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.
Astaxanthin supplementation has been found to reduce visual display terminal (VDT) work-induced visual stress in people aged over 40, according to a new Japan trial sponsored by supplier BGG Japan.
Oral supplementation of astaxanthin was shown to improve the symptoms and signs of middle-aged and elderly patients with mild-to-moderate dry eye disease (DED) in China.
Astaxanthin combined with celecoxib, a drug used to treat pain and inflammation, can lower uric acid levels in people with gouty arthritis, more significantly than celecoxib alone.
Chinese astaxanthin supplier BGG World has announced an expansion to the company’s closed tube production facility in southern China that the company claims now makes it the biggest in the world.
Singapore fortified egg firm NuYolk, which goes beyond the traditional addition of omega-3 to include asataxanthin, selenium and a range of vitamins, is planning to conduct clinical studies to validate their benefits.
Chilean astaxanthin producer Atacama Bio Natural Products S.A has entered into an exclusive distribution partnership with Malaysia-based Nexus Wise to distribute its branded astaxanthin ingredients in Malaysia and Singapore.
In this month’s Nutrition Asia, we hear from Ajinomoto and AstaReal – two companies which have been researching and developing nutrition products for improving muscle health among older adults.
The supplementation of astaxanthin and tocotrienol has been shown to improve composite and verbal memory in individuals who have exhibited mild forgetfulness, according to an RCT sponsored by BGG Japan.
A pilot study from Japan found that astaxanthin supplementation for three months can suppress oxidative stress and improve cardiac function and exercise tolerance in patients suffering from heart failure.
Dietary supplement companies are finding new ways to boost the efficacy of their eye health products, with astaxanthin cited as one of the hottest ingredients.
Chinese astaxanthin supplier Algae Health Science, a subsidiary of BGG World, has announced an expansion of its photobioreactor farming facility that will make it one of the biggest, if not the biggest, sources of the carotenoid in the world.
Natural astaxanthin from algae has been “undisputedly demonstrated” to be the most effective form of the ingredient for a variety of health benefits, according to a new review.
An antioxidant, astaxanthin has been linked to healthier skin, heart health, joint pain, and now, research suggests it may also reduce depression and stress in healthy subjects as well as improve memory in subjects with mild cognitive decline.
AstaReal is working with end product manufacturers to deliver astaxanthin in functional food and beverage in Thailand, aiming to be the “first mover” in this space.
Chile-based Atacama Bio Natural Products S.A. which grows algae for astaxanthin, is looking to expand in Asia, with a more natural and sustainable process and product.
Innoso, a start-up based in Singapore, has developed a new food ingredient made from the roe of spring-spawning herring fish, one of which is incorporated with astaxanthin for an added antioxidant boost.
AstaReal is seeking to tap into demand for products that protect against sarcopenia, with the astaxanthin firm hopeful that it will lead to significant opportunities in the functional beverage space.
Indonesia’s first microalgae firm PT Evergen Resources is on a mission to meet the country’s astaxanthin demands across the nutra, pharma and cosmetics sectors.
Almost 50 million people in Asia-Pacific are suffering from sarcopenia, and this figure is expected to rise, creating a huge need for supplements and functional food innovation to help alleviate the problem.
The Atacama Desert provides ideal conditions for growing algae for astaxanthin, but the local markets are very limited, so one company is using its location and story to grow internationally, especially in Asia.
Supplementation with astaxanthin may be able to treat and prevent UV-induced skin deterioration in otherwise healthy individuals, but its mechanisms must be futher examined, according to a Japanese study.
Many ingredient suppliers have invested in research exploring how ingesting carotenoids may protect skin from UV damage, but as warning letters from the FDA sent out last week show, sun protection is not a claim dietary supplements can make.
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.
