Probiotics, Prebiotics & Postbiotics

Prebiotic supplementation could benefit gut microbiota of pregnant women – China RCT

23-Feb-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Prebiotics could improve the composition of gut microbiota in pregnant women, but did not show robust effects on glucose and lipid metabolism, a new RCT has reported.

More product formats: Aussie nutra brand seeks to incorporate active ingredients into pantry staples

22-Feb-2023 By Si Ying Thian

Australian nutraceutical firm Renovatio is beginning to incorporate its patented activated phenolic antioxidants into pantry food items, on top of its conventional tablet and capsule supplement formats.

Faster pregnancy: Probiotics, myo-inositol, micronutrients intake quickens conception in overweight women – 12-months trial

21-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

A year long trial showed that the daily intake of a supplement containing probiotics, myo-inositol, and micronutrients could shorten the time needed for overweight women to conceive.

Exclusive benefit: Australia approves use of DSM’s 3-FL for the first time

20-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Australia’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has approved for the first time the use of 3-fucosyllactose (3-FL) as a complementary medicine ingredient in listed medicines, such as dietary supplements.

‘We are better together’: IPA broadens scope to cover Postbiotics, Prebiotics, Synbiotics

15-Feb-2023 By Stephen Daniells

The International Probiotics Association has announced it is expanding its scope to cover a broad range of ‘biotics’ in response to industry growth and market demand.

Immune support, alleviating physical fatigue dominated China’s health foods registration approvals last year

14-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Immune support and alleviating physical fatigue were some of the most common claims made by health foods approved by the China regulators via the registration route last year.

‘Trends are rapidly changing’: South Korea’s health supplements and ingredients imports up 20%

07-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s import of health supplements and functional ingredients was up 20 per cent between 2021 and 2022, signifying the country’s persistent demand for health foods.

China focus: Research findings, co-enzyme q10 supplements, regulatory roadblock, expansion into China and more

06-Feb-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

This round-up looks at the latest research findings, soaring demand for co-enzyme Q10 supplements in China, regulatory roadblock for a Chinese NMN supplier, a Korean supplement firm’s expansion into China, and more.

Muscle boost:Taiwan firm’s probiotic strain receives first health claim in South Korea

06-Feb-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Taiwan’s Synbio Tech has received an individual Health Functional Food (HFF) in South Korea for its flagship muscle-building probiotic strain.

Nutrition Asia

Everyday essentials: From noodles to coffee creamer, the firms taking functional foods mainstream

31-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From postbiotic noodles to collagen coffee creamer, here we shine the spotlight on some of the most innovative functional food innovations in APAC.

Brand new: Suntory’s foray into personalised nutrition, Amway’s gut microbiome R&D plans and more

27-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from nutraceutical brands across Asia-Pacific, including Suntory’s foray into personalised nutrition via its partnership with UK start-up Remedy Health, Amway’s product expansion plans for its pre-, probiotics range and more.

VitamINSIGHTS – Exclusive in-depth analysis

Investment, innovation and demand: Why India is experiencing a nutra boom, with more growth to come

25-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

With heightened MNC interest to local firms receiving funding boosts, coupled with increased innovation and consumer demand across three key categories, we take an in-depth look at why India’s nutra market is booming…and primed for further growth.

Synbiotic supplementation shown to relieve IBS symptoms in elderly – Korean-RCT

24-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of a new synbiotic has shown to relieve irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) symptoms among seniors aged 60 and above, findings from a four-week RCT conducted in South Korea has shown.

Probiotic intake improves bowel movement in elderly with chronic constipation – study

18-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

The supplementation of Bifidobacterium longum BB536 has been shown to improve bowel movement, specifically stool frequency, in elderly with chronic constipation, according to a four-week RCT conducted in Japan.

Review highlights ‘huge potential for postbiotics as the extension direction of probiotics’

16-Jan-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new review comparing the available evidence for the efficacy of probiotics and postbiotics highlights the favourable stability and shelf life of postbiotics, but an observed “weaker influence”.

‘Go-to-market innovation’: Amway delves deep into gut microbiome and digital tech with new Singapore hub

16-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Amway says it will double down on innovation across the gut microbiome at its newly launched Singapore Business Innovation Hub, which the firm hopes will serve as a springboard for its expansion plans across the region.

Science shorts: Latest research findings on caffeine, selenium, probiotic

13-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest research findings surrounding the effects of caffeine in improving long distance running, selenium's effects in reducing insulin resistance, and how prebiotic supplementation could lower blood pressure in people...

Exclusive Japan FFC data: Weight management, stress relief, cognitive health products trending

11-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Foods with Function Claims (FFCs) that claim to support weight management, fatigue and stress relief, and cognitive function are trending in Japan, according to exclusive new data we can reveal today.

Vitafoods Asia 2022

E-commerce expansion: South Korean supplement firm Yuhan Care sets sights on China, South East Asia

10-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

South Korean health supplement firm Yuhan Care, which is seen as a pioneer in the women’s health space domestically, is eyeing overseas expansion in China and South East Asia.

Diversified approach: Blackmores’ new chair on the lookout for directors to broaden expertise – exclusive interview

10-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Blackmores’ new chair says she is looking to appoint new directors who can diversify the board’s skill set and expertise, as the firm looks to achieve ‘sustainable, profitable growth’ and improve shareholder returns.

Anti-colorectal cancer effects of spice compounds warrant further human study: Review

10-Jan-2023 By Gary Scattergood

Bioactive spice-derived compounds require studies using dietary doses to properly determine their preventive effects against colorectal cancer (CRC in humans), according to a review by Asian, European and South American researchers.

2023 outlook: The must know nutraceutical regulations on the horizon in APAC this year

09-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

Check out the new nutraceutical related regulations that will kick in this year in various parts of Asia-Pacific, from the use of aloe vera in Taiwan to Hong Kong’s Amendment Regulation regarding harmful substances in food, and Malaysia implementing Quantitative...

Probiotics mitigate disruptions to gut microbiota during bacteria-eradication treatment – China RCT

09-Jan-2023 By Hui Ling Dang

Probiotics supplementation could reduce gastrointestinal side effects and restore alterations to the gut microbiota caused by Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori)-eradication therapy, a new study reveals.

GALLERY: The 10 most-read APAC health and nutrition stories in December 2022

05-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

From a study comparing curcumin and coenzyme Q10 in lowering cholesterol levels, to the opening of Kirin's first human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) production plant and DSM's temporary reduction of vitamin C production in China, here are the...

Exclusive in-depth analysis

Nutra trends 2023: Industry experts on what’s next for healthy ageing, beauty, mental health and infant nutrition

03-Jan-2023 By Tingmin Koe

For the first week of 2023 we are revealing exclusive insights on the nutraceutical trends for this year, featuring interviews with several industry experts across five of the hottest industry topics.

‘Sparing no effort’: South Korea plans regulatory revamp to support customised nutrition industry

21-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea’s food and drug authority is currently looking at ways to support the country’s customised nutrition industry, such as making changes to existing regulations and “will spare no effort” in doing so, said a key figure at the ministry.

Top 10 most watched health and nutrition news videos of year 2022 revealed

20-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Here we summed up the 10 most watched health and nutrition news videos of the year, including Fonterra’s cultured milk drink launch in Singapore, Vinamilk’s and Health and Happiness Group’s analysis of Vietnam’s infant formula market and more.

Brand new: Latest developments from Melrose, Amorepacific, DKSH

16-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

See the latest developments from nutraceutical brands across Asia-Pacific, including Australian firm Melrose's strategies for the China market, Amorepacific's new product development pipeline for healthy ageing, and probiotics launched by DKSH...

China focus: Our 10 most-read China stories of 2022 revealed

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group)’s new product development priorities, Nestle launching infant formulas containing a novel nutrient blend and human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), and Danone’s healthy ageing products are some of the most popular...

‘China-centric approach’: Melrose CEO outlines new distribution and product strategies for key market

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Australia health foods company Melrose Health Group is aiming for bigger gains in China with a fresh market strategy and new product pipeline.

Probi, DKSH collaboration: Probiotics for bone health and iron absorption land in Singapore

12-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Probiotic ingredient supplier Probi AB has partnered with DKSH Business Unit Healthcare in launching two new probiotic supplements for the Singapore market.

Researchers propose integrated approach to probiotic characterisation

09-Dec-2022 By Nicola Gordon-Seymour

A combined approach for testing different probiotic strains in food supplements is both more efficient and cost-effective that standard methods, according to scientists.

Expansion push: South Korean postbiotic supplier seeks overseas entry after domestic boom

07-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

South Korea-based postbiotic ingredient and finished product firm Bereum is now pursuing growth in overseas markets following steep growth in the domestic market in the past two years.

Research for mental health: Huge scope for new studies on synergistic impact of ingredients

06-Dec-2022 By Pearly Neo

There is huge scope for more research on how a broad range of ingredients can work synergistically to improve a raft of mental health conditions.

Devil will be in the detail: New Zealand a step closer to natural health products regulatory revamp

06-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

New Zealand is now a step closer to a new regulatory environment governing natural health products, now that the authorities have introduced the long-awaited Therapeutic Products Bill in parliament.

Science shorts: Latest studies on eye health, blood glucose and weight management

02-Dec-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up includes the latest scientific findings on functional ingredients beneficial for eye health, how probiotics could regulate blood glucose and how cutting down on sugar-sweetened beverage could lower BMI.

Growth Asia Summit 2022

Clear benefits: Why the gut-organ axis a real opportunity for probiotic innovation – H&H Group

30-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

The gut-organ axis is a key innovation opportunity for probiotics, according to Health and Happiness Group (H&H Group) – the company behind health supplement brand Swisse and infant nutrition products Biostime.

Study: Multi-strain synbiotic may reduce symptoms of a bowel disorder

29-Nov-2022 By Olivia Brown

Patients administered with a daily synbiotic supplement showed marked reductions in the indicators of Functional Diarrhoea (FDr), in a recently published RCT.

Sleep quality, cognitive, immune health are top wellbeing concerns – Fonterra survey

29-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Consumers are most concerned about sleep quality, cognitive and immune health when it comes to taking care of their wellbeing, a new survey from Fonterra’s health and wellbeing brand Nutiani has found.

These go to 11: Australian practitioner-only firm launches scobiotics for heavy metal detox

29-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Australian practitioner-only supplements firm Bioclinic Naturals ANZ has launched a ‘scobiotics’ designed for heavy metals detoxification.

Probiotics and prediabetes: Data reveals benefits across a number of common factors – new meta-analysis

24-Nov-2022 By Hui Ling Dang

Data ‘clearly indicates’ that probiotics may fulfil an important role in the regulation of a number of factors in the prediabetic population, a new meta-analysis and systematic review has confirmed.

GROWTH ASIA 2022

Maintaining control: Why consistency and quality control is paramount in postbiotics production

23-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

All production processes to make postbiotics products need to have consistency and quality control as crucial components during manufacturing, to ensure the resulting metabolite mixes are unique yet reproducible and safe for consumption.

PS23 probiotic speeds muscle damage recovery after exercise: Study

18-Nov-2022 By Asia Sherman

Live and heat-killed Lactobacillus paracasei PS23 – a probiotic strain isolated from the feces of healthy humans – may improve physical performance and recovery following exercise-induced muscle damage, suggests a new study.

Brand new: Singapore postbiotic innovation, Australian coffee launch and Korea sachet expansion revealed

18-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at how brands from Singapore and Australia have formulated postbiotic supplements and coffee, as well as how a South Korean vitamin sachet brand is planning to expand its presence in South East Asia.

Pre, pro, and postbiotics: Singapore researcher formulates local strains for human, pet, agricultural use

17-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

A Singapore researcher has developed a technology for formulating prebiotics, probiotics, postbiotics that can be made into supplements and food for human, pets, and agricultural use.

Next gen probiotics? Nestle’s latest study finds novel B. longum bacteria in infants in weaning period

16-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Three novel groups of Bifidobacterium longum have been found to grow in numbers when infants are introduced to solid foods during the weaning period, said a new study from Nestle.

Seven up: Kerry reveals the top health and nutrition categories to grow ProActive Health business

15-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

Kerry has identified seven health categories that it hopes to focus on for its ProActive Health ingredient business across Asia.

Biotic marketing: Functions and formats trump ingredient information in microbiome promotion

15-Nov-2022 By Pearly Neo

Emphasising the healthy benefit functions and innovating in a variety of formats is crucial for the success of probiotics, prebiotics and microbiome-related products, more so than promoting specific strains and ingredients, according to an expert panel.

Trend tracker: China, SEA, and Saudi supplement markets in focus

11-Nov-2022 By Tingmin Koe

This round-up looks at the latest consumer trends in the health and nutrition industry across Asia-Pacific, including how kids eye health supplements are becoming more popular in China, why Thailand is the ‘supplement’ market of South East Asia and more.