Vitamins & Minerals

Research updates on vitamin D, spearmint, omega-3, lutein, and zeaxanthin

Company representatives from NattoPharma spoke with Nutritional Outlook about how the company plans to raise consumer and industry awareness about vitamin K2 for cardiovascular health through research initiatives, as well as through a new iHeart device that measures a user’s “internal age,” or aortic stiffness.

At last week’s Natural Products Expo West trade show, representatives from Lonza Consumer Health and Nutrition discussed how acquiring Capsugel’s delivery-systems portfolio empowers Lonza to provide comprehensive, clean-label solutions to the nutraceutical industry.

A look at the science behind folic acid, and why it’s relevant.

The four-year, $2.6 million grant was awarded to help develop and validate a laboratory test panel for assessing human choline status.

Supported by mounting cognitive-health research, magnesium and zinc are the minerals to watch this year. 

The policy statement petitions pediatricians to go beyond simply recommending a “good diet” for their young patients to ensuring that pregnant women and children have access foods that supply adequate levels of brain-building nutrients like protein, zinc, iron, folate, iodine, long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids, and the vitamins A, D, B6, B12, and choline.

Impressive 2017 sales for vitamin K2 indicate that bone health superstar is in for another big year. 

Researchers investigated the effects of a patented annatto-derived tocotrienol ingredient on key biomarkers of bone health, as previous studies in ovariectomized animal models of postmenopausal women have linked bone benefits to annatto tocotrienols.

The study results suggest a possible link between maternal folic acid supplementation and lower risk of autistic traits in children exposed to antiepileptic drugs in utero.

Mt. Angel says that its Brain Boost daily dietary supplement, formulated with Cognizin citicoline, supplies brain cells and other neurons the compounds they need to protect against stress and free-radical damage.

Researchers noted that while surgical and trans catheter aortic valve replacements can treat severe symptomatic calcific aortic valve stenosis cases, not all patients are good candidates for the procedures.

The study found that Deep Ocean Minerals-a preparation extracted from desalinated minerals and trace elements collected in seawater approximately 200 meters below the earth’s surface-can improve both cerebral hemodynamic response during exercise and recovery afterward.

Results from the animal new study showed that a full-spectrum palm tocotrienol complex exerts a protective effect on gastric tissues similar to that of the omeprazole drug, but through action on important growth factors.

At issue is FDA’s observation of an increase in reported adverse events related to biotin’s propensity to interfere with some lab tests and thereby cause clinically significant incorrect test results.

The biggest challenges and opportunities supplement retailers face today.

The company says that its MenaQ7 Vitamin K2 is the best-documented vitamin K2 available as MK-7. 

The company reported its biggest loss since going public in 2009, which it said is due in part to declining sports nutrition sales.

The latest research on brain health ingredients indicates products are meeting consumer needs and offer significant opportunity for category growth.

Novel supplement delivery systems push regulatory boundaries.

Recent studies indicate magnesium’s growing importance for mental health, arterial flexibility, and metabolic function.

The company says that its Super B liquid supplement is meant to be dropped under the tongue, and thus, is absorbed by the body more quickly and effectively than traditional pill vitamins.

An expanding body of research points to the significant benefits of tocotrienols.

Balchem/Albion said that it is taking advantage of increased consumer demand for two key minerals-magnesium and zinc-to build its presence in the fast-growing sports nutrition market.

Do calcium supplements really increase cardiovascular risk? Here’s what the latest research says.