Gut/digestive health

Korean chart toppers: Korea Ginseng Corp retains number one sales spot, Yakult drops out of top five

08-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Korea Ginseng Corp (KGC) continues to top the country’s health functional foods sales chart, while Korea Yakult has been pushed out of the top five, according to new data.

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

03-Feb-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The most-read stories last month include 2022 nutrition trends forecast by Nestle, Morinaga, Nestle Malaysia's glucose control supplement launch, an exclusive interview with Culturelle on probiotic trends in China and more.

Saccharomyces boulardii may be most effective probiotic for treating diarrhoea in children – Meta-analysis

01-Feb-2022 By Guan Yu Lim

Saccharomyces boulardii may be the most effective single-strain probiotic for treating acute diarrhoea in children, according to a meta-analysis of 84 randomised controlled trials (RCTs).

Nutrition Asia

Probiotics and beyond: Digestive health category buoyed by prebiotic growth and emerging ingredients - Watch

27-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Prebiotics other functional ingredients, including mandarin peel extract, are creating new product development opportunities in the digestive health category – alongside ongoing innovation with probiotics, according to industry experts.

Brand new: Nestle, Brand's Suntory, Culturelle, EZZ in the spotlight

20-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will look at new developments from major brands including Nestle's launch of a new glucose control supplement in Malaysia, consumer trends that Culturelle is seeing in China and more.

‘Riding the trends’: Culturelle sees fast China growth for women’s health and weight management probiotics

18-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Probiotic specialist Culturelle is witnessing strong growth in China for its products targeted at women’s intimate health and weight management, alongside products for digestion.

Brand building: Australia’s EZZ Life Sciences new chairman outlines R&D and international expansion plans

17-Jan-2022 By Guan Yu Lim

Australian healthcare company EZZ Life Science Holdings is pressing on with ambitious R&D and international expansion plans, as it shifts from being a distributor to a producer of evidence-based health products.

Korea removes spirulina’s skin health claim, adds caution statement to nine raw materials

10-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean regulator the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS) is removing spirulina’s skin health functional claim and has also changed the requirements of eight other raw materials.

Livestreaming, TV, pharmacies: Nutrition brands’ sales channel strategies for 2022

10-Jan-2022 By Guan Yu Lim, Tingmin Koe

With the proliferation of communication tools, brands these days can look to various tools in promoting and selling their products.

Can probiotics help boost China’s slowing infant nutrition market? Hear from the experts…

07-Jan-2022 By Gary Scattergood

Probiotics have boomed in China in recent years, accounting for almost half of Asia’s sales, but the nation’s infant nutrition market has begun slow, leading experts to call for more innovation and products with added functionality.

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

06-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe

From multivitamin supplementation and COVID-19 severity, to Nestle Japan's new launch, and Bayer's e-commerce sales growth, here is a round-up of the most-read stories in December.

Need to know: The new regulations set to shape APAC’s nutrition sector in 2022

05-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe, Guan Yu Lim

From China to South Korea, Australia, India, and South East Asia, we bring you the latest regulatory developments facing the nutrition sector in 2022.

Nutra trends 2022: Nestle, Morinaga, Shiseido, Max Biocare weigh in on what’s ahead for the industry

04-Jan-2022 By Tingmin Koe, Guan Yu Lim

We spoke with industry experts from Nestle, Morinaga, Max Biocare and Shiseido to find out their 2022 predictions for health and nutrition trends, spanning insights across healthy ageing, infant nutrition, kids’, women’s, and men’s health.

Brand focus: Here’s our top 10 most-read brand stories of 2021

23-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See our 10 most-read brand stories in the year of 2021, including developments from BioCeuticals, China TCM product Lianhua Qingwen, Swisse, and Malaysia’s Flavettes.

‘Simple, plain English’: Aussie industry body says new ad code is a step forward

22-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s complementary medicines industry body said that a new advertising code introduced by the national regulator would be a step forward, but was still awaiting clarifications on some key sections.

Regulatory focus: Our top 10 most-read regulatory stories of 2021 unveiled

22-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See our 10 most-read regulatory stories of 2021, including Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) policies in India, South Korea’s monitoring of krill oil and probiotics, and new standards for fish oil in Thailand.

‘Australia is in a good position’: Regulations chief on meeting China’s new customs rules

21-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s complementary medicines industry is “in a good position” compared to many other countries when it comes to meeting China’s new customs regulations which will kick in next January, says a leading figure at the Therapeutic Goods Administration...

Regulatory review: New VMS formats in Korea, probiotic regulations in APAC and more

17-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

In this round-up, we will look at the regulatory updates across APAC, from new formats allowed for OTC vitamin and minerals in South Korea to probiotic regulations in different parts of this region.

CBD-alternative? Review shows PEA targets similar pathways, ‘but safer and legal’

15-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

An ingredient commonly isolated from soybeans, peanuts, and egg yolks, has been shown in a recent review to act in similar pathways as cannabidiol (CBD), with researchers highlighting that it was a safer and legally recognised alternative.

China focus: Our top 10 most-read China stories of 2021 revealed

14-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Yiling Pharmaceutical’s Lianhua Qingwen, NMN market boom, Nestle China’s ‘blue-hat’ certified health foods for seniors, and a2 milk market potential are some of the most popular China-related stories this year.

Probiotics and health care pros: Retailer Watson’s beta-tests online database among pharmacists

13-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Retail pharmacy chain Watson’s has conducted a beta-testing of an online probiotics database among in-house pharmacists in Singapore, which it hopes will boost awareness among healthcare professionals.

Prebiotic innovation: Nestle Japan adds collagen, lactic acid bacteria to dietary fibre product line

08-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Nestle Japan has introduced two new products containing collagen and lactic acid bacteria to its ISOCAL Fiber product line.

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

01-Dec-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See the 10 most-read stories in the month of November, including Nestle China's insights on the country's infant liquid milk market, Malaysia's Holista Colltech NPD plans for its highly popular probiotic brand Lacto-5, consumption trends...

Patent pending: Hong Kong’s Govita to expand metabolic tests and personalised nutraceutical business in China

01-Dec-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Hong Kong’s Govita is looking to expand its patent pending metabolic testing and personalised nutrition business into China, with talks underway with potential partners and investors.

Fab four: How emerging NZ research can help take high value nutrition products to global markets

30-Nov-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

New Zealand’s High-Value Nutrition National Science Challenge (HVN NSC) has published updates on how its digestive, immune, infant and metabolic health research programmes are progressing, all of which are designed to foster exports of local products...

Brand new: Shiseido's new beauty-from-within range, Nestle's infant liquid milk in China and more

26-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round of industry update features insights from Shiseido, Nestle, Australia's Melrose, and Hoslita Colltech.

Probiotic strain isolated from centenarians shows anti-oxidative, gut microbiome modulating effects – Three-week pilot study

25-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

A probiotic strain isolated from centenarians has been shown to produce anti-oxidative and gut microbiome modulatory effects in young adults, based on a three-week pilot study conducted in China.

FODMAP diets and IBS: Distinct microbiome profile among people who see the biggest benefits

24-Nov-2021 By Gary Scattergood

People with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who see the biggest benefits of adhering to a low FODMAP diet, which restricts intake of fermentable carbs, have a distinct gut bacterial profile, new research has revealed.

China’s double 11 trends: Top-selling supplement brands revealed as TikTok takes-off as retail channel

22-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

The biggest-selling supplement brands in China’s mammoth Double 11 shopping festival have been revealed, while insights from Swisse have revealed the growing popularity of TikTok as an e-commerce channel.

H&H Q3: Swisse and Biostime owner reports China probiotics slump, but overall growth in ANZ

17-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group), the parent company of Swisse and Biostime, has reported slowing sales of probiotics in China, although growth remained robust in its infant formula and adult nutrition businesses in the first nine month of this...

Researchers turn autism microbiome theory on its head

16-Nov-2021 By Nikki Hancocks

There has been much speculation that the gut microbiome may play a causal role in autism spectrum disorder but new research turns this theory on its head - with researchers arguing the difference in microbial population is due to picky eating in autistic...

Probiotic regulations in APAC: Everything you need to know on latest developments in SEA, China, Korea and Middle East

16-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Regulators across Asia Pacific are paying more attention to the rapidly growing probiotic market and have introduced new policies to keep up with the category’s development, said regulatory specialists on the third day of our Probiota Asia digital summit.

‘Clean’ TCM: Tait Labs eyes Asia collaboration around citrus peel extraction method, plans to launch prebiotic supplement to China

16-Nov-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Canada’s Tait Laboratories is planning to export its digestive health supplement to China as well as pushing the concept of ‘clean’ TCM ingredients in the region on the back of a new patent for its extraction technology for citrus peels.

Idea to commercialisation: How PepsiCo, Yili and start-ups are innovating across product formats for probiotics growth

08-Nov-2021 By Pearly Neo

Probiotic products that have strong scientific backing for health claims, innovative delivery formats and added functionalities via vitamins or botanicals have a strong basis to anticipate successful commercialisation in the post-pandemic era, according...

Loving local: Malaysia's bestselling probiotic brand Lacto-5 on NPD plans, sales strategies, and consumer trends

03-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Malaysia headquartered biotech company Holista Colltech has outlined the new product development plans for the country’s bestselling probiotic brand Lacto-5, including a new product for immune health and the plan to combine probiotics with other functional...

Increasing NMN awareness: Next Miracle Nutrient opens first retail outlet / experience centre in Hong Kong

03-Nov-2021 By Guan Yu Lim

Next Miracle Nutrient is opening its first retail outlet in Hong Kong selling its nicotinamide mononucleotide (NMN) supplement, with the firm also hoping it will serve as an ‘experience centre’ to educate the public on NMN.

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

02-Nov-2021 By Tingmin Koe

See the 10 most-read stories in the month of October, including new innovation opportunities for glucose control supplements according to Nestle Health Science, Esperer Nutrition, Chromadex on Tru Niagen's potential in China's NAD+ market, new...

Trend tracker: Microbiome research, alternative protein, consumers' health habits in focus

29-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This industry trends round-up will shine the spotlight on microbiome research, alternative protein, and consumers' health and supplement intake habits amid the ongoing pandemic.

Probiota Asia: Experts assess pioneering microbiome research on immunity, bone and joint health amid COVID-19

28-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Exclusive findings on microbiome research centred around vaccine immunogenicity and gut microbiota changes in COVID-19 patients were revealed at the first edition of our Probiota Asia digital summit for 2021.

Probiotics round-up: NPD in sports nutrition, fighting tropical diseases, IBD and more

26-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Probiotics is one of the fast-developing categories in Asia’s nutraceutical sector, so this round-up is shining the spotlight on the latest NPD and research – ahead of our Probiota Asia digital summit, which gets underway this week.

Staying diligent: Aussie supplement regulator TGA has weight loss, hangover cure ads in its sights

20-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s regulator has identified weight loss and hangover cures products amongst its top priorities in its clampdown against problematic advertisements.

China focus: COVID-19 research, yeast-based probiotics, A2 milk and more

15-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up will focus on new developments in China's health foods industry, including Angel Yeast's yeast-based probiotics trial on IBD patients, Grass to Milk's A2 milk launch, China's COVID-19 research and more.

Pre/probiotics and TCM: Singapore wellness group launches functional beverages, cookies combining East-West concept

13-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

JOYRE, a Singapore TCM wellness company specialising in spa services, has developed its first range of functional foods and supplements based on traditional Chinese medicine concepts and modern science, with both local and overseas markets in sight.

COVID-19 supplement trends: Chinese consumers take two to three supplements weekly on average – Herbalife survey

13-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Chinese consumers are taking on average two to three supplement products weekly, with improving immunity, overall health, and digestive system as the key reasons, according to new survey findings by Herbalife.

Supplier taps gut health benefits of glucosamine

12-Oct-2021 By Hank Schultz

Armed with a new study, TSI Group will be pushing a new indication for its vegan glucosamine ingredient — gut health.

Child nutrition round-up: See new innovations across omega-3, iron, probiotics and milk

12-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Our latest round-up features on new innovations from a2 milk, an infant formula containing novel lipid structure by Danone, to new omega-3 and probiotics launches targeted at infants and young children.

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

05-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Catch up on the top 10 most read stories in September, including the adult functional gummies sector, developments in the infant formula industry, The Vitamin Shoppe's Asia expansion, and how beta-glucans could control biomarkers of COVID-19 severity...

Trial first: Angel Yeast studying yeast-based probiotics’ effects on IBD patients

04-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Angel Yeast has embarked on a human clinical study that looks that the effects of a yeast-based probiotics on adults suffering from inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).

South East Asia focus: Probiotics e-commerce market, Yili, The Vitamin Shoppe's expansion in the spotlight

01-Oct-2021 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up on South East Asia will look at the probiotics e-commerce market, including the fastest growing brands in the region, Yili's and The Vitamin Shoppe's expansion plans, and more.

WATCH: APAC leading global probiotics e-commerce sales, with Malaysia the largest within SEA - Lumina Intelligence

29-Sep-2021 By Tingmin Koe

Asia-Pacific is leading global probiotics e-commerce sales, with sales climbing 38 per cent between 2019 and 2020, and an estimated growth of 17 per cent for this year.