The low carb trend continues to make an impact on food and drink
innovation, with functional food makers also choosing to reassess
the carb count of their products.
Children who frequently consume cereal are less likely to be
overweight, according to the findings of a new study published in
today's Journal of the American Dietetic Association.
The pine bark extract Pycnogenol could combat each of the important
cardiovascular risk factors simultaneously, concludes the author of
a new review examining evidence on the supplement.
A syrup made with the popular herb echinacea reduced the number of
respiratory tract infections in children but did not reduce the
severity or duration of infections, report authors of a new
clinical trial in today's Journal...
Hawaiian firm Cyanotech has yet again managed to stave off a
delisting from the Nasdaq SmallCap market, meeting requirements for
the bid price of $1 per share for a consecutive 10 days in recent
months.
Vermont-based NutraGenesis has introduced a patented bioactive
extract of the Indian herb Withania somnifera, which it claims acts
to reduce the body's response to stress.
Plant extract suppliers, keen to offer their solutions for the
booming beverages sector, are promoting a number of concepts at
Food Ingredients Europe this week, many designed for enriched
waters.
German plant extracts manufacturer Finzelberg has launched a new
range of extracts for dietary supplements, including an
energy-boosting blend based on rhodiola rosea.
The use of herbal medicines entails risks, but probably fewer than
with synthetic drugs, argues a British Medicial Journal
editorial out tomorrow. And failing to fund further studies on
herbals represents the biggest risk to consumers,...
UK natural healthcare company William Ransom could sell one of its
manufacturing sites to generate cash for a new botanical extraction
facility planned for next year, it said this week.
More than half the women participating in a trial in New Zealand
stopped taking HRT after last year's Women's Health study, report
researchers this week. Are natural supplements filling the gap?
Scientists have called into question the efficacy of herbal
remedies on menopausal symptoms after a review of randomised
clinical trials found only limited evidence that they worked.
Members of the UK's herbal industry have proposed an overhaul of
current legislation to ensure stricter standards and safety for
those products not regulated by the new European Traditional
Medicinal Herbals directive.
Ingredients in Chinese herbal medicines may vary widely depending
on the manufacturer, said scientists speaking at a conference this
week. This could have implications for the safety and efficacy of
the medication, they suggest.
The EU's traditional herbal medicinal products directive will not
lead to the major loss of popular herbal products on the UK market
feared by many in the retail sector, suggests the latest estimate
from the country's medicines...
Twelve people in Japan suffered from liver injury after taking two
kinds of Chinese herbal to lose weight, according to a brief
journal communication today.
UK doctors are being encouraged to support the use of herbal
remedies by the country's herbalists, currently trying to increase
understanding of the power of plant-based remedies during Herbal
Medicine Awareness Week.
A new breed of soft drink is making its debut in the functional
drinks sector. A blend of Chinese herbs and fruit juice, Firefly
provides health-conscious consumers with an energy drink with no
added sugar or artificial stimulants.
US scientists are to present research on botanicals as dietary
supplements as part of the expanded seminar programme at SupplySide
West taking place in Las Vegas in October this year.
German sweeteners firm Nutrinova reports on new research showing
how sweeteners used in hot drinks can alter the flavour profile.
The results allow the company to provide sweetener manufacturers
with useful guidance, it says.
Dutch company Acatris, formed recently following a merger between
four Royal Schouten businesses, established its new name with the
launch of a lignan product at last week's VitaFoods trade fair in
Geneva, Switzerland.
Herbal teas may not be such a healthy alternative after all.
Researchers at the University of Bristol Dental School in the UK
reveal the potential damaging effects they may have on our teeth.
Norwegian and Japanese scientists have confirmed several culinary
and medicinal herbs as important sources of dietary antioxidants.
But they say there is more than a 1000-fold difference among
antioxidant concentrations.
The UK complementary medicines market has grown by almost 60 per
cent in the last five years to an estimated value of £130 million
(€187m), despite the impact of new legislation and negative
publicity regarding herbal remedies and...
The efficacy of individual herbs and supplements to help glucose
control in diabetics is still unproven, suggest researchers
compiling a review of all published studies. American ginseng and
Coccinia indica seem to show positive potential...
The Caribbean herbal industry will be presenting its products to
the European market next month in a special exhibition at the
Natural Products show in London.
A new US/UK collaboration will research ways of increasing yields
in a range of herbal extract products used for medicinal purposes,
in order to make them more readily available.
Analysis distribution company LGC Promochem is to distribute the
ChromaDex reference standards, covering more than 2500 high purity
phytochemicals, to the herbal industry in Europe.
UK company Barefoot Botanicals introduced its Rosa Fina botanical
skin care products to the US market this week. The range which
contains rosehip seed oil, vitamins and natural antioxidants, is
the first to be launched by the company's...
European members of parliament have adopted a resolution for new
legislation on traditional herbal products which will require all
herbal medicines on sale in the European Union to be registered.
PC-SPES, a dietary supplement taken by some men to treat prostate
cancer, may compromise the effectiveness of chemotherapeutic drugs
for the disease, such as paclitaxel, according to a new study.
The presence of botanical ingredients in beverages and foods is
certainly an increasing trend that looks set to continue in the
near future. A conference to be held by UK food research
organisation Leatherhead Food RA will address...
A medical investigation of chronic lead poisoning in a woman, who
gave birth at an Adelaide hospital in Australia, has found it was
caused by imported herbal tablets.
A blend of herbs designed to help prevent hair loss among ageing
women and created by the US group Biotech Corporation has been
given the thumbs up by independent research lab Marshall-Blum.
Archer Daniels Midland (ADM) has been awarded three US patents for
the use of concentrated isoflavones combined with other
phytochemicals to treat blood-related diseases, cancer and
menopausal symptoms.
Four new herbal confectionery products have been launched by
Canadian company Kitsune Foods which are designed to help give
athletes an extra energy boost.
A major study of the effects of hormone replacement therapy has
been halted after scientists discovered a major risk of ovarian
cancer - but there are plenty of natural alternatives to help women
deal with the menopause.
BotanicLab, already facing censure over its PC-SPES supplements,
sees seven more herbal products withdrawn from sale in Canada for
containing undeclared drugs.
The Indian army has turned to traditional herbal remedies to help
combat the harsh conditions on the Siachen glacier, the world's
highest and coldest battlefield.
Several popular herbal medicines have been found to have
significant oestrogenic effects, despite the fact that they are not
commonly used to treat gynaecological problems.
From bottled herb drinks to brews to spice up your sex life, Asian
traditional medicine companies are telling visitors to a Singapore
food expo they have just the tonic.
A supplement made from the herb black cohosh has been found to be
an effective alternative treatment to oestrogen for women suffering
from the menopause.
Nutra Pharma of the US says it expects to see the first four wound
healing applications of its proprietary herbal extract compound
WD-667 hit the market in the next two months.
Univestin™ is a patented, natural joint-care ingredient clinically proven to support joint comfort, improve flexibility and support mobility within 3-7...
