Last week’s headlines included the pushback on concerns about lead levels in protein powders, a Nestlé-led study exploring the healthspan-boosting potential of compounds from thyme and oregano, and Malaysia-based Holista Colltech calls for stronger responses to counterfeiting.
Supplement experts hit back at lead in protein tests
Dietary supplement stakeholders have pushed back on new findings from Consumer Reports claiming that two-thirds of protein powders and shakes tested contained concerning levels of lead.
Released Oct. 14, the analysis of best-selling dairy, beef and plant-based protein supplements, including protein powders and ready-to-drink protein shakes, allegedly revealed that 70% of products tested contained over 120% of Consumer Reports’ level of concern for lead (defined as 0.5 micrograms per day).
The lead levels in plant-based products were, on average, nine times the amount found in those made with dairy-based proteins like whey, according to Consumer Reports, and double the levels measured in beef protein products.
Consumer Reports announced it has subsequently launched a petition calling on the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to take action once the government shutdown is over.
In response, the Council for Responsible Nutrition (CRN) stated: “The mere detection of heavy metals such as lead, cadmium or arsenic does not equate to a health hazard. Modern testing methods are extraordinarily sensitive and capable of identifying trace amounts of naturally occurring elements that are found broadly in soil, water and plants. Supplement manufacturers are already required under federal Good Manufacturing Practices to test for contaminants and ensure compliance with federal standards.”
Daniel Fabricant, PhD, president and CEO of the Natural Products Association, said: “FDA’s position is clear: There’s a difference between detection and danger.
“Consumer Reports knows that, but it doesn’t fit its narrative. Responsible supplement makers including those who belong to NPA are already going above and beyond what the law requires. Meanwhile, Consumer Reports is using scare headlines to undermine the credibility of a $70 billion+ industry built on transparency, safety and science.”
Thyme and oregano compounds may activate autophagy and promote healthy aging
Thymol and carvacrol from thyme and oregano, respectively, may promote autophagy, the body’s cellular recycling system, and make them “attractive for nutrition-based healthspan promotion,” says a new study led by Nestlé Research.
The multi-institutional effort found that the herbal terpenoids could also promote mitophagy during aging across multiple species, including zebrafish, C. elegans (nematodes) and mice. Mitophagy is a process in which damaged mitochondria are recycled to permit a renewal with healthy mitochondria.
“This study broadens the mechanistic understanding of the health benefits mediated by oregano and thyme terpenoids and shows a potential link between their functions as secondary metabolites in plants to effects on mitochondrial bioenergetics, autophagy and mitophagy in eukaryotic cells,” wrote the researchers in Nature Aging.
“Thymol reaches high amounts in common oregano and thyme species and can be enriched in essential oregano oils making it a relatively simple to source and a cost-efficient ingredient for nutrition-based prevention, including as enhancers of autophagy-mediated benefits of CR [calorie restriction] and IF [intermittent fasting] regimens.”
Holista Colltech urges stronger voice among industry players amid counterfeit case
Malaysia-based Holista Colltech is urging industry stakeholders to have a stronger voice with regulatory authorities amid a counterfeit case involving its omega-3 supplements.
The supplements are sold under Holista’s two flagship brands, PRISTIN GOLD Omega-3 Fish Oil 1,200 mg Softgel and PRISTIN Omega-3 Fish Oil 1,200 mg, both of which are halal-certified.
The company was first alerted by a consumer who had purchased a product claiming to be PRISTIN’s on an e-commerce platform and felt that it was “very different and suspicious.”
