Omega-3s & nutritional oils

‘Timely’ research: Higher omega-3 levels linked to lower risk of depressive symptoms

17-Sep-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

American women with higher blood levels of omega-3 fatty acids have a 49% reduction in risk of elevated depressive symptoms, a result that has been hailed as ‘timely’ by a leading industry expert.

Showfloor blog: FI Asia-Thailand

Supply chain shocks driving Asian food producers to western quality

13-Sep-2013 By Shane Starling in Bangkok

The non-Asian ingredient supply sector is fairly well represented here at Food Ingredients Asia-Thailand in Bangkok, but given current concerns about food supply chain security in the region, is probably still under-represented. Which is surprising…

More omega-3 may reduce symptoms of ADHD: Rat study

11-Sep-2013

There is a clear connection between the intake of omega-3 fatty acids and declines in ADHD (Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder) symptoms in rats, according to new research.

Omega-3 fish oil may protect against alcohol-related dementia: Lab data

10-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of the omega-3 long chain fatty acid DHA could help to protect against alcohol-related dementia, according to new data from lab studies.

New findings suggest DHA supplements can improve sleep quality

Omega-3 status linked to sleep quality in school children: New data

05-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of omega-3 from food or supplements could help to improve sleep quality in children, according to new data presented yesterday.

Wilmar honoured for omega-3 cooking oil

04-Sep-2013

Asian agribusiness major Wilmar has received the first Vitafoods Asia Nutrition Innovation Award at a ceremony in Hong Kong in recognition of its efforts to address the health issues of Chinese consumers. 

Aker doubles R&D team to take krill science beyond fish

04-Sep-2013 By Shane STARLING

Norwegian krill player Aker BioMarine has taken on eight scientists to drive nascent krill science forward and speed product development in the omega-3 category’s fastest growing sub-sector.

7-year gap: New nutrition concepts for a new elderly generation

02-Sep-2013 By Diana Cowland

The ageing population remains under-served in terms of functional food and drink products, says Euromonitor's Diana Cowland, despite 'elderlies' living longer and healthier than ever before.

Health economics: Nutritional supplement intervention may have significant benefits in hospital

02-Sep-2013 By Nathan Gray

Oral nutritional supplements provided to patients during hospitalisation is associated with significant reductions in length of stay and hospitalisation costs, according to economic research backed by Abbott Nutrition.

Chicken meat extract may have brain benefits, say researchers

23-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Supplementation with an ingredient extracted from chicken meat could boost cognitive functions after just six weeks, according to new randomised trial.

Childhood allergy linked to omega-3 and omega-6: Study

22-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Babies born with high levels ofpoly-unsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) in cord blood may be more likely to develop respiratory and skin allergies in their early teens, according to new research.

HFMA: “The report ignores the significant efforts by UK manufacturers’ to comply with the regulation...”

Industry response: Which? food supplements attack is ‘inaccurate'

22-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

The UK food supplements industry has hit back at the consumer watchdog there that today slammed some of Europe’s biggest manufacturers like Seven Seas, Vitabiotics and Boots for deceiving consumers with unsubstantiated health claims.

Sea buckthorn and bilberries may improve metabolic and heart health for women: RCT data

20-Aug-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of sea buckthorn berries, its extracts, or bilberries may boost the overall metabolic profiles of overweight women, says a new study from Finland.

Mediterranean and low carb diets backed for diabetes prevention: EPIC data

20-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of a Mediterranean-style diet and diets low in available carbohydrates can offer protection against type 2 diabetes, according to the findings of new research.

Eye on the EU supplements market: Italy shines brightest

20-Aug-2013

Italy is the only major European food supplements market to grow between 2008 and 2012 according to Euromonitor International data.

Omega-3 rich infant formula may boost later intelligence: Study

16-Aug-2013 By Nathan Gray

Consumption of a DHA-enriched formula in infancy may be linked to positive cognitive outcomes in childhood, according to new research data.

Little seeds, big deeds: Chia's bright bread future

16-Aug-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Adding chia seeds to bread recipes significantly increases final product levels of proteins, lipids, ash and dietary fiber, and consumers like it too, according to research.

Omega Protein accelerates move into human nutrition sectors

09-Aug-2013 By Hank Schultz

Continuing its move toward human nutrition markets has helped Omega Protein deal with a fluctuating supply situation which has seen a lower than average fish catch this year.

Omega-3 fatty acids offer cancer potential: Lab study

05-Aug-2013

Omega-3s - in particular eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) - may offer benefits to people with certain cancers, according to new lab work suggesting that the fatty acids may help kill off cancerous cells.

Generation game: Effects of omega-3 deficiency may worsen over consecutive generations

30-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

The negative effects of poor omega-3 intake could become incrementally worse through consecutive generations, according to a new study.

News in brief

Missed Bone & Joint Health 2013? Listen again free, on-demand

25-Jul-2013

Can you make inflammation claims regarding joint health? How do you differentiate products in the bone health sector where so many products are based on calcium and vitamin D?

FMC: 'We looked at the omega-3 area broadly and it was clear Epax was the premier property in this space'

25-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

While the $345m acquisition of omega-3 firm Epax will keep it busy for a while, FMC Corporation is still on the lookout for other deals in other high-growth areas of the nutraceuticals market, says the man in charge of its fast-growing health and nutrition...

FMC Corporation makes bold move into omega-3 market with $345m deal to buy Epax

24-Jul-2013 By Elaine WATSON

US-based gums, hydrocolloids and natural colors expert FMC Corporation has moved into the omega-3 market with the acquisition of European fish oil giant Epax in a $345m deal.

‘We are clean,’ says Danish fish oil industry as police inquiry continues

23-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

The fish oil contamination case involving more than 3000 tonnes of illegal waste material being funnelled from human to animal nutrition purposes at Skagen in Denmark is not indicative of a broader problem, local industry has said.

Omega-3 levels for healthy school children 'well below the minimum recommended for good cardiovascular health in adults'

Omega-3 levels linked to cognition and behavior in schoolchildren: Oxford University study

19-Jul-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Blood levels of DHA and other omega-3s are directly related to measures of cognition and behavior in schoolchildren with below average reading ability, says a new study from the UK.

Sea harvest

Consumers only accept sustainable krill, says newly certified Aker Aus

17-Jul-2013 By RJ Whitehead

Aker BioMarine’s Australian operation can now carry the Marine Stewardship Council eco-label, something its head says is essential to compete in the eco-fixated market Down Under.

Not just industry slamming omega-3-prostate cancer links

15-Jul-2013 By Alan Ruth, PhD

Reaction to last week’s study linking omega-3 with prostate cancer have been vociferous and near-unanimous in condemning its methods and conclusions. Here Alan Ruth, PhD, and CEO of the Irish Health Trade Association (IHTA), explains why that condemnation...

Fishy? Danish supplier sacks MD over fish oil adulteration case

15-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

Danish marine oils supplier Skagen has dumped its managing director amid revelations it has been illegally mixing fish oil residues from human-use omega-3s into its animal feed oils.

Experts slam omega-3 link to prostate cancer as overblown 'scaremongering'

12-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

A raft of industry and academic experts have slammed the publication of a recent study claiming to 'confirm' a link between long-chain omega-3s and an increased risk of prostate cancer - arguing that the authors conclusions are overblown and...

High levels of long chain omega-3 may increase prostate cancer risk: Study

11-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

A high intake of long-chain omega-3 fatty acids from foods and supplements could increase the risk the risk of developing aggressive prostate cancer by 71%, a new study has found.

Boost Buddy takes EFSA health claims to the youth

10-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

An Irish firm has created a range of customisable food supplements built on approved European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) health claims aimed specifically at 18-34 year olds – a group not known to consume a lot of supplements.

Irish firm sells 50% stake in Austevoll fish oil JV

09-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

Irish company Origin Enterprises has sold its 50% stake in its fish and omega-3 oil JV, Welcon Invest AS, to its Norwegian JV partner, Austevoll Seafoods for €93m (740m NOK) as it focuses on agricultural activities.

Irish microbiota research centre to receive €50m boost

03-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

The Alimentary Pharmabiotic Centre (APC) in Cork, Ireland has received a €36m investment from the Irish government that will fund its research activities for at least another six years, its GM told us this morning.

IADSA: Codex importance grows amid global food supplement law changes

03-Jul-2013

In a time of regional regulatory change affecting more than 100 countries, the International Association of Dietary Supplement Associations (IADSA) has emphasised the importance of global guideline setting organisation, Codex Alimentarius, which turns...

Omega-3 DHA’s brain health benefits may emerge in later childhood

27-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential brain health benefits of increased intake of DHA at birth may take several years to emerge, according to data from a small cohort of children.

FSA invites comments on novel food application for omega-3 rich oil

26-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

The UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) is asking views on a novel foods application for an omega-3 rich plant oil product for dairy, bakery and supplement applications.

Food for thought: Dietary sat fat may alter Alzheimer's risk protein

24-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

The saturated fat content in the food we eat has an important influence on the lipidation states and levels of proteins that are linked to the development of Alzheimer's disease, according to new research.

‘Clear labelling’ can address chia oil allergy concerns: UK FSA

20-Jun-2013 By Shane Starling

Chia oil can safely enter EU markets for the first time as long as potential allergenic effects are labelled, the UK Food Standards Agency (FSA) has concluded in a draft EU novel foods opinion.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

GOED: "We view this as a science-based process and the science supports the claims.”

Omega-3 heart health claims win EU approval

14-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Three heart health claims for omega-3 forms EPA and DHA have entered EU law books after years of debate among member states about over-consumption hazards.

CLA community hits back at safflower oil claims: "Science wise, safflower oil is not a serious alternative to CLA for improved body composition"

14-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Leading CLA researchers and suppliers have slammed product claims that safflower oil is superior to CLA (conjugated linoleic acid) for reducing 'belly' fat, as the CLA community unites to set the record straight on the science.

First krill powder study shows potential for metabolic syndrome

13-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of krill powder may reduce the overactive endocannabinoid system in obese subjects, and offer potential for ameliorating metabolic syndrome, says a small study using Aker BioMarine’s new Superba Krill powder.

Bioseutica sells high-end omega-3 division to German equity firm; major expansion planned

13-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Swiss nutra and pharma ingredient player Bioseutica has sold 85% of its KD Pharma high-end omega-3 business to German equity firm Capiton. Serious expansion is planned.

Vegetable fats could help men with prostate cancer live longer: Study

12-Jun-2013 By Nathan Gray

Men with prostate cancer can significantly improve their survival chances by switching from diets rich in animal fat and carbohydrates to ones rich in vegetable fats, say researchers.

Peruvian fishery ‘well placed’ for eco-certification, says MSC on world’s primary omega-3 source

11-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

The world’s biggest omega-3 source – Peru’s anchovy fishery – is moving toward Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) backing although the certifier says work remains before the fishery attains the increasingly popular eco seal of approval.

Denomega gains Friend of the Sea certification

10-Jun-2013

Denomega’s omega-3 cod liver oil processing plant in Leknes, Norway, has been certified by sustainable fishing watchdog, Friend of the Sea.

Epax chief: ‘We are the last of the big omega-3 independents’

10-Jun-2013 By Shane STARLING

Epax CEO Ola Snove thinks the €2bn BASF and DSM buying frenzy that saw many major suppliers consolidated in their hands is ultimately a good thing for the €20bn+ sector – but its independence remains valued at Epax.

Nutritionist: more imaginative fish NPD needed

10-Jun-2013 By Rod Addy

More creative use of oily fish in new product development (NPD) would help increase its consumption to advised levels, according to a prominent nutritionist.

Monumental for maintenance of health? New study shows fish oil may boost heart health by influencing mental stress

10-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The heart health benefits of fish oil may be partly linked to its ability to blunt the detrimental cardiovascular effects of mental stress, says a new study from Michigan Technological University.

Omega-3s may boost artery function in smokers

07-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Cigarette smokers – a group at increased risk of heart problems – may benefit from daily omega-3 supplements, suggest new data from Greece.