A new test is being developed to allow oat and barley breeders to
detect high levels of beta-glucans, cell wall plant components
which have been shown to have reduce the risk of heart disease in
humans.
Increasing consumer concerns about health have triggered growing
demand for cosmeceutical products. The market in the US is growing
by around 10 to 15 per cent each year, and competition between
companies to produce more effective...
Warm Cream, a topical transdermal cream which works naturally to
warm cold hands and feet by allowing warm blood to more readily
reach the targeted area, will soon be available throughout the US
for the first time.
Indian nutraceutical firm British Biologicals is to launch a range
of products in the protein segment, strengthening its already
impressive 70 per cent share of the nutritional supplement market.
Eucalyptus and tea-tree oils are surprisingly effective at treating
methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infections,
according to new research from Australia.
With the use of antibiotics in healthy chickens being called into
question in the US, organic and natural food retailer Wild Oats
markets has strengthened its policy on selling only meat which is
antibiotic-free.
Galaxy Nutritional Foods has reported net profits of $149,994
(€172,018) for the third quarter of 2001/2002, a welcome return to
the black after losses of $2,486,808 a year earlier.
Sales of vitamins and herbs in the US dropped during 2001, but
there was a more positive performance from minerals, non-herbals
and weight control products, according to sales tracker Information
Resources (IRI).
The National Heart Forum (NHF) in UK yesterday launched a new
programme called young@heart, offering a number of recommendations
promoting an active lifestyle and a diet low in fat and rich in
fruit and vegetables for the nation's...
Nutrition 21 has acquired patents covering drugs consisting of
chromium and an anti-depressant. The nutritional ingredients
producer acquired the technology from its inventor, Malcolm McLeod,
clinical professor of psychiatry at the...
Natural Alternatives International (NAI), the nutritional
supplements manufacturer, saw its second quarter sales rise by 28
per cent to $12.7 million (€14.6m) compared to the first quarter of
the year when sales were $9.9 million.
Natural health researchers and providers in the US have expressed
their concern over the results of a recent study on hormone
replacement therapy. They are urging women to look for safe,
natural alternatives to HRT.
PacificHealth Laboratories (PHLI), producers of the Accelerade
sports drink, has begun a soccer sponsorship programme designed to
promote the restorative powers of the drink to football players
throughout the United States.
Whole Foods Market, the natural and organic food retailer, has
reported a 21 per cent increase in sales for the first quarter of
2002 to $780.8 million (€895.8m).
Marlyn Nutraceuticals, the US group which trades as Naturally
Vitamins, has extended its contract with Germany's Mucos Pharma
group giving it exclusive rights to distribute Wobenzym in the
United States.
US company Nutravail has created a line of supplements which it
claims are guaranteed free of substances banned by the
International Olympic Committee.
The British Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) is to organise a
conference next month to consider the potential in niche markets
for Caribbean agriculture, focusing in particular on organic food
production.
Nature's Sunshine Products, the US manufacturer and marketer of
encapsulated herbs and vitamins, has reported a slight rise in
sales for the final quarter and full year 2001.
Coeliac patients, who are normally restricted to a gluten-free
diet, can safely eat moderate amounts of oats, says new research in
this month's journal GUT.
Researchers at the University of Miami are to carry out a trial
testing the safety and effectiveness of a herbal pill designed to
treat the symptoms of menopause
The European Commission has taken the Italian authorities to the
European Court of Justice over its regulations governing sports
nutrition products. The Commission said that the Italian rules area
barrier to free trade within the...
US company Applied Food Sciences (AFS) has made yield improvements
in its Coffee Antioxidant Enhancement Technology, a proprietary
process that increases the quantity of natural antioxidants found
in brewed coffee.
It's tough being a coffee drinker. New research has shown that even
small levels of caffeine can decrease insulin sensitivity in
healthy humans, but cutting out the caffeine altogether can have
other effects. A separate study...
The US Food & Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a voluntary
recall of two popular supplements - PC SPES, which is used for
prostate health, and SPES which is used to boost the immune system
- because they allegedly contain...
Nutrition 21 said it has identified an isomer of conjugated
linoleic acid (CLA) which can significantly increase glucose
metabolism in muscle cells without the addition of insulin.
Swiss drug giant Novartis has reported sales of SFr32 billion
(€21.7bn) for 2001, a 14 per cent increase on the previous year.
The company said that sales of its principal pharmaceutical
products were the main drivers of the growth.
A major report on diabetes prevention suggests that healthy eating
and regular exercise are much more effective at combating the
disease than popular drug metformin.
Many African HIV sufferers are benefiting from a combination of
plant sterols and sterolins, according to Professor Patrick Bouic,
chief immunologist at Stellenbosch University in Cape Town, South
Africa. Now he is hoping to win support...
Nutritional supplements producer Nutrition 21 said it remained
bullish about its prospects for achieving full-year profits despite
tough trading conditions and a disappointing second quarter.
Every year in the run up to Valentine's Day consumers are bombarded
with adverts urging them to buy chocolates for their loved ones.
But this year one message is slightly different - it says buy
chocolate because they are good...
A 16 per cent rise in fourth quarter profits at giant snack food
and soft drink maker PepsiCo has been offset by growing concerns
about the recently acquired Gatorade sports drink business.
A novel way of tackling the problem of anaemia in children has been
created with help from the HJ Heinz food group. Research shows that
Supplefer Sprinkles - iron and vitamin C supplements which can be
easily added to a range of foodstuffs...
Horizon Organic Holding Corporation, which claims to be the world's
leading producer of organic dairy products, reported record sales
and profits for the final quarter and full year 2001.
For most diabetics, a high-carbohydrate/low-fat diet has long been
one of the most important methods of combating their condition. But
according to new guidelines from the American Diabetes Association
(ADA), sufferers may now choose...
The popular herbal remedy St. John's wort has led to at least two
unwanted pregnancies in Sweden because of its ability to override
the effects of the pill.
The Beijing government has put forward a proposal to fortify the
country's flour supply with iron in a bid to combat anaemia, a
deficiency of iron in the blood.
Alongside the usual raft of junk food stands at this year's Florida
state fair will be a range of information about nutritional and
healthy eating, sponsored by the HJ Heinz food company. The main
focus will be on lycopene, found...
China's first aloe vera production base using membrane-separating
technology is now operating in southwest China's Yunnan Province,
reports the Xinhua News Agency.
Researchers in New Zealand are hoping that friendly bacilli similar
to those found in yoghurts will be able to help relieve the
suffering of those thousands of people struck down with hayfever
each year.
Fish is well known as the principal source of omega-3 fatty acids
which can help reduce the risk of heart disease, diabetes and
arteriosclerosis. But new studies show that lean meat, fruit and
vegetables can also contain useful amounts...
The popular calming herbal remedy Kava Kava has been withdrawn from
the Irish market over concerns that it may cause liver damage,
reports the Irish Examiner.
Europe's third-largest drugmaker Novartis AG will sell its
nutritional foods unit, which makes products such as Ovaltine
chocolate and Isostar drinks, to focus on developing new medicines,
reports Bloomberg.
