Women's health

DISPATCHES FROM VITAFOODS EUROPE 2014

Emotional brain food for madam, and the caffeine source for you sir

15-May-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

When it comes to cognitive health products, women look for emotional ‘brain food’, while men look for caffeine sources, according to a survey of German students.

Dispatches from Vitafoods Europe 2014

Pharmachem: EFSA cranberry rejection doesn’t affect our European business

07-May-2014 By Shane STARLING

New Jersey supplier Pharmachem says a European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) rejection of its ‘CranMax’ cranberry ingredient’s ability to prevent urinary tract infection (UTI) in women won’t change its European business plans.

EFSA rejects Naturex and Pharmachem cranberry-UTI claims

06-May-2014 By Shane STARLING

Naturex and Pharmachem are the latest cranberry players to be rebuffed by the EU’s central science agency. In the first, it this week failed French botanical giant Naturex's urinary tract infection (UTI) dossier containing a key study it said, “showed...

Vitamin D levels linked to cancer survival rates

30-Apr-2014 By Annie Harrison-Dunn

Breast and colorectalcancer patients with higher levels of vitamin D at the time of diagnosis may have better chances of survival and remain in remission longer those who are deficient, according to a scientific review. 

Gunter Haesaerts: “The party is over now.”

French cranberry medical device status stripped

29-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

French food supplements manufacturer Arkopharma has had its ‘EU medical device’ status revoked for a cranberry product that claimed to treat urinary tract infections (UTI) in women.

Exclusive documentary preview: MicroWarriors Special edition

MicroWarriors: Exploring probiotic power (and the powers that be)

25-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

NutraIngredients went to LA recently to question two leading probiotic academics about probiotics and the microbiome and which we present exclusively here. The interviews form part of a new documentary to be narrated by Leonard Nimoy, better known as...

Krill oil (plus B vitamins, soy and rosemary) relieves PMS: Pilot study

25-Apr-2014 By Nicola Cottam

Krill oil supplementation can relieve pre-menstrual stress disorder (PMS), according to a small pilot study.

Special edition: Sports nutrition

Expert founds company with goal to fill in data gaps on sports nutrition for women

23-Apr-2014 By Hank Schultz

When formulating sports nutrition products for women, is the concept to merely give them a little bit less of what you’d give a presumably much heavier man under similar circumstances?  Or are a female athlete’s needs subtly different? No one really knows,...

Danes back food supplements (even if their government does not)

17-Apr-2014 By Shane STARLING

Despite healthy diets and a lack of government support, food supplement use in Denmark is among the highest in Europe, the Danish Food Institute (NFI) has concluded after a survey.

Iron supplements may boost female physical performance: Meta-analysis

15-Apr-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

Scientific evidence from 22 randomized controlled trials indicates that daily iron supplements may significantly boost exercise performance for women.

Science short

Study: Vitamin A form shows breast cancer prevention potential

09-Apr-2014 By Shane Starling

A vitamin A form called retinoic acid that is commonly found in sweet potatoes and carrots, can help turn breast cells showing cancerous potential back to a healthy state, researchers have found.

EU Novel foods approval

Quatrefolic primed for EU commercialisation

02-Apr-2014 By Nicola Cottam

The European Commission has finally given its approval to Quatrefolic as a food supplement within the EU following a positive ruling from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) last October.

Customer relationships are crucial to developing personalised nutrition offerings

17-Mar-2014 By Lynda Searby

If Personalised Nutritional Offerings (PNOs) are to gain a commercial foothold in the marketplace, lessons need to be learned and providers will have to change the way they approach customer relationships, say researchers.

Probiotics backed for vaginal health: Study

19-Feb-2014 By Shane STARLING

Five Lactobacillus probiotic strains have been shown to reduce vaginal pathogens in new in vitro data, with a clinical trial ongoing.

Calcium-prebiotic combination may boost bone health more than calcium alone: Human data

24-Jan-2014 By Stephen DANIELLS

A combination of a marine-derived calcium-rich multi-mineral supplement with a short-chain fructo-oligosaccharide may help maintain bone health more than calcium alone for post-menopausal women, says a new study.

Dutch firm upgrades EU probiotic (medical devices) claim

07-Jan-2014 By Shane STARLING

A probiotics specialist in the Netherlands has won a second claim for a multi-strain probiotic blend targeting vaginal health under European Union medical devices legislation.

Low dose iron may help reduce incidence of iron deficiency and anemia in pregnant women

19-Dec-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily supplements containing low doses of ferrous bisglycinate (Aminojern, a product containing Albion’s Ferrochel) may help pregnant women avoid iron deficiency and anemia, says a new study from Denmark.

Dancing dangers: Vitamin D deficiency means increased injury risk

12-Dec-2013 By Annie-Rose Harrison-Dunn

Researchers looking at vitamin D levels in elite ballet dancers have found that deficiency caused by intensive indoor training leads to increased risk of injury.

Lignans show benefits for menopausal symptoms, says Linnea study

11-Dec-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Supplements of Linnea's HMRLignan, the plant lignan isolated and purified from the Norway spruce (picea abies), may reduce the number of hot flashes by over 50%, says a new study.

Poster deadline extended by one week to December 13

Probiota 2014: Poster proposal deadline extended

04-Dec-2013 By Nathan Gray

Probiota 2014 – the leading conference bridging the interface of academia and industry for cutting edge science about the prebiotics, probiotics and the microbiome – has extended the call for proposals for its poster sessions by one week to Friday 13th...

Dispatches from #FIE2013

‘Shrink it and pink it’? Women deserve better, says UK sports nutrition firm

03-Dec-2013 By Shane STARLING

Putting a male-oriented sports nutrition product into a petite, pink package is a lazy way to meet female needs, says a leading UK firm which is going about things a little differently.

Expert review ‘recognizes and acknowledges’ the multiple health benefits of ‘special’ cranberry

14-Nov-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

The potential health benefits of North American cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon) and its unique nutrition profile extend beyond reducing the risk of urinary tract infections to include multiples heart health activities and temper inflammation, says a...

EFSA issues intake advice for vitamin C but stops short of DRV

06-Nov-2013 By Shane STARLING

After years of deliberation the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has handed in recommendations for vitamin C and manganese intakes among European populations.

Detecting deficiencies: New strategy could speed up mass testing of vitamin and mineral levels

25-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Analysing levels of proteins in blood could be used to estimate levels of essential vitamins and minerals without directly testing for each nutritional factor, according to new research that suggests the use of mass spectrometry to rapidly detect nutritional...

French and Italians ink global cranberry supplements deal

21-Oct-2013 By Shane Starling

Italian botanicals giant Indena will market a high-potency cranberry extract made by French firm Pharmatoka in global markets like South Korea, India and Russia, under a new alliance.

Multivitamin and mineral supplement may offer invasive breast cancer hope: Study

10-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Taking a supplement containing multivitamins and minerals could increase the chances of long term survival in people with invasive breast cancer, according to new research.

Big breakfast backed to aid female fertility difficulties: Study

10-Oct-2013 By Nathan Gray

Eating a bigger breakfast in the morning, and cutting back on large meals in the evening, could help to assist women in overcoming reproductive difficulties, say researchers.

Nordic nations up vitamin D and selenium intakes after 8-year review

04-Oct-2013 By Shane STARLING

A 3-year review of Nordic nutrient intakes has recommended daily vitamin D inputs increase from 7.5 microgram to 10 mcg per day for people between 2 and 75 years of age. For over-75s, it set a level of 20 mcg.

Study questions soy for heart health in older women

01-Oct-2013 By Stephen Daniells

Daily consumption of soy proteins and isoflavones may not influence risk factors for heart disease in healthy late postmenopausal women, says a new study from the University of Connecticut.

Nestlé lodges patent for lactoferrin diarrhoea supplement

30-Sep-2013 By Shane Starling

Diarrhoea can be reduced via supplementation with milk protein, lactoferrin, according to a Nestlé patent published this month by the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO).

€200m Singapore herb maker defends TCMs amid Chinese contamination busts

30-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

The world’s biggest manufacturer of Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) outside of China has defended the quality of the sector as contaminated products continue to raise red flags with regulators in the UK, Hong Kong, Denmark and elsewhere.

UK busts more contaminated Chinese herbal medicines; ‘We are fed up’ says industry

21-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

The UK has issued yet another contamination warning against Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCMs) claiming to treat conditions like menstrual pain and hair loss – leaving the local industry exasperated at the seemingly endless litany of cases.

Higher dairy intake in elderly women linked to greater strength, less falls

20-Aug-2013 By Mark ASTLEY

Elderly women that consume “higher” levels of milk, yogurt and cheese are at less risk of a fall, new research findings have suggested.

Cochrane: Antioxidants don’t increase female fertility

05-Aug-2013 By Shane STARLING

A review of antioxidant research has concluded that antioxidants don’t improve the chances of women becoming pregnant.

EFSA health claim opinions

Non-fermented fibre wins tooth claim; cranberry may need to find new tract

29-Jul-2013 By Shane STARLING

Non-fermented carbohydrates can deliver tooth health benefits but there is not enough data to show cranberry can benefit urinary tract infections, the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has found in a new series of health claim opinions.

Cranberry UTI mechanism mooted as study suggests role in medical devices

17-Jul-2013 By Nathan Gray

New research that sheds light on the biological mechanisms behind cranberry's protective properties for recurrent urinary tract infections (UTI) may also point towards a potential role for cranberry derivatives in medical devices.

Daily iron supplement improves baby birth weight, meta-analysis confirms

27-Jun-2013

Taking a daily iron supplement during pregnancy is directly associated with significant increases in birth weight and a reduction in risk of maternal anaemia and low birth weight babies, according to a new meta-analysis.

Company offers simplified 3-prong approach to personalized nutrition

19-Jun-2013 By Hank Schultz

Nutritional supplement manufacturer 3Care Therapeutics is the latest company to dip a toe into the personalized nutrition pool by offering a simplified system to practitioners to help them integrate the use of the company’s products into their practices...

Food firms should encourage nutrient-rich diets for women: BNF

10-Jun-2013 By Laurence Gibbons

Food manufacturers should encourage women to eat nutrient-rich diets after the British Nutrition Foundation’s (BNF) latest Task Force Report proved women’s diets before and during pregnancy can affect an infant’s health.

Calcium supplements linked to lower death risk for women: Study

03-Jun-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Daily supplements of calcium up to 1000 mg may be associated with reduced mortality for women, says a new study from Canada.

Live from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Cranberry EU medical devices winner: ‘We will never focus on food supplements’

16-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

The Dutch start-up Medical Brands is finding success with cranberry products that have won UTI and vaginal treatment claims via the EU medical devices directive.

Live from Vitafoods Europe 2013

Cranberry veteran gathers forces against EU medical device products

14-May-2013 By Shane STARLING

With cranberry health claims rejected in the European Union, some players have ventured down the medical devices route where therapeutic claims are possible that would never succeed under the EU’s strict health claim rules. Not a good thing, says Gunter...

Vitamin E tocotrienol shows breast health benefits: Mouse data

01-Apr-2013 By Stephen DANIELLS

Vitamin E tocotrienols from annatto may slow the development and reduce the number and size of breast tumors, suggests new data from lab mice.

Research first: Soy-rich diet may help women's lung cancer survival

27-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women who have a diet that is packed with soy prior to diagnosis with certain cancers may have longer survival rates, according to new research.

High iron intake may help to protect against PMS: Study

01-Mar-2013 By Nathan Gray

Women who consume a diet rich in iron are up to 40% less likely to develop PMS than those who consume low amounts, say researchers.

Walmark to sue Romanian government agency over “unjustified” bullying allegations

20-Feb-2013 By Shane STARLING

Walmark says it will take legal action against a Romanian government agency after one of its officials publicly criticised the eastern European supplement giant’s marketing and market share-gaining methods.

Toxic: UK medicines agency issues alert against 4 Hong Kong herbal products

19-Feb-2013

Four Traditional Chinese Medicines (TCM) sold online have been found to contain lead and mercury and can cause anaemia and brain damage, according to the UK medicines regulator.

Romania battles “arrogant” Walmark over cranberry marketing

18-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

A Romanian government official has lodged an official complaint against eastern and central European food supplements mega-brand, Walmark, which it says exploits legal loopholes to bully competitors from market.

More rigour required: Leatherhead on latest EFSA health claim rejections

15-Feb-2013 By Roberta Re

Leatherhead Food Research nutrition research manager Roberta Re calls for more rigorous science after pouring over the latest serving of article 13.5 opinions from the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) in this guest article. All were ultimately refused,...

NHCR article 13.5 shakedown

Latest EFSA article 13.5 rejections down to “lousy science”: Consultant

14-Feb-2013 By Shane Starling

There is no surprise in the latest batch of European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) article 13.5 health claim rejections as the science presented in six dossiers was “lousy”, a consultant told us today.