Cognitive function

Micronutrient supplementation for mothers boosts infant cognitive health: Follow-up study

27-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Pregnant women should take more micronutrients aside from iron and folic acid to boost the long-term cognitive development of their children, according to a major follow-up study from Indonesia.

Indonesia unexpectedly limits omega-3 supplement claims

26-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Badan Pom (BPOM), the National Agency of Drug and Food Control of Indonesia, has unexpectedly limited supplement claims for EPA and DHA.

Nutrition Asia video series

VIDEO: Functional foods in South East Asia - trending ingredients, pressing consumer needs and 'preposterous' health claims

23-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

In the first of our Nutrition Asia video series we take a deep dive into South East Asia's functional foods industry to gauge the state of the market and assess how it can meet the health needs of consumers across the region.

Government funding and nutritional composition leads to high functional food hopes for Malaysian red seaweed

19-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Tropical red seaweed, G. changii, can become an important functional food ingredient and is a prime crop for large-scale commercial farming, according to new research from Malaysia.

Finding the fish: Rethinking nutrition amid modern diets

19-Jan-2017 By Gerald Quigley

In a perfect world you would get all the omega-3s you need by eating fish, but less than 10% of Australian adults consume the required level of fish regularly, writes Gerald Quigley.

CVD: Blinkered training pushes young doctors away from supplements

19-Jan-2017 By RJ Whitehead

Doctors show low willingness to recommend omega-3s to their patients because the training they received lacked any attention to nutrition and lifestyle.

'Highly frequent' energy drink consumption associated with mental health problems for teens

18-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

A new study indicates that Korean teenagers who regularly consume energy drinks are at “great risk” of mental health problems, particularly when consumed in combination with junk food, researchers claim.

Essential fatty acid deficiency higher in children with ADHD, Taiwan research reveals

18-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) have been found to have a higher deficiency of essential fatty acids despite consuming similar amounts of omega-3 as those without the condition, research from Taiwan suggests.

Probiotics and Alzheimer’s: Personalised nutrition tipped to become crucial area of treatment research

16-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Modulation of gut microbiota through personalised diet or probiotic intervention will increasingly become a key focus for treating brain disorders including Alzheimer’s Disease, Chinese academics have concluded in a new review.

Aquatic plant potential: Why duckweed could become a source of protein and omega-3 beyond South East Asia

12-Jan-2017 By Gary Scattergood

Duckweed has long been consumed as an inexpensive protein and source of omega-3 in three South East Asia countries, but now researchers are questioning if it has the potential to be adopted by south Asian and even Western consumers too.

Chicory extract found to improve memory loss in mice: China study

12-Jan-2017 By Millette Burgos

Chicoric acid (CA), a nutraceutical component from the chicory plant, could slow down memory loss associated with Alzheimer’s and other neurodegenerative diseases, a study revealed.

Exclusive interview

How Australia’s omega-3 map will feed frenzied fatty acid research

03-Jan-2017 By RJ Whitehead

“We are building it while we’re flying it,” says William Harris, the distinguished American omega-3 researcher, of a mapping project to find out the true level of omega-3s in Australians’ blood, at a time when three-quarters of the population are believed...

Asian VC invests €33m in Indian botanicals specialist; acquisitions targeted

02-Jan-2017 By Shane Starling

Indian-based but global-facing herbals player OmniActive Health Technologies has won a $35 million (€33m) investment from venture capitalist Everstone Group, as it pursues expansion and acquisition targets.

The top five APAC research stories of 2016, featuring tea, TCM, astaxanthin, vitamins and Himalayan fruits

14-Dec-2016 By Gary Scattergood

From the liver benefits of fermented tea, to the anti-fatigue attributes of astaxanthin, these are the top five research stories that have gained the most traction with readers in 2016.

Curcumin supplementation shows benefits for people with severe depression: Study

25-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Supplementation with curcumin has been found to be effective in reducing depressive and anxiolytic symptoms in people with major depressive disorders.

Probiotics improve cognitive function among patients with severe dementia: Clinical trial

15-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Researchers believe they have shown for the first time that probiotics can improve cognitive function in humans, following a clinical trial with elderly Alzheimer’s patients aged 60-95.

Infant and brain health benefits of whey protein underlined by experts at Singapore event.

14-Nov-2016 By Gary Scattergood

The benefits of alpha-lacalbumin in providing effective protein in infant formula, and its role in increasing brain serotonin concentrations, were two of the academic highlights presented at the Alpha Summit in Singapore.

Omega-3 PUFAs could aid Alzheimer’s fight by boosting glymphatic system: Macau mouse study

28-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

New research from Macau suggests that omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids could improve the function of the glymphatic system, which facilitates the clearance of waste from the brain.

Pumping iron powers brain function for people with mild cognitive impairment

25-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Follow-up results released from a University of Sydney study show that increased muscle strength leads to improved brain function in adults with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

Taurine supplementation improves symptoms for young people suffering first episode psychosis

20-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Research appears to show that supplementation with taurine - an additive commonly found in energy drinks - improves symptoms in young people suffering a first episode of psychosis (FEP).

‘World-first’ rapid Vitamin B12 deficiency test could boost fight against cognitive decline

18-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Australian researchers have developed a world-first optical sensor that can detect vitamin B12 in diluted human blood – something they believe is a first step towards a low-cost and portable, vitamin B12 deficiency test. 

Omega-3 body GOED signs China partnership with US-CHPA

18-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Omega-3 trade body GOED is entering a partnership with the US-China Health Products Association (US-CHPA) to better serve its member companies in the Chinese market.

DHA supplement benefits older adults with mild cognitive impairment: China study

17-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A new Chinese study has shown omega-3 supplementation improved IQ among older people with mild cognitive impairment.

Science boss: Omega-3s could get boost by aping pharma doses

14-Oct-2016 By RJ Whitehead

It was has a huge challenge for Nils Hoem, Aker Biomarine’s chief scientists, to understand the specifics of nutraceuticals when he first arrived at the Norwegian krill oil manufacturer in 2008 after a career in pharmaceuticals.

Government trawlers help Chinese firms to enter omega-3 krill market

14-Oct-2016 By RJ Whitehead

As global krill oil major Aker Biomarine awaits regulatory approval for its new Superba 2 product line in China, increased consumer demand for omega-3s is bringing increasingly more local suppliers to the market.

Sage extract could offer encapsulation benefits for omega-3: Study

13-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Encapsulating omega-3 supplements with sage polyphenols and gum arabic could be a more healthy and economically viable option than techniques currently used, while also opening up the possibility of boosting protein intake, research from India suggests.

Clinical trial to assess if mangosteen extract can help treat schizophrenia

12-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Researchers have begun clinical trials to assess if an extract from mangosteen can help treat schizophrenia.

Chemport becomes first Korean company to secure Friend of the Sea certification for omega-3

10-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

South Korean fish oil manufacturer Chemport has obtained Friend of the Sea (FOS) certification for its Omega 3 products originating from European and Peruvian anchovies.

Indian joint venture launches new nationwide supplements brand

03-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Indian companies Vitalic Health and Athena Life Sciences have signed a joint venture to launch nutraceuticals and dietary supplements under the brand name 'Truuth'. 

SeaDragon officially opens NZ$10m omega-3 refinery as new investor talks collapse

03-Oct-2016 By Gary Scattergood

New Zealand Omega-3 company SeaDragon has officially opened its new refinery in Nelson, which the firm previously said has the potential to generate NZ$50m annual sales.

Probiotics may ease severity of multiple sclerosis: Study

29-Sep-2016 By Will Chu

Patients with multiple sclerosis (MS), whose diets were supplemented with probiotics, demonstrated a reduction in the severity of their condition as well as improvements to mental health.

Root 66? Spearmint’s phenolic matrix mapped

29-Sep-2016 By Kacey Culliney

Mass spectrometry techniques have shed light on spearmint’s complex phenolic matrix, according to ‘tentative’ findings from Italy.

Algae omega-3 wins €1m+ Oz research boost

26-Sep-2016 By Kacey Culliney

Scientists are using metabolic engineering to scale up omega-3 rich algae production in Australia.

Soapbox

How supplements can filter out the negative effects of Blue Light

26-Sep-2016 By Gulhan Demirci, technical and regulatory manager, Caruso’s Natural Health

Studies suggest that, over time, exposure to the Blue Light could cause serious long-term damage to our eyes and sleep patterns.

Protein microcapsules could help create ‘ultra high’ DHA content powders

26-Sep-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Whey protein stabilised microcapsules could be used to create omega-3 powders with higher content of oil and improved shelf life, say researchers.

Dementia and Alzheimer's Disease: Could plant-based Traditional Chinese Medicines aid treatment?

26-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

A new study of classical Chinese medical texts has found almost 1500 references to age-related memory impairment similar to Alzheimer's disease, and to several plant-based ingredients that should be assessed further for their treatment potential...

Supplements may help women with antenatal depression, study suggests

21-Sep-2016 By Nathan GRAY

Antenatal depression may be linked to poor nutrient intake, causing health risks for mum and baby, say researchers who suggest that supplementation could help.

Indian firm Arjuna to launch 'one shot' high-concentrate Omega-3 product

21-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Indian firm Arjuna Natural Extracts is launching a high-concentrate, "one shot", 90% omega-3 supplement derived from sardines.

Study supports bioavailability of omega-3s from wax ester-rich marine oil

16-Sep-2016 By Stephen Daniells

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.

Green soy extract could prevent cognitive dysfunction: Mouse data

14-Sep-2016 By Nathan Gray

Intake of green soybean extract could help reverse cognitive dysfunction and its associated accumulation of beta-amyloid proteins in the brain, say researchers.

Vitamin B clinical trials first to use neuroimaging technology

07-Sep-2016 By Gary Scattergood

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.

AUD$9m project puts algae under the nutritional spotlight in New South Wales

26-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

An AUD$9m (US$6.9m) project to boost the potential for algae in the nutrition, supplement and bio-industry has been launched in New South Wales.

India’s omega-3 deficiency a potential ‘public health crisis’

23-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

India’s “shockingly low” level of EPA and DHA intake is storing up a potential health crisis, especially because life expectancy and therefore the rate of chronic illness is forecast to rise considerably over the coming decades.

Thai functional beverage firm takes US$4m stake in coconut processor

18-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Thailand functional beverages manufacturer Sappe has taken a 40% stake coconut processor Coconut Factory Co Ltd for US$4 million. 

‘Healthy fat’ claims growing as consumer awareness rises

16-Aug-2016 By Nathan Gray

On-pack claims for ‘good fat’ are on the rise as manufacturers begin to tap in to changing consumer sentiment, says Mintel.

Caffeine plus light therapy aids sleep deprived young drivers

10-Aug-2016 By Gary Scattergood

Caffeine combined with artificial bright light improves the driving performance and alertness of chronically sleep deprived young drivers, according to a Queensland University of Technology study.

Vitamin D status linked to cognitive decline risk in Chinese elderly

29-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

Low vitamin D levels could be linked to an increased risk of cognitive decline and impairment in the Chinese elderly, say researchers.

Functional positioning spurs malt-based drinks growth in India

20-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

A focus on functional health benefits has allowed India to become the world’s largest market for malt-based hot drinks, according to Euromonitor International.

Microbiome modulation may aid symptoms of autism: Study

16-Jul-2016 By Nathan Gray

The use of diet and functional foods to alter the microbiota and impact the gut-brain axis could be a promising strategy for people with autism spectrum disorder, say researchers.

Omega Health takes Australian-sourced omega-3s to China

04-Jul-2016 By RJ Whitehead

A specialist Australian algae and fish oil supplier will tackle China’s high-end dietary supplements market by exporting home-sourced omega-3 products.