Vitamins & premixes

Study links elevated maternal vitamin B12 levels to autism in offspring

28-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study observes that elevated maternal serum levels of vitamin B12 were significantly associated with the prevalence of childhood autism in offspring, in the large-scale Finnish population studied.

Boys' growth and body fat affected by prenatal vitamin D levels, study finds

26-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new study suggests that prenatal vitamin D levels may have a significant impact on the growth and adiposity of boys into late childhood, but no impact on girls.

TopGum acquire R&D specialists in move to advance gummy production

25-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

TopGum, a global leader in the gummy nutritional supplements space, has signed an agreement to purchase pharmaceutical R&D specialist PharmItBe in a move to advance the company’s development efforts for their nutraceutical range.

Startup Spotlight

Gummy startup builds bold portfolio to hit the mark for the masses

24-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Nutraceutical gummies startup Nutrigums is proving easy-to-swallow with its playful designs and user-friendly formats designed to appeal to convenience-focused consumers.

Impaired vitamin B6 and folate status linked to low birth weights, study suggests

24-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new prospective cohort study finds that low vitamin B6 and impaired folate levels were associated with low birth weights (LBWs) in the south Indian pregnant women studied.

Vitamin D deficiency: study highlights “concerning reality” in pregnant women during Covid-19

20-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new retrospective study of Spanish pregnant women during the Covid-19 epidemic highlights significant vitamin D deficiencies (VDDs), resulting from the imposed strict lockdown in the region.

Study: Bovine colostrum reduces risk of respiratory infections in higher-risk young adults

19-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new trial concludes that bovine colostrum (COL) can reduce risk of upper respiratory tract infections (URTIs) in non-athletic adults at heightened risk of infection, adding to a body of research previously concentrating on athletes.

Review concludes vitamin D may reduce mortality risk, blaming “substandard” studies for contradictions

18-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of available randomised controlled trials (RCTs) identifies a significant relationship between a lower risk of all-cause mortality (ACM) and vitamin D supplementation in higher quality studies, with no such association...

Study: 66% of women seeking infertility treatment use herbal supplements

17-Apr-2023

The majority of reproductive-aged women at an academic infertility practice had used supplements in the past, and over half were currently using supplements or herbal medicines, says a new study.

Startup spotlight

Hippie Herbal Turtle Co: the startup fitting wellness into the modern day

17-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

Ashley Heeley, director and founder of the health and wellness supplements company Hippie Herbal Turtle Co, explains the brand's uniquely wide consumer range due to a heightened demand for convenient natural alternatives to pharmaceuticals.

Review investigates increased folate supplementation for high-risk pregnancies

17-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A narrative review investigating the benefits and risks of high-dose folic acid for women with pre-existing diabetes in periconception concludes doses of 4mg folate a day or 5mg every second day are warranted, taking individualised needs into consideration.

Study spotlight supplements found to reduce side effects of COVID-19 vaccines

13-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new study observes a significant association between supplement consumption and vaccination side effects in an Italian adult population, specifically spotlighting the effects of omega-3 and mineral supplement consumption in reducing associated adverse...

Caffeine for the microbiome: intakes linked to reduced “detrimental” strain

11-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new cross-sectional study analysing the bacterial abundance and compositions of healthy adult microbiomes, observed that higher levels of Erysipelatoclostridium were associated with lower caffeine intakes.

Insights from Positive Nutrition Summit

Future foods programme: collaborating for functional food success

06-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The leader of the Welsh government funded Future Foods programme at Aberystwyth University, discussed his mission to collaborate with brands to optimise food functionality, during the Positive Nutrition Summit last week (March 30th)

Study: Vit K supplements needed to support bone health in IBD patients

03-Apr-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A new study confirming that the diet of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients often lacks vitamin D and vitamin K, concludes: “While vitamin D supplementation is the rule, vitamin K shortages need proactive nutritional intervention.”

Pilot study suggests vitamin K2 supplement surpasses diet in ability to reduce deficiency

31-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

A pilot study involving 12 patients with chronic kidney disease suggests supplementation surpasses a vitamin-rich diet in improving vit K levels in individuals who are susceptible to deficiency.

Scientists urge maintenance of vitamin E status during pregnancy to control blood sugar

30-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

A large-scale retrospective cohort study observes that low first-trimester vitamin E (VE) levels are associated with increased fasting plasma glucose (FPG) levels and gestational diabetes (GD) risk, in the Chinese mothers studied.

ASA ruling removes 'virus fighting' drink promo from TikTok

29-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A video posted by supplement brand Tonic Health has been removed from social media after making un-authorised claims that one of its products can help fight disease.

Personalised diet and supplements targeting gut health the key to neurological health, review concludes

20-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A review has examined the role of gut health promoting supplements, such as probiotics and omega-3 fatty acids, in modulating cognitive health, with calls for personalised interventions.

Collagen support for the vegan market: SkinGlo meets demand

16-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

SkinGlo discusses the popularity of its new ‘Vegan Collagen Support’ supplement containing a blend of amino acids that occur naturally in animal-based collagen products.

Podcast: Seaweed as a 'wonderful' powerhouse for skin

16-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

The marine biologist and CEO of Weed & Wonderful, Craig Rose, discusses the company’s venture into the world of seaweed which he describes as a largely underutilised nutrient powerhouse that is abundantly available around the UK.

Vit D and dementia study: experts question cause and effect

08-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

Experts have responded to a new study claiming vitamin D may be a potential agent for dementia prevention, saying cause and effect is still unknown.

How to critically inspect a study report?

08-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Reading scientific study reports is part and parcel of working in this industry but many have not come from a scientific background, making it difficult to confidently read reports and critically analyse how robust and impactful findings really are. This...

Startup spotlight

Mushroom supplement startup helping consumers power up and chill out

06-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A mind-health supplement startup selling mushroom-powered coffee and a calming pre-sleep powder is expecting to make £5m in revenue within the first year.

Cochrane review: Vitamin D cannot reduce asthma risk

06-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Contrary to previous findings, a new Cochrane review has concluded vitamin D supplementation does not reduce risk of asthma exacerbations or improve asthma control.

Daily vitamins could prevent the onset of cognitive impairment, new data reports

03-Mar-2023 By Olivia Haslam

A multivitamin with folic acid, B vitamins, Vitamin D, and CoQ10 may slow cognitive decline and neurodegeneration in the elderly.

Proposal for reduced Vit B6 limit deemed “slippery slope for free choice and self-care”

02-Mar-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The Alliance for Natural Health (ANH) Europe has critiqued “gross irregularities” in the scientific process used by EFSA to consider halving the safe maximum daily limit of vitamin B6 from supplements.

‘Longevity vitamin’ spurs human trials, preps for market growth

01-Mar-2023 By Asia Sherman

After years of slowly building hype about its essential micronutrient function in the human body, ergothioneine may finally be ready for its moment – with just a little more research.

Stability of selenium supplement improves using orchid extract, study finds

01-Mar-2023 By Olivia Brown

A recent study observes that synthesising selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) using Anoectochilus burmannicus extract (ABE) significantly improved stability in terms of antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities, following freeze-drying and long-term storage.

Vit E an effective aid for sleep in postmenopausal women, study concludes

27-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Researchers have concluded that vitamin E offers potential as an alternative treatment for chronic insomnia disorder in postmenopausal women as new data suggests it can improve sleep quality, thereby reducing sedative drug use.

Low vitamin D levels associated with post- stroke depression, review suggests

23-Feb-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new systematic review and meta-analysis of the literature observes that significantly lower levels of circulating vitamin D were found in those suffering from post-stroke depression (PSD), when compared to those who were not.

Faster pregnancy: Probiotics, myo-inositol, micronutrients intake quickens conception in overweight women – 12-months trial

21-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A year long trial showed that the daily intake of a supplement containing probiotics, myo-inositol, and micronutrients could shorten the time needed for overweight women to conceive.

Fruit peel for the future: researchers stress “dire need” for use in nutraceuticals

17-Feb-2023 By Olivia Brown

A recently published study investigating the antioxidant profiles of 12 fruit peels identified potent quantities, suggesting strong potential for their usage within nutraceuticals and food products to tackle a vast source of waste whilst offering food...

A century of the sunshine vitamin part II: Towards new benefits and dosages

14-Feb-2023 By Asia Sherman

A hundred years after the discovery of vitamin D as a cure for rickets, science is exploring new niches for the sunshine vitamin and zeroing in on the dosages for maximum health.

Global review spotlights most widely used supplements during Covid-19

14-Feb-2023 By Olivia Brown

Vitamin C, D and Zinc were the most widely reported supplements used during COVID, whilst natural/herbal products including ginger and honey were also popular, a new systematic review concludes.

Suanfarma sets up new UK subsidiary

06-Feb-2023 By Olivia Brown

Spanish life science partner in the pharmaceutical, veterinary and nutraceutical industries Suanfarma has created a new UK division, showcasing its commitment to expansion within the British market.

Review outlines benefits and future health care opportunities with bitter apple extract

06-Feb-2023 By Olivia Haslam

The scope for protective metabolic potential of the medicine plant bitter apple, aka Citrullus colocynthis, has been explored in a new review published in ‘BMC Food Production, Processing and Nutrition’.

Creating user-friendly fertility supplements for both sexes

02-Feb-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

The industrialised world is gripped by an "infertility crisis" and there’s great opportunity for supplements to help but the market needs more consumer friendly dosage forms, according to Hermes Pharma.

Multi-nutrient supplement encourages weight loss and fertility in mice, study finds

31-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Mice that received an obesity-inducing western diet (WD) had increased reproductive success when supplemented with a ‘Fertility Enhancer’ (FE) supplement containing antioxidants, phytonutrients, vitamins, PUFAs and amino acids.

Review provides consensus on vitamin D recommendations for Poland

31-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Clinicians and researchers from across Poland have contributed to a review of scientific literature, concluding with a consensus of vitamin D recommendations, pointing out the importance of the vitamin to reduce the risk of spectrum of diseases.

Offspring obesity: review stresses “urgent need” to address maternal vitamin D deficiencies

30-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A recent literature review highlights collated evidence that maternal low vitamin D (VD) levels may result in abnormal growth of the offspring, as well as disordered lipid and glucose metabolism disorders.

5 take-aways we learned during our Business Leaders Forum

27-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

From 2022 sales numbers to consumer enthusiasm remaining high, and from progress with equality and diversity in the industry to the growth in awareness around the importance of the microbiome for health, there were lots of talking points from our 3rd...

Could B vitamins protect against the metabolic syndrome?

26-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

Dietary intake and blood levels of folate, and vitamins B6 and B12 were inversely associated with MetS risk in young American adults, says a new study from Texas State University.

Study shows synergistic effects of vitamin D3, omega-3s and exercise on pre-frailty prevention

24-Jan-2023 By Asia Sherman

Supplementation with vitamin D3 and omega-3 fatty acids may not reduce the risk of pre-frailty on their own but have a synergistic effect when combined with home exercise, according to a recent study published in The Journal of Frailty & Aging.

Pharmactive launches 'high potency' kiwi extract to boost protein digestion

19-Jan-2023 By Nikki Hancocks

Pharmactive Biotech Products' new scientifically backed KWD+ kiwi extract (Actinidia deliciosa) targets vegan sports nutrition consumers as well as ageing populations at risk of muscle loss.

Clinicians should consider “trade-offs” in prevention strategies for birth defects, say researchers

11-Jan-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Advice on maternal supplementation to prevent birth defects (BDs) should consider the teratogenic effects of multivitamins (MVs) and adverse effects of excess folic acid (FA), according to Chinese research.

Biotin deficiencies linked to gut inflammation and IBD, study suggests

10-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Biotin deficiencies lead to dysbiosis of the gut and a reduction in mucus-resident microbes, leading to characteristics of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD), according to a new study in mice.

7 Reasons to Enter the NutraIngredients Awards!

09-Jan-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The 2023 NutraIngredients Awards are back with new categories but the same commitment to honour the best and brightest in ingredients, finished products, companies, people, and initiatives in food supplements and functional food & beverage.

Limited scope for vitamin D to prevent type 2 diabetes: study

05-Jan-2023 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

Vitamin D intake as a preventative measure against type 2 diabetes (T2D) may only benefit individuals with normal glucose tolerance, according to new research.

Dementia risk impacted by vitamin D status, study concludes

04-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

Those with a vitamin D deficiency were found to have a greater risk of all-cause dementia and Alzheimer’s dementia (AD), in a new cohort study, but no link was found with vitamins A, E or beta-carotene.