News, Analysis & Insights on Nutrition, Supplements, and Health
Kirin says it plans to develop a “simple” method to measure plasmacytoid dendritic cells (pDCs) activity - which is indicative of a person’s immune status - after a recent research showed links between pDC activity and urine test results.
Drinking tea made from the leaves of mulberry and husk of water chestnut could significantly suppress post-meal blood sugar spike, says a new study from Japan.
The consumption of the by-product of sake, a Japanese traditional alcohol, has been shown to relieve constipation in a pilot study.
Speaking at the Yakult Science for Health symposium last week, healthy aging experts highlighted that healthy aging depends not just on diet but on tending to the ‘microbial garden’.
Researchers suggest that maltobionic acid may enhance the growth of Faecalibacterium while not affecting Bifidobacterium.
Probiotic strain Lactobacillus paragasseri OLL2716 can help improve gastric discomfort and mental health in healthy adults with gastric complaints, a Meiji-funded study revealed.
The supplementation of a synbiotic has shown to increase resting energy expenditure in overweight or mildly obese adults, according to a clinical trial funded by Japan confectionery company Ezaki Glico.
The health of half the population has been largely ignored in research and on the shelves. However, the recent IPAWC + Probiota Americas highlighted how more brands are using gut health to tap into a range of needs–from fertility to PMS to menopause.
Probiotic supplementation containing a specific Levilactobacillus brevis strain may help maintain estrogen levels in healthy peri- and postmenopausal women, compared to placebo, says a new study from the Kaneka Corporation.
A study has found that dietary taurine intake was significantly and positively associated with maintenance of knee extension muscle strength over an eight-year period among middle-aged and older Japanese individuals.
A new study published in the journal Stroke shows that people with the highest omega-3 levels have a lower risk of stroke. It also dispels correlations between omega-3s and increased risk of brain hemorrhaging.
High prices, “unscrupulous suppliers”, and inadequate identification methods have resulted in adulteration rates of saw palmetto extracts reaching 33% in Japan and as high as 75% in other Asian markets, says BGG World.
A Japanese company said it has managed to develop an olive leaf extract that could be incorporated into health supplements to promote stem cell reproduction.
The supplementation of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 has been shown to improve bowel movement, specifically stool frequency, in elderly with chronic constipation, according to a four-week RCT conducted in Japan.
Meiji and DeNA Life Science have created an algorithm that recommends the optimal protein source and intake at a personalised level.
NMN, an anti-aging ingredient, has been disallowed by FDA because of its prior investigation as a drug. The determination, which came as something of a surprise given the ingredient’s market history, has raised questions of fairness and transparency.
Growth Asia Summit 2022
Japanese firm Kirin is expanding its presence in South East Asia with its flagship postbiotic ingredient, with collaborations with major dairy companies underway.
A study using a branded form of partially hydrolyzed guar gum has shown that it can help suppress common cold symptoms. The study used Taiyo’s Sunfiber ingredient.
Calcium, iron, zinc are the most consumed minerals in the form of supplements or fortified foods, an online survey funded by the Japanese government found.
Inflammation and dysbiosis were the two most studied health conditions for probiotics related research between 2016 and 2020, according to a newly constructed database by a group of Hong Kong researchers.
Kao will introduce its first Food with Function Claims (FFC) product in Japan for its skincare and cosmetic brand est on October 7.
Supplementation with a heat-killed bacterium may significantly increase iron status for young women, says new study from Japan that creates novel opportunities to address a leading global nutrient deficiency.
VitamINSIGHTS: Traceability and quality control – Exclusive in-depth analysis
How can traceability technologies safeguard product quality and safety, and to what extent are APAC consumers concerned about these developments? We take a deep dive with Amway, Danone, BYHEALTH and more to find out.
Quercetin supplements combined with low-intensity resistance exercise may improve measures of muscle stiffness in older people and may benefit those at risk of sarcopenia.
A 12-week RCT funded by Mitsubishi Corporation Life Sciences has shown that nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) intake has significantly improved certain aspects of muscle mobility, especially gait speed and left grip strength – which the company says...
The supplementation of milk protein, specifically alpha-lactalbumin, has shown to improve menstrual-related symptoms, including reducing fatigue, a crossover study by Meiji has shown.
This round-up of new scientific findings will look at how low NAD+ level is associated with anaemia in women, Mitsubishi Life Sciences’ NMN clinical study findings, and the benefits of vitamin E for exercise recovery and PCOS.
VitamINSIGHTS – Delivery system innovation
Breakthrough in delivery system technologies is crucial to drive innovation in the traditional vitamin and minerals category, as well as the booming probiotics, functional food and beverage sectors.
This round-up will look at new developments across health and nutrition brands in APAC, including sleep aid supplement market insights from Renovatio and SleepDrops, as well as probiotic innovation from AMILI and more.
Japan’s beer, beverage, and food firm Asahi is studying the effects of its proprietary paraprobiotic in alleviating menopausal symptoms in women.
Kao has launched two new healthy ageing related Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) in Japan, targeted at improving mobility and cognitive function.
Nagasaki University and Kirin Holdings are embarking on a joint clinical research to assess the effect of lactic acid bacteria on relieving symptoms in COVID-19 human subjects.
Melatonin is often touted as the go-to supplement for sleep, but it may cause issues for those who suffer from asthma.
We spoke with industry experts from Nestle, Morinaga, Max Biocare and Shiseido to find out their 2022 predictions for health and nutrition trends, spanning insights across healthy ageing, infant nutrition, kids’, women’s, and men’s health.
In this round-up, we will look at the regulatory updates across APAC, from new formats allowed for OTC vitamin and minerals in South Korea to probiotic regulations in different parts of this region.
A dietary fibre derived from rice bran has been shown to lower the incidence of influenza-like illness in older adults aged 55 and above, reports a new RCT from Egypt.
This industry trends round-up will shine the spotlight on microbiome research, alternative protein, and consumers' health and supplement intake habits amid the ongoing pandemic.
Unique bile acids produced by a distinct set of gut microbes may contribute to longevity by inhibiting the growth of gut pathogens, says a new study with 160 people over 100 years old in Japan.
A recent study published Scientific Reports found that vigorous exercise modulated parameters associated with improved sleep, but these changes may not be subjectively perceptible.
Supplementation of HMB for two weeks did not improve muscle injury in elderly suffering from acute mild trauma, said a group of Japanese researchers, but longer term use is likely to be more beneficial.
The supplementation of B-vitamins and omega-3, specifically EPA and DHA, could reduce cognitive decline in elderly, a meta-analysis of RCTs conducted in East Asia has shown.
Supplementation of sulforaphane (SFN) – a compound found in cruciferous vegetables such as cauliflower and broccoli – has found to improve processing and working memory in a 12-week study conducted by Japanese firm Kagome Co Ltd.
Nutrition Asia Video Series
In this month’s edition of Nutrition Asia we shine the spotlight on two firms – Australian brand Activated Probiotics and global supplier Chr Hansen – which are assessing the potential of probiotics to aid immunity, atopic conditions, and sleep.
A dietary supplement made from the microalgae Euglena could improve sleep quality and work efficiency in stressed individuals, a 12-week human clinical study conducted in Japan has shown.
Amway has identified digital transformation, social commerce, and big data analytics as key in its development of new nutrition products and services.
Supplementation with Kirin’s mature hop bitter acid (MHBA) for 12 weeks has been found to improve attention and reduce stress in healthy older adults in Japan.
Tmall Global, the e-commerce platform under Alibaba Group, plans to bring 1,000 new international brands into China over the next 12 months, with food supplements as one of the key categories.
The huge demand for vitamin C has sent stocks running low for retailers and the situation is further complicated by longer delivery times and more expensive freight costs.
A combination two plant extracts, ginseng and Rhizoma, could enhance cognitive function in healthy adults, suggests the findings of a new RCT.
A FANCL-funded RCT study has discovered that the ingestion of tea flower extract, mulberry leaf extract, and chitosan could reduce postprandial blood glucose and triglyceride levels in healthy subjects.