Respiratory health

2021 NutraIngredients Awards: Winners announced!

13-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The winners of the hotly contended 2021 NutraIngredients Awards were revealed in an online awards ceremony yesterday (May 12).

EFSA rules additive as ‘not safe’ for use in food supplements

10-May-2021 By Will Chu

A food additive routinely used in food supplements as a colourant has been deemed unsafe by European authorities due to genotoxic links and long-term effects arising from its accumulation in the body.

Multi-strain probiotic may protect marathon runners from URTIs: Study

07-May-2021 By Stephen Daniells

Supplementation with a combination of five probiotic strains for 30 days before a marathon may protect runners from upper respiratory tract infection (URTI) post-race, says a new small study from Brazil.

Today! Find out the winners of 2021's NutraIngredients Awards

07-May-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

The 2021 NutraIngredients Award winners are to be announced in a live-stream broadcast ceremony taking place today, at 4pm CET (3pm BST).

Probiotic blend found to be effective against COVID-19-related pneumonia, study finds

29-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

More evidence has emerged of the gut’s role in the onset of COVID-19 as researchers point towards a probiotic as a method to aid patients hospitalised with virus-related pneumonia.

BIOASTER and PiLeJe Laboratoire in pact to look into probiotic-COVID-19 link

22-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

Pileje Laboratoire has revealed details of a new collaboration formed with BIOASTER to investigate the possible immune supporting benefits of probiotic strains as part of the fight against the COVID-19 virus.

Multivits, omega-3, probiotics & vit D achieves ‘modest’ effects in warding off COVID-19: Study

21-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

The consumption of multivitamins, omega-3, probiotics or vitamin D supplements may lessen the risk of testing positive for COVID-19 in women but not so for men, an observational study concludes.

FederSalus and NFI commit to distributing quality supplement data in new partnership

14-Apr-2021 By Will Chu

The Italian Association of Health Products and Manufacturers, FederSalus is to collaborate with Nutrition Foundation of Italy (NFI) in a pact that looks to make available the latest in food supplement research.

Hofseth BioCare eying global surge for unique salmon-derived ingredients

06-Apr-2021 By Stephen Daniells

With its first purchase order from Nestlé-owned Garden of Life in hand, Norwegian biotech company Hofseth BioCare (HBC) is gearing up for significant growth in North America with new products, exciting science, and unique claims.

High vitamin D levels may protect against COVID-19: Study

23-Mar-2021 By Danielle Masterson

A new research study at the University of Chicago Medicine has found that having more than sufficient vitamin D levels may lower the risk of COVID-19 infection — especially for Black people.

Amazon’s dietary supplement specifications: “These requirements shouldn’t be terribly onerous”

10-Mar-2021 By Stephen Daniells

From the ISO accreditation issue to concerns around “by input”, the new Amazon specifications are sparking a lot of debate within the dietary supplements industry...

Algae extract may act to slow down COVID progression, say researchers

03-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

Researchers are drawing attention to the possible role of algae in delaying the onset of COVID-19 by ‘calming’ the ‘cytokine storm (CS),’ an immune overreaction thought to be behind the condition’s more serious symptoms.

Ireland academics urge its government to deploy vitamin D in COVID fight as calls gather pace

26-Feb-2021 By Will Chu

Calls to include vitamin D as part of a national strategy to tackle COVID continues to gain momentum as health experts have pushed Ireland’s government to consider and act upon the latest evidence.

Probiotic blend may aid in reducing respiratory infection symptoms, says IFF

25-Feb-2021 By Will Chu

Supplementation with a probiotic blend appears to support children’s immune function by encouraging an anti-inflammatory response that could help reduce the symptoms characterising respiratory infection.

MP cites vitamin D study as proof of COVID efficacy much to academics’ despair

16-Feb-2021 By Will Chu

The clamour to add vitamin D to the COVID-19 fight took a step back this week as a UK Member of Parliament (MP), who cited a study suggesting the active form was effective against the virus, faced much criticism among researchers.

UK Prime minister urged, ‘Look to Andalusia’s vitamin D use in tackling COVID-19’

09-Feb-2021 By Will Chu

UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson has been urged to follow the example of Andalusia and distribute vitamin D supplements to populations most at risk of contracting COVID-19.

Malaysia firm launches health tea modelled on COVID-19 TCM formula, but no health claims

04-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia headquartered Ritamix Global has launched a tea modelled on a TCM formula used in China for COVID-19 treatment – but the new product is registered as food and beverage and makes no health claims.

Science shorts: Immunity, respiratory, and brain health in focus

04-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up features the latest scientific findings, especially in the area of how nutrition supplementation could contribute to immune, respiratory, and brain health.

UK Gov prioritises at-risk groups with free winter vitamin D

02-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

The UK Government is to offer free vitamin D supplements to the most vulnerable in a move that supports bone and muscle health affected during lockdown but stops short of directly addressing COVID-19.

Revise-up RDA: India’s industry body urges vitamin rule changes amid COVID-19

17-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Calls to revise the recommended daily allowance of vitamins, minerals, and proteins in India are growing after the country’s regulator asked for suggestions from the industry stakeholders.

Health benefits of supplements ‘all in the mind’ claims researchers

11-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

The health benefits linked to multivitamins or mineral supplements may just be the placebo effect, according to researchers, who say consumer expectations are driving perceived better health outcomes.

UK’s Prime Minister considers handing out free vitamin D in coronavirus fight

05-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

The UK Prime Minister could follow Scotland’s example by offering free vitamin D supplies to those shielding as the country hunkers down in the latest round of lockdown.

COVID-19 changes preferences? China consumers less interested in overseas supplement brands, while trust in TCM rises

04-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China consumers are placing more trust in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM), with a declining interest in overseas supplement brands and functional foods with health claims, said a consumer survey funded by the High-Value Nutrition National Science...

UK gov now urging vitamin D supplementation in fight against Covid-19

19-Oct-2020 By Will Chu

The UK’s Health Secretary is now urging people to take vitamin D supplements after recent evidence suggests it can offer some degree of resilience against the coronavirus.

Vitamin D deficiency linked to 54% higher SARS-CoV-2 positivity rate: Study

21-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

The associations between vitamin D status and COVID-19 risk continue to strengthen, with new data from Quest Diagnostics and Boston University indicating that people with deficiency in the sunshine vitamin may have a significantly higher positivity rate...

Vitamin D and K status linked to reduced mortality risk, say researchers

10-Sep-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Combined low vitamin D and K status are associated with increased all-cause mortality risk and possibly with cardiovascular events, according to a newly published cohort study.

Aker Biomarine: 'Krill oil may help maintain muscle function during endurance events'

09-Sep-2020 By Will Chu

Supplementing the diet with krill oil may help maintain normal muscle function by preventing lower circulating concentrations of choline observed during endurance events, according to a Norwegian study.

Herbal supplements had another stellar year in 2019 with 8.6% sales growth, ABC report says

02-Sep-2020 By Hank Schultz

Herbal supplements continued the strong growth they have enjoyed for over the past decade by notching an 8.6% sales gain in 2019, according to the American Botanical Council.

Higher omega-3 DHA levels linked to less lung inflammation, lower ILD risk

27-Aug-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Increased levels of the omega-3 DHA (docosahexaenoic acid) are associated with a lower risk of hospitalizations due to interstitial lung disease (ILD), according to a new population-based cohort study.

France urges vigilance as pandemic gives rise to 'miracle' supplement cures

21-Aug-2020 By Will Chu

Amidst the coronavirus backdrop, France’s Directorate-General for Competition, Consumer Affairs and Fraud Control (DGCCRF) warns of online retailers selling ‘miracle’ supplements that claim to ‘boost the immune system’.

Guest article

New Dietary Ingredients: Will FDA protect consumers from pirates and piggybackers?

05-Aug-2020 By Steve Mister, President & CEO, Council for Responsible Nutrition

Why is it so hard to get FDA to enforce the law when it comes to NDIs?

‘Double-edged sword’: Supplement firms need to be wary of China’s new livestreaming regulations

14-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China’s newly introduced regulations on livestreaming marketing is being viewed as a double-edge sword by the supplements and health foods industry.

Interest in vitamin-immunity link boosts Italian food supplement sector: Survey

06-Jul-2020 By Will Chu

The coronavirus has led consumers to include food supplements as a core shopping item, an industry survey finds, as recognition grows amongst customers in their role in preserving health and wellbeing.

Going west: India’s ayurvedic ingredient suppliers report higher demand from US and Europe

06-Jul-2020 By Tingmin Koe

India’s nutraceutical ingredient suppliers have reported a higher demand for native ayurvedic herbs, such as turmeric and andrographis, especially from the US and Europe, partly due to COVID-19.

Immunity advice for pharmacists: Blackmores publishes whitepaper on nutrition and supplement guidelines

03-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores has published a new whitepaper on nutrition guidelines for strengthening the immune system, preventing and treating respiratory tract infections – designed specifically for pharmacists.

COVID-19 caution: Chinese botanical suppliers hold back on capacity building despite demand spike

02-Jun-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Plant extract companies in China are seeing more demand for immune-related raw materials, but most are adopting a cautious stance when it comes to capacity building due to trade uncertainties brought on by COVID-19.

Probiotics may improve asthma control in infants – China systematic review

27-May-2020 By Tingmin Koe

While probiotic supplementation cannot prevent asthma or wheezing, it may improve lung function and asthma control in infants, according to a new systematic review.

Supplementing above RDA may prove effective against respiratory infections

19-May-2020 By Will Chu

Supplementation above the Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), but within recommended upper safety limits, for nutrients such as vitamins C and D is warranted, says an international research team.

LIVE NUTRAINGREDIENTS WEBINAR SERIES: 26 MAY – 25 JUNE 2020

NutraIngredients global teams to host series of immunity-focused webinars

04-May-2020 By Will Chu

NutraIngredients’ teams worldwide are to host the first ever co-ordinated series of webinars looking at immunity, with a focus on the microbiome, active nutrition, clinical research and botanicals.

Rethinking risk: Expansion into new markets key to tackle COVID-19 challenges

29-Apr-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Supplement firms need to re-evaluate their attitude towards risk to tap into rising demand and offset some of the challenges brought by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nuritas adds AI-powered might in identifying coronavirus-fighting peptides

27-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

Nuritas once again harnesses Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology in the fight against the coronavirus as its platform is put to work identifying therapeutic peptides that modify the inflammatory response.

COVID-19 natural product trial: New curcumin, artemisinin supplement to be tested on patients

23-Apr-2020 By Tingmin Koe

A curcumin and artemisinin-based oral spray has been proposed as a treatment for COVID-19 patients and a clinical trial will be conducted, ASX-listed phytocannabinoid firm MGC Pharmaceuticals has revealed.

Norwegian agency reiterates advice that supplements do not stop coronavirus

21-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

The Norwegian Food Safety Authority is echoing the advice from other European regulators and industry groups, which emphasise that supplements do little to stop coronavirus.

Thousands sign petition demanding Holland & Barrett store closures

08-Apr-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

Holland & Barrett staff have set up a petition, signed by thousands of staff and customers, begging the company to close its stores during the coronavirus pandemic as they argue their lives and the lives of customers are being put at risk.

Could vitamin D play a role in coronavirus resistance? Research thinks so

08-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

Vitamin D supplements may aid in the resistance of respiratory infections such as the coronavirus or limit the severity of the illness in those infected, according to researchers.

Unproven COVID-19 health claims: China’s crackdown on ads for oral sprays, probiotics and anti-hangover tea

07-Apr-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The Chinese authorities have named and shamed a string of fake advertisement, mostly surrounding unproven COVID-19 health claims.

CRN UK highlights why essential nutrients have never been more essential

02-Apr-2020 By Will Chu

The ongoing threat of coronavirus could increase the potential for deficiencies in key micronutrients supporting the immune system, according to The Council for Responsible Nutrition UK (CRN UK).

COVID-19 and nutra research: Where does the industry need to focus its scientific endeavours?

01-Apr-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The COVID-19 pandemic has seen a spike in demand for immunity-boosting products, but what scope is there for new and credible research to examine if nutra products have a role to play in helping tackle the crisis?

Federal guide calls supplement workers ‘essential;’ task for industry now to ensure state and local mandates reflect that

31-Mar-2020 By Hank Schultz

A new federal government update on who may be considered essential workers now specifically includes employees of dietary supplement manufacturing and sales operations. Trade groups said it’s now up to industry to make sure that is reflected in local...

Hospital turns to high-dose vitamin C to fight coronavirus

26-Mar-2020 By Will Chu

A hospital has reportedly turned to vitamin C as a treatment for the coronavirus, after reports emerged from China that doses well in excess of daily Dietary Reference Values (DRV) showed promise.