Industry needs to better strive for regulatory equivalence across Asia, and indeed globally, while also educating policymakers that the fast-paced industry can no longer be governed by rules that are 20 or 30 years old.
Synbiotics — a combination of probiotics and prebiotics — used to improve the gut environment could serve as a safe pharmacological treatment for chronic kidney disease-related mineral and bone disorder, say researchers in Japan.
The latest insights into the health concerns driving supplement and functional food purchases across different age groups have been revealed at our first Healthy Ageing APAC Summit.
Innovation Network Corporation of Japan (INCJ) and Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) have invested 1.7 billion yen in Spirulina manufacturer Tavelmout Corporation.
Australian supplement firm Bod Australia will see George Livery — Swisse's former strategy and corporate director — join its ranks as executive chairman in September this year to drive the firm’s growth strategy in supplements and medical cannabis...
Researchers in Australia are continuing to explore the benefits of probiotics in relation to peanut allergy, buoyed by the findings of a follow-up study four years after their first published RCT.
Machine-based learning could be as effective as the human ear when it comes to detecting infant crying or fussing, opening up possibilities for potential clinical applications such as detecting colic.
A NZ$13m research project will explore how sea lettuce, which is found in abundance at the Bay of Plenty, Tauranga in New Zealand, could be transformed into ingredients for supplements targeted at metabolic syndrome and heart health.
A new Kiwi personalised nutrition supplement firm has attracted criticism from certain segments of the industry, thanks to its assertion that it is "beset with outlandish claims".
There are considerable challenges in gathering scientific data to recommend the use of probiotics and prebiotics in a clinical paediatric setting, but the evidence that exists points to their effectiveness in a number of situations.
From its sports nutrition opportunities in Australia, its eye care benefits for the China market, and its healthy ageing potential across the region, astaxanthin products have the scope for significant business growth in Asia Pacific, according to one...
Singapore is set to host our first Healthy Ageing APAC Summit next week, with scores of delegates from big-name industry firms confirmed to attend, and a host of industry experts taking to the stage.
Consumption of mung bean protein protects against weight gain and fat accumulation caused by a high-fat diet, thanks to its positive impact on the gut microbiota.
Australian regulatory body the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) will focus on education and detailed penalties for supplement advertisers who breach the rules as it implements new regulations.
New research from a pilot study in Australia – funded by Winclove and Nutrimune – has shown that probiotics may improve the quality of life of hayfever patients.
Hopes have been raised that New Zealand's long-awaited new supplements bill could be revived after the country's trade association took part in an 'unexpectedly positive dialogue' with the government.
Milk fat globule membrane (MFGM) supplementation during pregnancy and infancy enhances cognitive development in children at 12 months of age, according to recent research by NZMP.
Morinaga Milk's financial results for the last year saw a slight dip overall, with net sales falling 0.1% (¥530m) year-on-year to ¥592,087m, but the firm is targeting sales success with its higher-value functional products.
Insatiable demand from China is seeing infant formula fly off the shelves in Australia, resulting in shortages at retail stores and pharmacies, despite manufacturer efforts to increase production.
Pregnant women with a high intake of omega-6 fatty acids, even when they have adequate omega-3 levels, tend to deliver babies lower in weight and birth length, say researchers in South Korea.
Simultaneously ingesting EPA and DHA may have a positive synergistic effect on exercise performance, but more evidence is needed to confirm this, say researchers in Japan.
Australia's supplement suppliers and manufacturers have been told not to fall into the complacency trap after enjoying several years of rapidly growing sales in Asia, especially China.
Two players in the astaxanthin realm, Chinese company BGG and US firm Solix Algredients, will combine to form a new ingredient supplier based in Colorado.
Israeli personalised nutrition firm Nutrino Inc. has plans to bring its data-driven approach to diabetes to APAC, where the disease is a major health problem in many countries.
High costs and a lack of robust and reproducible results are reasons why 'precision' or personalised nutrition is not yet a feasible way to prevent type 2 diabetes.
There is insufficient evidence of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids' effectiveness in helping to prevent major depression, according to researchers in Japan.
Personalised nutrition has the potential to go mainstream in APAC, but the pace of progress will depend on how quickly and effectively MNCs, start-ups and governments can collaborate.
Indian pharmaceutical firm Sundyota Numandis will open a US$12m probiotic facility to meet demand, following link-ups with major industry players to develop and market a patented formulation.
Swisse Wellness is in the beginning stages of a double-blind RCT on its Ultiboost High Strength Deep Sea Krill Oil, with the first four participants having recently enrolled.
Aker BioMarine has Australia's expanding sports nutrition sector in its sights, after initial findings from a study on elite athletes suggested krill oil could boost performance.
Israeli astaxanthin manufacturer Algatechnologies (Algatech) has partnered with Italian R&D firm Sphera Encapsulation to produce new functional ingredient formats.
Manufacturer Matakana Superfoods is looking to establish a retail presence outside of Australia, Chile and its native New Zealand, after enjoying considerable success in the organic food segment through online sales.
Long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (LCPUFA) supplementation may not significantly influence intelligence levels in low-birth weight infants (LBWIs), say researchers in China.
China's booming supplement market will be drawn into sharp focus at this year's China International Nutrition and Health Industry Summit, with 12 industry experts taking to the stage.
DSM will close its vitamin C facility in Jiangshan, China, for four months from July — but the firm has moved to ensure it can continue to meet supply.
Nestlé has invested US$151.3m in two new factories in China as part of its latest efforts to increase its FSMP (foods for special medical purposes) and skincare offerings.
Daigou shoppers are believed to have accounted for $800m of 'unofficial' supplement exports from Australia to China in the past year, dwarfing the $320m figure for official exports.
A specific probiotic lactic acid bacteria isolate may boost the nutrient and mineral levels of a traditional rice-based fermented beverage, according to researchers at several Korean and Indian universities.
In China, India and Indonesia, Asia's three most populous countries, average calcium intake stands at 338mg, 429mg and 342mg a day respectively, far below the recommended daily intake of 1,000mg.
Spinach extract reduces the progression of osteoarthritis and leads to "significant improvement in locomotion and balancing activity", according to a research paper published on BMC Complementary and Alternative Medicine.