Nutraceuticals International articles from September 2008

Nutraceuticals International archives from September 2008

Omega-3 fatty acids could save eye sight.
September 1, 2008... Everyone knows eating fish is good for them, but now researchers writing in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition say it could help prevent people going blind too. Eating oily fish just once a week could be enough to halve the chances of...

High omega-3 diet benefits older adults.
September 1, 2008... A study conducted by the Phoenix, USA-based not-for-profit Kronos Longevity Research Institute found that a diet high in omega-3 fat improves insulin sensitivity and reduces inflammatory markers, but does not alter endocrine responsiveness....

Girls benefit more from omega-3 than boys.
September 1, 2008... Girls have been shown to benefit more than boys from the "intelligence-boosting" power of omega-3 fatty acids, found in oily fish, according to recent research published in the journal the New Scientist. Researchers looked at the scores of...

New firm GeneWize Life Sciences set up.
September 1, 2008... GeneLink Inc, a US consumer genomics biotechnology company, has announced the launch of GeneWize Life Sciences Inc. Over 1,500 new affiliates and their guests attended the two-day launch held in Orlando, Florida, where the parent firm is based,...

USA's MedGen ready for shipping to China.
September 1, 2008... Med Gen, a US manufacturer of nationally-branded, over-the-counter healthier life products and specialty financial services, reports that the documentation approving the shipment of Snorenz, claimed to be the world's first patented liquid spray...

China Yingxia buys soy bean milk facility.
September 1, 2008... China Yingxia International, a provider in the nutraceutical industry engaged in the development, manufacture and distribution of nutritional food products, dietary supplements and personal care products in China, has completed the acquisition...

EFSA views safety of ice structuring proteins in terms of novel food.
September 1, 2008... The European Food Safety Authority's NDA (on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies) and GMO (genetically-modified organisms) Panels have issued a joint opinion on the safety of ice structuring proteins (ISPs) for use in foods. ISPs, the...

Safety of dried roasted noni leaves for tea confirmed by European food regulator.
September 1, 2008... The safety of dried roasted noni leaves for making tea infusions at the expected intake levels has been confirmed by the European Food Safety Authority's NDA Panel (on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies). The tropical Morinda...

AZO colors: revising the rules in the European Union - a consultant's view.
September 1, 2008... Since the European Commission put its Food Improvement Agent Package (FIAP) proposal on the table two years ago as a one-stop package to house all of the principles governing the use of food additives, it has been a subject of heavy debate....

Zeaxanthin not OKed as supplements ingredient by EFSA.
September 1, 2008... The European Food Safety Authority' Scientific Panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (NDA) has published a negative opinion on the safety of zeaxanthin as an ingredient in food supplements in the context of the Novel Food...

US FDA explains "high potency" and "antioxidant" nutrient content claims.
September 1, 2008... The US Food and Drug Administration has issued guidance on its current thinking on the topic food labeling with respect to definitions of "high-potency" and "antioxidant" for use in nutrient content claims for dietary supplements and...

US supps firm in $2.5M FTC settlement.
September 1, 2008... The marketers of a line of dietary supplements have agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle US Federal Trade Commission charges that claims about their oregano oil and capsules were false and unsubstantiated in violation of federal law. ...

Australian alternative medicines sector breaching drug promo rules, being fined.
September 1, 2008... A huge increase in fines against pharmaceutical companies for breaching drug promotion rules is increasing pressure on Australia's federal government to clamp down on lax practices in the alternative medicine sector. Critics say that while...

IADSA critiques Codex on claims criteria.(International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations)(Codex Alimentarius)
September 1, 2008... Basing the criteria for substantiating health claims only on evidence from human intervention studies is not practical, the International Alliance of Dietary/Food Supplement Associations (IADSA) has said. Commenting on the latest draft Codex...

Cocoa flavanols may help brain blood flow.
September 1, 2008... Cocoa flavanols, the unique compounds found naturally in cocoa, may increase blood flow to the brain, according to new research published in the Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment journal. The researchers suggest that long-term improvements...

JAMA vit B/CD disease study criticized.
September 1, 2008... In response to a paper published in the Journal of the American Medical Association regarding B vitamins, folic acid and cardiovascular events in patients with coronary artery disease (see page xx), the Health Supplements Information Service...

Vit B may not cut CD events in CAD patients.
September 1, 2008... In a large clinical trial involving patients with coronary artery disease, use of B vitamins was not effective for preventing death or cardiovascular events, according to a study published in the August 20 issue of the Journal of the American...

Drugs and several fruit juices "don't mix".
September 1, 2008... Scientists and consumers have long known that grapefruit juice can increase the absorption of certain drugs - with the potential for turning normal doses into toxic overdoses. Now, the researcher who first identified this interaction is...

Strong 1st-half prompts Nestle's good forecast.
September 1, 2008... Worldwide food and drinks leader Nestle has posted a strong set of financial results for the first half of 2008, as a result of which the Vevey, Switzerland-headquartered company has predicted a sustained improvement in its business for the...

Danone's first-half sales grow 9.6%, EPS up 17%.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... France's Groupe Danone says that turnover for the first six months of 2008 increased 9.66% to 7.69 billion euros ($11.54 billion), while trading operating income advanced 12.3% to 1,18 billion euros, with margins improving 35 basis points, and...

Distriborg in "black".
September 1, 2008... Biological and dietary products company Distriborg, the French arm of the Dutch Wessanen group, has bounced back into growth after several years of losses. Sales last year went up 5% to 226.0 million ($339.0 million) with operating earnings...

Cognis sells unit.
September 1, 2008... Further confirming its focus on core businesses, specialty supplier Cognis has now sold its stake in the Cognis Oleochemicals, a joint venture with Singapore's PTT Chemical International, to its partner for around 104.0 million euros ($156.0...

UK consumers being misled about joint supplements, Whatsinit.com study finds.
September 1, 2008... Well known names in the field of medicines and health care retailing in the UK, such as Boots and Superdrug, are misleading millions of customers who buy their dietary supplements, according to research by Whatsinit.com, a new, independent...

EFSA adopts first opinion on health claims for disease reduction and children's health.
September 1, 2008... The European Food Safety Authority's Panel on dietetic products, nutrition and allergies (NDA) has adopted its first series of opinions on claims referring to the reduction of disease risk and children's development and health. Scientists of...

GoMacro offers Omega-3 nutra bars.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Wisconsin, USA-based GoMacro says that it is now offering Omega-3 MacroNutrient Bars for the health conscious consumer interested in lots of nutrients to boost their immune system and create optimum energy. GoMacro (gomacro.com), a maker of...

Health Direct debuts bilberry range in UK.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... UK nutritional products maker Healthy Direct has launched the latest addition to its range of vitamins and mineral supplements. The new Bilberry Extract and High Strength Bilberry product formulas have been exclusively developed by the firm to...

Cold prophylactic being tested in UK.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... UK volunteers are currently testing a pill that could prevent colds, but the bad news is results will not be available until 2009. The product is Immunox from DTECTA Probiotics. Immunox is a clinically-trialled blend of probiotic cultures and...

Irish FSA's positive opinion on Clarinol CLA.(Food Safety Authority)(Clarinol conjugated linoleic acid)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Dutch firm Lipid Nutrition says that the Food Safety Authority of Ireland has finalized its assessment of the firm's Clarinol conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) in the European Union's Novel Food registration process, and has submitted its positive...

Highlights of ILSI South and North Africa and Gulf regions scientific programs.(International Life Sciences Institute)
September 1, 2008... Due to their geographical proximity, the International Life Sciences Institute Europe is developing a special relationship with ILSI North Africa and Gulf Region and ILSI South Africa. Representatives from these branches were invited to present...

Health Canada foreign product alerts, August.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Health Canada is advising consumers not to use the following products due to concerns about possible side-effects. These products are not authorized for sale in Canada and have not been found in the Canadian marketplace. However, it is possible...

Olive leaf extract tackles BP, cholesterol.
September 1, 2008... Taking 1,000mg of a specific olive leaf extract (EFLA 943), from Israel's Frutarom Health, can lower both cholesterol and blood pressure in patients with mild hypertension. These findings came from a "Twins" trial, in which different treatments...

Black raspberies slow cancer by altering hundreds of genes, researchers find.
September 1, 2008... New research strongly suggests that a mix of preventative agents, such as those found in concentrated black raspberries, may more effectively inhibit cancer development than single agents aimed at shutting down a particular gene. Researchers at...

Toxic metals seen in on-line Ayurverdics.(Survey)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Researchers at Boston University School of Medicine, USA, have found that one fifth of both US-and Indian-manufactured Ayurvedic medicines purchased via the Internet contain lead, mercury or arsenic. These findings appeared in the August 27...

New drinks review: ethical beverages continue to court favor, says Productscan.
September 1, 2008... Productscan's latest new drinks review focuses finds that ethical drinks are increasingly being introduced to market. Whether carbon neutral, ethically packaged or with a charitable core, manufacturers are finding that it pays to court...

European Union to introduce new RDAs for micronutrients - by Peter Berry Ottaway.
September 1, 2008... The European Union is about to undergo its second major change of Recommended Daily Allowances (RDAs) used on labels. The first was in 1990 when RDA values were assigned to 12 vitamins and 6 minerals and these values formed the basis of the...

Details of EFSA health claim opinions.(European Union. European Food Safety Authority)
September 1, 2008... Opinions published by the European Foods Standards Authority (see page 7) assessed the health relationship that an applicant claimed existed between a food/food ingredient and either disease risk reduction or children's health. The eight...

Australia's TGA finds that high-dose vit B6 may cause peripheral neuropathy.
September 1, 2008... The association between vitamin B6 (pyridoxine, pyridoxal, pyridoxamine) and neurotoxicity, particularly peripheral neuropathy, is well established and appears to be dependent on dose and duration of use, says Australian medicines regulator the...

South Africa to regulate alternative medicines.
September 1, 2008... South Africa's Department of Health has published a fresh set of draft regulations for complementary medicines, a move intended to give consumers assurance that the products they purchase are safe, effective and of good quality, reports the...

Turnaround far from done at Cyanotech.
September 1, 2008... Cyanotech Corp, which develops nutritional products from microalgae, has posted results for the fiscal first quarter ended June 30, 2008, which show that revenues increased 43% compared to the like, year-earlier period to just over $3.7...

Forbes' focus is nutra after pharma sale.(Transition Therapeutics Inc. acquired Forbes Medi-Tech Inc.)
September 1, 2008... Canada's Forbes Medi-Tech has sold off its pharmaceutical assets and business unit, which operates out of San Diego, California, as part of its stategy to return to focusing on nutraceuticals. The Vancouver-based company will get an upfront...

Reliv results hit by restructuring charge.(Reliv' International Inc.)(Financial report)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... US nutrition company Reliv International has reported revenues of $24.0 million for the second quarter ended June 30, 2008, a downturn of 8.7% compared to the like, year-earlier period. Net income was $569,000 or $0.04 per share, a decline...

NAI sells off catalog and internet business.
September 1, 2008... California, USA-based Natural Alternatives International, which specializes in customized supplements, has sold the catalog and internet business that was run by its wholly-owned subsidiary Real Health Laboratories for $2.0 million. The...

Schiff Nutrition fails in bid to acquire firm.
September 1, 2008... US vitamin and supplement maker Schiff Nutrition announced results for the fiscal fourth quarter ended May 31, 2008, which show that net sales were up 16.7% compared to the same period a year ago at $50.4 million. Net income was down 24.3%...

Solid set of results at Nutra International.
September 1, 2008... US nutritional supplement specialist Nutraceutical International Corp has posted its financials for the the fiscal third quarter ended June 30, 2008, which show that sales reached $40.5 million, a rise of 4.7% compared to the same quarter last...

Nu Skin and Japan's Toyo set up JV.(Nu Skin Enterprises Inc. formed joint venture with Toyo Bio-Pharma)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Nu Skin Enterprises is setting up a research link with Toyo Bio-Pharma, a subsidiary of Japan's Toyo Shinyaku, and, to facilitate this, they have established a new joint venture, NU Toyo Research, in the USA. Nu Skin is the first direct...

Studies report health benefits of blueberries.(Clinical report)
September 1, 2008... A variety of new results from international studies has suggested that blueberries may be of use in a variety of medical conditions, largely due to antioxidant anthocyanins that give the fruit its color. Blueberries score highly on Oxygen...

Pronova's Omacor cuts death in CHF patients.
September 1, 2008... Norway-based Pronova BioPharma reported data from a Phase III trial showing that Omacor (concentrated omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids) reduced mortality and morbidity in patients with congestive heart failure. The results were presented at...

Nutritionists note anti-aging effect of cherries.
September 1, 2008... Prompted by September being dubbed Healthy Aging Month, scientists and nutritionists are praising the qualities of tart cherries to encourage health as the body ages. A 2007 study by the University of Granada in Spain and published in the...

Probiotics could help against inflammation.
September 1, 2008... Data from a recent study, published in the August issue of the Public Library of Science Pathogens, has shown an anti-inflammatory and pathogen-protection benefit for Bifidobacterium infantis 35624. The study examined the effect of...

Further study shows pine bark naturally reduces knee osteoarthritis.
September 1, 2008... According to the US Center for Disease Control (CDC), osteoarthritis, the most common type of arthritis, is on the rise. A new study published in the August journal of Phytotherapy Research, reveals Pycnogenol, bark extract from the French...

Tackling migraine with ginger supplement.
September 1, 2008... Nearly six million people in the UK suffer from migraines with 190,000 attacks occurring every day. Two out of three sufferers are women and, in total, migraines cost the UK around L1.0 billion ($1.8 billion) per annum, according to The UK's...

Soy foods may reduce sperm count.
September 1, 2008... Scientists are urging caution to all men who love their soy food. A research study recently published in Europe's leading reproductive medicine journal, Human Reproduction, has revealed that men who eat an average of half a serving of soy food...

EFSA health claims rejections viewed.(European Union. European Food Safety Authority)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... In its initial assessment reports on health claims, the European Food Safety Authority rejected seven out of eight applications from the industry. "This is a wake-up call - not least because the EFSA mentioned the affected products and...

New-gen energy drinks in Europe.
September 1, 2008... A new report from Business Insights finds that energy drinks manufacturers are jumping on the health bandwagon and introducing natural ingredients to their drinks range. Recent innovations have led to a shift from stimulant, instant boost...

Prostasan "PILs of the month," says MHRA.(patient information leaflets)(Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... According to the UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) patient information leaflets (PILs) are improving in quality as a result of new legal obligations on manufacturers to test the documents with potential consumers....

European Union leads as a global exporter of "nutras" regulation.
September 1, 2008... The European Union has become a leading exporter of regulation as growing information exchange among regulators worldwide moves closer towards a common standard in food and nutrition policy. Simon Pettman, director of Brussels, Belgium-based...

60% of pregnant women in the UK use herbal supplements, but are they safe, asks BPC.
September 1, 2008... Almost 60% of women use at least one herbal product during pregnancy, research launched at the British Pharmaceutical Conference in Manchester has revealed. In the first UK study of its kind, pharmacy researchers from the University of...

Martek's life'sDHA in New Cabot Cheese.(Docosahexaenoic acid )(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Martek Biosciences says that Cabot Creamery Cooperative has introduced the new Cabot 50% Reduced Fat Cheddar Cheese with Omega-3 DHA featuring life'sDHA in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington DC. It will be available across the US...

On-line coconut supps see demand.
September 1, 2008... A pioneering on-line retailer of discounted vitamins and health supplements is reporting a dramatic increase in demand for its coconut oil supplement following press coverage of its multiple health benefits. Discountvitaminsandherbs.com is the...

Aronia berries to hit UK high streets.(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... A "superfruit" that has three times as many antioxidants as blueberries is due to go on sale for the first time in the UK at Marks & Spencer retail outlets. The aronia berry - also known as choke berry - originates from North America but is...

VIVIMIND goes on sales across Canada.(OVOS Natural Health Inc.)(Brief article)
September 1, 2008... Canada's OVOS Natural Health, a wholly owned subsidiary of BELLUS Health, announced that VIVIMIND, the company's first natural health product, is available since September on the Internet and progressively at over 2,000 retail points of sale,...