The business environment has been hard hit by COVID-19 and small players are usually the most affected, but two APAC nutra start-ups are flourishing amid the crisis.
In this round-up of new developments across nutrition brands, we look at Herbalife's plans to engage the healthcare professionals in nutrition education, Morinaga further expanding the use of its flagship probiotic strain in infant products and more.
Six months supplementation of Biotropics Malaysia’s Biokesum (Persicaria minor extract) was found to improve memory and mood among elderly with mild cognitive impairment (MCI).
Malaysia-based Berjaya Pharmacy Distribution is hoping to enter the pharmacy, grocery and food service channels nationwide with its anti-hangover candy, Sober Up.
Malaysian personalised nutrition start-up Nourished is seeing a boom in demand for tailored skin health and weight management products, especially among consumers between 16 and 45.
Herbalife is expanding the markets selling its one and only beauty-from-within supplement, a collagen powder, with Malaysia the latest country to retail the product.
Duopharma, the Malaysia pharma company behind the vitamin brand Flavettes, has outlined its strategies in growing the consumer healthcare business - including expanding the flagship brand across South East Asia and developing new immunity and energy products.
A specialist doctor should also be an active clinical researcher in order to stay on top of the latest innovations and understanding, says the winner of NutraIngredients-Asia awards’ NutraChampion title.
Malaysian insect-protein firm Ento has opted to shift its food production focus from whole-insect snacks to a ‘proteinisation’ focus in the hope of increasing consumer acceptability and encouraging mass consumption.
Malaysia’s edible bird’s nest cooperative EBN Kowalit has reported a rebound in sales with Chinese consumers identifying the beauty food with immune health benefits.
Dietary supplement brands which sell through pharmacies are reluctant or finding it difficult to establish their own e-commerce operations, despite the importance of a digital presence in the COVID-19 era, according to the country’s health supplement...
Supplementation of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E could speed up nerve signal transmission and increase the serum level of nerve growth factor (NGF) in diabetic patients.
Many big food and beverage companies in Malaysia have made commitments to improve product and population nutrition, but researchers have found these to be ‘weak’, ‘non-specific’ and lacking in comprehensiveness.
Research has shown that the rich tocotrienol content in palm oil could help prevent osteoporosis, with a leading researcher telling us that those who campaign against the industry need to focus on ‘science and evidence’.
The men’s health supplement category might not be as high profile as those for children’s and women in the APAC market, but two industry insiders have outlined why the category shouldn’t be underestimated.
There is widespread confusion among Malaysia’s dietary supplement industry as to whether it is considered an essential service and production can continue under the country’s coronavirus lockdown.
Drinking whey protein-infused carbohydrate beverage pre-operation and starting on an early oral feeding post-operation can shorten hospital stay and preserve muscle mass, according to a Malaysia RCT.
The nutrition discipline in South East Asia started relatively late, but one Malaysian expert has been active from the outset, clocking up almost 50 years of research experience and invaluable insights.
Intake of tocotrienol-rich vitamin E for 12 weeks can improve the renal function of diabetic patients with damaged kidney, and the results persist even nine months after the washout period, a randomised-controlled trial in Malaysia has shown.
The bioactives from honey could help tackle obesity by curbing appetite and Malaysian researchers are now making a weight controlling dietary supplement on the back of their studies.
One of the latest celebrity trends sweeping wealthy, beautiful people involves a novel approach to taking vitamins and supplements, but a Malaysian clinic is also touting the benefits for more down-to-earth consumers.
The body of evidence to suggest the benefits of so-called intuitive eating has grown with the recent publication of a study by Pakistani researchers that found mindful eating practices have a positive influence on modifying food consumption and reducing...
BASF is conducting a clinical trial amongst Malaysia’s university athletes with its peptide ingredient that was developed via artificial intelligence (AI).
In this round up, we bring you the latest scientific findings from health foods manufacturers, such as Japanese firm Eminet and Australia's Blackmores, as well as research done by the Chinese and Japanese academia.
Malaysian firm Davos Life Science is interested to find out the efficacy of tocotrienols in alleviating the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) in humans, following a recent successful mice study.
A new study has revealed that almost half of the pregnant women surveyed in Malaysia are vitamin D deficient, with insufficient dietary intake of the vitamin found to be a major factor.
Malaysia is being held back by the way its nutrition entrepreneurs struggle to make the transition from development to commercialisation, according to one of the country’s top VCs.
A young Malaysian entrepreneur has detailed how she transformed her father’s cosmetics business into a thriving supplements and detox drinks firm, thanks to a commitment to innovation and embracing e-commerce.
A comprehensive report on childhood stunting in Malaysia has revealed that stunting rates in the country are even worse than in Palestine and certain African countries, such as Ghana and Senegal.
China firm Hanyi Bio-tech has developed a technology to increase the water-solubility of cannabidiol (CBD), and aims to expand its application into a range of health food and supplement products.
Malaysian baby food brand SquEEEze Me Baby has its eye on neighbouring countries and perhaps even the Middle East, banking on its halal organic products to succeed overseas.
Product pricing in the omega-3 category does not have to become part of a race to the bottom, even amid market saturation and constant price-slashing, with the boss of one of Malaysia's biggest brands emphasising its continuing success despite its...
Researchers at Monash University Malaysia have embarked on a study to investigate the association of cultural practices and diet with the gut and oral microbiome of indigenous peoples in Malaysia.
Bened Biomedical is moving ahead with its expansion plans, most recently signing a multi-year agreement for its proprietary psychobiotic PS128 with Malaysian pharmaceutical firm Nuvanta.
Morinaga Milk has announced study results showing that its proprietary probiotic, Morinaga Bifidobacterium infantis M-63, has beneficial effects on the mental health of flood victims.
Vitagen Malaysia has launched its Digestive Health On Wheels education initiative to raise public awareness of the importance of gut health, starting with 30 locations in Klang Valley.
A clinical trial by Monash University Malaysia on Tocovid Suprabio, ExcelVite's palm oil-derived, tocotrienol-rich vitamin E ingredient, says it may make a useful — albeit limited — addition to existing treatment for diabetic nephropathy.
Scientists in Malaysia are looking to replace the world's Big Four crops with under-utilised options to help solve global food security issues, especially in Asia.
The health benefits of tocotrienols — chemicals in the vitamin E family — extend beyond the cosmetic, and may have significant benefits for the brain and liver.