Scientists are one step closer to understanding the health benefits
of onions with a new study in Australia revealing the lipid
modulating and immunostimulatory properties of the raw brown
version.
A proprietary form of the weight loss ingredient hydroxycitric acid
(HCA) has been shown to increase fat burning, improve cholesterol
levels and reduce body mass index, reports its manufacturer
InterHealth Nutraceuticals.
Supplement maker Metabolife, a name strongly associated with the
weight loss herbal ephedra, has launched a new appetite
suppressant, free of both ephedra and caffeine.
The UK's medicines regulators issued proposals yesterday to ban the
Chinese herbal remedy Qian Bai Biyan Pian, as it contain toxins
known to cause serious liver damage.
Eating grapefruit, long recommended by diet programmes for weight
loss, may indeed impact the body's insulin levels, speeding up
metabolism and leading to weight loss, say researchers from the
US-based Scripps Clinic.
A US company says it has launched the first dietary supplement that
preserves the natural antioxidant molecules found in red wine,
making it a suitable alternative for teetotallers.
India's largest pharmaceutical firm Ranbaxy Laboratories has
expanded its herbals range with the launch yesterday of three new
products, to be marketed under the 'New Age Herbals' name.
Eyes, hair and skin could all benefit from a regular diet of
spinach, finds a cluster of scientists linked together through a
network of food companies.
A single dose of a dietary supplement containing ephedra and
caffeine can increase blood pressure and cause changes that have
the potential to affect heart rhythms, shows a new study by
American researchers.
Scientists in India and China are planning to increase cooperation
in herbal medicine research in a bid to boost their position in the
world's herbals trade, according to Indian press reports.
Canada's medicines body has released information on the adverse
reactions caused by herbal medicines, in a reminder to health
professionals and consumers of the procedure for reporting adverse
events under the new Natural Health...
Growing sales of herbal medicines are threatening to wipe out up to
a fifth of the plant species on which the industry depends, a new
report will claim. It also accuses the herbal medicines industry of
doing nothing to stop the problem.
Scientists in Israel have developed a new delivery method that
allows the garlic compound allicin to selectively kill cancer
cells, leaving healthy ones intact.
The US Food and Drug Administration last week announced a ban on
the weight loss herbal ephedra, after an extended consultation
period including a court hearing.
Ginger, taken by pregnant women to ease morning sickness, appears
to be safe for the foetus, report researchers, but they found it
only had a mild effect on sickness.
ADM Natural Health and Nutrition has expanded its range of soya
isoflavone concentrates for use in food and food supplements.
Novasoy 700 has a minimum 70 per cent isoflavone content and
Novasoy 200 is a 20 per cent isoflavone concentrate.
Canadian firm Forbes Medi-Tech saw shares jump 10 per cent this
week following the announcement by the European Food Safety Agency
(EFSA) that its cholesterol-lowering ingredient Reducol is safe.
A fenugreek extract made by Dutch ingredients company Acatris has
been shown to reduce blood sugar levels in both non-diabetic and
type-II diabetic subjects, reported the company today.
Early depletion of African gum stocks have driven up global prices
of gum acacia. US company TIC gums this week passed the price rise
of gum arabic on to the market.
MEPs last week voted through amendments to the traditional herbal
medicinal products directive (THMPD) that will prevent it from
regulating herbal products sold under food law.
US-based SourceOne Global Partners has established a strategic
alliance with Seltzer Nutritional Technologies (SNT), a division of
Seltzer Chemicals, for its patented cholesterol-lowering product
Sytrinol.
Researchers at Queen's University in Canada have been awarded $8
million to study the efficacy and safety of the plant extract
quercetin, saw palmetto, and the bark of African pygeum tree as
therapies for prostate and bladder...
Many Canadian health food stores have ignored a stop-sale order on
the herbal kava issued in August last year, shows a study, which
raises questions about the country's powers to regulate the natural
health industry, say researchers.
The proprietary mushroom extract MaitakeGold 404 is a highly active
immunomodulator even in very low doses, reports its US-based
marketer The Tradeworks Group, following new tests on the product.
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.
While addressing women’s health across all stages of life, we might as well have opened Pandora’s box. Dietary supplements can play an important role in...
Bacognize® Bacopa monnieri is a sustainable, natural, clean label ingredient, clinically proven to support restorative sleep with 300mg/day. Findings suggest...
