Cardiovascular health

OmegaQuant omega-3 tests gain European approval

15-May-2019 By Nathan Gray

US-based OmegaQuant is aiming for European growth, as the company celebrates its recent EU medical device approval by setting up a new lab in the UK.

OptiBiotix’s probiotic set to enter personalised nutrition field in Spanish licensing deal

15-May-2019 By Will Chu

OptiBiotix Health reveal news of another deal involving its Lactobacillus plantarum (LPLDL) probiotic strain as the UK-based firm signs a license agreement with a Spanish personalised nutrition firm.

Omega-3 and air pollution: Supplementation may help protect cardiovascular health – China RCT

10-May-2019 By Cheryl Tay

The intake of omega-3 fatty acids may have cardio-protective effects against air pollution, according to an RCT conducted by researchers in China and the US.

And the winners of the NutraIngredients Awards 2019 are...

Revealed: Find out who won at the NutraIngredients Awards 2019

09-May-2019 By Nathan Gray

More than 270 industry leaders helped 34 finalists in 12 categories to celebrate success and innovation across the nutrition and wellness industry … as the NutraIngredients Awards 2019 shone a light on nutrition’s brightest stars.

Montmorency tart cherries are ‘promising intervention’ for metabolic syndrome patients, pilot study suggests

07-May-2019 By Adi Menayang

British researchers suggest that the consumption of tart cherry, either in capsule or juice format, may reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease by improving cardio-metabolic markers.

Coromega, Omax settle with Amarin over use of drug trial results to market omega-3 supplements

07-May-2019 By Hank Schultz

Omega-3 pharmaceutical firm Amarin has settled two cases with supplement manufacturers it alleged were using its drug studies to market their fish oil supplements.

BEUC calls for new MEPs to ‘make the healthy option the easy option’

02-May-2019 By Flora Southey

An EU-wide front-of-pack nutritional labelling scheme with colour coding could help reduce obesity levels and tackle rising non-communicable disease rates, argues the BEUC.

Juice Plus + fined €1m for illegal supplement selling on ‘secret’ Facebook groups

25-Apr-2019 By Will Chu

Italy’s Competition and Market Authority (AGCM) has fined companies trading under the Juice Plus + brand with a €1m penalty citing dubious marketing practices that were in breach of EU advertising law.

Skipping breakfast increases risk of heart disease, study claims

24-Apr-2019 By Oliver Morrison

Missing breakfast is “associated with a significantly increased risk of mortality from cardiovascular disease”, according to a new study published in the Journal of the American College of Cardiology.

Analysis of data from 30 studies finds linoleic acid cuts CVD risk

18-Apr-2019 By Hank Schultz

A study published in a major journal shows a cardioprotective role for linoleic acid, an omega-6 fatty acid, further complicating the message about the role of fats in the diet.

Calanus backs Norway’s decision allowing commercial harvesting of omega-3 rich zooplankton

03-Apr-2019 By Will Chu

The Norwegian Government is to allow commercial harvesting of Calanus finmarchicus, an ecologically sustainable omega-3 fatty acid source found in huge quantities in the Norwegian Sea.

Omega-3 firms’ appeals in vain as EMA confirm medicine ‘not effective’ post heart attack

03-Apr-2019 By Will Chu

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) confirms that omega-3 fatty acid medicines are not effective in preventing further cardiovascular problems in patients who have had a heart attack.

Algaia undergoes shareholding restructure with Sapec purchase

26-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

French seaweed and algae specialist Algaia has announced that agro business Sapec has purchased 31% of the firm’s shares from venture capitalists Demeter and Cap Decisif.

Traditional Indian wisdom: Amway raises awareness of herbal supplements as consumer acceptance blooms

26-Mar-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Amway India is striving to promote the health benefits of traditional Indian herbs to consumers in the market, having recently conducted a series of seminars showcasing its Nutrilite Traditional Herbs range of supplements.

Indecision reigns over current CBD Novel Food status as industry groups clash with authorities

18-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

Evidence presented at the Novel Food Commission meeting this week has triggered a rethink for authorities over the decision to classify Cannabidiol (CBD) as a novel food (NF).

Ecuadorian Chuquiraga may be ‘important source of bioactives’

14-Mar-2019 By Stephen Daniells

The Andean plant Chuquiraga jussieui J.F.Gmel could be an important source of antioxidant bioactives, says a new study from Ecuador that serves as a basis to further explore the plant’s potential benefits to human health.

EASO on board in AI-powered personalised nutrition project

13-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

The European Association for the Study of Obesity (EASO) has become the latest member of an EU-funded project that looks to harness Artificial Intelligence (AI) to develop personalised nutrition concepts.

Seven key supplement trends from Expo West 2019

12-Mar-2019 By Stephen Daniells

We walked and we talked and we took photos, and here’s our list of 7 key trends for supplements from Expo West 2019 in Anaheim.

Synthetic micronutrient the ‘first’ to receive EU Novel Food approval

06-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

A synthetic micronutrient that may prevent oxidative stress has become the first to receive Novel Food approval for the general population.

Nutrigenomic study underlines blueberries’ blood pressure-lowering abilities

01-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

Phytochemicals responsible for blueberries’ colour may also play a role in lowering blood pressure according to a study that used metabolomics and nutrigenomic techniques.

Probiota 2019

No guts, no glory: ‘Microbiome science ready to enter pharma arena,’ CEO of LNC Therapeutics says

01-Mar-2019 By Will Chu

Microbiome science is mature enough to enter the pharma field, according to the CEO of a microbiota-focused drug developer, who presented at Probiota Copenhagen earlier this month.

NutraIngredients Omega-3 Summit

Diet, dosage and disease: Why some studies haven't reported omega-3's heart health benefits

01-Mar-2019 By Cheryl Tay

Dietary intake, supplement dosage, and comorbidities are three factors that can be overlooked when trying to determine omega-3's effects on cardiovascular disease, says a professor from the University of Western Australia.

Could anthocyanin-rich potatoes boost cardiovascular health?

25-Feb-2019 By Stephen Daniells

Consuming purple potatoes, rich in anthocyanins, may improve arterial stiffness in healthy adults, says a new study from the UK.

Norway’s food authorities warn of caffeine-containing energy drinks’ effect on kids

11-Feb-2019 By Will Chu

Children and adolescents who excessively consume caffeine-containing energy drinks over a short period of time, can experience sleep problems, anxiety and heart palpitations, say Norway’s food authorities.

Hibiscus tea may help reduce cardiovascular disease risk, new study suggests

06-Feb-2019 By Adi Menayang

A team of British and Nigerian researchers reported immediate effects that suggest a reduction of cardiovascular disease risk after study participants ingested a hibiscus drink.

Growing industry calls to Irish Government for VAT supplement hike rethink

05-Feb-2019 By Will Chu

Growing dislike for Ireland’s plans to tax vitamins, minerals, probiotics and fish oils continued this week as the country’s largest retail industry body called on the Government to review the VAT hike.

Nestlé acquires new fortification tech to tackle iron deficiency

31-Jan-2019 By Will Chu

Swiss food giant Nestlé aims to step up its global fight against iron deficiency after acquiring a new food fortification technology developed by researchers in New Zealand.

Peek Inside: Probiota 2019 - Copenhagen

EC: ‘Prediction & prevention’ on the agenda in future EU microbiome-based projects

15-Jan-2019 By Will Chu

The shift from a ‘diagnose and treat’ mind-set to a ‘predict and prevent’ approach is making rapid gains in the food and nutrition industry as consumers look to innovation to make better dietary and nutritional decisions.

Aortic stiffness linked to dementia. Can vitamin K2 help reduce the risk?

11-Jan-2019 By Adi Menayang

Researchers found that individuals with arterial stiffening have increased risk of dementia, paving a way to market vitamin K2 in the brain health space—an area in which K2 was not previously considered, according to one supplier.

Review reiterates fibre’s prebiotic benefits in warding off stroke and diabetes

11-Jan-2019 By Will Chu

A Lancet review links high intake of fibre and whole grains with a reduced risk of stroke, type 2 diabetes and colorectal cancer in research that highlights missed fibre targets of populations worldwide.

Still feeling festive? Research warns of Christmas cholesterol spike

02-Jan-2019 By Nikki Cutler

Indulgent Christmas food can boost cholesterol levels by 20%, according to a new study of 25,000 Danes.

EFSA stand firm on decision to reject salt alternative’s blood pressure-reducing claims

18-Dec-2018 By Will Chu

The European Food and Safety Authority (EFSA) has said its decision to reject a health claim for Han-Biotech’s Symbiosal was correct after the firm argued the ruling was not scientifically supported.

EMA rules omega-3 medicines ‘not effective’ – no longer authorised for heart attack

14-Dec-2018 By Nathan Gray

The European Medicines Agency (EMA) has said omega-3 fatty acid medicines are not effective in preventing further heart and blood vessels problems after heart attack – meaning medicines containing DHA and EPA for this purpose will no longer be authorised...

Aker's Johansen: New study, process efficiencies, new harvesting vessel will combine to drive krill category higher

10-Dec-2018 By Hank Schultz

The outlook for krill oil ingredients is looking more robust than ever, according to the world’s largest harvester for the raw material.

Nutrino Health’s AI nutrition platform absorbed by Medtronic’s acquisition

23-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

US nutrition data firm Medtronic is to acquire Nutrino Health in a deal that combines both firms’ expertise in nutritional intervention to address the threat of metabolic conditions such as diabetes.

VITAL and REDUCE-IT: Positive results and presentations around omega-3 for heart health

12-Nov-2018 By Stephen Daniells

New data from a couple of high profile and hotly anticipated trials indicate that omega-3 consumption may indeed significantly benefit a number of heart health outcomes. But the mainstream media coverage (and therefore messaging to consumers) has been...

EUsalt calls for salt exemption from nutrient profiles to optimise nutrition

12-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

The European Salt Producers’ Association (EUsalt) has reiterated calls for fortified table salt to be exempt from nutrient profiles in a drive for optimum nutrition without violating the EU’s salt reduction campaign.

Krill oil benefits point to omega-3 oils as effective in CVD risk

07-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

Krill-derived omega-3 fatty acids appear to reduce fasting levels of blood glucose, a Rimfrost-funded study finds, as researchers point to its supplementation as an effective approach in reducing cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk.

Regulatory round up: Cranberry extract, bovine protein & shrimp peptide make cut

05-Nov-2018 By Will Chu

The European Commission (EC) rounds off this month with a few additions to the Novel Food register as a cranberry extract, bovine whey protein and shrimp peptide all make the cut.

Researchers take a closer look at which polyphenols may slash cardiovascular disease risk

30-Oct-2018 By Adi Menayang

Many studies have linked polyphenols—chemical compounds found in everything from chocolate to olives to berries—to reduced cardiovascular disease risk. French researchers took a closer look at how different types of polyphenols relate to this risk.

EC to award first health claim for combined effects of nutrients on lowering cholesterol

15-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

The European Commission (EC) intends to authorise for the first time a health claim arising from the combined effects of a number of substances, in a decision that affects firms backing the synergistic effect of nutrients in their products.

Optibiotix launches probiotic supplement range aimed at cholesterol management

02-Oct-2018 By Will Chu

UK microbiome company Optibiotix has launched a range of supplements formulated to reduce and manage cholesterol as well as promote cardiovascular health and wellness.

DSM expands German vitamin-B2 production in response to demand

20-Sep-2018 By Will Chu

Royal DSM has announced plans to expand vitamin B2 production capacity at its facility in Grenzach, Germany, in a move intended to meet rising demand across the food and dietary supplement markets.

Multi-strain probiotic supplementation may improve cardiometabolic measures in diabetics

19-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

A combination of eight probiotic strains may help improve measures of cardiometabolic health including insulin resistance, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels, says a new study.

Boysenberry useful against endothelial dysfunction in both mice and humans: Japanese study

13-Sep-2018 By Cheryl Tay

Boysenberry polyphenol and its anthocyanins may be able to inhibit blood and lymphatic vessel dysfunction and help to maintain vascular stability, according to a study by Japan's Niigata University.

Review supports astaxanthin’s role as a ‘mitochondrial nutrient’

07-Sep-2018 By Stephen Daniells

Astaxanthin’s strong anti-oxidant activity may help prevent mitochondrial dysfunction, which could explain it’s strong potential benefits for a range of health conditions, says a new mini-review from South Korea.

Nutrition may influence brain health more so in women than men, study suggests

31-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

Women may need a more nutrient-rich diet to support a positive emotional well-being, US researchers conclude, pointing to polyphenols, omega-3 oils and folate as being particularly beneficial.

Pharmacokinetics ought to form basis of evaluating bioavailability claims, expert says

29-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

Claims of greater bioavailability in the nutraceutical realm are often misapplied or miss the point, according to Nils Hoem, PhD.

Omega-3s fail to prevent heart events in trial on diabetics; experts question baseline levels, dosing

28-Aug-2018 By Hank Schultz

Results from a long term trial in diabetes patients showed that omega-3s did not prevent heart attacks or strokes. Experts within the industry raised questions about how the results were reported, the baseline levels of the study population as well as...

ANSES urge vigilance over seaweed supplement link to excess iodine intake

24-Aug-2018 By Will Chu

The French Agency for Food, Environmental and Occupational Health & Safety (ANSES) has warned at-risk populations of taking seaweed-based food supplements that could lead to excess iodine intake.