Cardiovascular health

Fighting central obesity: Thai ginseng intake reduces visceral / total fat in 12-week Japan RCT

11-Mar-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Individuals consuming Thai ginseng for 12 weeks saw a significant reduction to their visceral fat and total fat areas, according to the findings of a new RCT.

Natto for heart: Singapore brand Lifestream expands award-winning cardiovascular range with vegan formula

04-Mar-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Singapore-based nutraceutical firm Lifestream Group has expanded its cardiovascular supplement range VesseCLEAR with a vegan product that is also touted to offer a broader range of support for healthy ageing.

Probiotics and CVD: OptiBiotix extends CholBiome range to APAC as blood pressure and cholesterol concerns rise

04-Mar-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

OptiBiotix Health will start distributing its blood pressure and cholesterol lowering probiotic in Asia Pacific this year, with heart health concerns rising on the back of changing dietary and lifestyle patterns in the region.

Heart health in Indonesia: Researchers call for development of plant sterol fortified and functional products – BASF funded study

03-Mar-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Researchers are proposing to fortify food categories such as bread, biscuits, noodles, fat spreads, sauces and palm oil with plant sterols, as a measure to reduce risk factors associated with heart diseases among the Indonesian population.

Vegan vision: Onelife to tap on booming vegan, organic trend in India with new capital funding

03-Mar-2021 By Tingmin Koe

India nutraceutical company Onelife Nutriscience will be using freshly injected funds to develop more plant-based, vegan and organic products to meet growing consumer demand.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in February

02-Mar-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See February's 10 most-read stories, including Malaysia's dietary supplement association plans in tackling unauthorised sales on third-party e-commerce sites, China's regulations on health foods filing, Blackmores financial performance...

Kawakawa innovation: NZ researchers to trial beverage for immunity, metabolic health gains

24-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand researchers are planning to conduct clinical trials on a kawakawa beverage with immune and metabolic health benefits, before refining the formulation and sell it in the export markets.

Tocotrienol for diabetic kidney disease: Excelvite partnering with brands to target practitioners, pharmacy channels

23-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysian tocotrienol supplier Excelvite is working with supplement brands to promote the use of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E to pharmacists and doctors treating patients with diabetic kidney disease (DKD), on the back of new clinical findings.

Korea’s stats: Nutra imports up 23%, complex nutrient products most popular, US top exporter

17-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s import of health functional foods was up 23.4 per cent last year, higher than the three-year annual average of 21.4 per cent, with the US taking the top spot in product volumes.

Right mare: Fermented mare’s milk increases metabolites linked with cholesterol-lowering effect – China study

16-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Consumption of fermented mare’s milk was found to increase 10 microbiome-derived metabolites such as linoleic acid, stearic acid, sphingosine associated with a lipid-lowering effect in people with hyperlipidaemia.

Regulatory review: See latest policy round-ups from South Korea, China and Malaysia

12-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea will start the third phase of its mandatory traceability programme for special purpose foods, while international brands selling co-enzyme Q10, fish oil and melatonin into China for the first time will still need to enter the market via the...

Fermented soy helps lower cholesterol in RCT

09-Feb-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

Consuming fermented soy daily can decrease total and LDL cholesterol levels, and may offer a dietary strategy to manage blood lipids, according to an industry funded study.

Status, education and pre-existing conditions: The key drivers of omega-3 supplementation in China, Thailand and Vietnam

09-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Consumption of an omega-3 supplement produced by Australian health company Max Biocare is clearly linked to socio-demographic status among adults residing in China, Thailand and Vietnam, according to new research.

Caught by surprise: China tells international brands new co-enzyme Q10, fish oil and melatonin products still need to use registration track

09-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Newly imported products containing co-enzyme Q10 and four other raw materials recently added to China’s Health Food Raw Material Directory entering China will still need to go through the registration route, while local products can go through the less...

NUTRACHAMPION PODCAST EPISODE 15

LISTEN: Complementary medicine and chronic disease management is “where the research opportunities lie” – Prof Alan Bensoussan

05-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

New regulations in Australia is making research on the role of complementary medicine, including Chinese medicine, to manage chronic diseases more attractive, according to a prominent researcher who stars in the 15th episode of our NutraChampion podcast.

‘Clean nutrition’: OZiva looks to increase product offering following launch of India’s first vegan omega-3 multivitamin

03-Feb-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

India-based start-up OZiva is planning to launch six to eight new supplements in the first quarter of this year, with the company reporting growing demand for ‘clean nutrition’ products, mostly driven by the plant-based trend.

GALLERY: The 10 most read APAC health and nutrition stories in January

02-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See January's 10 most read stories, including new data on how the gut microbiome is linked to severity of COVID-19, Indian firm Windlas Biotech's launch of an artemisinin supplement as an adjunctive to COVID-19 treatment and more.

Attractive opportunities: APAC’s infant probiotics sector benefitting from parents seeking science-backed products

02-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Interest in the infant nutrition benefits of bifidobacteria is soaring, with a raft of papers published in the last year, and a growing understanding of the impact that human residential strains can have on early-life development.

E-commerce complaints: Malaysian industry calls for clampdown on ‘unauthorised’ online sales

02-Feb-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The Malaysian Dietary Supplement Association (MADSA) says its brand members are being disadvantaged by ‘unauthorised’ online retailers selling their products at lower prices – and is calling on the government to clampdown on the situation.

Make it a priority: New Zealand natural health industry urges government to prioritise bill reform

27-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Trade body Natural Health Products New Zealand is urging the government to prioritise the regulatory reforms concerning natural health products, amid fears that dated, 36-year-old current regulations could be extended by another five years.

Prescription focus for diabetes product: Australia’s Omni Innovation changes retail strategy for pre-meal glycaemic control product

26-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Australian company Omni Innovation is shifting its focus to the prescription retail channel for its blood glucose control product, as it seals a new partnership deal with fellow Australian pharmaceutical firm Myopharm.

PepsiCo’s greenhouse accelerator: APAC’s only finalist to compete with probiotics for gut, immune health

26-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Four-month-old Indian start-up Biosustain Labs, Asia’s only finalist of this year’s PepsiCo’s Greenhouse Accelerator, has outlined how it hopes its probiotics for gut and immune health will spur it to success.

Olive opportunities: Malaysian brand Nutriva to launch formulas for diabetics and expand overseas

25-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia olive supplement company Nutriva International is set to launch new product for diabetic patients, as well as entering new markets such as Thailand this year.

On track: More health foods expected to be approved via registration track in China as 2020 figure hits new high

20-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

More health foods could be approved via the registration track this year, as the number of products approved in 2020 hit 715 – a record high.

Functional foods in Korea: General foods can now carry claims if there is scientific basis – regulator

18-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea has announced that general foods can make functional claims so long as there is sufficient scientific evidence backing the claims, but experts have said they do not believe that it will be to the detriment of the nation’s functional foods...

Direct selling spree: South Korea’s Atomy to enter New Zealand, Turkey, and UK this year after bumper 2020

13-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean direct-selling company Atomy, which sells health supplements, personal care and household items, is on an expansion spree and is set to enter New Zealand in March, and later in Turkey and the UK.

‘Fostering faith’: India’s Fitday on quest for country-wide offline retail expansion despite COVID-19

06-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Indian supplement brand and retailer Fitday is expanding its offline retail presence across the country, despite the COVID-19 pandemic.

New rules in APAC: Nutra regulatory developments firms should be aware of in 2021

06-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe, Guan Yu Lim

Regulatory authorities across APAC are primed to announce new directions or updates to monitor the dietary supplements industry in 2021…Here’s what you need to know.

Health functional foods in South Korea: Key ingredient and registration details that firms need to know

06-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Problems with registration and ingredient compliance are some of the most common mistakes that nutraceutical firms have made when exporting their products to South Korea, according to a regulatory consultancy firm.

Nutra trends 2021: GNC, Nestle, Kirin, GO Healthy weigh in on this year’s key developments

05-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe, Guan Yu Lim

Major nutra brands GNC, Nestle, GO Healthy, and Kirin have shared with us the key trends they believe will continue to propel the sector in 2021.

Where next in APAC? Brands say nutra growth opportunities are in Vietnam, India, halal markets in 2021

04-Jan-2021 By Tingmin Koe, Guan Yu Lim

Vietnam, India and the regional halal market are on the radar for supplement companies when it comes to their expansion plans, according to a raft of top companies.

Brand focus: Our top 10 most-read brand stories of 2020

22-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

See our top 10 most read brand stories of 2020, featuring BioCeuticals, Comvita, OLLY, and Doctor’s Best.

Trends focus: Top 10 most-read trends stories of 2020

21-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

See our top 10 most read trends stories of 2020, including the bestselling nutraceuticals amid COVID-19, new immune health product launches, and consumption behaviour in China.

No therapeutic claims or implied imagery: Major pitfalls to avoid when advertising supplements in NZ

17-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Companies advertising their dietary supplement products in New Zealand should avoid pitfalls such as making therapeutic claims, using imagery that implies therapeutic purposes, or overpromising a health outcome.

Triple action: Nissin unveils new powdered drink line to reduce blood pressure, triglyceride and blood glucose levels

15-Dec-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

Japan’s Nissin Food Group has launched a psyllium-based powder that claim to suppress triglyceride, glucose and blood pressure levels post-meal – the first products under its new Triple Barrier brand.

BY-HEALTH’s research priorities: China firm to funds new studies into infant and women’s health

15-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China’s nutraceutical firm BY-HEALTH is funding new research that studies women’s and infant health, including the impact of probiotics on the gut microbiome and immune system in young children between one to three years old.

Regulatory focus: Top 10 most-read regulatory stories of 2020

14-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

See our top 10 most read regulatory stories of 2020, including COVID-19 lockdown and essential business status, South Korea’s control on imported krill oil and more.

Only in China: Danone launches probiotics for preventing mastitis in breastfeeding mothers

09-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Danone has launched Aptamama – a probiotic product for preventing lactation mastitis in breastfeeding mothers. The product is exclusively sold in China.

Supplier focus: Top 10 most-read supplier stories of 2020

08-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

See our top 10 most read supplier stories of 2020, featuring Gencor, TurtleTree Labs, and DSM.

ASEAN harmonisation: Battle for consistent supplement rules set for success after 16 year mission

02-Dec-2020 By Guan Yu Lim

The long-awaited harmonisation of supplement rules across the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) has moved a step closer, with the new regulations set to be formally signed off next November.

Nature’s Way toddler supplement range Kids Smart boosting double-11 sales

01-Dec-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Australian supplement brand Nature’s Way says its toddler nutrition range Kids Smart has smashed new sales records and was the pivotal in the firm’s overall performance in this year’s Double 11 shopping event in China.

China’s health claims update: SAMR unveils 24 new indications for public consultation

30-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China is revamping its list of permitted claims for health foods and has unveiled 24 new claims for public consultation.

Guardian’s in-house supplement brand: Retailer sees potential in creating probiotic, joint and heart health products

30-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Health and beauty retail chain Guardian says it sees potential in expanding its in-house supplement portfolio, with probiotics, joint and heart health cited as key areas for NPD.

Home-based microbiome testing: Atlas Biomed launches personalised nutrition service in Japan

25-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Atlas Biomed has launched its home-based gut microbiome test in Japan as part of its personalised nutrition service – the first APAC venture for the company.

Berberine and probiotics combo successful in reducing blood sugar level in diabetic patients – China 12-week RCT

23-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The combined supplementation of the botanical berberine and probiotics has been found to help reduce blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, more so than taking each product alone, says a 12-week RCT conducted in China.

China market trends: NMN, e-commerce, livestreaming boosting health foods trade in 2020

23-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

The ever-changing China health foods industry is seeing new waves of trends, with a sudden interest in nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN), the prevalence of livestreaming in product marketing, and the potential for further e-commerce growth.

Brand new: Herbalife, Morinaga, Bright Dairy in the spotlight

20-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up of new developments across nutrition brands, we look at Herbalife's plans to engage the healthcare professionals in nutrition education, Morinaga further expanding the use of its flagship probiotic strain in infant products and more.

Healthcare strategy: Herbalife outlines plan to work with professionals to drive nutrition education in APAC

18-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

Herbalife has outlined its plans to engage the healthcare community, including general practitioners, nutritionists, and dietitians, to better educate APAC consumers about the right nutrition intake.

Heart health heroes: Whole grains combination recommended for lowering cardiac disease risk

18-Nov-2020 By Pearly Neo

A new Australian study has revealed that different types of whole grains have particular benefits for lowering different areas of heart disease risk – but refined grains are also still recommended as part of a balanced diet.

Double 11 data: BY-HEALTH tops chart on Tmall and JD for Singles’ Day sales

16-Nov-2020 By Tingmin Koe

China’s homegrown nutraceutical brand BY-HEALTH smashed sales records under the health and nutrition category across Alibaba-owned Tmall and JD.com during the double 11 Singles’ Day annual shopping event.