supplier Enzymotec has secured European Union novel foods approval for its K-Real krill form in an expanded selection of food and drink categories.

Flaxseed supplements linked to improved blood pressure: Meta-analysis

09-Jun-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of flaxseed may effectively management blood pressure, says a new meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials.

Israeli start-up has novel approach for grasshopper shakes

03-Jun-2015 By Niamh Michail

Israeli insect start-up, Steak TzarTzar, aims to target the Western sports nutrition market with its grasshopper protein powder - competitively priced thanks to grasshopper sales in Africa.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe

Blackmores: We wanted to see krill sustainability with our own eyes

02-Jun-2015 By Hank Schultz

Blackmores, the leading supplement brand in Australia, has taken the unusual step of sending a company representative on a two week-long trip to verify the sustainability practices of Aker BioMarine, the world’s largest harvester of krill used to supply...

Marine resources: Ireland looks for its whey powder of the sea

01-Jun-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Irish government has invested €5.2m to capitalise on the country's untapped marine biodiversity. 

Norway looks at 44 unregulated 'other substances'

29-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority (NFSA) has asked its scientific committee to assess the safety of 'other substances' found on the Norwegian market - something it says is "largely unregulated" at EU level.

ASA ruling

Healthy water slugged over claims abuse

27-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Scotland-based supplement and infused water distributor Water for Health (WFH) has been censored by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) for making non-authorised immunity and other claims for chlorella and other infusions in the European Union.

Which came first, the health or the supplement?

27-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The healthier a person is the more likely they are to take food supplements – which could distort links between the products and health outcomes, say Danish researchers.

Human data supports salmon oil’s ability to reduce oxidative stress

27-May-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of salmon oil may reduce markers of oxidative stress, with no effects from additional multivitamins, says a new study from Australia.

1800 firms operating in sector

8/10 Italians take supplements & eat functional foods despite regulatory threat

25-May-2015 By Shane Starling

The Italian health food market is booming – 80% of Italians consume food supplements or functional foods – but regulation threatens a sector comprised of 1800 firms, a congress has been told.

Euromonitor runs rule over recent nutraceutical award winners

25-May-2015 By Simone Baroke

Market analyst Euromonitor International dissects recent NutraIngredients Awards winners to provide category perspective from sustainable omega-3 to healthy ageing in this guest article.

Omega-3 consumption could enhance ‘cognitive flexibility’ in older adults

22-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

A higher consumption of omega-3 fatty acids could lead to better cognitive flexibility in adults at risk of late-onset Alzheimer's, say researchers.

Omega-3s may slow age-associated muscle loss: RCT data

22-May-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Fish oil-derived omega-3s may slow the normal decline in muscle mass and function in healthy older people, says a new study from Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis.

DHA supplements may help restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle: Mechanism mooted

19-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with the omega-3 fatty acid DHA helps to restore insulin sensitivity in skeletal muscle by blocking inflammation and the accumulation of other lipid intermediates, say researchers.

Novozymes promotes enzymes for ‘gentle’ omega-3 processing

19-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

Danish enzymes specialist Novozymes is seeing growth in its nascent omega-3 business that is utilising its core enzyme specialisation in a relatively new area.

China

Party over for infant formula firms as China’s remarkable demand slows

19-May-2015 By RJ Whitehead

The “easy money has been made” for Chinese and international infant formula companies as they prepare for the rush for powdered baby food to tail off over the next five years after a decade’s stratospheric growth.

dispatches from vitafoods europe 2015

Hungary hungry for organic supplements

15-May-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Hungary is seeing a renaissance of its herbal sector, supported by a trend towards organic foods and supplements.

Fishy goodness from beef? Chinese scientists breed omega-3 rich cattle

12-May-2015 By Nathan Gray

Chinese scientists have successfully reared beef cattle rich in the beneficial omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA – which are traditionally associated with fish oils.

Gala Awards night at Vitafoods Europe, Geneva, Switzerland

NutraIngredients Awards shine spotlight on nutrition stars

07-May-2015 By Shane STARLING

200 people from the European and international food and nutrition sectors helped 20 finalists and seven winners celebrate at the inaugural NutraIngredients Awards last night at Vitafoods Europe.