Women's health

Naturex cranberry launch hones in on biological activity: ‘Proving a product has PACs does not guarantee efficacy’

06-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Naturex’s launch of a new cranberry extract sees the company moving beyond proanthocyanidins (PACs) as a marker of efficacy towards anti-adhesion activity (AAA), something it sees as a more relevant biological marker of benefits to urinary tract health.

Your brand name tells women you can help them conceive, ASA tells Vitabiotics

04-Feb-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) has upheld a complaint against supplement manufacturer Vitabiotics concerning an implied claim that its Pregnacare Conception multivitamin range could help women conceive a child.

GM folate rice could help tackle neural tube defects, say researchers

30-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Rice metabolically engineered to be rich in folates could help alleviate associated health problems of folate deficiency, according to researchers.

Probiotic industry value set to reach £29bn

30-Jan-2015 By Nicholas Robinson

Sales of probiotic food, drink and supplements are set to reach £29bn by 2018, as consumers seek food-based answers to health issues, according to one expert commentator.

African probiotic project reaching 10,000 infants a day

20-Jan-2015 By Shane STARLING

The potential of probiotics to benefit maternal and infant morbidity and mortality is being shown in on-the-ground projects in Africa and elsewhere, according to lifelong researcher, maternal and infant morbidity and mortality, professor Gregor Reid.

Beauty and that beast of a beverage market…Bella Berry targets UK launch

20-Jan-2015 By Ben BOUCKLEY

London-based startup Bella Berry tells BeverageDaily.com that it is negotiating with buyers with a view to launching the UK’s first mass market collagen-based ‘beauty drink’ by spring 2015.

Vitamin D may enhance exercise benefits for type-2 diabetics: Study

16-Jan-2015 By Stephen DANIELLS

Combining vitamin D supplements and circuit training may trim belly fat levels and improve blood lipid profiles in elderly women with low D levels and type-2 diabetes.

Is the future of women’s health probiotics medical?

14-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Danish probiotic firm Bifodan has created a second business unit for probiotics targeting women’s intimate health, splitting the business between dietary supplements and over-the-counter (OTC) medical products.

Media investment means US probiotic growth outpacing EU

13-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

US probiotic market growth has been bolstered by big media investment, something yet to be seen in the EU, according to the Swedish firm Probi which just secured its largest transatlantic order to date.

Fertility food supplement targets older couples

07-Jan-2015

An Israeli firm has debuted ‘his, her’s and theirs’ food supplements aimed at boosting the fertility of ageing couples who want children - the chances of pregnancy drop to as low as 5% after the age of 40.

Nestlé puts €18m on table for epigenetics research

05-Jan-2015 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Nestlé is to contribute 22m Swiss francs (€18.31m) to a 6-year multinational epigenetics research partnership.

UK report may show true extent of folate deficiency, says DSM

15-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Data from an upcoming UK Department of Health (DoH) report is likely to reveal the true extent of folate deficiency, according to nutrition multinational DSM.

Swedish agency comes down hard on unlisted pharmas in libido-boosting supplements

09-Dec-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

The Swedish Medical Products Agency (MPA) says nearly 70% of ‘sexual potency’ food supplements it tested contained unlisted pharmaceutical ingredients.

ICN2 'framework' document outlines action plan for better food and nutrition systems

25-Nov-2014 By Nathan Gray

The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) and World Health Organisation (WHO) have published a 60 point plan as part of a ‘framework for action’ to improve global food and nutrition systems.

Game changer? Folic acid wins EFSA health claim for neural tube defect risk reduction

10-Nov-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A newly approved EU health claim to say folic acid supplements reduce the risk of infant neural tube defects will bring home the nutrient’s importance to women, say a team of campaigners and trade groups behind the claim.

Calcium supplementation could prevent reduced bone density in active post-menopausal women: Study

31-Oct-2014 By Anna Bonar

Calcium supplementation (Marigot’s Aquamin) could prevent exercise-associated bone density reduction in post-menopausal women, according to an American study.

Herbalife asks Mirror to take down 'baseless' article

Herbalife shakes not responsible for Mexican death, say doctors

29-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

A "previous serious illness" was responsible for the death of a Mexican woman - not Herbalife weight loss shakes - say local doctors following accusations in the Mexican and UK press of lead contamination.

ASA pulls 2 Vitabiotics ads in UK

29-Oct-2014 By Anna Bonar

The UK's biggest supplement manufacturer, Vitabiotics, has been censored over two ads for misleading health claims by the UK Advertising Standards Authority (ASA).

We want you: Scientific committee calls for cutting edge science at Probiota 2015

29-Oct-2014 By Nathan Gray

A newly established scientific committee are set to assess cutting edge research for the Probiota 2015 Scientific Frontiers poster session. Don’t miss your chance to present as entries close on November 7.

Research backs collagen-calcium combo for post-menopausal bone loss

28-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Supplementation of collagen and calcium may be more effective at reducing bone density loss in post-menopausal women compared to straight calcium and vitamin D, according to an industry-funded year-long trial.

‘We want to democratise spirulina’, says blue water start-up

28-Oct-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Start-up firm Springwave says it wants to bring spirulina to the masses with its blue bottled water.

Report card: French laud nutrivigilance success

27-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

France’s nutrivigilence work – launched in 2010 to ensure safety in food supplements and some foodstuffs – has improved the quality of the food supply, the country’s food safety agency has said.

Industry voice: In defense of nutritional medical devices in the EU

24-Oct-2014 By Maikel Hendriks, CEO of Medical Brands

Since 2008 the severity of the EU’s health claim laws has seen many firms seek other routes to back claims – the EU’s medical devices legal avenue being one of them. Amsterdam-based Maikel Hendriks, the CEO of Medical Brands, examines the controversial,...

Healthy ageing comes of age: Free forum is next week

21-Oct-2014 By Shane STARLING

Next Tuesday NutraIngredients is proud to host our first healthy ageing forum, an hour long online discussion about a booming sector with leading experts.

Analysis - Japan

Red hot competition as placenta businesses jockey for supremacy

21-Oct-2014 By RJ Whitehead

With more than a quarter of Japan’s population over the age of 60, it is said that country suffers more from the issues of an ageing population than any other country. That’s no doubt why the anti-ageing industry is doing so well.

Amino acid release matrix extracts maximum value from protein

17-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

Glanbia Nutrtionals has debuted an enzyme blend targeting release of branch chain amino acids (BCAA) and glutamine from whey protein sources.

What women want: Lallemand launches probiotics for female health

14-Oct-2014 By Lynda Searby

The absence of any EU-approved health claims for probiotics hasn’t deterred Lallemand Health Solutions from launching a suite of probiotics addressing women’s health issues.

Pine bark extract may support venous health post-pregnancy

13-Oct-2014

Daily supplements of Pycnogenol, an extract from French maritime pine bark, may improve blood flow and reduce swelling, pain and the number of faulty veins post-pregnancy, says a new study from Italy.

'Jacked Power' pre-workout supplement under investigation following woman’s brain haemorrhage

30-Sep-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Doctors investigating a Swedish woman’s brain haemorrhage have pointed the finger at the pre-workout food supplement Jacked Power – warning that the event could have been triggered by ingredients chemically similar to amphetamine.

Scottish dietary survey reveals vitamin D worry

25-Sep-2014 By Nathan Gray

A significant proportion of Scottish adults and children show evidence of low vitamin D levels, according to new data from the UK national diet and nutrition survey (NDNS).

Synbiotic fermented milk may boost isoflavone bioavailability: Human data

23-Sep-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily consumption of a fermented milk product containing probiotic bacteria and prebiotic fibers may increase the bioavailability of soy isoflavones in women, says a new study from Thailand.

South Korea

‘Straightforward’ claims process gives Korea advantage over neighbours

17-Sep-2014 By RJ Whitehead

South Korea’s probiotic segment has been growing at around 30% over the last two years, and according to one international bioscience major, this lightning rate should continue for another year.

ENSA: Soy-breast cancer study not reflective of ‘state of scientific knowledge’

11-Sep-2014 By Shane STARLING

The soy industry has hit back at a recent study that suggested soy supplementation could worsen rather than ameliorate breast cancer by influencing gene behaviour.

Omega-3s and vitamin D first focus for Global Nutrition & Health Alliance

10-Sep-2014 By Shane STARLING

The just-formed Global Nutrition & Health Alliance (GNHA) is tackling intake levels for vitamin D and omega-3 as the group formed by medical and health experts kicks into life.

Concerns raised over soy supplementation: Study

09-Sep-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Soy supplementation for women suffering from breast cancer may compound rather than improve their condition – contrary to popular opinion, say scientists.

Seaweed an effective alternative for iodine supplementation, study finds

18-Aug-2014 By Hank Schultz

A study in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that seaweed supplementation can be an effective alternative for boosting the levels of iodine in women deficient in this vital nutrient.

Chr. Hansen wins landmark probiotics health claim in South Korea

18-Aug-2014 By Anne Bruce

Bioscience company Chr. Hansen’s Urex product has become the first probiotic to win an approved health claim in South Korea.

Sea buckthorn oil backed for vaginal dryness relief

18-Aug-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

Skin hydrating sea buckthorn oil supplements may also combat vaginal dryness, according to research commissioned by Finnish firm Aromtech.

Trial underway to combat iron deficiencies with milk protein capsules

14-Aug-2014 By Oliver Nieburg

The University of Sydney will assess the effects of milk protein lactoferrin to meet the iron requirements of pregnant women and mitigate the health problems of their children.

Coffee consumption lowers tinnitus incidence in women: 25-year study

12-Aug-2014 By Anna Bonar

Caffeine intake may be associated with lower incidence of ear ringing in women, an American study has found.

Science short

Soy boosts cardio health in pre-menopausal monkeys: Study

11-Aug-2014 By Shane STARLING

Soy consumption can boost heart health a study with cynomolgus monkeys has found, but intake must begin at an early age.

DSM and Merck form high-end folate alliance

06-Aug-2014 By Shane STARLING

DSM Nutritional Products (DNP) is not abandoning its folic acid (vitamin B9) offering but has added a high-end, folate form aimed at global supplement and food makers in a deal with Merck in Switzerland.

Breast is best: Punjab gov sets new infant formula labelling rules

04-Aug-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Labelling of infant formula sold in the Pakistani department of Punjab must now include the warning “mother’s milk is the best food for your baby and helps in preventing diarrhoea and other illnesses,” according to new prohibition and guidance rules released...

Folates not folic acid for flour fortification, urge researchers

25-Jul-2014 By Lynda Searby

New findings that the body is less efficient at metabolising folic acid than natural folates could inform policy-making decisions as the UK government considers mandatory fortification of flour with folic acid.

Magnesium supplements may boost physical performance for older women: RCT

21-Jul-2014 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplementation with magnesium oxide in combination with a mild fitness program may boost the physical performance of healthy older women, says a new study.

EFSA panel endorses draft dietary refs for folate, niacin and selenium

02-Jul-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

EFSA has approved Dietary Reference Values (DRV) for folate, niacin and selenium, which set population reference intakes, adequate intakes or average requirements for the European population.

Dispatches from EFSA plenary, Parma

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