High reported rates of type 2 diabetes in some Pacific Island nations have been called into question after Australian researchers found deficiencies in the methods used to test for the disease - a finding which may have wider global implications.
Combining polyphenols and other compounds can dramatically increase their ability to fight cancers, according to a review from the Dr Rath Research Institute of its own and other studies.
Antenatal depression may be linked to poor nutrient intake, causing health risks for mum and baby, say researchers who suggest that supplementation could help.
The rise of China’s functional food and dietary supplement industry is continuing to outstrip overall economic growth, and will continue to do so with sports nutrition and goods for the elderly likely to drive future increases.
Asia’s functional foods and supplements industry needs to stop making unfounded health claims, while also better educating policy makers about the sound science behind its reputable products.
The use of a modified alginate and hi-maize starch encapsulation technique could help to increase the survival rate of probiotics, say Thai researchers.
Probiotics given to liver cirrhosis sufferers boosted neopterin levels and reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, but had no significant effect on white blood cells’ ability to consume bacteria, the original aim of the study.
With FI Asia taking place this week in Jakarta with 15,000 visitors, 650 exhibitors and a host of industry experts in one place, we caught up with Olav Masseling, brand director at event organiser UBM to talk about the Asia market, the major trends are...
Milk may significantly lower the release of polyphenols from almond skins during digestion, while consuming almond skins with food also has a significant effect on their release, according to a study.
The ability to ‘get on with it’ and perform important tasks, even when faced with a lack of food, is hard-wired in to the brain of fruit flies, say researchers – who add that the same circuits are likely to be present in humans and other animals.
Over 80% of Malaysian pharmacists believe their profession should play a greater role in recommending supplements and other ‘complementary medicines’ (CM) to their customers, but most are having to teach themselves about the benefits of such products,...
University of Sydney and Ramazzini Institute researchers are claiming widespread bias in industry-funded research into artificial sweeteners, arguing those financially backed by business are far more likely to have favourable results.
'The race is on in this industry to take positions for future growth of probiotics.'
Danish probiotics and enzymes leader Chr Hansen has paid €73m in cash to acquire the Lactobacillus rhamnosus-based LGG suite of probiotic strains from Finnish dairy group, Valio.
Calanus oil is a highly bioavailable source of the omega-3 fatty acids EPA and DHA, says a new study that supports its potential as a suitable alternative source of omega-3s.
Australia’s natural nutrition and complementary health industry has received a “once in a lifetime” boost after the government gave the green light to a raft of changes to how businesses will be regulated.
The food industry needs to stop looking at challenges such as obesity, malnutrition and waste as costly challenges and see them as the opportunities for creating “$2 trillion of added value” as it strives to increase global production by 70% before 2050.
Intake of green soybean extract could help reverse cognitive dysfunction and its associated accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain, say researchers.
The controlled release of tea polyphenols into finished food products could help create new functional foods and reduce oxidation without the need for synthetic antioxidants, say researchers.
The United Nations health agency has called for a whole-of-society approach to address the double burden of malnutrition which affects populations across southeast Asia, particularly women and girls.
Supplementation with B vitamins significantly improves general mental health, reduces subjective stress and increases vigour and overall mood in mentally demanding situations, according to research from Melbourne’s Swinburne University.
Global and local players in Asia’s heart health sector are adopting radically different strategies – but dubious health claims from some of the latter threaten to undermine the market, according to an industry analyst.
A high percentage of children and teens in southern Australia may be deficient in vitamin D, putting them at increased risk of bone fractures and higher long-term risk of osteoporosis, warn researchers.
Indian manufacturers and suppliers can tap in to the latest wave of superfood trends both domestically and internationally by playing to the strengths of the country’s traditional ingredients.
Asia has a chance to tackle obesity through a more personalised approach to weight management providing it avoids the mistakes made in the West where not enough attention was paid to the needs of the individual, according to Nestlé’s nutrition head.
Asia’s booming seaweed industry – buoyed by demand for nutraceutical, pharmaceutical, and antimicrobial products – needs to avoid the ecological and societal pitfalls experienced in agriculture and fish farming, according to a UN university institute.
‘Significant progress’ has been made in rolling-out voluntary Guideline Daily Amounts (GDA) nutrition labelling in Asia over the past four years, but more work is needed to educate consumers and emphasise their benefits to small and medium-sized enterprises...
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Using yeast to churn out the fruit protein brazzein could enhance its commercial potential as a low calorie sweetener and aid the fight against obesity and diabetes, according to studies taking place in Korea.
New Zealand’s a2 Milk Company has signalled its intention to branch out from infant formula into a broader range of dairy-based nutritional products – with the burgeoning China market very much in its sights.
Manufacturers in China should be looking at moving past traditional soy-based drinks by incorporating multiple types of plant protein in functional beverages, says Mintel.
Sales at Chinese infant nutrition firm Biostime dropped by 14% in the first half of 2016 to RMB1.46bn (US$220m), with the Biostime brand – which accounts for 86% of the company’s sales – down 5.4% and the value brand Adimil down 65.7%.
Australian nutraceutical firm Gordagen Pharmaceuticals is preparing to launch its heart health and endurance products in the US by the end of the year.