Maternal & infant health

Aligning mindsets for sustainable supplements

22-Jun-2023 By Olivia Brown

Players within the health and supplement sector must come together to achieve united agreements on health policies and sustainability goals, agreed experts during the IADSA World Supplement Forum last week.

Swedish study links vitamin D deficiency to infertility duration in women

21-Jun-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A study of women undergoing fertility treatment concludes that those living in Northern latitudes, with less sun exposure, have a higher prevalence of 25(OH)D insufficiency and longer infertility duration.

Vitamin B12 and folic acid supplementation shows metabolic health benefits in kids – India RCT

21-Jun-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of vitamin B12 and folic acid in toddlers has reduced their plasma concentrations of fasting total homocysteine (tHcy) – an amino acid that is linked to cardiometabolic diseases when in elevated levels.

Micronutrient deficiencies: the socio-economic case for supplementation in mothers

20-Jun-2023 By Olivia Brown

An expert has spotlighted the significant socio-economic impact of the ever-increasing prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies, whilst stressing the strong potential of multiple micronutrient supplements (MMS) for mothers

Synbiotic Health reports new health benefits for flagship probiotic B. adolescentis strain

13-Jun-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Nebraska-based Synbiotic Health has reported data from genomic evaluation in vitro testing that reveals that B. adolescentis, iVS-1, produces gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and Folate, expanding the strain’s known attributes and representing an enhanced...

Study links low maternal zinc intake to high blood pressure risk

09-Jun-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new case-controlled study has revealed key risk factors of pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH) in Gaza Strip, Palestine, highlighting the impact of maternal zinc intake.

Exploring the link: Impact of a mother's microbiome on infant's health

01-Jun-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A recent NutraIngredients webinar hosted by Chr Hansen, gave insight into the critical role a mother plays in the health of her child before giving birth, exploring opportunities for synergistic biotic supplementation.

Gnosis by Lesaffre spotlights study showing SAMe benefits for infant health

01-Jun-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Metabolomic research suggests that the compound S-adenosyl-L-methionine (SAMe) may play a more critical role in infant development than previously thought while offering encouraging support for supplemental use in new mothers.

Higher vitamin D dose in infants may reduce mental health risks in children

31-May-2023 By Asia Sherman

Supplementation with higher doses of vitamin D during a critical emotional developmental window may reduce mental health issues like depression and anxiety in children as they age, according to a recent study.

Review highlights promising potentials of allergy-targeted biotics

31-May-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new literature review highlights the positive results of studies investigating microbiome modulatory treatments for allergies in children, including prebiotic and probiotic dietary interventions.

Abbott study: HMO 2'-FL formula modulates infant microbiome to support immune homeostasis

18-May-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Supplementation of infant formula with the human milk oligosaccharide 2′-fucosyllactose (2′-FL) elevates the production of secondary microbial metabolites in the infant's microbiome to levels closer to that seen in breastfed infants, according to...

Probiota Pioneers: Tiny Health on the birth of the baby gut microbiome test

12-May-2023 By Asia Sherman

With Probiota Americas fast approaching, NutraIngredients-USA caught up with each of our Probiota Pioneers as part of a series profiling the entrepreneurial science and tech startups due to appear in Chicago, June 14-16.

Study explores probiotic effects of table olive fermentations on gut microbiota

12-May-2023

As consumer interest in plant-based probiotics continues to grow, a new study presents consumption of Lactiplantibacillus pentosus LPG1 as a promising strategy for modulating and enhancing the diversity of the human gut microbiome.

Wake up call or false alarm? New JAMA paper reports problems with melatonin gummies

26-Apr-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Over 85% of melatonin gummy products tested in a new analysis found that the supplements did not contain the levels of melatonin listed on the label, according to researchers at the University of Mississippi and the Cambridge Health Alliance. Industry...

Boys' growth and body fat affected by prenatal vitamin D levels, study finds

26-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new study suggests that prenatal vitamin D levels may have a significant impact on the growth and adiposity of boys into late childhood, but no impact on girls.

Vitamin D deficiency: study highlights “concerning reality” in pregnant women during Covid-19

20-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new retrospective study of Spanish pregnant women during the Covid-19 epidemic highlights significant vitamin D deficiencies (VDDs), resulting from the imposed strict lockdown in the region.

Study: Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 supports gut health in C-section babies

20-Apr-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A new RCT involving infants born by cesarean section concludes Lactobacillus paracasei N1115 may help boost the Lactobacillus population in the gut, maintain faecal pH, improve gut immunity and reduce cortisol levels, especially in very young infants.

Study: 66% of women seeking infertility treatment use herbal supplements

17-Apr-2023

The majority of reproductive-aged women at an academic infertility practice had used supplements in the past, and over half were currently using supplements or herbal medicines, says a new study.

Review investigates increased folate supplementation for high-risk pregnancies

17-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A narrative review investigating the benefits and risks of high-dose folic acid for women with pre-existing diabetes in periconception concludes doses of 4mg folate a day or 5mg every second day are warranted, taking individualised needs into consideration.

Research calls for DHA supplementation in vegetarian breastfeeding mothers

13-Apr-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A new study reveals lower DHA and vitamin B12 content in the milk of vegetarian and vegan mothers, leading researchers to call for raised awareness and supplementation, especially in the case of DHA where this is not common procedure.

Medium GI rice intake reduces insulin therapy in women with gestational diabetes – Thailand study

12-Apr-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The intake of rice with a medium glycemic index (GI) has shown to reduce the need for insulin therapy among women with gestational diabetes, according to a four-week clinical trial conducted in Thailand.

TurtleTree’s animal-free lactoferrin LF+ promises to democratize highly-prized, scarce multifunctional milk protein

07-Apr-2023 By Elizabeth Crawford

Known as pink gold for its iron-rich rosy hue, high price point and supply scarcity, the bioactive milk protein lactoferrin has been mostly limited to infant formula and dietary supplements in small doses – but that could soon change thanks to advances...

Maolac 2.0: Start-up looks to fungi and plant side streams for breast milk protein biosimilarity

29-Mar-2023 By Flora Southey

Maolac no longer wants to be thought of as ‘the colostrum company’, but a biotech championing biofunctional proteins from both animal and non-animal sources, CEO Maya Ashkenazi explains.

Global collaborative research project to bolster early-life microbiome knowledge

27-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Global nutrition and research leaders have joined forces in a public-private partnership to develop a novel integrated in-vitro, ex-vivo and AI research model which is hoped to have huge implications for the infant nutrition industry.

Study: Fucosylated HMOs may improve infant cognitive development, whilst sialyated types may not

21-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study analysing the HMO contents of breastmilk during the infant’s first 12-weeks of life, observes that greater intakes of fucosylated types correlated with higher scores for executive function at age three.

Whole egg consumption promotes growth and gut microbiota in young children - Thailand RCT

20-Mar-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Prolonged whole egg supplementation has been found to positively impact adolescent growth by promoting HDL-cholesterol and health-promoting bacteria growth, according to a study on Thai rural children.

Bifidobacterium probiotic may incur “remarkable” benefits to infant gut, study finds

17-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

The randomised control trial notes that frequency of defecation and watery stools reduced following supplementation with B. infantis M-63 in infants up until three months of age, compared to the placebo group.

Science shorts: Latest findings from Maeil, Yili, Meiji

17-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest health and nutrition research from regional dairy firms in Asia-Pacific, namely South Korea’s Maeil, China’s Yili, and Japan’s Meiji.

Probiotics support glucose and lipid metabolism in pregnant women, meta-analysis finds

16-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new meta-analysis has found supplements containing Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum may be a promising prevention and therapeutic strategy in Gestational Diabetes Mellitus (GDM).

Gut microbiome, menopause, and healthy ageing in the spotlight at Positive Nutrition Summit 2023

10-Mar-2023 By Flora Southey

How is gut health, menopause, and healthy ageing shaping food innovation? Join us at FoodNavigator’s Positive Nutrition Summit to find out.

Study: Lactiplantibacillus plantarum supports growth in juvenile mice

08-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum supports nutrition optimisation through the improved absorption of amino acids, in both its pro- and postbiotic form, according to a new study in mice, creating opportunities for innovation within children’s growth and healthy...

Fish oil intake did not benefit body composition of obese women's newborns – NZ trial

06-Mar-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A trial conducted on pregnant women who are obese or overweight showed that taking fish oil did not benefit their babies’ body composition.

Insights from Probiota 2023

VIDEO: New discoveries and opportunities in HMO supplementation

03-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

New research into human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) is revealing exciting new opportunities to target specific health concerns within babies and the older population.

Study links anaemia in adults to magnesium deficiency

02-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A study involving data from 13,423 adults concludes that magnesium deficiency is closely related to a higher rate of anaemia occurrence, especially among women and older Americans.

Prebiotic supplementation could benefit gut microbiota of pregnant women – China RCT

23-Feb-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Prebiotics could improve the composition of gut microbiota in pregnant women, but did not show robust effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, a new RCT has reported.

Study: α-lac-enriched or CGMP-reduced low-protein formulas offer closer profile to breastmilk 

22-Feb-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Infants fed low-protein formulas which are α-lac-enriched or casein glycomacropeptide-reduced can achieve weight gain and metabolic profiles closer to that of breastfed (BF) infants, new Arla Foods Ingredients-funded research concludes.

Faster pregnancy: Probiotics, myo-inositol, micronutrients intake quickens conception in overweight women – 12-months trial

21-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A year long trial showed that the daily intake of a supplement containing probiotics, myo-inositol, and micronutrients could shorten the time needed for overweight women to conceive.

Salmonella: Lactalis criminally charged in France over infant formula recall

20-Feb-2023 By Teodora Lyubomirova

The French dairy group was under investigation over a five-year-old case when babies were diagnosed with salmonellosis after consuming Lactalis products.

Insights from Probiota 2023

Chr. Hansen hints at future synbiotic production following significant research findings

10-Feb-2023 By Olivia Brown

Adam Baker, director of science at Chr. Hansen, discussed recent in-house clinical trials observing an amplified response following administration of probiotics with HMOs, compared with pre- or probiotics given alone, at Probiota last week.

‘The voluntary code is not working’: Experts call for an end to the ‘exploitative marketing’ used by the baby formula milk industry

08-Feb-2023 By Oliver Morrison

Formula milk marketing tactics are exploitative, and regulations need to be urgently strengthened and properly implemented, according to a new three paper series published in The Lancet.

NutraCast: Seed on synbiotics for kids and predictions for gut microbiome research

03-Feb-2023 By Danielle Masterson

Infancy is commonly recognized as a critical time period for microbiota to colonize the gut. And when it comes to adults, it seems there is a new probiotic launched everyday. But what about those in the middle? What do we know about the gut microbiomes...

Multi-nutrient supplement encourages weight loss and fertility in mice, study finds

31-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Mice that received an obesity-inducing western diet (WD) had increased reproductive success when supplemented with a ‘Fertility Enhancer’ (FE) supplement containing antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, PUFAs and amino acids.

Review provides consensus on vitamin D recommendations for Poland

31-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Clinicians and researchers from across Poland have contributed to a review of scientific literature, concluding with a consensus of vitamin D recommendations, pointing out the importance of the vitamin to reduce the risk of spectrum of diseases.

Offspring obesity: review stresses “urgent need” to address maternal vitamin D deficiencies

30-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A recent literature review highlights collated evidence that maternal low vitamin D (VD) levels may result in abnormal growth of the offspring, as well as disordered lipid and glucose metabolism disorders.

Prenatal folic acid may lower risk of obesity among children born small for gestational age

25-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Folic acid supplementation during pregnancy is associated with a lower risk of obesity among children born small for gestational age (SGA) by the time they are pre-schoolers, a new study reports.

Gestational diabetes could be detected early and prevented via microbiome analysis

18-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) markers, including microbiota, can serve as targets for early diagnostics and therapeutic intervention and prevention, according to new research.

L. salivarius probiotic modulates vaginal microbiome to improve fertility, research concludes

17-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Administration of the probiotic L. salivarius CECT 30632 for six months led to modulation of the vaginal microbiome and improved fertility health, according to a study involving 74 women.

Clinicians should consider “trade-offs” in prevention strategies for birth defects, say researchers

11-Jan-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Advice on maternal supplementation to prevent birth defects (BDs) should consider the teratogenic effects of multivitamins (MVs) and adverse effects of excess folic acid (FA), according to Chinese research.

Med diet associated with big reduction of some pregnancy issues, study finds

09-Jan-2023 By Hank Schultz

A new study using data from a large cohort has linked the Mediterranean diet to fewer adverse pregnancy outcomes.

Omega-3 supplements may be ‘most efficient’ way to support neonatal development, researchers say

09-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Supplements of omega-3 raise blood levels of the fatty acids for both pregnant mothers and their babies via the umbilical cord, according to a new prospective cohort study.