Healthy ageing

Porridge's prebiotic potential previewed by Nordic researchers

02-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Eating a bowl of porridge oats a day could alter gut microbial functions, according to Scandinavian researchers who have tipped the ingredient as a possible prebiotic.

Vitamin E improves bone density for women but not men: Study

30-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Greater dietary intakes and blood levels of vitamin E are associated with greater bone mineral density (BMD) in women but not men, Chinese research in over 3000 adults has found.

Prebiotics could be used to battle neuropsychiatric disorders: Oxford study

28-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Prebiotics may play a modulatory role in neuro-immuno processes and could reverse anxiety induced by inflammation, research in mice has suggested for the first time.

Tualang honey reduces risk of heart disease in smokers: Study

28-Oct-2015 By Louise Reid

Malaysian researchers have found that Tualang honey supplementation reduced the oxidative stress status of smokers, suggesting its potential in reducing the risk of smoking-related cardio-vascular disease.

3 ways ‘shocking’ Italian botanical ruling has voided the health claim regulation

27-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Italian courts have defended a botanical company’s right to make AIDS and Alzheimer’s disease claims – overturning a previous ruling from its national competition authority and potentially voiding the EU health claims regulation.

From the FENS Congress in Berlin

Euro congress tackles ‘syndrome X'

26-Oct-2015 By Shane STARLING

Vitamin E and prebiotics are important in the 21st century battle against ‘syndrome X’ – the umbrella term given to a collection of chronic maladies including obesity, inflammation, diabetes and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), the FENS congress...

AI peptides start-up attracts €2.9m investment

26-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Irish start-up Nuritas secures $3.2m (€2.9m) in international investment for its peptide-discovering platform.

What the Swedish eat: 1740-strong dietary survey

26-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

People in Sweden fall into one of three dietary camps - a ‘healthy dietary’, ‘Swedish traditional’ or 'light-meal' pattern - a national dietary survey of 1740 adults has found.

Healthy Mediterranean style diet could block brain ageing

23-Oct-2015 By Nathan Gray

People who eat a diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables but low in meat may end up with bigger brains and slow down the cognitive ageing process, say researchers.

Giant European congress closes with fortification call to defeat nutrient deficiencies

23-Oct-2015 By Shane Starling at the 12th FENS Congress in Berlin

Food fortification, supplementation and better nutrition policy making and implementation are keys to addressing ongoing global micronutrient deficiencies in ‘the big 3’ – iron, iodine and vitamin A - Europe’s biggest nutrition congress was told today...

Ireland dairy sector controls are ‘well organised’ - FVO

21-Oct-2015 By Joseph James Whitworth

The Irish control system of the dairy sector is ‘well organised’, according to the Food and Veterinary Office (FVO) following an audit.

Food industry needs to help people age healthily

21-Oct-2015

There are more people in the world aged over 60 than ever before. Michelle Perrett discovers what the industry needs to do to help them age healthily.

ASA ruling

UK shuts bilberry eye health claims

16-Oct-2015 By Louise Reid

Swedish supplements player New Nordic has had eye health claims slapped down in the UK, even though its ‘Blue Berry Eyebright plus’ product included vision-approved vitamin A.

live from EFSA's 2nd scientific conference

‘Starving Africa’ cliché used to push GM: Harvard Professor

16-Oct-2015 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn at the Milan Expo

An over-simplistic image of impoverished, malnutritioned Africa is being used to push the case for genetically modified organisms (GMOs), a senior Harvard professor has warned.

Dutch firm enters bulging chia seed scene

13-Oct-2015 By Shane STARLING

The spate of companies seeking to enter Europe’s lively chia seed market shows no signs of slowing with an EU novel foods application from a Dutch firm joining the fray.

Sodium butyrate may protect against liver damage: Mice research

13-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Sodium butyrate supplements may help protect against inflammation in the liver and the development of Western-diet induced non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), research in mice has found.

BASF optimizes global sterols production infrastructure

12-Oct-2015

BASF is increasing its sterol extraction capacity at its site in Boussens, France, and closing its sterols production site in Pasadena, Texas as the company optimizes its global sterol production infrastructure.

Childhood microbiome shows distinct & functional differences to adult gut

09-Oct-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

The gut microbiome of pre-adolescents has distinct differences to the adult microbiome, says a new study from Texas that may enhance the development and efficacy of childhood microbiome interventions.

Over 1/3 of fish oil fisheries poorly managed: Report

08-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Over one third or 3.5 million tonnes of fish stocks destined for fish oil supplements are ‘poorly managed’, a sustainability report of 24 fisheries has found. 

Selenium may help fight pre-cancer cervical condition

07-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Long-term consumption of selenium supplements may help reverse the progression of the ‘pre-cancer’ condition cervical intraepithelial neoplasia grade 1 (CIN1), say researchers in Iran.

Hershey fortified peanut butter project feeds Ghanaian stomachs and economy

06-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Chocolate giant Hershey has committed to 100% local peanuts for its Ghana school feeding programme.

Multi-ingredient formula shows good results in Mild Cognitive Impairment test

05-Oct-2015 By Hank Schultz

A multi-ingredient formula previously studied for cognitive effects has additional evidence to bolster its efficacy in cases of mild cognitive impairment with the results of a recent study. Participants in a long-term trial showed significant improvements...

EFSA's big data: Huge cross-border study on choline intakes in EU

05-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has used its vast consumption database to look at average EU choline intakes for the first time.

From spread to supplement: Raisio patents convenient plant stanol pill

30-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Benecol owner Raisio has filed an international patent for a LDL cholesterol lowering plant sterol ester and/or plant stanol ester dietary supplement. 

‘An adequate supply of antioxidant nutrients may have a beneficial role for healthy aging’, says study

24-Sep-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Specific sub-populations may benefit from antioxidant intakes to support healthy aging, with men particularly seen as an ‘at-risk’ group, says a new paper published in the American Journal of Epidemiology.

Egg shell membrane improves joint mobility, comfort in study on healthy subjects

23-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

BiovaFlex, a water soluble egg membrane ingredient, enhanced joint function, especially shoulder mobility, and was associated with increased comfort in daily activities and elevated physical activity, according to a recent study.

VIEWPOINT

Chef Dave Pigram on integrating superfoods into menus

18-Sep-2015 By Emma Eversham

With superfoods predicted to be a growing trend for menus BigHospitality speaks to Dave Pigram, head chef at The Waterleaf Restaurant at Reynolds Retreat in Kent, about how he is using them in his menus and why they can be beneficial to health and business.

Synergy gets the cheesecake out for new protein flavour range

17-Sep-2015 By Eliot Beer

Synergy Flavours has launched a new flavour range for protein and weight loss supplements, designed to work with more protein types, and satisfy consumer demand for more variety.

Future fortified: Global summit calls for universal food fortification to combat ‘hidden hunger’

16-Sep-2015 By Shane STARLING

International governments and health and nutrition stakeholders have backed universal food fortification to combat undernutrition and malnutrition that affects about two billion people worldwide.

AstaReal announces plan to further expand US astaxanthin facility as finished product brand hits market

08-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

Astaxanthin manufacturer AstaReal has announced plans to further expand its production facility in Washington State and has followed other producers of the carotenoid into the direct-to-consumer finished products market.

Omega-3s and cognition: dosage matters!

07-Sep-2015 By Adam Ismail

Yet another study questioning omega-3 efficacy has been picked up by the mainstream press. Why finger the nutrient when the dosage is all wrong? argues Adam Ismail, executive director of the Global Organisation for EPA and DHA Omega-3s (GOED), in this...

Vitamin K2 shown to reduce arterial calcification in kidney disease model

03-Sep-2015 By Hank Schultz

A new study has found the vitamin K2 supplementation suppresses calcification and resultant muscle damage in rats in a kidney disease model. The result helps bolster the vitamin’s bone and cardiovascular health benefits, according to Norwegian company...

Up fibre intake to lower blood pressure: 2000-strong study

03-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Higher intakes of fibre may contribute to lower blood pressure, say researchers.

Unilever wins right to say pro.activ cholesterol spread doesn't cause side effects

02-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A German court has dismissed campaign group FoodWatch’s law suit against Unilever’s cholesterol-lowering spread pro.activ – but FoodWatch continues its assault by urging the European Commission to retract its novel food approval.

Arla boosts West African 'distribution backbone' with JVs in Nigeria and Senegal

01-Sep-2015 By Mark ASTLEY

Arla Foods has partnered with companies in Nigeria and Senegal to boost its "distribution backbone" in West Africa. 

Elderberry extract may improve obesity inflammation

01-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Black elderberry extract may improve obesity-related metabolic disturbances like triglyceride (TAG) levels, inflammation and insulin resistance, research in mice finds.

Vitamin K level not Vitamin E could be to blame for cancer links: Symposium

01-Sep-2015 By Shane STARLING in Stuttgart, Germany

Diminished levels of vitamin K forms - not high levels of vitamin E - could be the key factor in prostate cancer links, a Stuttgart symposium has heard today.

Vitamin D increases muscle strength: Review

01-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin D supplementation significantly increases upper and lower limb strength, a review of seven trials has found.

Amino acid supplements may boost vascular endothelial function in older adults: Study

28-Aug-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of HMB (a metabolite of leucine), glutamine and arginine may improve vascular function and blood flow in older people, says a new study.

Low vitamin D linked to schizophrenic brain dysfunction

27-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Vitamin D deficiency may be linked to the dysfunction of the hippocampus – a region of the brain thought to play a role in schizophrenia, say researchers.

Pre hypertension link to risk in young adults widens scope for grape seed extract, Polyphenolics says

25-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

High blood pressure has been called the silent killer, and a recent study indicates its effects may be more widespread than previously believed.  It creates a market opportunity for those few dietary supplement ingredients that have data backing their...

Firm automates ingredient discovery based on epigenetic activity

24-Aug-2015 By Hank Schultz

Finding new bioactive molecules has in the past been something of a treasure hunt that had developers combing records of traditional uses of botanicals for clues pointing the way to new products. UK-based natural products company Sibelius Limited is one...

The link between psychosis and malnutrition

24-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

First-time psychosis sufferers are far more likely to be deficient in micronutrients and protein than the general population – and more intervention studies are needed to explore strategies against this, say UK researchers.

Supplements on wheels: Vitamin D trial shows promise for reducing falls in homebound elderly

18-Aug-2015 By Nathan Gray

Delivering vitamin D supplements to homebound elderly people through a ‘meals-on-wheels’ program could help improve vitamin D levels and reduce falls, say researchers.

High fat diet in middle age could raise later malnutrition risk

17-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A high energy intake from total fat, saturated fat and monounsaturated fat in middle and older age increases the risk of malnutrition ten years later, say Swedish researchers.

Kids with poor diets score poorly on cognitive tests: Finnish researchers

14-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The worse the diet quality of children, the worse they score on cognitive tests - especially boys, research finds.

Cholesterolimbroglio: Inside an EU claims mess

13-Aug-2015 By Bert Schwitters

On September 1 a Hamburg court will on the case brought by FoodWatch against Unilever over marketing for its cholesterol-lowering margarine Becel pro.activ.

Calcium & magnesium reduce risk of metabolic syndrome: 9000-strong study

13-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Calcium and magnesium may reduce the risk of metabolic syndrome – but men need above and beyond recommended levels for this effect, say researchers.

Probiotics won’t help you lose weight, say researchers

12-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics are not effective for weight loss, say researchers behind a review of current data.

What’s the evidence for probiotics and liver diseases?

11-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is growing evidence that probiotics are a useful tool against liver diseases but blind spots remain, according to a review.