Beyond The Headlines: Abbott grants US$2.65 to ADA, Kemin Industries receives Novel Food status

30 Jun 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, American Diabetes Association (ADA) joined forces with Abbott to help promote health in diabetic patients through wearable technology and personalized nutrition plans. Kemin revealed it has received Novel Food status from the Thai Food and Drug Administration (TFDA) and PB Leiner shipped the first batches of its fish collagen peptide product, Solugel to the US and Asia.

In brief: Nutrition news
Abbott and the ADA have announced a collaboration to explore the benefits of diabetes technology by utilizing personalized nutrition plans based on data from continuous glucose monitoring (CGM) systems. They aim to help individuals with diabetes make informed decisions about their diet and activity. Managing glucose levels is crucial for diabetes control and the partners hold that the technology, along with the personalized plans, may revolutionize diabetes management and improve quality of life while reducing the risk of complications. As part of the collaboration, Abbott will provide a US$2.65 million grant over the next three years to the ADA. This funding will support engagement with healthcare professionals and key opinion leaders to evaluate existing clinical evidence on the use of CGM systems for personalized nutrition. The ADA will also launch two pilot programs focusing on adults with Type 2 diabetes to gain insights into how CGM data can inform personalized therapeutic nutrition and help individuals achieve their objectives. Furthermore, roundtable discussions will be held in collaboration with healthcare experts to review and evaluate clinical evidence, with a specific focus on the role of therapeutic nutrition using CGM data and its potential to shape nutrition recommendations. 

Also, Kemin Industries reveals it has received approval from the TFDA for its immune support ingredient, BetaVia Complete, as a Novel Food in the country. The offering is derived from Kemin’s proprietary strain of algae, Euglena gracilis, known for its high beta-1,3-glucan and protein content. After a thorough safety evaluation, TFDA has permitted the use of BetaVia Complete in food supplements at a dosage of 375 mg per day. The company spotlights that the products have been clinically tested to support the immune system and combat oxidative stress and have received regulatory status globally, including GRAS in the US and Novel Food in the EU. Furthermore, the product provides benefits such as immunity support, supporting respiratory health and protecting intestinal barriers.

Meanwhile, PB Leiner has announced the shipment of the first production batches of its Solugel premium fish collagen peptides to customers in Asia and the US. This release is highly anticipated as the demand for collagen peptides is surging globally, with consumers showing great interest in the health benefits they offer, such as promoting skin beauty, healthy aging and bone and joint health. The company highlights that the raw material for the peptides comes from single-sourced fish provided by PB Leiner’s joint venture partner, Hainan Xiangtai Group. Ádditionally, PB Leiners emphasizes that its production facility in Hainan implements the latest technologies to ensure reliable and stable production, with stringent quality controls and supply chain practices.

Brenntag Specialties announced a strategic partnership with Royal Avebe to expand the company’s supply partnerships in the nutrition sector, enabling them to offer a wider range of innovative and sustainable products and services to customers worldwide. As an initial step, Brenntag Specialties will acquire a Royal Avebe site in Izmir, Turkey, which includes office space, warehouses and blending facilities. The acquisition will allow Brenntag to distribute Royal Avebes potato starch and protein products in Turkey. The partnership is predicted to strengthen its presence in key markets, while also supporting Royal Avebe’s aim of enhancing its “go-to-market strategy” in specific regions. 

In brief: Launches
Seppic has introduced its nutricosmetic active ingredient, Ceramosides, to address hair loss among women. Derived from wheat lipids and rich in phytoceramides – which are known for their role in maintaining hair lipid composition and protecting the hair cuticle – the offering was the subject of a recent clinical study involving women experiencing non-pathological hair loss. The company notes that results were observed within just three months, including a 12.5% increase in hair length compared to the placebo group, a twofold rise in the number of hairs in the growth phase, a 27% reduction in hair loss, improved hair elasticity and decreased scalp sebum in individuals prone to oiliness.

Peak State Coffee introduced a limited release of its “Coffee With Benefits,” featuring adaptogenic mushroom-infused premium organic coffee. The product combines the taste of coffee with the health benefits of adaptogenic mushrooms, while championing sustainability in its recyclable, aluminum “eco cans.” The adaptogens include lion’s mane, turkey tail, chaga, reishi and cordyceps mushrooms.

In brief: Scientific studies
Researchers from Virginia Tech’s School of Animal Sciences have conducted a study to understand the trade-offs associated with transforming the dairy industry to reduce its environmental impact. Published in the Journal of Dairy Science, the study aims to quantify the contribution of dairy milk to human nutrition while examining its associations with greenhouse gas emissions and water use in agriculture utilizing data collected by the FAO to evaluate global supplies of different foods and their environmental impacts at the country and continent levels. The analysis considered the contributions of fluid milk to human nutrition, particularly calcium, and the environmental effects of food production, specifically emissions and water use. The researchers factored in nutrient requirements based on age and gender and correlated milk and meat supplies with agricultural environmental impacts. The findings highlight the critical role of milk in the global agroecosystem and its significance in ensuring nutritional adequacy. Moreover, it found that, while milk production has environmental trade-offs, it is a vital source of essential vitamins and minerals such as protein, riboflavin, vitamin B12 and phosphorus, with relatively low energy requirements. The study further reveals that approximately 35% of the global calcium available for human consumption is obtained from milk, addressing a widespread inadequacy of this essential micronutrient worldwide. Although the analysis has limitations and further research is needed, the study suggests that improving global milk availability and distribution could be crucial for enhancing the availability of critical nutrients in food systems worldwide.

In other research news, a study has found that water fasts may result in short-term weight loss, but the long-term effects are uncertain. Researchers from the University of Illinois, Chicago, US, examined the metabolic benefits of water fasts and their impact on weight loss, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. The findings revealed that the metabolic benefits, such as lower blood pressure and improved cholesterol, diminished soon after the fasts ended. However, no serious adverse effects were observed among participants who underwent water fasting or similar low-calorie fasting. Published in Nutrition Reviews, the research reviewed eight studies on water fasting and Buchinger fasting – a supervised fast popular in Europe where individuals consume minimal amounts of juice and soup each day. The study demonstrated noticeable short-term weight loss, with participants losing around 2-10% of their weight during the fasts. However, limited data was available regarding weight regain after the fasts. Some participants regained the lost weight within three months, while others regained only a small portion. The metabolic benefits of the fasts were temporary, returning to baseline levels shortly after participants resumed normal eating. Although participants experienced side effects like headaches and hunger, there were no severe negative effects reported though the researchers recommended intermittent fasting over water fasting for weight management due to the abundance of data supporting its effectiveness.

By William Bradford Nichols