Selenium has been linked to protection from cancers of both the
prostate and lung, as well as immune system health. Many questions
remain and numerous clinical trials are seeking to provide answers.
BASF is introducing two new grades of coenzyme Q10 in the US next
week, which it says makes it the first company to offer customers a
choice between formulations for use in multivitamin tablets and for
softgels.
Elderly women, the group at most risk of osteoporosis, are less
likely to develop fractures if they actually take the calcium
supplements they've been given, says a new study.
Liquid dietary supplements that use the same preservative system as
some soft drinks could contain elevated levels of the carcinogen
benzene, according to Flora Research Laboratories, which has been
contracted to carry out tests.
A review of 19 studies has concluded that kids do not benefit from
calcium supplements and fortified foods, despite many not meeting
recommended daily intakes of the mineral.
Denmark-based Nordic Phytopharma have launched an immune boosting
microalgae-derived supplement, Immulina, aimed to compete and/or
complement existing products in the immune health market.
A high-dose vitamin D supplement inhibit pro-inflammatory and boost
anti-inflammatory molecules and could help people with heart
failure, says a German clinical trial.
Russian consumers prefer domestic nutritional supplement brands
over imports, according to a market report from DSM Group, but
marketing and research should be supported at state level to
increase confidence.
Israeli biofunctional ingredients maker Enzymotec is continuing its
Eastern European expansion with a move into Russia with its
phosphatidylserine (PS)-containing brain health products.
Including a rice bran fraction in dietary supplements or functional
foods could lower blood pressure, says Japanese researchers who
have developed a new method of rice bran extraction.
Following last week's claims and counter claims that dietary
supplements may offer protection from avian flu, Stephen
Daniells looks into statements that selenium supplements may
offer protection.
As the bird flu grip on Europe increases by the day, scientists
have begun to publicly debate the role of nutraceuticals as
possible preventatives in the wake of news that availability of
anti-viral drugs may be "too little,...
Supplement-makers on both sides of the Atlantic, and in other parts
of the world, too, are tapping into consumer anxiety to become, or
remain the brightest button in the box, with the number of new
products aimed at cognitive function...
A low glycemic index (GI) diet with a supplement of soy proteins
and phytosterols for 12 weeks cut the risk of death from heart
problems by 17 per cent compared to the American Heart Association
diet (AHAD), claims a new study.
Dairy dominates the cholesterol-lowering foods category in Europe,
but in the US dietary supplements are almost as popular, indicates
data from Mintel.
A daily supplement of soy isoflavones reduced bone loss in early
post-menopausal women, but the effect is not dependent on the dose,
researchers report.
Consumer confusion over vitamin D and calcium seems likely to grow,
following claims from the Women's Health Initiative (WHI) trial
about their effect on bone health that oppose other studies.
Pregnant women who do not take folic acid-containing supplements
are eight times more likely to have low serum folate values,
despite eating folate-fortified foods, claims a new study.
UK consumer watchdog Which? has cast doubts over the effectiveness
of eye health supplements in an article that could affect
confidence in products and have a detrimental affect on the
industry.
Supplements and diet, and not sunlight, should be your source of
vitamin D, dermatology experts have concluded after reviewing
studies from both sides of the on-going debate.
Supplement marketers seem to be taking notice of the growing trend
towards vegetarianism, bringing more products to market that do not
contain animal-derived ingredients.
Supplement products made by Denmark's Ferrosan have been withdrawn
from sale in the EU after being found to contain undeclared
irradiated white tea extract.
A small number of supplements on the UK market have been found by
authorities to contain amounts of iron, manganese or zinc above
levels recommended by experts, said the Food Standards Agency
yesterday.
A UK firm looking to market the naturally occurring mineral
clinoptilolite as a food supplement for smokers or people in
contact with high levels of heavy metals has been told it does not
have enough safety data.
Bed sores, which afflict up to one-tenth of hospital patients, heal
more quickly when key supplements are added to a standard hospital
diet, reports new research from Australia.
Vegetarians should take supplements of the omega-3 fatty acid DHA
(docosahexaenoic acid) to reduce their risk of heart disease, says
German firm Nutrinova, manufacturer of vegetarian DHA.
A Utah-based company's reintroduction of ephedra-containing dietary
supplements when the legal position is still unclear could prove
damaging for the industry at large.
An herbal extract developed by New Chapter suppresses the growth of
prostate cancer cells and induces prostate cancer cells to
self-destruct, according to new research.
A new law that bans Californian high school athletes from using
ephedra, DHEA or bitter orange was signed by governor Arnold
Schwarzenegger on Friday, raising industry fears that it could harm
the reputation of all supplements.
Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM), including herbal
supplements, could make a cost-effective contribution to health
care in the UK, according to a report commissioned by the Prince of
Wales.
Calcium supplements may not increase the bone mineral density in
young women after a certain threshold level of intake has been
achieved, according to a new study from Creighton University.
The European dietary supplements market has yet to achieve
saturation and the next six years will present the industry with a
unique set of challenges and opportunities, according to Frost
& Sullivan.
Iron supplements could be improved by new research in the UK that
has identified for the first time a molecule responsible for
absorption of the mineral in the gut.
Opportunities in the mature enzyme market lie in developments,
driven by biotechnology, that provide food and beverage makers with
the right tools to meet consumer trends, claims a new report.
Taking supplements of L-Carnipure tartrate during pregnancy can
significantly reduce the increased level of plasma free fatty acids
that is considered the main cause of insulin resistance in pregnant
women, shows a new study.
The shellfish fibre chitosan has been shown in some trials to help
weight loss but inconsistent product quality has led to conflicting
results, believes one supplier.