Coronavirus

Chinese appetite for fish oils growing: How to tap into the market

05-Feb-2024 By Nikki Hancocks

Chinese consumers have a huge and growing appetite for supplements and functional foods, leading many manufacturers to consider international expansion, but strict and confusing routes to market can make this an all too costly endeavour.

Probiotics may thwart symptoms of Covid-19

12-Jan-2024 By Claudia Adrien

Commercially available probiotics may limit the symptoms of Covid-19, such as preventing the development of upper and lower respiratory tract infections in healthy adults, according to a study by Duke University researchers.

Vitamin D improves outcomes of hospitalised COVID-19 patients

02-Aug-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new study finds that supplementation with 25(OH) vitamin D in an Italian cohort of hospitalised COVID-19 patients that were deficient, resulted in a reduced length of hospital stay compared to those who were not supplemented.

COVID:19: L-carnitine supplement may have protective effect

26-Jul-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new RCT has found that the L-carnitine supplement Carnipure tartrate can increase platelet counts in patients testing positive for COVID-19, suggesting it may have a protective effect against thrombosis-induced complications.

Antivirals: the “promising” potentials of microbiome-targeted functional foods

08-Jun-2023 By Olivia Brown

A new review has noted the significant dysbiosis and loss of microbial diversity occurring in COVID-19 patients, highlighting the potentials for targetted probiotic dietary interventions.

Covid complications: synbiotic may lower risk of adverse outcomes in the vulnerable

27-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new RTC in elderly and type 2 diabetic individuals finds that in the group administered a SIM01 synbiotic formulation, there were significantly less reported adverse health outcomes.

Study spotlight supplements found to reduce side effects of COVID-19 vaccines

13-Apr-2023 By Olivia Brown

The new study observes a significant association between supplement consumption and vaccination side effects in an Italian adult population, specifically spotlighting the effects of omega-3 and mineral supplement consumption in reducing associated adverse...

The hits keep coming on the CBD COVID claims jukebox

13-Jan-2023 By Hank Schultz

Despite President Biden infamously declaring that the COVID-19 pandemic is over, there is no shortage of CBD companies claiming to cure or treat the disease, as a glance at the latest warning letters shows.

FTC seeks injunction against marketer of vitamin/mineral supplement

05-Dec-2022 By Hank Schultz

The Federal Trade Commission has filed a request for a permanent injunction against a dietary supplement marketer that allegedly made repeated claims to treat COVID-19 via a vitamin/mineral product.

BMJ studies that discount vitamin D in COVID fight draw ire

12-Sep-2022 By Danielle Masterson

Researchers and stakeholders are reacting to new research that contradicts two previous meta-analyses of randomized clinical trials that found vitamin D to have a protective shield against respiratory illnesses.

Renewed lockdowns in China creating many short- and long-term effects

17-May-2022 By Hank Schultz

Renewed lockdowns in China has thrown another wrench into the global supply of botanical ingredients. But having graduated from the recent school of hard knocks, suppliers are managing to cope, experts said.

FDA, FTC slap seven CBD firms with COVID-19 warning letters

01-Apr-2022 By Hank Schultz

Seven marketers of CBD products received warning letters for making COVID-19 treatment claims as part of the ongoing joint FDA/FTC enforcement action.

Faecal microbiota transplants may influence COVID-19 severity, suggest researchers

09-Jul-2021 By Will Chu

Tweaking the gut microbiome via a faecal microbiome transplant (FMT) may be worth further study as an approach to regulate the immune system in COVID-19 patients, researchers speculate.

Nutrition a possible factor in Covid-19 vaccination efficacy, concludes review

19-Mar-2021 By Will Chu

Researchers have highlighted nutrition as a possible factor influencing the effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccine, as recent news establishes a link between vitamin D levels and an adequate immune response.

Study finds vitamin C, zinc don’t cut COVID-19 duration but was too short, flawed in design, CRN claims

17-Feb-2021 By Hank Schultz

A recent study that found no benefit for vitamin C and zinc in shortening COVID-19 symptoms suffers from weak study design and a possible premature cessation, CRN says.

COVID-19 warning letter flood slows to trickle

28-Jan-2021 By Hank Schultz

The rate at which warning letters are being issued for illegal COVID-19 claims has slowed dramatically since FDA and FTC began cooperating on the enforcement action in March of 2020.

UK health bodies: ‘Use vitamin D for winter but not for coronavirus’

18-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

Leading UK health bodies have published updated guidance on vitamin D for COVID-19, in which they support its use during autumn and winter but stop short of recommending the vitamin to tackle the virus.

In communicating research results, ChromaDex runs afoul of COVID-19 watchdogs

07-Dec-2020 By Hank Schultz

The US Food and Drug Administration has issued an additional raft of warning letters on COVID-19 claims. One major industry name — ChromaDex — appeared on the list.

UK Gov prioritises at-risk groups with free winter vitamin D

02-Dec-2020 By Will Chu

The UK Government is to offer free vitamin D supplements to the most vulnerable in a move that supports bone and muscle health affected during lockdown but stops short of directly addressing COVID-19.

Lockdown, COVID fuel renewed interest on vitamin D

25-Nov-2020 By Danielle Masterson

A whopping two out of three consumers are concerned they are not getting enough vitamin D, according to a new survey.

COVID-19 puts spotlight on elderly malnutrition and recovery chances

13-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

Despite efforts to address the nutritional needs of the elderly, malnutrition remains an issue amongst this vulnerable population, particularly during the ongoing pandemic, says a Danone white paper.

Current sensitivity about claims shouldn’t obscure immune support benefits of EPA, DHA, Wiley’s Finest asserts

06-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Finished goods manufacturer Wiley’s Finest maintains that the immune health benefits omega-3s shouldn’t get swept under the rug, even with the heightened sensitivity about antiviral claims during the pandemic crisis.

UK’s Prime Minister considers handing out free vitamin D in coronavirus fight

05-Nov-2020 By Will Chu

The UK Prime Minister could follow Scotland’s example by offering free vitamin D supplies to those shielding as the country hunkers down in the latest round of lockdown.

Judge closes case of colloidal silver marketer that made COVID-19 claims

04-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

An Oklahoma federal judge has granted a permanent restraining order against a company that had been warned about selling colloidal silver supplements to treat COVID-19 but continued to do so anyway, FDA said yesterday in press release.

Optimum survey find Americans are vexed and lack health and fitness direction

02-Nov-2020 By Hank Schultz

Americans are having difficulty maintaining emotional balance and holding to fitness goals during the pandemic crisis, an Optimum Nutrition consumer survey has found.

Warning letter shows silver products continue to crop up as coronavirus cures

30-Oct-2020 By Hank Schultz

Another seller of colloidal silver products has been warned by the US Food and Drug Administration over making COVID-19 treatment claims.

COVID-19 and food retail: New data reveals winners and losers in foot traffic, visit duration

Whole Foods’ foot traffic remains down more than 20% as rivals recover, reveals Placer.ai data

16-Oct-2020 By Elaine Watson

New data monitoring store visits at America’s leading food retailers between March and September 2020 shows that traffic at Whole Foods remains down more than 20% year-on-year, while most rival grocers have seen a steady recovery.

Is the nutraceutical industry prepared for a second wave of COVID?

08-Sep-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Based on interviews with key players across the globe, industry is locked and loaded should a second round of coronavirus strike.

Vitamin D deficiency may boost risk of coronavirus infection

04-Sep-2020 By Stephen Daniells

Scientists at the University of Chicago are calling for clinical trials to investigate if vitamin D may reduce COVID-19 incidence after their retrospective study found a link between deficiency of the sunshine vitamin and the likelihood of becoming infected...

NutraCast: Rave Doctor CEO Scott Bartnick on shifting gears amid the pandemic

07-Aug-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Health-conscious ravers have caught on to a new breed of supplements, formulated specifically for the day after. However, the multibillion-dollar electronic dance music (EDM) festival industry was shuttered amid the coronavirus pandemic, with live event...

COVID-19: An opportunity to address urgent nutrition education gaps

05-Aug-2020 By Nikki Hancocks

There is an urgent need to provide evidence-based nutrition education to health professionals and this pandemic may be the perfect catalyst for this change.

NutraCast Podcast: CSPI’s Laura MacCleery on ‘antiviral' supplements in the marketplace

04-Aug-2020 By Danielle Masterson

Over 70% of Americans take dietary supplements, and by now, most consumers have probably noticed the disclaimer that says "This statement has not been evaluated by the FDA. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.”

Commentary article of the week

Pandemic could be lever to open up new era in health claims

31-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

The dietary supplement industry has an opportunity to help shape the debate about optimal health in wake of the pandemic crisis.

Vitamin Angels launches initiative to tackle coronavirus impact

22-Jul-2020 By Danielle Masterson

The sales of vitamins and mineral supplements has skyrocketed during the COVID-19 outbreak as many rush out to stock up on immunity ingredients — but not everyone has that luxury.

News in brief

Clorox teams with Cleveland Clinic on coronavirus guide

17-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

Clorox, a major manufacturer of dietary supplements and household products, has partnered with the Cleveland Clinic on a guide to help businesses cope with coronavirus provisions in the workplace.

TCM products make up majority of recent COVID-19 warning letters

16-Jul-2020 By Hank Schultz

An additional seven supplement companies have been added recently to the US Food and Drug Administration’s list of firms making allegedly non compliant COVID-19 treatment claims.

FDA to resume on-site domestic inspections

13-Jul-2020 By Danielle Masterson

After pausing on-site surveillance inspections in March, the Food and Drug Administration plan to resume domestic inspections starting the week of July 20.

Key takeaways from Sports Nutrition and COVID-19: Adapting, Navigating & Bracing for the Aftermath

09-Jul-2020 By Danielle Masterson

NutraIngredients-USA hosted a webinar discussing the many curveballs thrown at the sports nutrition industry in recent months. Our expert panel examined how the pandemic shifted the category, research, consumer behavior, how brands are adapting, as well...