Women's health

First ever micronutrient group to push supplement issues in UK parliament

24-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK has launched an All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on micronutrients and health, something the Health Food Manufacturers’ Association (HFMA) said would help bring nutrition to the forefront of discussions in Westminster.

Quality control of probiotics is lacking, study suggests

20-Nov-2015 By Louisa Richards

A new study by scientists at the University of California has found that contents of many bifidobacterial probiotic products differ from the ingredients listed.

Grape seed extract reduces systolic blood pressure: Study

18-Nov-2015 By Louisa Richards

Grape seed extract reduces systolic blood pressure in middle aged adults with pre-hypertension by 5.6% after six weeks, a study published in the British Journal of Nutrition has suggested.

Probi files 13.5 health claim: 'Lactobacillus plantarum 299v increases non-heme iron absorption.'

Iron absorption probiotic marks ‘new approach’

18-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Swedish company Probi has put its full weight behind a new probiotic product targeting iron absorption with a health claim application and the publication of promising study results.

Special edition: Inflammation

Are we set to see an increase in demand for anti-inflammatory formulations?

16-Nov-2015 By Stephen Daniells

Healthy aging and increasing coverage by the mainstream media could help drive demand for products addressing inflammation over the next few years, say experts.

exclusive guest article

The state of the health and wellness market in 2015

13-Nov-2015 By Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International

Is organic still selling? Does the 'natural' trend mean fortified/functional food is now passé? And why are consumers turning their noses up at better for you (BFY) offerings? Ewa Hudson, head of health and wellness research at Euromonitor International,...

Probiotics may prevent recurrent vaginal infections: Study

09-Nov-2015 By Louisa Richards

Probiotic strains are effective against recurrent vaginal infections when used alongside prescribed medication, according to a study using Bifodan’s patented EcoVag probiotic.

DSM eyes brands, private label; will cut 100 nutrition jobs

05-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

DSM will cut 100 nutrition jobs as part of efficiency plans on top of the 900-1100 job losses elsewhere already announced as it set out goals that include greater interest in brands and private label.

Evidence of omega-3s as depression treatment flawed, says review

05-Nov-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

There is insufficient evidence to support the use of omega-3 supplements as a treatment for depression, a new Cochrane review has said.

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.

Stimulants and side effects: UK MPs given supplement-drug use data

29-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

UK Members of Parliament have been given data on supplement and drug use among gym-goers to consider ahead of a new bill on psychoactive substances.

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.

UK Moringa-based beauty drink overcomes 'horrible' taste

21-Oct-2015 By Louise Reid

A herbal nutricosmetic drink is being launched in the UK utilising the amino acid-rich Himalyan herb, Moringa oleifeira, with the company involved saying it has overcome the 'horrible' taste of moringa.

Certain carotenoids may hold protective role against breast cancer: Research

21-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Specific carotenoids are associated with a lower risk of breast cancer, research in China has suggested.

EFSA dispels fear that soy supplements cause breast cancer

21-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Isoflavones in food supplements do not pose a health risk to post-menopausal women, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has said in response to an appeal from the German authority.

Probiotics increase iron absorption from fortified drink by 50%: Study

20-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Probiotics may help increase iron absorption from iron-fortified foods, say Swedish researchers.

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.

Industry meets as EU trilogue commences

EU medical devices regulation set for December adoption; industry stews over lost opportunities

15-Oct-2015 By Shane Starling in Brussels

A 100-strong meeting today in Brussels revealed a self-care industry that is prepared for, yet frustrated by, impending changes to EU medical devices laws that are set to increase data requirements and product development costs and which it claims will...

Walmark buys Czech food supplements major

12-Oct-2015 By Shane STARLING

Czech-based Eastern European supplements giant Walmark has completed its second regional acquisition of the year with the purchase of fellow Czech supplements firm Valosun for an undisclosed sum.

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.

Evidence of iron-fortified flour reducing anaemia is limited: Review

06-Oct-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Evidence of the effectiveness of flour fortification for reducing the prevalence of anaemia is limited but reduction of low ferritin shows promise, according to a review of 13 national programmes.

Iodine excess linked to thyroid disease in lactating women

28-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Excessive iodine intake may cause thyroid disease in lactating women and should be monitored as closely as deficiency, Chinese research of 343 women has said.

‘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.

Lactating women should restrict flaxseed intake: Researchers

04-Sep-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Flaxseed intake during lactation should be limited as it may change maternal adrenal function, research in rats has suggested.

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.

EU folate fortification failure caused 8,400 neural tube defects in 11 years

31-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Europe is facing an “epidemic” of folic acid-preventable neural tube defects (NTD) spina bifida and anencephaly, researchers have said.

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.

261% in 124g: New sweet potatoes new answer to ‘rampant’ vitamin A deficiency

17-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

South African researchers have created new beta carotene- rich sweet potatoes that could offer a solution to rampant vitamin A deficiency.

Swiss herb player reaping benefits of eastern Europe expansion

14-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

Swiss botanicals player Frutarom is pushing hard into botanical medicines and supplements markets in the EU, with pharma-grade extracts produced at its recently acquired Slovenian facility.

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.

Urgent need for research on maternal folate status and autism

07-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Researchers have urged more and better quality research on the link between maternal folate status and autism.

special edition: protein

How much do you really know about protein?

06-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Do you know which country consumes the most protein per capita? Which protein company has been causing a stir among feminist tweeters? How much protein the average adult should be getting a day? Take our quiz to find out if you really are a pro when it...

Could Scottish seaweed be the next Scotch whisky?

05-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Scottish seaweed industry seems set to boom as the country's government prepares an expansion policy and company Mara Seaweed seeks over €700,000 to take its condiments global.

The Hacker’s Diet: Should we be looking at nutrition like a computer nerd?

04-Aug-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The age of Silicon Valley and Digi-everything has seen the dawn of a new diet trend: ‘Biohacking’.

‘EFSA failed in their evaluation…’

BASF launches stinging attack on EFSA

03-Aug-2015 By Shane STARLING

BASF says the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) failed to fulfil its health claim assessment remit after the Parma-based agency last month rejected its CLA-weight management appeal.

Nestlé set for 1,800-strong epigenetics study on maternal diet & infant genetics

30-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé and the EpiGen Global Research Consortium are to begin work on an 1,800-strong epigenetics study into the impact of maternal diet on infant genes and health – something the company claims is a clinical trial first.

The folic acid message must move beyond the taboo of ‘trying for a baby’

27-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

We must tackle the taboo around folic acid supplementation if we are to tackle the rising rate of neural tube defects in Ireland, says public health body.

‘Antiquated’ national flour fortification laws must be updated to meet WHO recommendations: Researcher

24-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

If iron flour fortification is to work sources and levels approved by the World Health Organisation (WHO) are required and actual consumption must be considered, says food fortification expert.

Austria could face EU court action for direct selling ban

23-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Austria could be taken to the European Court of Justice (ECJ) over its ban on doorstep sales of products like food supplements, the European Commission says.

France goes off-piste with caffeine, carnitine, creatine, lycopene law? EFSA safe caffeine limit halved

17-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

France has proposed new legal daily limits for carnitine, creatine, lycopene and caffeine in supplements – the latter of which was half that defined as safe by the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA).

EFSA sets requirements for vitamin B12

13-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set dietary reference values (DRVs) for cobalamin (vitamin B12).

EFSA on vitamin E: ‘Pregnant and lactating women don’t need more’

10-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has set dietary reference values (DRVs) for vitamin E as alpha-tocopherol.

Flaxseed beats probiotics for improved insulin sensitivity & altered microbiota

06-Jul-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A study comparing fibrous flaxseed with probiotics has questioned the latter’s ability to alter gut microbiota and improve obesity-related metabolic diseases.