Beyond The Headlines: Arla Foods Ingredients discusses protein consumption, Prolacta Bioscience calls for HDM regulation

16 Jun 2023 --- This week in nutrition news, Arla Foods Ingredients’ research finds active consumers are influenced by the sourcing, naturalness and nutrient content in protein supplements. Meanwhile, Prolacta Bioscience praised US lawmakers’ progress in regulating human donor milk (HDM), while Care International revealed a severe lack of financing to shore up vulnerable communities against the effects of climate change.

In brief: Nutrition news
Research conducted by Arla Foods Ingredients found that physically active consumers show a strong interest in the origins, cleanness, and nutritional quality of the protein they consume. The study analyzed data from a survey of 11,500 active consumers in 21 major markets worldwide and found that nearly 69% had preferences regarding protein sources, with health, nutrition and quality being the most important factors in their selection. The research further identified three consumer segments within the consort. The first consists of consumers who exercise rigorously and prioritize health, naturality, and complete proteins. The second included those who maintain an active lifestyle and prioritize taste alongside nutrition and the third segment included consumers who prioritize diet but not exercise.Arla Foods Ingredients says active consumers are focused on the quality, source and naturalness of protein products.

Prolacta Bioscience highlighted the US House Appropriations Committee’s action to direct the US Food and Drug Administration in regulating HDM, stating that the committee’s decision, as published in an appropriations bill, acknowledges the need for oversight in this area. The company stated that this step would help ensure the safety and quality of donor human milk while emphasizing the significance of proper regulation to protect vulnerable infants who rely on the vital resource.

At the same time, an analysis conducted by Care International revealed that there is still a significant lack of progress in achieving a balanced and adaptive approach to climate finance and spotlighted the need for urgent action and increased investments in climate adaptation measures to prevent some of the worst effects of drought, floods and famine. The report emphasized that despite the growing recognition of the importance of adaptation measures, funding commitments and disbursements have fallen short, with only a small fraction of international climate finance dedicated to adaptation efforts. The organization further stated that the reason for this is that the majority is still being allocated to mitigation activities. The organization called on governments and institutions to bridge the financing gap and prioritize adaptation finance, particularly for vulnerable communities that will be most affected by the immediate and long-term effects of climate change.

In brief: Product launches
GNC and CTRL launched a product line specifically designed for the nutritional needs of gamers.Pet Supplies Plus introduced OptiPlus line of wet food for pets, which it said offers a variety of high-quality options for dogs and cats, focusing on nutritional benefits and palatability. Furthermore, the company underscored the importance of wet food in providing hydration and the potential benefits for pets’ overall well-being, as well as the affordability of the new range, which it said will help meet the different dietary preferences and needs of pets and the owners. Additionally, it shared tips for pet parents on selecting the right wet food and incorporating it into pets’ diets.

GNC and CTRL joined forces to launch a product line specifically designed for the nutritional needs of gamers and enhance their gaming performance. The product line includes a range of supplements, snacks and beverages formulated to provide energy, focus and cognitive support. The companies said the partnership is meant to increase recognition of the importance of nutrition in optimizing gaming performance and highlight the need for more high-quality supplements in the esports space. GNC will be the exclusive retailer for the gaming-specific offerings.

Meanwhile, Enzymedica unveiled Berberine Phytosome, a supplement to support blood sugar metabolism. The offering combines the benefits of berberine – a plant compound known for its potential in regulating blood sugar levels – with phytosome technology, which has been shown to enhance its absorption and bioavailability. The company stated that the formulation will provide targeted support in maintaining healthy blood sugar levels and help maintain them within the normal range.

In brief: Scientific studiesA recent study revealed increases in several nutrition biomarkers for men taking multivitamin and mineral supplements.
A recent study conducted by the University of Eastern Finland suggests that consuming fatty fish can improve cell membrane fluidity, as indicated by a decrease in the lipophilic index. The lipophilic index serves as a marker for the flexibility of cell membranes, with a lower index indicating better fluidity. The study, published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, found that a low lipophilic index was associated with larger high-density lipoprotein (HDL) particle size and higher concentrations of large HDL particles, indicating potential cardiovascular benefits. The research used data from two randomized clinical trials involving individuals with impaired glucose metabolism or coronary heart disease and the results showed that consuming four servings of fatty fish per week led to improved membrane fluidity, while consuming lean fish or camelina sativa oil did not have the same effect.

A recent six-month study led by researchers from Oregon State University found that daily multivitamin and multimineral supplementation can positively impact nutrition biomarkers in healthy older men. The study, published in Nutrients, aimed to understand the effectiveness of multivitamins in changing nutrition biomarkers in older adults. The research involved 35 men aged 68 or above who were randomly assigned to receive either a Centrum Silver supplement or a placebo. The results showed that participants taking the multivitamin had improved biomarkers of nutrition compared to those on the placebo. Interestingly, the placebo group experienced a reduction in cellular oxygen consumption, a marker of cell function, while this was not observed in the multivitamin group. The researchers said the study highlights the potential benefits of daily multivitamin supplementation for older adults.

By William Bradford Nichols